Reclaiming the Prince's Heart Read online

  Chispar translated.

  Rini had to believe his wife knew about this and decided he’d better cooperate. Otherwise, it would be reported that he was “unmanageable.”

  After Rini nodded, the two men pulled up chairs by him and sat down. Dr. Tullia appeared relaxed. “Memory loss affects people differently. Everything from frustration to fear. Why don’t you tell me what you want to talk about?”

  “I feel fine and want to get out of here. How soon can I go home?”

  “Do you know where home is?”

  “My wife has explained where we live.”

  “You’re comfortable with her?”

  “She found me. If she didn’t like me, I assume she wouldn’t have come looking for me.”

  “It sounds as if you trust her.”

  “I don’t believe she has lied to me, but—”

  “But what?”

  “She’s been like a saint.”

  “Explain that word.”

  “You know. Perfect. In every way.”

  “And that disturbs you?”

  “Hell, yes. How do I know that beneath her facade she...pities me and really doesn’t want me to go home with her?”

  He pondered the question. “How do you know she pities you? Has she told you that?”

  “No.”

  “Then maybe you need to discuss that with her privately. It sounds like you are putting your own feelings on to her.”

  Rini let out an exasperated groan.

  Dr. Tullia sat forward. “Rini, from what I’ve heard about you, you are a powerful, confident man. Even if your memory doesn’t return, let’s work on getting your confidence back.

  “Under the circumstances I’ll tell Doctor Romano I feel fine about letting you go home with your wife. Until he sees fit to release you, I’ll arrange a session with you every morning here. After you leave I’ll want to talk to you twice a week in my office here at the hospital for the next four weeks. You’ll always be able to call me at home or the office anytime if an emergency should arise, even in the middle of the night.”

  Rini felt relieved when both men got up and said goodbye.

  No sooner had they left than another man close to Rini’s age and tall like him came into his hospital room. He wore sporty clothes, nothing like the hospital staff. He had brilliant blue eyes and dark brown hair in a style worn much like Rini’s in the photo of him. For once it was someone he thought he recognized.

  The other man studied him for an overly long moment that made him uncomfortable. “You’ll never know how good it is to see you,” he said in Romansh.

  After hearing the familiar language spoken to him, Rini got it. This was his second cousin. “I take it you are Vincenzo.”

  A broad smile broke out on his handsome face. “Give this man the prize! Was Luna just spoofing me? You haven’t really lost your memory, have you, cusregna?”

  This surprise visit from his Romansh-speaking royal cousin made him uncomfortable. He couldn’t comprehend being royal or the Crown Prince. In fact, he didn’t want to think about it. “Afraid so. She showed me a picture of you in our family album.”

  The smile slowly faded, and Vincenzo sat down by him. “I’m here to be of help in any way that I can.”

  “I appreciate that, but I have my wife.”

  Vincenzo leaned forward with his hands clasped between his legs. “I know that. She’s the angel who found you. But your grandfather called me last night and explained that you need a translator while you’re in the hospital.”

  “Doctor Tullia brought a man from the college with him who speaks Romansh.”

  “Understood. But if you need it for other reasons, I’m available.”

  “Luna told me you’ve taken over the duties of Crown Prince. I also understand you’re engaged to be married. You don’t have the time to do anything else.”

  “I have time for you. She lives in Italy and understands I need to be with you.”

  His anxiety crept up on him. “Where is Luna?”

  “I have no idea. That’s why I’m here. To fill in for her and give her some space. My grandfather told me your grandparents are worried about both of you.”

  Did Luna want space? Had she already told the family that? His fear that she might not want him to go with her grew worse.

  “Tell me what you want or need, Rini. I’ll do whatever I can.”

  Rini didn’t question the man’s sincerity. He saw it in his eyes and heard it in his expression. But he still couldn’t handle much more of this. The life of a royal was anathema to him, even if it would offend them if he expressed the sentiment. It was the last job on earth he could imagine wanting. He needed to talk to Dr. Tullia. Right now he didn’t want another person from the family involved in his life, no matter how well-meaning. The thought was making him ill.

  “Luna says you run a timber business?”

  “Yes, but your welfare is much more important to me. When I arrived at the palace, Carlo Bruno was there and told me about your beautiful wife and all she went through to find you. There’s a woman who lives by faith. She believed you were alive. How remarkable is that? I swear if my fiancée turns out to be a wife as wonderful as Luna, I’ll think I have died and gone to heaven.”

  “I can tell you mean that, Vincenzo, so I have thought of one important thing you could do for me.”

  “Name it.”

  “Luna has explained to me what my princely duties consisted of before all of this happened to me. From what I’ve gathered, my grandfather has started to rely on you. Since I can’t be the person he used to depend on, I’m glad you’re the one he’s looking to now.”

  Vincenzo shook his head. “Your condition isn’t permanent, Rini.”

  “Maybe it is.”

