Reclaiming the Prince's Heart Read online

  “I know that. I came for a different reason.”

  “What would that be?”

  She sat down on the end of the bed, close enough to touch him, but she resisted the temptation. “Before you put your plans into motion tomorrow, I’d like to ask a favor of you.”

  That request captured his attention. His dark head lifted, and their eyes met. Rini’s male beauty had never been more evident. “Go on.”

  “Since you’ve been home from Slovenia, it dawned on me we haven’t taken a trip or been anywhere together. There’s been no time for us to relax and just have fun. Between everything, we haven’t had the opportunity to simply enjoy ourselves.”

  He closed his laptop. “I wasn’t aware you wanted to get away. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  “We’ve been so busy I haven’t even thought about taking a break from routine. But since you’ve decided you want a divorce I’m hoping you’ll take me on a vacation before we go our separate ways.”

  “You can leave anytime.”

  “I wouldn’t want to travel alone. That wouldn’t be any fun at all.”

  One black brow lifted. “You never mentioned wanting to go on a trip.”

  “Where would I go? Why would I want to do anything without you?”

  “You could have asked your friend Suzanne at the office.”

  “No, Rini. I was too grief stricken to make any plans. But all that changed after Zigo helped me find you and bring you home. Since we’ve built a friendship over the time you’ve been here, I think we could have a terrific time together. Why not celebrate your freedom? We’ll speak Romansh to our heart’s content and forget Italian. When we get back to San Vitano, you can visit with your grandparents and tell them your future plans.”

  She could hear his mind working. It was a good sign he hadn’t shut her down yet. Her heart leaped when he said, “If I were to agree, do you have a destination in mind?”

  “Yes! I’d love it if we took a driving trip down through Bolzano and Venice. We could visit some wonderful little out-of-the-way spots and walk around without worrying about a schedule. I was thinking a week maybe. Does any of that appeal to you?” They’d gone to Venice on their honeymoon. This was a last-chance effort to see if anything triggered his memory.

  Though he said nothing, at least he hadn’t given her an outright no yet.

  “Why don’t you think about it, Rini? Tell me in the morning at breakfast. Remember it’s only an idea. I promise I won’t fall apart if the answer is no.”

  Not wanting to overstay her tenuous welcome, she got off the bed and headed for the door. It delighted her that silence followed her into the hall and back down to their suite.

  * * *

  Dr. Tullia had told Rini he could call him anytime, even the middle of the night. After being unable to sleep, he took him at his word and phoned him at home at six in the morning. Somehow, he’d try to make himself understood despite his difficulty with Italian.

  “Rini—what a surprise!”

  “Sorry, but I need help.”

  “Talk to me.”

  “I divorce Luna. She wants vacation first. I don’t.”

  “Why not?”

  Frustrated by the question, Rini jumped out of bed and began pacing. “I want divorce now.”

  “She found you?”

  He blinked. “Sì.”

  “She made you happy?”

  “Sì.”

  “Then no problem. Your turn to make her happy now. Correto?”

  Rini heard the words loud and clear. “Correto.” Good old Dr. Tullia knew what he was doing all right. The woman hadn’t asked anything of him until now.

  Bowing to the older man’s wisdom, Rini said, “Grazie, Dottore.”

  “You’re welcome. Call me anytime.”

  He hung up, standing there in a daze. As Rini thought over the time they’d been together since the quake, and all that Luna had done for him, shame consumed him. After breaking his promise to her yesterday, he’d come home late from the mine last night. With no lead up at all, he’d blurted that he wanted a divorce. To make certain she understood, he’d announced he’d be sleeping in the guest bedroom until he moved to a hotel.

  But he would agree to take her on a trip.

  With his mind made up, he went down the hall to their bedroom. He could hear the shower running. Now would be the best time to get dressed in casual clothes and meet her in the dining room.

  Once he was ready, he grabbed his wallet and hurried downstairs. Viola greeted him with a cheery voice. She poured hot coffee for him and Luna and put a plate of freshly baked rolls on the table.

  Rini enjoyed the homemade plum jam he’d learned came from their fruit trees out in back. He piled it on with butter. When Luna entered the dining room looking ravishing in a yellow print sundress, he’d eaten three rolls.

  Her green eyes widened in surprise to see him. “Buongiorno, Rini.”

  He got up and pulled out a chair for her. As usual her flowery fragrance assailed him. “I thought we were going to speak Romansh from now on.”

  She lifted her head. “Does that mean what I think it means?” The happiness in her voice told him all he needed to know.

  “I’m ready to leave on that trip whenever you are.”

  Viola appeared with plates of eggs and ham. Rini dug in. Luna barely touched her food. He’d put her lack of appetite down to shock that he’d capitulated. She told the housekeeper they were leaving on vacation and would be gone a week.

  “I’m so happy for you.” Viola beamed.

  “So am I. All we have done is work, work, work. It’s time to play.”

  She put her hands on her ample hips. “That’s exactly what you should do! Mateo will get the car ready for you.”

  “Thank you, but we won’t be taking the car, Viola.”

  “You’re going to fly?”

  “No.” Luna looked at Rini. “We’re going to buy another car.”

