Rush to the Altar

by Rebecca Winters

  Enzo rose to his feet and shook Riley’s hand before indicating he should sit next to Ann. She refused to acknowledge her husband. Fresh from the shower, he smelled wonderful. She knew he would be looking drop dead gorgeous in the black silk shirt and gray trousers she’d seen hanging in the closet earlier.

  “I’ll get right to the point so I don’t keep you too long.” His gaze leveled on Ann.

  “Nicco and Callie told me about Boiko, who came to the preserve with the squirrel.”

  His topic of conversation surprised her as much as the gravity of his tone.

  “Later, I heard that you and Riley drove him home with a rabbit and discovered him living in an encampment on the outskirts.”

  She nodded.

  “I know. I’ve been there several times before and was there again yesterday with some parliament officials walking around. The plight of the Romanies across Europe is nothing new. Like you, I’m outraged to see them treated like alien beings. But when it’s happening in my own monarchy, something has to be done.”

  “I agree, Enzo!” she cried fervently, clasping her hands together.

  “It’s not going to happen overnight, and whatever measures are taken, they won’t ever be enough. But it will be a beginning.”

  Forgetting the promise to herself to ignore Riley, her head turned in his direction. Their eyes met. His expression was as solemn as Enzo’s. She looked back at the Prince once more.

  “On the barge I had the opportunity to talk with Mitra and her relatives in Italian. It was very enlightening and encouraging to learn that her family has been absorbed into our culture enough that they have jobs and live in decent housing. Up until now, only those who’ve come into some money have been able to enjoy some of the benefits that a normal citizen of our country takes for granted.”

  He frowned. “The vast majority that don’t have money will always be on the fringe of society. Without being able to speak the language, they can’t go to school or get jobs. It’s a vicious circle that goes round without end.

  “Riley has had the unique experience of being a close observer in a Gypsy household for seventeen years of his life. There are many dialects of course, many refugees from many nations, but he speaks their language and understands their customs.

  “Just as important, he attended school here in Italy for ten years and is intimately familiar with our education system from a foreigner’s point of view. He’s also fluent in English, Italian, Portuguese and Russian.”

  Riley’s language skills didn’t surprise Ann, not with his keen gifts and intelligence.

  “For someone like myself who is looking for the right people to put a plan into action to help these people, your husband is a godsend.” He sat forward.

  “I’ve asked him if he’ll head up the committee I’ve chosen to make suggestions and come up with an initial plan for the first stage. It would be a lifetime career appointment. Once you start to deal with the Gypsies, you must see it through over a generation in order to establish trust.

  “The money will come from an ongoing foundation my father started years ago to aid our people. More money will be funneled in for the project when a budget has been calculated.

  “Until such time as this new Italian-Gypsy Alliance grows to the point a larger facility is needed, the east wing of this palace will serve as the headquarters.”

  His eyes searched hers for a long moment. “Riley has told me he’ll accept the position as President of the Alliance on one condition…”

  CHAPTER TEN

  SUDDENLY she knew what was coming.

  Her heart pounded so hard and fast she thought she was going to pass out.

  Next to you, Mitra is the most important woman in my life.

  Ann knew Riley’s heart went out to the Gypsies. Enzo couldn’t possibly understand what he’d done by offering Riley this position.

  Her husband would see it as a way to pay back Mitra for her years of selfless love. He would view it as an unprecedented opportunity to help the thousands of poverty-stricken Boiko’s who had no tools to bridge the terrible gap society intentionally kept wide-open. Riley’s career as a racing pro would mean nothing in comparison to this.

  The only problem was, Riley knew that she knew it, and he was counting on that knowledge to prevent her from divorcing him.

  Another form of blackmail.

  Two powerful men were staring at her, awaiting her reaction.

  She wondered how Nicco felt about it. Was he wounded over Riley’s defection? Did he know Enzo had offered Riley the presidency of the alliance yet? Would it create tension between the two brothers who had always seemed so close?

  “Your silence lets me know you’re feeling overwhelmed,” Enzo murmured. “I wouldn’t blame you if you disliked me for ruining your honeymoon with such a weighty matter.”

  He stood up. “I’m going to go home so you and Riley can discuss the condition he has laid down. Call me tomorrow or the next day when you’ve come to a decision. I’ll let myself out. Good night.”

  He kissed her cheek, then disappeared through the doors. Ann turned to Riley, ready to do battle.

  “Don’t you dare put this on me or try to make me take on any guilt for what you do or don’t do as the result of my divorcing you.”

  He gave one of those elegant shrugs of his shoulders. “If you want one that badly, I won’t stand in your way. That wasn’t the condition, by the way.”

  His shocking comment delivered in such an offhand manner staggered her.

  “The old Gypsies can’t be changed. It’s their children who need help towards emancipation. The east wing of the palace has enough rooms to run the foundation with all its facets and still have space for a classroom.

  “The first stage of a project like this must include a working model for the community to examine. Boiko and others like him would be the perfect candidates.