  “But it couldn’t be. Some of my friends who’ve had ski accidents have suffered memory loss, but it always comes back. Now that you’re getting expert medical care, you’re going to be back to normal in no time.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Vincenzo. Doctor Romano says I have a unique case called a fugue state. My amnesia is very different, and I mustn’t expect it to ever come back.”

  His cousin’s expression changed to one of shock. “I don’t believe it. I bet Luna doesn’t believe it, either.”

  “I’m afraid she’s starting to. We’re both doing everything we can to accept that our situation is permanent. My grandfather needs to accept it, too. I’m no longer able to fulfill my formal function in the monarchy. Therefore, by royal right, the role of Crown Prince has fallen to you. One day you’ll be ruling San Vitano.”

  Vincenzo shot up from the chair and started pacing. Then he wheeled around to face Rini. “Does your grandfather know how you feel?”

  “Not yet. But he will. That’s why I’m depending on you. I won’t need a translator when I’m released. While I’m here for the next few days, Doctor Tullia has this college teacher to serve as a translator for me. When I’m released, I’ll have Luna.”

  “We all assumed you had temporary amnesia, Rini.”

  “I hoped the same thing, but it’s not going to happen. Luna tells me my grandfather needs a man he can mold to be King. She says the family sings your praises and I take her word for it.”

  Vincenzo’s blue eyes glinted from moisture. “You would have made a great king, Rini. I idolized you and still do for the way you’re handling your affliction now.”

  “I’m trying to handle it, and I’m glad we’ve talked. I can’t be the Crown Prince. I don’t have any conception of what that would be like. I’m only glad that you are the designated one now. That’s a burden I willingly throw off without knowing anything about it. I wish you the joy of it. Does your fiancée have any idea you’re going to be King of San Vitano one day?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me about her.”

&nbs
p; “She’s Princess Valentina Di Fiore Visconti of Padua, the daughter of Count Giuseppe Visconti.”

  “None of that means a thing to me.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry.”

  “I’ve discovered it’s life. I was the only survivor of a quake that killed seven other men. For ten days I lay in the hospital, wondering if I would live to see another day.”

  Vincenzo just stood there and shook his head.

  “One thing I have learned. My grandparents are good people.”

  “They’re wonderful. You have no idea how much they love and admire you.”

  “Luna tells me they have great faith in you. It’s a worry off my mind if you’re helping them because I can’t.”

  “Understood. What will you do?”

  Rini lifted his head. “Ask me in a year and maybe I’ll be able to tell you.”

  “Is there anything I can do for you before I go back to the palace?”

  “If you see Luna, ask her to come ASAP.”

  Vincenzo nodded and started to leave.

  Rini called to him. “Thank you for coming and being willing to help me. Luna said you and I were best friends. I believe it and wish you well.”

  The visit from his cousin had relieved him of a burden, but it had also made him antsy. He got up and walked over to the window, wondering what had happened to his wife.

  While he was thinking about her, he heard her voice at the door. He swung around as she walked in. She looked stunning in a pale pink matching blouse and skirt. Another strange man had come in with her, carrying a small satchel. “Rini? Good afternoon. This is your barber, Emilio.”

  “Buona sera, Your Highness.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  RINI STARED AT his wife, who’d taught his barber how to say good afternoon in Romansh. “Tell Emilio I’m impressed.” He reached over to the side table. “Will you hand him this photo and ask him to make me look like I did here? He may have forgotten.”

  “I doubt it.” Luna grinned and walked over to take it from him.

  He recognized the strawberry scent and was haunted by her fragrance. She showed the photo to Emilio. The two of them spoke in Italian. It frustrated Rini that he couldn’t understand them and determined to learn Italian ASAP.

  She lifted her head. Her hair gleamed a golden white. “He says he finds your disheveled hair an interesting change. Are you sure you don’t want to create a new style?”

  “Positive!”

  “Then he wants you to get out of bed. Come and sit in the chair by the table.” She cocked her head. “Can I watch, or is this a private male thing? I’ve never gone to the barber with you.”

  “Stay with me.”

  “All right.” She pulled the chair out for him while Emilio emptied his bag on the table and picked up the shears and trimmer. Luna sat down in another chair to watch. “How did it go with Vincenzo?”

  “I like him. I also fired him from the job of being my translator and asked him to work with my grandfather.”

  Wow. “Well, that says it all.” She smiled at him.

  At this point Emilio got busy. “Tell Rini I can see the place on the crown of his head where he was hurt. It’s healed but tell him to treat that area gently when he brushes his hair.”

  Luna translated. “Does it still hurt, Rini?”

  “It’s a little tender if I press on it. Doctor Romano said it would fade with time.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  Before long Emilio used an edger before he declared success. The barber looked at Rini with satisfaction before handing him a small mirror. “Take a look.”

  She translated while Rini compared the image in the mirror to the picture he held.

  Rini nodded and handed back the mirror. His gaze swerved to Luna. “Tell him I can’t complain.”

  “He’s paid you a great compliment, Emilio,” she said in Italian.

  “Sì?”

  “Sì. Rini thinks you did a great job.”

