Reclaiming the Prince's Heart Read online

  Gone... Her beloved husband was gone. The earthquake had changed all their lives.

  Luna hurried to the bathroom in agony. She took two more pills, then got into the shower where she broke down sobbing and didn’t come out again for a long time.

  June 12

  Luna had been restless since the call from Rini’s secretary at the palace. The acting manager of the mine had phoned to convey a message to Luna. A reminder, really. It seemed that one of the lost miners, Jaka Ravenikar, a Slovenian, had been working for the mine on a visa. His family lived near the mine in the border town of Rezana, Slovenia. It was the only family she hadn’t visited throughout the past ten days with flowers and the assurance of financial aid to ease their burden.

  Luna wanted to travel to Rezana and pay her respects on the monarchy’s behalf. This morning she planned to go to the palace and ask Leonardo for help in visiting this family. She would need assistance, however, since she didn’t speak Slovene.

  Once that was done, a memorial service for family could be planned for Rini at the palace. But she couldn’t accept the fact that she’d lost the love of her life. She never would. A memorial service would mean he was really gone, increasing her pain.

  Her own parents had died when she was five in a plane accident. She’d been raised by her wonderful grandparents in Scuol, Switzerland. Her grandfather died first, then her grandmother. The losses had devastated her, but in time she won a scholarship to study business administration at St. Gallen University in Switzerland.

  Upon graduation she’d obtained interviews with half a dozen companies. One led her to the Baldasseri Gold Mining Company in Asteria, San Vitano, an Italian-speaking country, where she was offered a position. Luna was bilingual in Italian and Romansh, her native language. Eighty thousand people in the Engadin of Switzerland spoke it. She felt that working there would be a good fit and she liked the staff.

  Two weeks after she’d been hired, she met Prince Rinieri, who was the head gold-mining engineer for the mine. He was also the grandson of the King and Queen of San Vitano and was next in line for the throne. It only took meeting him to fall madly in love. They soon married and life couldn’t have been more beautiful until tragedy struck. She could still see the article in the newspaper.

  Crown Prince Rinieri Francesco Baldasseri of San Vitano was killed during an 8.7 earthquake at the King Midas Mine near the Slovenian border.

  He leaves behind his loving wife of six months, Her Royal Highness, Princess Luna Biancho Baldasseri.

  World leaders send their condolences to her and Their Royal Highnesses King Leonardo and Queen Antonia Baldasseri.

  For the past week she’d hoped and prayed that by some miracle the bodies would at least be found, but they’d been buried too deeply. As for Luna, in her mind and heart he was still missing. A part of her refused to believe he was dead. Maybe it was because of a dream she’d had where Rini appeared to her. It had seemed so real, she couldn’t shake it.

  Still racked with debilitating grief that attacked her in waves, she stepped into the shower to get ready, then styled her white-blond hair. She wore it neck length from a center part. Before the quake, she’d let it hang down her back the way Rini loved it. But a few days ago, in a surge of pain and disbelief that he was gone, she’d taken the scissors and had started cutting.

  When she looked in the mirror, she saw a pale ghost of the woman she’d once been. She’d lost weight due to her anguish and her morning sickness. Her OB had warned her she needed to eat now that she was pregnant. He’d given her medication to help. Luna knew she had to live for herself and for Rini’s baby.

  Without wasting another moment, she reached for her phone on the bedside table and called the Queen to alert her she was coming. The older woman’s love and support had made it possible for Luna to survive these past ten days of sheer agony.

  “Luna?”

  “Buongiorno, Tonia.” They’d been on a first-name basis since Rini had introduced his grandmother to her eight months ago. “Forgive me for disturbing you, but this can’t wait.”

  “What is it?”

  “I have a favor to ask of Leonardo.” She explained what it was she wanted to do to honor the miner. “I didn’t know one of the men was a Slovenian. I hadn’t realized he’d been working there on a work visa.”

