Reclaiming the Prince's Heart Read online

  The concierge assured her it would be ready, and they could check in at one o’clock. Though Luna had wanted to travel incognito, she knew she needed to reserve that exact room. It was her prayer that Rini might see something that would spark his memory.

  Their honeymoon had been a week of utter enchantment. They’d been so crazy in love it was pathetic. They’d talked and made love for days on end. She’d experienced real pain when the time came for them to drive home.

  By the time Rini returned with croissants filled with melted cheese and ham, she was ready and had arranged her hair on top of her head. He approached her as she was putting the baseball cap in place. “It’s a shame to cover up your crowning glory.”

  “Is that what it is?” she teased.

  “Not even gossamer compares.”

  The tone in his voice sounded like the old Rini, causing her to tremble. “You don’t look so bad yourself. Do you realize you’ve gained back the weight you lost? I don’t know another man who’s as fit and handsome as you. The women tourists at the castle should have been examining the knights’ armor. Instead, they couldn’t take their eyes off you.”

  He flashed her a compelling smile. “I didn’t notice. I was too busy imagining you as a little girl who grew into a sinfully beautiful woman.”

  “Sinfully?” she mocked with a smile. “I’m surprised you weren’t snapped up before we met.”

  Her breathing grew shallow. “If you want to know the truth, I’m surprised you didn’t end up marrying an American while you were in Colorado getting your mining degree.”

  “None of it matters because we found each other,” he muttered before sending her a penetrating glance. “I’m only sorry to say that our meeting resulted in your ultimate detriment.”

  “Can we not talk about that?” Luna turned away, not wanting to be reminded that he planned to divorce her at the end of their trip.

  “I’m sorry, Luna.”

  She reached for a croissant. “Shall we eat and get going?”

  Once on the road again with their disguises in place, they headed for Italy. She turned on the radio to a music station playing soft rock. Luna put her head back and closed her eyes. Alarm filled her heart that she would have to tell Rini about the baby before they returned to Asteria. He was determined to leave her. But the news would upset him in ways she didn’t want to think about.

  Down in the mine he’d come face-to-face with his feelings of inadequacy. Now to hear he was going to be a father would add the crushing blow that would tear him apart. He would want to be all things to his son or daughter yet believed he could never fill that need.

  She dozed on and off until they reached Venice. The sight of the city on water brought back so many memories of the two of them wildly in love, she could hardly bear it. But as she turned to look at him, she could see nothing had changed. Being back in Venice hadn’t brought back one memory for him.

  Luna had been a fool to think another miracle could happen like the one when she’d found him alive in Rezana. To expect two miracles had been beyond the realm of credulity.

  “What happened when we were in Scuol, Rini? You’re acting different.”

  “When we drove past your grandparents’ home, it reminded me that you have no family to rely on once we’re divorced.”

  “But I do. Your grandparents have become my family. I adore them.”

  “Forgive me for bringing it up.”

  “I do.”

  Tomorrow after a walk around San Marco Square, she’d suggest they go back home. This trip had turned out to be a painful, torturous idea. On the drive to San Vitano, she’d break the news about the baby.

  Luna had already worked out ideas for visitation. Rini would always be welcome at the palazzo when he came. She would stay at the palace, so he’d have free rein to be with his son or daughter for as long as he wanted.

  They parked their car and walked to the villa, fighting the crowds. After being shown to their room with a view of the Grand Canal, they left to visit the city. Rini didn’t show the slightest indication that he’d ever been here before.

  For the rest of the day, they visited the Doge’s Palace and saw the sights of the Rialto Bridge on a gondola. Later, they went to San Marco Square. Rini bought them pizza at one of the many pizza shops. They sat at one of the tables to watch the world pass by.

  While Luna was eating, she felt something drop on her head. She reached up and discovered that a pigeon had left its droppings on her baseball cap. “Oh no!” Her eyes met Rini’s and they both burst into laughter.

  “A souvenir for you to remember,” he murmured.

  But it would be the last of any souvenirs once they returned home and Rini moved out.

  Luna left the cap on. Twilight fell before they finally ended up going back to their room. She was exhausted after losing so much sleep the night before. After washing her cap with hot water and soap, she hung it up to dry. When she came out of the bathroom, she noticed Rini at the window, watching the traffic on the canal.

  “There’s no sight like it in the world, is there, Rini?”

  At the sound of her voice, he turned to her. He’d removed his cap and sunglasses. “It’s a delightful city. I’m glad you wanted to come here. Have you noticed how hard the gondoliers have to work? They don’t have an air traffic controller to help them navigate. They do it by instinct. It’s fascinating they don’t have more accidents.”

  “I’ve never thought about it, but you’re right.” She took a deep breath. “What do you want to do tonight?”

  “That’s up to you, Luna.”

  “In that case, I’d like to stay in. The pizza filled me up and I have to admit I’m tired.”

  “Then that’s what we’ll do. Why don’t you get ready for bed while I watch the tour of Venice on TV?”

  “Good idea.”

