Diamonds are Forever: The Royal Marriage Arrangement / The Diamond Bride / The Diamond Dad

CHAPTER SEVEN

KEEP your eyes on Lucca. Like a mantra Alex repeated his advice.

The huge room, as ornate and splendid as the rest of the palace, had to be filled with several hundred people if you included all the security assembled. Regina, looking beautiful in a dusky-rose suit, gloves and a broad-brimmed hat with a cluster of real roses at the side of the crown, sent her a private smile.

Alex reciprocated before ascending the platform with Lucca. A dozen microphones had been set up to carry the broadcast. It was the middle of the night in Los Angeles. By morning Alex’s friends would see all this on TV at work and go into shock. Before the end of the day she would have to make phone calls of explanation to them and Mr. Watkins.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t tell anyone the truth in case it ended up hurting Lucca. All she could say was that Lucca was responsible for helping her unite with her family and in the process he’d swept her off her feet.

Any woman seeing Lucca would understand how that could happen. Anyone catching sight of the green diamond fastened to her dress would agree that Alex was as greedy as her mother.

Yet strangely enough, none of it stung, because she had Lucca on her side. They’d entered into a pact to help each other. With him championing her, she had nothing to fear except an inability to get into medical school. But she wouldn’t think in defeatist terms. Right now her only job was to play Lucca’s adoring fiancée in front of the camcorders, a role she found came as naturally to her as breathing.

After the head of the cabinet sat down, Lucca moved to the lectern taking Alex with him. Together they faced the sea of faces.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, translators, members of the cabinet and their assistants,” he began in English, “I’ve called this news conference to announce my ascendancy to the throne on the twenty-eighth of this month. My father’s health demands that he step down.” Lucca’s voice broke, revealing the depth of his concern for his parent. In the stillness following his news, Alex slid her hand into his. He gripped it so hard, he had no idea of his strength.

“As all of you can see, I picked up something precious while I was in New York. Alexandra has consented to become my wife. Regretfully, her father, Prince Oleg Grigory, and her mother, Kathryn Carlisle, are both deceased. But it’s most fortunate that her great-uncle Yuri Grigory is still alive and will walk her down the aisle.

“My parents have declared the twenty-eighth of this month a state holiday in honor of the coronation and my wedding to this wonderful woman.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. The barrage of flashes almost blinded her.

“Before the cabinet meeting starts, Alexandra and I will entertain a few questions now.”

Too many voices called out at once. “One at a time please,” Lucca said with enviable calm.

“Princess Alexandra, how does it feel to be wearing the Ligurian teardrop diamond?”

Lucca darted her an amused glance, obviously curious to know what she was going to say.

“Like I’m carrying a monument around.” Her comment set off an explosion of laughter in the room that included Lucca’s own deep, attractive brand. It took a minute for the noise to subside.

“Princess Alexandra?” came another voice. “How did you manage to keep your involvement with the prince a secret all this time?”

“I have my ways.” Taking a risk she added, “My mother was always in the news. I learned certain tricks to remain invisible.”

“Over here, Princess Alexandra—” This from a burly journalist in the corner. “Rumor has it your father had ties to the mafia in Las Vegas. Can you confirm that?”

Lucca stiffened. She could tell he was ready to intervene but she preempted him.

“Yes,” she spoke clearly. “It was rumor. My father was an excellent businessman who used his own money to be successful. Sadly, his life was cut short in an airplane crash. I would give anything if he were still alive.” Her voice shook.

A strong arm slipped around her waist, pulling her closer, then Lucca said, “One last question.”

“Princess Alexandra?” This from an older woman journalist. “It’s obvious that like your mother you could have your choice of many men, be they sheiks, royals or film stars.” That was news to Alex. “What was it about Prince Lucca you couldn’t resist?”

Alex needed to put on a convincing act, but it wasn’t hard. She slowly smiled at him. “We met while I was in a shop. At first I mistook him for a security guard. I was in a very anxious state at the time and I’m afraid I unfairly took it out on one of the employees.