  “I didn’t either, Luna. Of course, Leo will arrange it. Come as soon as you can and we’ll both talk to him.”

  “Thank you so much. Since we’ve met all the families of the other miners from San Vitano, I’d like to fly there and meet his family, take them flowers.”

  “I don’t see a problem.”

  Relief filled Luna. “Wonderful. I’ll be over within a half hour.”

  Once she’d hung up, she phoned for her driver to meet her in front of the palazzo. Then she rushed to the closet to dress in an aqua-colored, short-sleeved, two-piece summer suit. She matched it with white sandals and grabbed her purse.

  “Viola?” she called to the housekeeper when she hurried downstairs to the foyer. “I’m leaving for the palace. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll let you know.”

  Before long she reached the palace and met Antonia outside Leonardo’s private study. The two walked in on him. “Leo?”

  He lifted his gray head. Despair was written all over him. “Cara? Luna?”

  “Luna has come to ask for a favor.”

  “Of course. Anything.” He held out his arms and Luna ran into them. “How are you doing, darling?”

  She wiped her eyes. “The same as you.”

  “Then that means you’re in pain. None of us was ready for losing him.”

  “No. I never will be. Rini’s been the light of my life and yours.” Luna sat down on the love seat next to Antonia. “His secretary let me know that one of the miners was Slovenian.”

  He nodded. “That’s right.”

  “I want to fly there today if possible and pay our respects to the man’s family.”

  “Bless you for thinking of it.”

  “There’s just one thing, Leonardo,” Luna added. “I would need a translator to go with me since I don’t speak Slovene.”

  “You know Carlo. He’s my official foreign emissary and fluent in half a dozen languages. I’ll send him with you.”

  “That would be wonderful!” Luna cried. “He’s one of Rini’s favorites, and mine.”

  Leonardo nodded. “I’ll ask him to arrange your flight to Rezana and pick up the flowers. He can arrange a car and escorts to meet you when you arrive there.”

  “Oh, thank you. The secretary gave me the address and phone number of Jaka’s family.”

  “Plan to leave from here in two hours.”

  “You’re wonderful.” Luna flew off the love seat and ran to throw her arms around him once more. “I love you.”

  “We love you, too. You and the baby are all we have left of our Rini.”

  Luna walked out with Antonia, who pulled her aside. “Thank you for remembering this. It makes Leo happy to do something positive.”

  “I feel the same way. Right now I’ll go home to gather a few things, then I’ll be back and meet you out at the helipad behind the palace.” She hugged her grandmother-in-law again before rushing out of the palace.

  Two hours later Luna had been strapped into the royal helicopter with Carlo Bruni. The man had served in the San Vitano Military besides having all the leadership qualities Rini had admired. Luna had always liked him and felt comfortable with him as they flew to Rezana, the town two miles away from the mine.

  Rini had called it the Re Mida Mine, named for King Midas. Luna had worked for the mining company business office in Asteria, San Vitano’s capital city, but she’d never traveled to the actual mine. Rini had once told her the mountainous terrain there was full of a network of caves. Most of the system was located next to the Slovenian border, wit
h dozens of little settlements clustered on top of the northern rim like a medieval town. Rezana was one of them.

  She looked out the window during the descent. Her heart lurched to realize her beloved husband had been caught in the earthquake and lay deep in the rubble that had robbed him and the others of life. Fighting not to break down, she bit her knuckle while they landed.

  A driver and government official met them at the small airport, engaging Carlo in conversation. He eventually turned to her. “Since I’m Leonardo’s emissary, their government is giving us assistance by escorting us to the Ravenikar home.”

  “That’s very kind of them.”

  He opened the car door and they got in. The other car followed. Soon, they wound around to a home in the small, picturesque town. They were met out in front by Jaka’s father.

  “This is Anton Ravenikar,” Carlo translated for Luna.