  Relieved he didn’t want to go anywhere, she showered and changed into her nightgown. At last, she was able to climb under the covers. Rini turned on the TV and lay on top of the bedspread still dressed. She’d felt he’d been having a good time, too, but she couldn’t allow this to go on.

  Luna gripped the sheet to keep from reaching out to him. No doubt about it. Tomorrow she’d tell him she wanted to go home and explain she was pregnant. For now, she was truly exhausted and in emotional agony. “Good night, Rini.”

  “Get a good sleep, Luna.”

  * * *

  The video bored Rini. All he could think of was his breathtaking wife lying asleep next to him. Her gilt hair lighted by the TV drew him like a beacon. He wanted to plunge his hands into the silky strands and kiss the daylights out of her.

  He’d promised himself that during this trip he wouldn’t let anything break down his resolve to keep his distance from the woman he adored. But he knew he couldn’t keep that promise much longer. Tomorrow they’d have to go home. He couldn’t take being with her like this without making love to her. That would be beyond cruel when he’d determined to divorce her.

  Frustrated beyond endurance, he shut off the TV and turned on the radio. He could only make out the news in bits and pieces. After changing it to music, he lay back on his side away from her, still dressed in his shorts and T-shirt.

  Yesterday Rini had been excited to come on this trip. She was so clever and creative. Her plan had worked, jerking him out of his depression for a little while. But at this point the novelty had worn off. He needed to get away from Luna where he could come up with a plan to live life on his own. As the minutes wore on, he grew more depressed and shut his eyes, praying to lose consciousness.

  * * *

  The loudest noise Luna had ever heard in her life reverberated in the darkness, bringing her wide-awake. It sounded like a train barreling right through the walls.

  “Gustavo!” Rini yelled and shot up in bed.

  Gustavo? Luna was mystified. He
was calling for the mining engineer who’d died in the cave-in.

  Rapid gunfire resounded, then another crashing boom followed that lit up the entire hotel room.

  “Rini?” She grasped his arm. The muscles stood out in his neck.

  “Follow me, Gustavo. I’ll get us out of here.” He spoke in fluent Italian. She couldn’t understand what was going on.

  “Darling—It’s me. Luna. Wake up, my love. You’re dreaming.” The loud noises continued, and she suddenly realized it was fireworks.

  “We’re in an earthquake.” Again, his Italian was perfect. He leaped off the bed and got down on the floor on his hands and knees. “Follow me. I know a way out of here. There’s a little chute that leads to the side of the mountain.”

  From the trance-like look on his face, she realized Rini was reliving his horrific experience in the mine. Her husband was speaking Italian. But he couldn’t hear her and was like a sleepwalker you couldn’t wake up.

  He crawled over to the open window and got to his feet. One look outside and she realized it was definitely fireworks going off with sizzles and whooshes. Venice put on their Redentore fireworks show once a year, but she’d forgotten it took place this month, let alone that it would be tonight.

  She put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “It’s all right, darling. There’s no earthquake. Come back to bed.”

  His arms and body were like steel. He wouldn’t move. “Gustavo? I hope you can hear me. I’m going for help and will be back.”

  When he started to climb out the window, it terrified her. She grabbed his right leg so he couldn’t lift it. “Turn around, Rini!” she screamed at him. “Look at me!”

  He stared down at her, not seeing her. “I swear I’ll get all of you out.”

  She held on to him tighter so he couldn’t move away. “Wake up, Rini! Wake up!”

  “I need to get help for the men.”

  Luna reached for his arm, never letting go of him, and stood up. “They’re all right. So are you. Listen to me.”

  “But the earthquake—”

  “There was no earthquake. Venice is having a fireworks show.”

  His eyes showed confusion. In the next breath his black brows knit together. “Fireworks?”

  “Yes. Come back to bed. They’re still going on. We’ll enjoy them together.”

  He started to come out of his trance, looking out the window, then staring at her so strangely. “Luna?” he murmured as if he wasn’t sure she was real. “It is you. You’re here.”

  She ran fingers through his hair. “Yes, my love. You’re not at the mine. You’re in Venice with me.”

  Rini rubbed his hands up and down her arms. Before the earthquake, he used to do that as his desire to make love.

  “Luna—” It was as if he were seeing her for the first time.

  Her old husband was back.

  He was back!

  The miracle had happened. Her joy was so great she came close to fainting as he picked her up in his arms like a bride and carried her to the bed.

  The old Rini had come alive. So had the new one. It was like two men were making love to her at once. His mouth engulfed hers.

  He followed Luna down onto the mattress, burrowing his face in her neck.

  Rini knew the exact spot to kiss her and drive her absolutely mad with desire. Their clothes went flying and they melded together while fireworks lit up the Venetian night.

  Hours later he cradled her head in his hands. “Please tell me I’m not dreaming, Luna. Please tell me I’m the man I used to be,” he whispered against her succulent lips, unable to get enough of her. Their legs were entangled, trying desperately to get closer.

  She kissed every inch of his face including the cleft in his firm chin. “You’re all that and more, mi amante. Can’t you tell you’re thinking and speaking fluent Italian?”

  “I am!” he cried out, jubilant. His yelp of excitement rivaled the fireworks outside. “I can remember everything. This hotel room. We stayed here on our honeymoon.”