  “I must have a teacher who before any other qualification is free of bias. The Gypsies aren’t the world’s greatest paranoiacs without a reason. You made a breakthrough with Boiko without speaking a word of Romany. Dr. Donatti told me he’s come to the preserve several times looking for you.

  “That rare connection could be the beginning of something exciting. Your degree in English, plus your acting talent makes you the perfect choice. You could learn Romany as you go along. With my help in the translation department, there’s no telling where this could lead. The preserve is a natural playground for the children. They’d be comfortable here.

  “The goal is to prepare them to attend regular school. It would mean a huge commitment on your part.”

  His black brows furrowed. “The wrong teacher could ruin everything. It’s a setback I wouldn’t relish, and it would rebound on Enzo whose vision is commendable in the highest sense.

  “That’s why my acceptance was conditional on your signing a five year teaching contract. It would take you five years with someone like Boiko before he’d be ready to trust another teacher.”

  He got to his feet. “Before you accuse me of blackmail, remember this is Enzo’s brainchild, not mine. You heard what he said. He’s already gathered a committee. Someone else will accept the position and do the job if I don’t.

  “Much as I would like to accept, I can’t go into this alone, and you’re the only person I trust.

  “What an irony that the one woman I need not only doesn’t trust me, she can’t wait to be free of me.

  “Callie’s going to let me take her car to the marina tonight. I’ll be back at six in the morning with the things you’ve left on the barge. I’m sure you’ll want to pack them for your flight home.”

  Ann had gone numb. Now Nicco’s brother was going to have a terrible impression of her, too. “Did you tell Enzo what your condition was?”

  “No, and he didn’t ask. One thing I’ve learned about the Tescotti brothers. They’re very private people who give others the same courtesy. I’ve never met finer men. It’s been a privilege to know them.”

/>   His eyes wandered over her as if memorizing her. “Your face has lost color. You must be getting a migraine. Go to bed, Ann.”

  It’s been a privilege to know them.

  It’s been a privilege to know them.

  Ann came awake with the blood pounding in her ears, gasping for breath. There was this oppressive heaviness in the region of her chest. She shot out of bed wondering if she was having a heart attack. Her body had broken out in a cold sweat.

  The headache that had forced her to take pain killer was supposed to have kept her asleep all night. One glance at her watch indicated it was only ten after two in the morning.

  She clung to the bedpost with both hands willing her body to calm down, but it refused.

  Once Riley dropped her things off, she’d never seen him again.

  That was the reason for the pain.

  To never look in his eyes again—to never be in his presence again—was unthinkable.

  Suddenly the concerns of the past didn’t matter anymore. Like Sister Francesca and Mitra, she loved him pure and simply. He’d put those two women through hell, yet they’d continued to love him and be there for him without strings.

  She would have to do the same and never count the cost because a life without him in it, was no life at all.

  Without wasting another second, she rang for a taxi, then alerted the security guard at the private gate to let it come on through to the east entrance of the palace.

  The light from a full moon reflecting off the river made it unnecessary for Riley to turn on the lamp. He sat hunched on the couch with his hands clasped between his knees. The unopened bottle of whiskey stared back at him from the coffee table.

  Mitra had given it to him for a going away present the night before he’d had to leave for Russia with his father.

  I want you to keep this with you wherever you go. Every time you are tempted to open it, remember that it represents your father’s sickness.

  By some miracle, or evil design, however he chose to look at it, the bottle had survived twelve years in tact.

  The first time he’d intended to drain the contents was when Sister Francesca had caught him with it in his hands and had confiscated it for safe keeping. Being the honest soul she was, he’d found it wrapped in his suitcase when he’d prepared to leave the hospital.

  Tonight was the second time he was ready to break it open, if only to blot Ann from his consciousness for a few hours.

  Suddenly a noise distracted his morose thoughts. He had the distinct impression someone was outside the cabin prowling around. Instinct drove him to all fours. He made it to the wall next to the door and flattened himself against it.

  Footsteps came closer. There was a knock. “Riley?” a familiar voice called out. “It’s Ann! Can you hear me? Open up!”

  He undid the lock and flung the door wide, causing her to cry out. Her hand went to her throat. “You scared me!”

  Though he knew he’d frightened her, her green eyes looked at him with a hunger he’d never seen in them before. His heart skittered all over the place.

  She stood there with the moonlight bathing her flowing blond hair. It illuminated the breathtaking mold of her curves and long legs. The first time he’d laid eyes on her, the beauty of her classic features had filled his vision so he was blind to any other woman after that.

  But so much had happened since then, it was her inner beauty he was seeing now. She glowed.

  His body grew weak. “What in the hell are you doing here in the middle of the night without letting me know you were coming? I could have hurt you,” his voice shook.

  “It was a risk I was willing to take to be with the husband I love more than life itself.” Her hands lifted to his chest. “But I have to say you really do swear too much, Riley. Honestly, darling, is that any way to greet your wife? The woman who’s joined at the hip with you forever?”

  He felt her soft arms glide around his neck with a sense of wonder.

  “I’ve been a fool.” She kissed his hair, his eyes, his jaw, his mouth. “For better, for worse, I love you, Riley Garrow. I love you. It doesn’t matter if you can’t say the words back. I’ll take everything you can say. Everything you’re willing to give me.

