The Prince's Forbidden Bride (The Princess Brides Book 2) Page 5

  “I watched your outstanding performance and would never have guessed you had a nervous bone in your body.”

  “A lot you know.” His flattery was getting to her.

  He helped her down the magnificent staircase to the doors of the south entrance. The bright sun was warming the air by the second as they walked to the limo and climbed in. After a short ride they came to a huge park.

  A canopied stand filled with invited spectators from the royal family had been erected midway to another canopy where tables with tablecloths and flower centerpieces had been set up for lunch.

  Once the limo stopped, Enrico escorted her up the few steps to the dais reserved for the royal family. In one glance Donetta saw that he had a stunning brunette mother and brunette sisters who sat with their husbands. Naturally, his father was missing.

  Enrico cupped her elbow. “Donetta? May I present my mother, Queen Teodora?”

  “Your Majesty.” Donetta curtsied to her.

  “Mamma. Please meet Princess Donetta Rossiano of Domodossola.”

  His mother put out a hand to shake Donetta’s. “I’m pleased to meet you, my dear. I’ve heard you’re a great equestrian and a beauty. Now at least I can see you live up to your reputation for the latter.”

  But there was frost in her voice. Something was definitely wrong. Was she incensed that Donetta, from an enemy country, had been invited and had come to the concorso when the queen was expecting her son to marry Valentina?

  Donetta smiled into his mother’s dark brown eyes, but the queen didn’t smile back. With that last comment, Donetta had got the feeling his mother was in shock. It went beyond the natural aversion from the queen over the feud that had separated their two countries for so many years.

  “Thank you. I want you to know I’m the one who’s honored to meet you, Your Majesty. My parents have asked me to convey their greetings to you and King Nuncio. I’m sorry to hear he isn’t feeling well today.”

  The queen ignored Donetta’s comment. “We hope to host the first of many concorsos in the future.”

  “Mamma?” Enrico interjected. Obviously he’d noticed his mother’s deliberate snub. “If you’ll excuse us, I want Donetta to meet Lia and Catarina and their husbands.”

  “The performance is about to start, Enrico.”

  Donetta got the impression he’d infuriated his mother.

  “There’s still time.”

  He cupped Donetta’s elbow and introduced her to his sisters, one of whom was pregnant, and their husbands. The four of them were gracious and smiled, making her feel better. Then he helped her take her place next to him while he sat by the queen.

  His cousin Prince Giovanni took over the microphone to announce the opening of the concorso, and the competition began.

  Watching the young entrants for the next two hours took Donetta back in time. But as each age division performed, she realized no participant displayed Enrico’s outstanding horsemanship. Year after year, he’d been the master she’d hero-worshipped.

  But leaving for university had prevented him from entering any more horse competitions for his country. Once Donetta had finished college, her father had asked her to run their country’s horse federation.

  When there was a break in events, Enrico leaned closer. “Your country’s participants are exceptional, but no one rides the way you did,” he said in a low voice.

  “I was thinking the same thing about you.”

  “That’s nice to hear. Walk with me to the other canopy, where we’ll be served lunch before the jumping competitions start. If you need to freshen up, there are restrooms behind the canopy.”

  “That’s good to know, but I’m fine right now, thank you.”

  Everyone in the stand followed them to the tables. Donetta expected Enrico to help his mother, but she noticed one of her sons-in-law had already started to escort the queen. Donetta was being given special treatment and knew his mother had to be close to apoplectic that she’d dared come to Vallefiore.

  Once Enrico had helped her to sit at an individual table and took a chair opposite her, she couldn’t stay silent any longer. “Enrico? When there are officials from other countries represented here, why are you showing me this exceptional kind of interest? Your attention to me is like a slap in the face to your mother.”

  She had to wait for his answer because the palace staff had already started to serve them lunch and iced tea before they could have privacy. There was only a certain amount of time to eat in order to stay with the day’s agenda.

  “Because years ago you and I were attracted to each other and planned to take a vacation together. Unfortunately that didn’t work out. But you have to know I’ve always wanted you to be my guest. To my chagrin, life happened when I had other plans. Up to now, problems have been the story of my life.” His frank speaking melted her heart.

  No one knew that better than Donetta, whose royal responsibilities were forcing her to consider marriage to Arnaud. Her last visit to Haute Vienne hadn’t helped her make up her mind. She still hadn’t been able to tell him she’d marry him. But she’d promised that after this trip to Vallefiore, she would give him an answer one way or the other.

  Enrico’s dark eyes bored into hers, sending a thrill through her body. “The damn fraud case that caused our two countries to cease all business was never proven and should have ended years ago. Under my reign I intend to have it investigated and solve the mystery so I can reopen negotiations with your father.”

  Was the feud the reason he’d cut off relations with her? “That would be so wonderful, Enrico.”

  “I agree. Even more important, it’s a miracle you’re here at all. I couldn’t have been more excited when Giovanni told me you had accepted our invitation.”