  “Yes!” She flung her arms around his neck. “The other day I asked if you would bring me to Venice. Deep inside lurked this hope that you might see something that would trigger your memory. But I never imagined that fireworks would produce the needed magic to free you from your prison.”

  He shook his head. “I swear I thought I was in the earthquake again. The sounds of the fireworks sounded exactly like the sounds of the earthquake. It triggered something in my brain.”

  “Thank heaven. I heard you call out for Gustavo. You were worried about the miners and determined to get them out. It broke my heart to realize what you lived through, the terror you experienced. When I first heard the fireworks, I thought a train was coming for us.”

  “That’s exactly what the quake sounded like in the mine.”

  “Thank heaven it’s all in the past.” She clung to his body, kissing him with urgency. “Your doctors will go into shock when they hear the fireworks brought your memory back. You’ll make history in the medical journals. Your grandparents will go into shock again to realize their grandson is back in every sense of the word.”

  He nestled her closer to him. “I know I said a lot of things the other night after I got home from the mine. I wasn’t in my right mind when I declared I wanted a divorce. It was the last thing I wanted because I couldn’t see another way out. But now all that has changed. My grandfather is depending on me to take over one day. It’s my duty. More important, can you ever forgive me for hurting you like that?”

  “Of course I forgive you.” Happiness exploded inside her. “Rini? Why don’t we go home today and surprise your grandparents?”

  He rose up on one elbow. “That can wait. This trip is for you.” He traced her lips with his finger. “We’re going to enjoy it for as long as you want.”

  “But I’d like to get back to the palazzo. There’s a lot we need to talk about.”

  Rini smiled before giving her another sumptuous kiss. “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

  “It’s more a case of what’s going on somewhere else in my body.”

  “Hmm.” He started squeezing her here and there. She giggled. “Tell me when to stop.”

  “Right there,” she said when his hand reached her belly.

  He went quiet, then slowly smoothed his hand over her skin. His gaze fused with hers. She felt him tremble.

  “Yes, amore mio. A new little prince or princess is on its way to being born. You can do the math about the month of delivery. I found out I was pregnant the day you were in the earthquake. I still have a present to give you about it after we get home. Speaking of home, some changes will have to be made at the palazzo. Viola and Mateo will be over the moon. They never could have children and will rejoice in ours.”

  Tears filled his eyes. He clasped her hand. “I’m not sure I can handle all this happiness. But what if I hadn’t recovered my memory, and—”

  “There are no more buts, remember? Our child will be so blessed because he or she will have the greatest father in the entire world.”

  “Luna—” He said her name under his breath before lowering his head to kiss her stomach. From there he pulled her next to him and kissed her with such tenderness, it made her cry. “Our son or daughter will have the most marvelous mother alive. I can testify to that.”

  “Rini...” She couldn’t talk.

  “I may be a man, but you found me in Rezana and took me in as a little lost child. You taught me how to live enough to function. You brought me to Venice and found me again as I am now. There’s no woman sweeter or more wonderful on this earth. I worship you, Luna. Right now I want to make love to you all over again, for as long as we can.”

  “For as long as we can is right,” she teased. “Soon, I’m going to blossom. You’ll have to use that engineering brain of yours to
figure out the logistics if we’re to continue loving each other into oblivion.”

  His low, exciting laughter set off her desire for him in a brand-new way. Who cared if they ever left the room? Luna knew she didn’t as she welcomed her husband into her very heart and soul.

  EPILOGUE

  RINI KISSED HIS very pregnant, sleepy wife good morning and slid out of bed.

  Luna moaned. “Do you have to go to the mine?”

  “This will be the last time until after our baby is here and you’ve recovered.” They hadn’t wanted to know the sex of their child. All they hoped for was that it would be healthy.

  He felt all right about leaving. She wasn’t due for another month. “I promise that today I’ll be home for dinner at five.” According to Pesco, there might be great news for the monarchy about more veins of gold appearing. He wanted to be on site to witness it.

  “Stay safe, tesoro mio.”

  “You, too, pulcina mia.”

  “I look like a stuffed one at this point.”

  “But never more beautiful.” He leaned over and kissed her lips one more time before leaving for the palace to fly to the mine.

  An hour later he joined the mining staff. They went down deep to see a new series of labyrinths unblocked by boulders. Pesco was waiting for him with a grin that took up his whole face. “It’s gold, Your Highness. A lot of it if you follow the veins.”

  Rini walked with him as they examined everything. This mine had been producing for three hundred years. Today’s discovery ensured the mine could go on helping fund the monarchy for years to come.

  Pesco looked at him. “If you hadn’t come up with a new idea to remove some of the debris, we would never have found it.”

  “But no bodies.”

  “No, but this means more work for all of us.”

  “You’re right, and I’m grateful.”

  “We’re grateful you have your memory back.” All the men clapped. How different this experience from months ago when he’d come close to walking away from his soul mate and everything else. Right now he couldn’t wait to rush home to the wife he adored. Between this find and the baby they were expecting, he could barely contain his jubilation.