  “No more talk now, my love. I want to show you just how much you mean to me. Come to bed.”

  She grasped his hand and took the lead. Riley didn’t remember his feet touching the ground because his soul was soaring.

  Riley’s loving had made her feel immortal. After satisfying each other’s needs for hours, he’d finally fallen asleep. Ann couldn’t sleep. She didn’t want to.

  Besides being the most wonderful man in existence, he was the most beautiful. Just looking at him brought her intense pleasure. Though he was in a deep sleep, his arms never let her go.

  The knowledge that she would be able to luxuriate like this against him for the rest of their lives filled her with inexpressible joy.

  As she studied his masculine features, the black curly hair she loved to touch, she grew impatient to know his possession again. Unable to wait for him to wake up, she began kissing him.

  His powerful legs moved first, tangling with the silken length of hers. His hands began rediscovering her body. Then he was giving her kiss for kiss until the earth shook and they became one pulsating entity.

  Much later, “Where do you think you’re going?” His possessive arms wouldn’t allow her to ease away from him.

  “To fix you something to eat. Do you realize it’s after one o’clock?”

  “We’ll do it together,” he whispered. “But before you leave this bed, there’s something I have to tell you.”

  She put a finger to his lips. “I already know. You’ve told me in a hundred different ways since you showed up for dinner with Nicco. I’m not the linguist you are, but I’ve finally figured out your language.”

  His eyes had turned a liquid silver. “The word love never meant anything to me, Ann, but it does now. People who speak English use it to describe anything and everything, robbing it of its full weight.

  “Do you know there isn’t a word for love in Romany? Mitra told me its real meaning is too important to be used indiscriminately. You have to find other ways to express it.”

  Ann cradled his cheek with her hand. “I think you’ve found every one of them because I’ve never known love like this before. Mitra warned me you would test my love. Now I understand.

  “She didn’t mean you didn’t love me, but she knew I would have to learn to interpret the way you expressed it, or all was lost. In her own way, Sister Francesca was telling me the same thing. What remarkable women have loved you!”

  “You most of all,” he murmured emotionally.

  “When you say such nice things to me, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. Now I’m going to stop being lazy and make us lunch.”

  “I’ll help.”

  They drew on their robes and left the bedroom.

  “What’s this?” She took a detour to the coffee table and lifted the bottle of whiskey.

  Riley grinned. “There’s a story attached. I’ll tell you about it later. All that matters right now is that the man you’re looking at is madly in love with his wife. I don’t need to carry it around with me anymore.”

  He took it from her and headed for the kitchen. She watched in surprise as he undid the lid and poured the contents down the sink. After tossing the empty bottle in the wastebasket, he turned to her and held out his arms.

  She went running.

  When they came to a stop, Ann got off her bike and removed her helmet. From the high mountain pasture, she could see Locarno on Lake Maggiore over in the next lush green valley. They were almost to the border of Switzerland where adorable chalets and soft air carrying the sounds of alpenhorns made her feel as if she’d stepped inside the pages of a fairy tale.

  This was the first bike trip for the four of them. Callie didn’t want Ann to be worn out, so they’d planned to sleep in Locarno, then make a l
oop back to Turin the next day.

  A pair of rock-hard masculine arms slid around her waist from behind. Even through their leathers, she felt his strong heartbeat against her back.

  “What do you think?” He kissed her neck.

  “I can’t describe it. It’s too beautiful. This is too exciting. I’m too happy. Oh, Riley—” she whirled around and grabbed him. “I feel so euphoric, I might just float away.”

  “There’s no way I’m going to let that happen.”

  Their mouths came together in passion. This was the kind of rapture they’d been sharing since she’d gone after her husband in the middle of the night a month ago.

  Now that Riley had accepted the appointment Enzo had offered, their lives had been transformed. They’d moved in the east wing of the palace, but still spent their weekends on the barge.

  Every minute they weren’t busy talking and planning for the Alliance, they were in each other’s arms.

  “Anytime you two want to leave, just let us know,” Nicco teased before devouring Callie.

  “How about it, Mrs. Garrow? Are you ready for a night in front of a cozy fire?”

  “Oh, yes!” She kissed him passionately. “Callie’s crazy about this place where we’re going to stay.”

  “Then let’s get going. There’s something important I want to talk to you about.”

  He sounded mysterious. She sensed it didn’t have to do with business.

  They took off ahead of Callie and Nicco. Halfway down the mountain Nicco shot ahead of them. He rode like the wind. Ann could tell Riley wanted to join him.

  She started to slow down and made a signal that he should go on without her. Through his face guard she saw him flash her an ecstatic smile before he took off like a rocket.

  It was sheer poetry watching the two of them do the fanciest riding she’d ever seen in her life. They were like two boys who’d exploded out the school doors to begin their summer vacation. Freedom.

  At this point Callie had caught up to her and they’d both stopped to watch. “You can almost hear them whooping it up, can’t you?” her sister said in a laughing voice.