  “Ah. To replace the car you gave away.” With that response, Viola left them alone.

  “Why would we want a different car?” She’d aroused Rini’s curiosity.

  “We’re going to travel incognito. Everyone stares at us when we’re out in public. ‘There’s the Crown Prince!’ people cry out. I want us to be unrecognizable, like a typical couple enjoying the day. We can pick up the car I have in mind on our way out of Asteria. It’s commensurate with our income.”

  He grinned, loving her creative mind. “How much do I make?”

  “We work in a laundry and barely bring in enough to afford a seven-day trip, let alone a vehicle to get us where we want to go. I’ll call your grandparents and tell them we’re leaving. I’ll also let Fabio know I won’t be in for another week. Finish your breakfast while I hurry upstairs to change and pack. We’ll only need one medium-size suitcase.”

  Again, she’d piqued his interest. “How come?”

  “The car we’re buying will only hold one. All we’ll need are shorts, T-shirts, sandals and hats. We’ll throw in a swimsuit. That’s it!” On that note she disappeared from the room.

  CHAPTER TEN

  RINI WAS STARTING to get excited.

  Once he’d finished eating, he hurried upstairs. “Ehi!” he burst out after opening the door.

  At first, he thought another woman had invaded their bedroom. His attention was caught by the blue tie-up sandals on a pair of gorgeous legs. It took a moment to realize Luna had changed into pale blue shorts and the craziest T-shirt he’d ever seen of a fat marshmallow whose hair was on fire.

  Most amazing of all, she’d swept her blond hair on top of her head. It was hidden by a baseball cap she wore backward. Green sunglasses completed the picture of a wacky woman with the most sensational figure he’d ever seen on a woman.

  “Think I look like Princess Baldasseri now
?”

  He shook his head. “Your transformation has left me speechless.”

  She laughed. “Good. I’ve put your stuff on the bed. Go ahead and shock me.”

  His gaze took in the purple T-shirt with a T-Rex riding a motorcycle. He whipped off his clothes. After putting on a pair of tan shorts, he pulled the T-shirt over his head. Next came the baseball cap he also wore backward and reached for the purple sunglasses.

  She clapped her hands. “You look perfect! If my grandmother were alive, she would faint if I brought you home and told her you’re the man I want to marry.”

  Her words had sobered him. He wanted to do something meaningful for her. “Even if she isn’t, why don’t we drive to Switzerland first? You can show me where you used to live. Afterward, we’ll drive to Venice and visit Bolzano on our way home.”

  His suggestion brought new light to her eyes. “I’d love it! There’s a bed-and-breakfast a few blocks away from the house. We can stay there. You and I were always going to take that trip but didn’t get around to it.”

  That was probably his fault for not fitting in time for her wishes.

  “Why don’t you finish packing whatever you want to bring, Rini? I’ve left half the suitcase for you. Then we can take off and buy our car. I’m going to pay for it with my own money.”

  Rini found he was eager to get on the road and do whatever they wanted. It felt like he was being let out of prison. Not that his world with Luna hadn’t been wonderful. But the suggestion of a trip where they could throw off all the conventions had given him an unexpected breath of life. For the next seven days he’d live it to the fullest and not think about the empty years ahead.

  A half hour later they drove to a dealership under a hot sun to pick up the car his wife had chosen. The owner told them to drive around the back and park. In a minute their purchase arrived.

  Rini laughed at her choice, a tiny classic car that looked like a toy. He reached for their suitcase and locked up the sedan.

  Luna did the paperwork, then handed him the keys. “Our chariot awaits us. Our bodyguards won’t have any trouble keeping an eye on us.”

  It wasn’t just the bodyguards. The owner and the guy who’d brought the car around hadn’t been able to take their eyes off Luna. Talk about a sight to behold!

  He put their suitcase in the small backseat and got in behind the steering wheel. “Let’s pray it gets us as far as the border.” Rini started the engine and drove them out to the street. “So far, so good.”

  She pushed a playful hand against his arm. “When we reach Switzerland, let’s stop at the nearest train station. They sell the most fabulous meat pies in the world. I’ll run inside to get some. I’m already salivating for one.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me since you didn’t eat your breakfast.”

  “I know. To be going on a trip made me too giddy to eat.”

  No. The truth was, Rini had been the cause of her lack of appetite. He suffered that he’d burst in last night asking for a divorce.

  The car didn’t have a guidance system. Trust his wife to have brought some maps in her purse. She played navigator as they left San Vitano and entered Switzerland in the little car. Every vehicle on the road passed them, but he didn’t care. He was having the time of his life, as if they were playing hooky. The radio worked and they listened to music on the way to Scuol.

  “See that railway station over there, Rini? Pull up in the parking and I’ll get us some lunch.”

  He did her bidding. While he watched her run inside on those beautifully shaped legs, he realized he could read all the signs printed in Romansh and Italian. Elation shot through him he could understand both languages. Back in Rezana, he hadn’t been able to make sense of anything.

  You’ve come a long way, Rini, and all because of Luna.

  “Here we go!” She ran back to the car with a sack in hand. Every male head turned in her direction. Once inside the car they began to eat.