  The father of the dead miner looked at the two of them through eyes filled with tears. Luna walked up to him. “My name is Luna Baldasseri. I’m the wife of Rinieri Baldasseri, who was inspecting the mine when the quake struck. I know you’re suffering, Mr. Ravenikar. So am I.”

  He nodded.

  Unable to hold back she asked, “When your country searched for Jaka’s body, did they see any other bodies?”

  She waited while Carlo translated. Turning to her he said, “No, but he wouldn’t know because he couldn’t help in the search.”

  Luna closed her eyes for a second. “Ask him if there’s someone who would know.”

  Carlo translated again. Anton muttered something.

  “What did he say?”

  “We should ask Zigo, a policeman at the station. He was Jaka’s friend and helped in the search. He could tell you definitively how it went.”

  It had been a long shot. Of course there was no news. “Thank you so much. Please know how sorry we are for your loss.”

  He nodded. “Thank you for coming. It means everything.”

  Carlo translated the man’s appreciation that she’d come. Anton invited them inside the house. She learned that Jaka had been married and living with his parents and an older brother and sister. When Luna presented the flowers to Jaka’s widow, everyone burst into tears. The family couldn’t have been more grateful and thrilled for the visit and the promise of a financial donation.

  Once it ended, they went outside to the car. Carlo murmured, “If you wish, we’ll go to police headquarters where you can talk to Zigo before we go home. Do you want to do that?”

  “I’m sure he won’t be able to tell us anything, but I admit I’d still like to talk to him for a minute.” The need to learn anything more was the driving factor for her. And the dream that had seemed so real.

  “Then let’s go.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  ONCE INSIDE THE BUILDING, Luna and Carlo were shown to the front office of the station. She looked around and smiled at two officers. Carlo asked if they could speak to Zigo.

  The younger one came forward. Luna’s heart raced as they were all introduced. “Zigo? Do you speak Italian?”

  “Cosi-cosi.”

  His answer, “so-so,” was better than nothing. She stared into his eyes. “Did you look for Jaka Ravenikar?”

  “Sì. He was friend.”

  Her pulse picked up speed. “Did you see any bodies?”

  “No bodies,” he answered without hesitation.

  A little moan escaped her lips. “I’m looking for my marito.”

  At this point Carlo had to translate.

  Zigo said, “He died, too?”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “My husband didn’t come home. Maybe he escaped.” Was it possible?

  He frowned. “Escaped?”

  “Got away.” She used her fingers to show him that her husband might have gotten out. Again, Carlo translated.

  “Ah,” he said. “No. I know nothing.”

  With her hopes dashed, she asked if she could use the restroom before they got back on the helicopter. Carlo interceded. Zigo nodded and showed Luna where to go.

  They walked down a hallway to the rear of the station. She went in to freshen up and say a little prayer to help her get through the rest of this day.

  When Luna came out of the restroom, she found Zigo waiting for her near the end of the hall. “Grazie for talking to me.”

  He nodded.

  Filled with fresh pain, Luna hurried into the front office. Together she and Carlo left for the car to drive them to the helicopter. As she started to get into the backseat, she heard the cry, “Principessa?” She turned to see who was calling out. To her surprise it was Zigo. He’d run after them.

  “Carlo?” she said. “Zigo’s Italian is sketchy. Speak to him in Slovene and find out what he’s trying to tell me.”

  A long conversation ensued. She couldn’t imagine.

  “Luna—when you told the guard you hoped Rini had escaped, it made him think.”

  She blinked. “What are you saying?”

  “A day after the earthquake there was talk of a stranger who was brought into the town by a motorist on the highway. He’d discovered a man wounded and lying at the side of the highway. Our station was called. We responded and took him to the local hospital. So far no one has identified him.”

  Her heart leaped. “Is he still there?”

  More talk ensued. Carlo turned to her. “As far as Zigo knows, he hasn’t left, but the man spoke a strange language neither he nor the officer understood.”