  A smile broke out on his face. “It’s been a pleasure to serve you as usual.” He gathered up his things, said goodbye to Luna and left.

  Rini watched him go, glad the two of them were finally alone. He got to his feet. “What does my wife think now?”

  Her dreamy green eyes studied him. She walked over and kissed his cheek. “You smell good and look like my old Rini.”

  “You always smell wonderful,” he murmured, wanting to reach out and crush her to him. But he didn’t dare. Not yet. First, he’d get in shape and regain the weight he’d lost. He wasn’t about to forget she’d fallen in love with his former self.

  Luna smiled. “Welcome home eleven days late.”

  “That’s where I want to go. Doctor Tullia said he’d tell Doctor Romano he felt fine about releasing me.”

  “How wonderful!” Her instant response went a long way to reassure him it was good news to her. He saw no shadow. “The morning you left to inspect the mine was the first time we’d ever been apart.” Her throat closed up. “I’d planned a special anniversary dinner for that evening when you got home.” She’d apparently planned another surprise, too.

  “When your grandparents came to the palazzo with the news there’d been an earthquake and men were trapped in the mine, including my beloved husband—I thought I would die.”

  He heard the pain in her voice. It caught him unawares. As his gaze fused with hers, one of the staff chose that moment to bring in two dinner trays and put them on the table. Luna turned to thank the woman, breaking the trance that held them.

  Once they were alone, she invited Rini to sit back down and eat with her. “Um... Your grandmother knows how much you love veal cooked in wine. I love it, too. This osso bucco looks tantalizing.”

  If anything looked tantalizing, it was Luna.

  He started eating. “Does our cook make meals like this?”

  “Much better, actually. You’ll love her bruschetta.”

  Good. He’d gain weight fast and begin to look like the man she’d married.

  “Do you cook, Luna?”

  “Not well, but you do when we eat outside on the back patio.”

  He put his fork down. “Are you joking with me?”

  “Not at all. Your specialty is either grilled swordfish or salmon on a stick with your own signature lemon sauce. I understand you learned the recipes from your mother, who was reported to be a fabulous cook. Three days after we went to lunch, you invited me to the palazzo. To my surprise you barbecued our dinner and I knew I was in love.”

  “How soon did I propose?”

  “That night after you drove me back to my pitiful apartment.”

  “So fast?”

  She nodded. “I told you I’d give you my answer after our third date, which was two days later. I wanted to impress you with my cooking, which turned out to be a flop because the oven broke down. Raw chicken wasn’t what I had in mind. You laughed and said nothing else mattered as long as I would agree to marry you.”

  He eyed her intently. “How long did you make me wait for your answer?”

  “I didn’t. I was shameless and told you I’d envisioned you as my husband when we went to lunch. You pulled a ring out of your shirt pocket and put it on my ring finger.”

  Luna extended her left hand with its engagement ring and wedding band. He gripped her hand and studied the three-carat diamond set in gold. “I can see I had good taste.”

  “In everything!” she cried. “You told me the gold in both rings came from the Baldasseri gold mine and were fashioned expressly for me. Inside the gold band you’d had words engraved: Rini and Luna forever. You’ll never know what that night meant to me. At first, I thought I must be dreaming, but from then on we spent every free moment together and I’d never been so happy in my life. But if you want to know the truth, when I found you alive at the hospital in Rezan
a, that was the most thrilling, glorious moment of my life. You weren’t lost to me after all.” Her voice trembled. “You just can’t know what finding you meant to me.”

  He stirred in the chair. “I know what it meant to hear a feminine voice say I love you. At that moment I knew I wasn’t going to die, that I’d been saved.”

  “Rini—”

  He rubbed his thumb against her palm the way he used to do as a prelude to making love. Her husband might have lost his memory, but his body reacted the same way it did before the quake. His touch brought her alive.

  Luna slowly removed her hand from Rini’s and sat back. The feel of him had sent tingles of longing through her body that wouldn’t go away. But maybe she’d revealed too much of herself to him. What had she been thinking? He didn’t know her from Adam!

  She’d wanted to tell him as much as she could about their married life together. But she’d been an open book about her personal feelings for him. It might be a turnoff if she went too far. She adored him whether he’d lost his memory or not and wanted their marriage to last forever. However, could she say the same thing for him?

  In his eyes Luna was a total stranger to him. In revealing her heart, he might be feeling suffocated. Though he’d said he was anxious to go home, he had no idea what that meant. She could understand his wanting to get out of the hospital. It had to be a kind of jail to him. Naturally, he craved his independence. Unfortunately for him, he needed her help to communicate.

  She wouldn’t blame him if he preferred someone like Chispar to stay at the palazzo with them, but that was the last thing she wanted. Under the circumstances it would be better if she didn’t go to work at the mining office for a while.

  Luna would discuss this with Dr. Tullia. Maybe he would tell her it would be a good idea if someone else was there on weekdays with whom he had no emotional ties. It might make his life much easier while he tried to adapt to a new life. But she didn’t want to be apart from him for a minute.