  Everything he was saying to her now had resurrected her old feelings of desire for him while she enjoyed the exquisite seafood salad. “I have to admit I was excited to come to the country that produced your magnificent horse Rajah and hopefully see you again in your own surroundings. We used to talk a lot about each other’s lives.”

  “Being with you was always the highlight of my trips to those competitions,” he confessed.

  She had to suppress a moan. “I felt the same way.” Clearly, they’d both been crazy about each other despite knowing it was wrong, but destiny had kept them apart.

  “Donetta?” His voice broke in on her tumultuous thoughts. “It’s time to go back to the stand. Are you ready?”

  “I am. The lunch was delicious. Thank you.” She stood up and followed him over to their seats behind Giovanni, who was ready to announce the afternoon’s activities. All the while she felt the queen’s hostile brown gaze on her.

  The jumping trials were her favorite discipline to watch, but her mind was so full of Enrico and their conversation she had a hard time concentrating. At the end of the day Giovanni made the announcement that the crown prince himself would give out the awards.

  Donetta’s gaze stayed glued on the gorgeous acting king as he stood before the awestruck winners and honored each of them with their cups. One young man from Domodossola won a first place in the sixteen-year-olds’ division. Though she was excited for him, it was Enrico who filled her vision.

  Her heart thudded when she realized she wouldn’t be flying back home until tomorrow evening. For once she didn’t have to say goodbye to Enrico. He’d planned for them to spend the night and next day together.

  In the past she’d always walked to the stables to talk to her country’s participants and see their horses firsthand, but not today. Enrico wanted to get going and not waste time.

  Luckily, Donetta always brought several changes of casual outfits. Since Enrico was taking her camping, she had a choice of pants and blouses to wear and decided on her tan pants and hunter green blouse.

  After talking to Giovanni and congratulating him on supervising such an out
standing concorso, Donetta climbed into the limo with Enrico and they were driven back to the palace, where she could change out of her suit.

  He walked her to the door of her suite. “I’ll come by for you in an hour. Does that give you enough time?”

  “An hour is perfect. Enrico?”

  “Yes?”

  “Before you go, I just wanted to say that because you’re the crown prince, you gave all of today’s winners a great thrill presenting them with their cups. That one young girl from Spain looked so excited to meet you she reminded me of myself when Queen Anne handed me my trophy. This day will stand out in all their minds.”

  His black eyes gleamed, leaving her breathless. “As long as it has been memorable for you, that’s all I ask.”

  The second he left, she closed the door and removed her pink suit, but her body was trembling. She took a shower and washed her hair. It didn’t take long to dry and style.

  Ten minutes later Donetta heard the knock on the door. She gathered her suitcase and purse and hurried to open it, coming face-to-face with Enrico. He had to be the most dashing male on the planet. She swallowed hard as she took in his rock-solid physique.

  No longer in his whites, he wore khaki pants and a matching short-sleeved khaki shirt open at the neck. His black eyes and hair, combined with such a burnished complexion, made her joints go weak.

  She felt his eyes wander over her, causing her pulse to race. “You should always wear green,” he said in his deep voice. “Have you forgotten anything? We won’t be coming back until tomorrow. I hope you won’t mind that we miss dinner and the fireworks. I have other plans for us.” Her pulse flew off the charts. “Does your pilot know you won’t be flying home until late in the day?”

  “I’ll let him know. Enrico? What about your mother? Is she aware you’re with me tonight? I didn’t come to Vallefiore to cause more discord between our two countries.”

  “I have no doubts she knows what we’re doing. She has her spies. If I’m not wrong, she’s supervising the help putting my father to bed and complaining to him about any number of things she can’t change. She believes he understands, even if he doesn’t talk. Sadly, I don’t think he does, but it helps her to let off steam.”

  Donetta moaned. “She must be upset that you’re entertaining a Rossiano.”

  “Could be, but I don’t care.”

  Neither did she. Being with him like this tonight was all she could think about.

  CHAPTER THREE

  ENRICO HELPED DONETTA into the Land Rover. Surrounded by heavy security, he drove them toward the mountains in the distance. They still had two hours of daylight left. Time for her to take in the scenery while he set up camp for them.

  It wasn’t long before she exclaimed, “The landscape is so green and fertile! Do you get a lot more rain here than I had supposed?”

  He chuckled. “I’m glad you’ve noticed. It means my work since returning from England hasn’t been in vain.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s not rain but irrigation. Let me explain. Since agriculture forms the basis of Vallefiore’s economy, Giovanni and I have studied the agricultural challenges of our country. Between us we developed a system of piping and pumps to cover the huge island with fresh water converted from sea water.

  “This innovation has brought whole new possibilities for more jobs for our young people, more money for infrastructure, increased production of our pipe manufacturing plants as well as a profusion of farm implements.

  “Our farmers are growing three times as much produce, which means enriching the economy and exports. We’re building timber assets now in demand internationally and contributing to the country’s prosperity.”

  “I’m so impressed I don’t know where to start.”