  A strange language? That didn’t sound like Rini. Still, this could be something of vital interest for all of them. Maybe it was one of the miners from San Vitano who’d managed to get out. Maybe one of them knew a different language.

  “Zigo says they are looking for anyone who might know him. The man had no papers on him, no way to identify him. When you told Zigo you were looking for your husband and hoped he’d escaped the cave-in, it got him thinking, and—”

  “And he thinks it might be Rini!” she cried out for joy, interrupting him.

  “Zigo didn’t say that, especially when the man didn’t respond to any languages other officers had tried with him. But he felt your distress. Don’t get your hopes up, Luna.”

  “I can’t help it.”

  “I know,” he said in a kind voice.

  Luna couldn’t imagine the stranger being her Rini. She bit her lip. “I’m thinking it’s one of the miners from our country. I can’t even imagine how wonderful it would be to find one of them alive. Ask Zigo if we can see him.”

  After the inquiry, the answer came back that they could proceed directly to the hospital. She and Carlo got back into the car while Zigo gave instructions to the driver, and said he’d alert the staff. He eyed Luna with compassion before waving them off. A few minutes later they arrived at the hospital.

  Thankful for the cooperation, they hurried inside and were met by a woman who showed them to the second floor. They were taken inside an office and told to wait.

  After she left, Luna grasped Carlo’s arm. “What if it’s one of the miners? He could tell us what happened in the mine. He’ll be able to tell us about Rini.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’d give anything for the tiniest bit of information about their last moments.”

  “Let’s pray for that much good news, Luna. But remember they said he didn’t speak a language they understood.”

  “I know.”

  Before long, a man of probably sixty joined them. He spoke to Carlo at some length. Finally, he turned to Luna and spoke to her in Italian.

  “It’s an honor to meet you, Principessa Baldasseri. I’m Doctor Miakar. I understand your husband has been missing since the earthquake. If this man is the Crown Prince of San Vitano, the government will be anxious to learn what you tell us and cooperate with you any way they can.”

  “Thank you so much.�
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  “Right now he’s under sedation and sleeping. I had to operate on his arm, which is badly infected. He was so agitated, I was forced to give him something to calm him down. He should be awake within ten or fifteen minutes. Come with me so you can see if you recognize him.”

  With her heart thundering, she and Carlo followed him down the hall to an examination room. He opened the door.

  Her eyes flew to the black-haired man in his late twenties lying asleep on the gurney, dressed in hospital greens and socks. His head was turned away. An IV had been hooked up to fight the infection in his arm.

  She walked around the bed to see him clearly, then almost fainted.

  “Rini—”

  Carlo grabbed Luna’s arm to support her. In a shaken voice he said, “It is His Royal Highness. You were inspired to come to Rezana, Luna.”

  “My beloved Rini.” She couldn’t believe it. He was alive! Rini had come to her in her dream! Joy radiated through her. “He didn’t die. God has heard my prayers.”

  She’d never seen him with ten days’ growth of beard and disheveled hair. Nothing could hide the pallor of his gaunt complexion. He’d suffered weight loss. Her gorgeous six-foot-three husband normally weighed two hundred and ten pounds. But none of it mattered because she’d found him and would take perfect care of him until he was well and restored to his former dashing self.

  As she leaned over with the intent to kiss him, the doctor cautioned her not to touch him. “He needs the sleep. That will give us time to talk. Come back to my office.”

  It killed her to leave him when she’d just found him, but she did as the doctor asked. Her heart was thudding too hard to be healthy. The three of them walked back to the doctor’s office.

  “So your husband is the Crown Prince of San Vitano.”

  “Yes!” she cried, overjoyed to the point the tears were gushing. “Here.” She pulled the wallet out of her purse and handed pictures of him to the doctor to prove it.

  He studied them and nodded. “I’ll inform the staff and the police. They’ll inform the prime minister. Now that we know his identity, he’ll be released to you. But we must talk fast, Princess Baldasseri. I need your input.”