“When Lucca intervened, I assumed he’d been watching and had decided to take charge. We exchanged words. Actually I flung insults at him and demanded to know if he was going to have me arrested. In his maddeningly reasonable way he assured me nothing could be further from the truth and suggested I sit down. Now when I look back on the incident, I realize he’d used his monarch voice on me.”

Laughter burst from the audience. Lucca eyed her with a devilish gleam.

“The man had so much charm that before long I discovered I was having the time of my life. When he finally admitted who he was, I’m afraid I was hooked.” At this point she fought to keep her voice steady.

“I say afraid because I didn’t want him to be a prince, but once the heart feels that pull, you have no choice in the matter. He more or less took me away, but not to prison, thank heaven. Of course, the fact that he was easily the most attractive man I’d ever met didn’t hurt the situation any.”

Everyone jumped to their feet cheering and clapping their approval, but not Lucca. He studied her out of dark, veiled eyes, his expression suddenly indecipherable. Had she said too much? Was he worried what his lover would make of it?

Honesty was usually the best policy, but maybe not in this case. Her off-the-cuff speech would be circling the world before long. It was too late to recall it.

Lucca let go of her hand and put both of his on the lectern. “As you have deduced,” he began in his deep voice, “our marriage is going to be a lively, twenty-first-century version of thrills.”

The crowd gave them a standing ovation. He waited for the din to subside before he said, “I want to thank those members of the media for coming. Because of the cabinet’s urgent business now that my father is stepping down, we would appreciate it if you cleared the conference room so our meeting can begin.”

On cue the cameramen and reporters started to exit the room. While the president of the cabinet engaged Lucca in conversation, Regina came running up to Alex. “You were wonderful,” she whispered, catching hold of her arm.

Alex hadn’t seen her leave her seat. “Thanks, Regina, but I’m afraid I said too much.”

“No. It was perfect!” she argued. “I’ve been dying to learn how you met, but you know my close-mouthed brother. I saw everyone’s reaction, Alexandra. They love you. I love you for loving my brother so much. He badly needs to be loved by a woman like you.”

Lucca was already badly loved by a woman, but Regina didn’t know that. However, the sincerity of her words made Alex realize she’d pulled off her part of the agreement with Lucca. If Regina could accept they were a love match, then she wasn’t worried about other people.

“Come on,” Regina urged. “Papa and Mama asked me to bring you to their suite after the news conference. Lucca will be tied up all day.”

That’s what Alex feared. The hours dragged when she wasn’t with him. “All right.”

“Lucca?” she called to her brother who was busy talking to several men by now. He turned his head in their direction. “We’re going upstairs.”

“I’ll join you later.” His glance swerved to Alex. She saw a nerve throbbing at the corner of his jaw. “You had them eating out of your hand, Alexandra.”

Then why aren’t you happy about it? Alex didn’t understand his unexpected change of mood, but she couldn’t ask him about it. At this juncture the press of dignitaries surrounding him had grown.

Averting her eyes, she turned her attention back to Regina. They left through a private door at the rear of the room. “After we’ve checked in with my parents, I thought you might like a tour of the grounds.”

“I’d love it, but I have another Italian lesson at two with Professor Morelli.”

“There’ll be time for both.” She gave Alex a sideways glance. “I saw him on the stairs after he left the schoolroom yesterday. Apparently Professor Emilio is ill.”

“That’s what I understand.”

“He’s very nice looking.”

Alex smiled. “I agree. He’s a terrific teacher, too.”

One of Regina’s brows lifted. “Does Lucca know about the change?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

“Explains what?” Alex prodded.

“Lucca’s mood at breakfast after Mama asked if you’d begun your Italian lessons. He didn’t seem to want to talk about it.”

“You know he did seem a little offish after I introduced him to Tomaso. I assumed he was disappointed Professor Emilio couldn’t make it.”

A knowing smile broke out on Regina’s face. “My brother’s jealous.”

“Don’t be silly, Regina. I’ve done nothing to make him feel that way.”

“You don’t have to. It’s an emotion completely new to him. I love seeing him out of control for once.”

Alex couldn’t afford to protest too much. “I think you’re wrong.”