  Enrico chuckled. “Even though there’s much work to be done yet, we’re satisfied about the progress made so far. But the agricultural problems are only part of my responsibilities and worries. My other important work stretches further to oversee national security in order to establish law and order. We have a lot of problems right now.”

  “What kind?”

  “Well, I’ve stopped the construction of most new renewable energy projects. I’m trying to ensure that the corruptive elements of society are rooted out of the industry before allowing fresh projects to go forward.

  “Though my father has worked on the problem, he hadn’t been aggressive enough. I’ve seen that their influence in the country has to be wiped out by vetting those businesses affected and jailing the heads, no matter the consequences. Between that and our water needs, I’ve been busy.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’ve managed to put in pipelines all over this huge island to pump in the sea water and make it potable?”

  Enrico nodded. “We’ve a long way to go to cover the whole island, but in the last three years we’ve seen some success and are encouraged by what is happening.”

  Her smile lit up a spot inside him he didn’t know was there. “It’s a miracle what you’ve done so far. I can’t tell you how in awe I am.”

  “Enough to forgive me for ending the letter writing? I didn’t mean for it to be permanent, but when I reached home, between the concerns of the government and the needs of my mother, I barely had time to put one foot in front of the other.”

  “Of course I forgive you.”

  “Then you’re a saint.”

  “Hardly. Look what you’ve done for your country so far! To think what could be done for some of the countries of East Africa suffering from drought.”

  “I think about it all the time.”

  Talking to Donetta had always stimulated him, but never more than now. While they were talking, he’d driven them into the mountains. “Before dark there’s a sight I want you to see. It’s around this next curve.” A minute later he pulled his Land Rover to the side of the road.

  When a cry escaped her lips, it was the most satisfying sound he’d heard in a long time. With the sun getting ready to set, its last reflection was captured by the spectacular waterfall, the longest one on the island.

  “The locals call it Percorso al Cielo.”

  “The pathway to heaven,” she murmured. “How absolutely beautiful.”

  He glanced at her. “When I first saw you perform on your horse, the hair cascading a silvery gold almost to your waist beneath your helmet reminded me of this waterfall. When I saw you last month, I was surprised to see you looked a lot different from my boyhood memory of you.”

  She turned to him. “Do you know your hair was one of the first things I noticed about you when you were just ten?”

  He smiled. “I hope to keep it for a while.”

  “I can’t imagine you losing it.”

  “That day will come.”

  “Maybe when you’re eighty.”

  “I like your vote of confidence.” They laughed as he drove back on the road.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To our campsite to eat and get ready for bed. It’s about ten minutes from here, on a bluff that overlooks part of the plain.”

  “I can’t wait to see the wild horses.”

  “When you’ve had your fill tomorrow, we’ll come back and swim in the pool beneath the waterfall.”

  Her eyes met his. “That sounds like heaven, but I didn’t bring a swimming suit.”

  “No problem. We keep spares at the palace for visitors. I brought one for you in my knapsack.”

  Before long they reached the bluff. He found a spot beyond the trees to park the car next to the pit he’d dug years ago and always used when he cooked out. “Do you want me to set up a tent tonight?”

  “Oh, no. It’s a warm evening and I love sleeping out in the open.” Donetta was a woman after his own heart, which was pounding unhealthily fast. “Let me help you.”

  She opened the door of the
Land Rover and walked around to the rear to get the sleeping bags. They worked in harmony. Enrico set up a small camping table and chairs, aware the bodyguards were somewhere around. Then he got out a cooler along with his flashlight and a liter of water.

  While she made coffee and cut the bread to make fried bruschetta with the ingredients he’d brought, Enrico got a fire going and put down the grill to cook their steaks, potatoes and the bread for the bruschetta. Soon they sat on the chairs to eat their food with the greatest enjoyment. Enrico hadn’t had this much fun in his whole life.

  He slanted her a glance. “How did you learn to be such an excellent cook?”

  “The palace chef took my sisters and me under her wing. She once said, ‘Princess or pauper, you need to learn how to prepare food. You never know when it will come in handy.’ When I get back to the palace I’m going to thank her for all those lessons.”

  “I’ll send her my own letter,” he declared. “I’ve never eaten fried bruschetta. It’s ambrosia and I don’t ever want to eat it any other way.”

  She smiled at him in the firelight, which brought out her classic features and the high cheekbones that emphasized her beauty. “I think it tastes so good because we’re out of doors. I’m sure I’ve told you before that my sisters and I loved to play in the woods outside the palace. Occasionally we’d rescue a creature like a wounded bird. My sister Fausta was good at giving first aid and nursed several rabbits back to health.

  “Do you know when my sister Lanza was on her honeymoon, they found a little red fox in the snow? They took care of it and she wanted to keep it, but in the end they put it in a wildlife shelter.”

  Enrico ate the last of the bruschetta. “Sounds like you and your sisters had a lot of fun growing up. My sisters and I did, too.”

  “I remember some of the antics you told me about in your letters.”

  “Giovanni often joined us. We hiked a lot and played in the lake in front of the palace. Some nights we slept out on the sand so we could fish from our sleeping bags.”