  “I have to admit these are the best pies I ever tasted.”

  “Didn’t I tell you?” She’d finished hers. There was nothing wrong with her appetite now. “I bought four in case you get hungry later. Here’s some Grapillon, too.” She pulled out the fruit drink for him. “It’s nonalcoholic and one of my favorites. I have another treat, but it’s for later.”

  He couldn’t wait. His wife had to be the most delightful companion on earth, not to mention the most entrancing. Being next to her without touching her was becoming more and more intolerable. Once again, they were on the move. “I can see mountains ahead.”

  She nodded. “They’re spectacular. We’ll be coming to Scuol soon. I used to love to ski.”

  “I don’t remember doing it.”

  Luna flashed him a smile. “You were an excellent skier, like you are at all sports.”

  Everything she said touched his heart.

  In time they arrived in the village of Scuol. “Take the boulevard to the right. You’ll come to the church that was once a monastery and turn right. My grandparents’ house will be at the end of the street.”

  “Who lives there now?”

  “A professor and his wife.”

  Rini followed her directions until they came to the two-story chalet with flowers filling the window boxes. “What a charming home.”

  “I loved it.” She pointed. “That was my room on the second floor.”

  Too bad they couldn’t go inside and spend the rest of the day in bed.

  “Do you want to stop and pay a visit?”

  She shook her head. “No. It won’t be the same without my family there.”

  He heard pain in her voice. “But I’m so glad you suggested we drive here. Would you like to run by your cousin’s home and say hello?”

  “I don’t think so. This trip is for the two of us. Let’s keep it that way.”

  “It means a lot to me that you wanted to bring me here. As long as we’ve come, there’s one thing I would like to see if you’re willing. It will give us a chance to stretch our legs. Afterward, we can have dinner at a restaurant close by.”

  “Sounds good to me. That is, if we can manage to climb out of this contraption.”

  Her full-bodied laughter warmed him clear through. “Maybe we’d better stop and reserve a room first. The bed-and-breakfast is around the corner beyond the park.”

  Every house and building exuded a quaint, alpine flavor Rini liked very much. His wife had grown up here. He marveled that after marrying him she’d adapted to a new life in San Vitano. If she’d ever expressed that she’d been homesick, he didn’t know. There was a lot about her he didn’t know.

  Luna took the lead and registered them before they left for the castle on the hill. “Schloss Tarasp dates from the eleventh century,” she explained. “It’s the glory of the lower Engadin. If we hurry, we might be able to hear a piece on the organ. When I was little, my grandmother told me it had two thousand five hundred pipes. I spent hours trying to count all of them.”

  Rini chuckled. He was so crazy about her, he didn’t know how long he could hold out before wanting to make love to her.

  Unfortunately, they were too late for a concert, but he enjoyed seeing the knight’s halls and ballrooms. Mostly, he enjoyed listening to Luna’s anecdotes about her youth.

  Later, they stopped for cheese fondue on their way back to the B&B. For dessert she handed him the treat she’d bought. A Frigor chocolate bar, one of her favorites. All in all, it had been a great day. He felt totally relaxed.

  Soon, they dismantled their disguises and got ready for bed. Once under the covers, he turned away from her, hugging his pillow for dear life. “What do you feel like doing tomorrow?”

  Luna stayed on her side of the bed without looking at Rini. Last night they hadn’t slept in the same room. Tonight it was agony being this close to him without rolling into his arms. �
�To be honest, I want to drive straight to Venice. I went there once but didn’t have time to explore. On this trip I’d love to see everything we can. It’s the most gorgeous city on earth.”

  Luna held a prayer in her heart that when they arrived, something might trigger a memory inside him.

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

  “You’re sure?” He was just being nice to her, of course. In fact, he’d been marvelous about this vacation when she knew he’d wanted to hibernate in a hotel away from her until the divorce. More than ever, she wondered what had caused him to agree to travel with her when he’d been so adamant about an immediate separation.

  “This trip is for you, Luna, but I admit I’m enjoying every moment of it. Get a good sleep.”

  “You, too.” She couldn’t imagine it when her beloved husband was lying inches away from her. Somehow, she had to get through the night without breaking down and begging him to love her one more time.

  She lay awake for several hours and finally lost consciousness. When she came to, she realized Rini had already gotten up. She could tell he’d showered and shaved. He smelled wonderful and was wearing another pair of shorts and another hilarious T-shirt.

  She’d bought their shirts and caps after they were married to wear once in a while for the fun of it. Those items had been hidden away to come out at the right moment. Never did she dream it would be for such an important journey as this.

  He darted her a glance, noticing how disheveled she must look. “While you get showered and dressed, I’ll zip out and bring our breakfast back. Then we’ll leave for Venice.”

  “Terrific.” But it took all her self-control not to get up and throw her arms around his neck to prevent him from going anywhere.

  In his absence she phoned the Villa Marvege off San Marco Square in Venice where they’d stayed on their honeymoon. On behalf of the Crown Prince of San Vitano, she asked for their old room with the canal view. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to get a room when so many tourists flooded Venice.