“Better not refer to Professor Morelli as Tomaso in front of him,” she said.

“Does that mean I’m breaking some kind of royal protocol to address him by his first name?”

“Of course not, but you don’t know my brother like I do. At least not yet. He has a possessive streak about certain things he considers his.”

“I am his,” she blurted. Sort of. Come to think of it, he was pretty obsessed over her wearing his pin all the time.

“You and I both know that. However, to be safe I implore you to be formal with Tomaso in front of Lucca and whatever you do, don’t praise your teacher. Lucca would never be able to handle it.”

Alex broke into laughter. She couldn’t help it, but Regina remained serious. “Laugh if you want, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

At quarter to three that afternoon Alex was reminded of their conversation when Lucca came striding into the schoolroom unannounced. He was still dressed in the stunning gray suit he’d worn for the press conference. Her breath caught at the magnificent sight of him.

She’d been working on the next chapter in her Italian book while she waited for Tomaso. Evidently he’d been held up at the university and was running late.

“Hi,” was all she could get out.

“Hi, yourself.” He removed his elegant suit jacket and flung it over a chair. Then he removed his tie and rolled up the sleeves of his immaculate white shirt to the elbow, revealing bronzed arms.

“P-Professor Morelli’s late,” she tripped over the word because she almost said Tomaso. “So I’ve just been studying.”

Lucca sat down at the desk facing her. He flashed her a look of male admiration. She’d changed clothes and was wearing a soft orange linen wraparound dress he’d admired on her at the boutique. Her only adornment was the pin. “He won’t be coming anymore. I’ll instruct you every day until Professor Emilio is well enough to do it.”

Joy.

Remembering Regina’s warning, she said, “I’m glad because I’d rather be taught by you.” Her comment seemed to smooth the waters a little. She took advantage of the silence. “How did the cabinet meeting go?”

“Fine,” he answered, but she could tell his mind wasn’t on government affairs. “Every man in the room envied me today.”

“They can envy you all they want, but could any of them make as good a king?”

“You know damn well I wasn’t referring to the title,” his voice rasped.

Adrenaline gushed through her veins. “How do you say damn in Italian? I think I should learn some curse words. In the States all the foreigners can swear in English before they say anything else.”

A quick smile transformed his chiseled features. “Like English, Italian has many subtleties,” he said in a more relaxed tone. “You can say managgia. The slang for it is accidenti. A politer version is diavolo.”

Her head flew back. “I heard you say that word the other day.”

“So I did.” He suddenly shoved himself away from the desk and stood up. “Let’s get out of here. You can work on those words while we take a drive.”

She rolled her eyes. “Something tells me they’re going to come in handy.”

He let out a bark of laughter before reaching for his coat and tie. “Have you ever ridden on the back of a motorcycle before?”

A thrill of excitement ran through her body. “No.”

“You said you liked speed. I’m going to take you at your word.”

Almost jumping out of her skin in anticipation, she hurried over to the door ahead of him. “I’ll need to change first.”

“Meet me in the north portico in ten minutes. Wear those blue jeans you bought yesterday. On our way out of town, we’ll pick up the rest of the items you’ll need.”

“All right.”

She reached her room breathless over their plans, but when she discovered all the phone messages waiting for her from the States, they brought her back to the grim reality that every gesture on Lucca’s part was meant for show.

Outwardly he was carrying on his role as the ardent fiancé but she’d be a much greater fool than her mother if she allowed herself to stay in denial about his deepest feelings. There was another woman. He’d told her in the car on the way to airport.

In order not to displease his parents, Alex was beginning to think he intended to stay away from his lover until the honeymoon was over. When Lucca had talked about his work schedule, he’d told Alex that after he performed his royal duties each day, he would indulge his other interests. She’d known what he’d meant, but it was getting harder and harder to accept.

Deflated by the unpalatable truth about her deepest feelings, she checked each message. All of them could wait except the one from Manny. SOS, Alex. Must talk to you immediately! Call me no matter what time it is! This could settle all your mother’s debts and then some!

Her heart thudded in her chest. How was that possible?

She quickly returned the call. He picked up on the second ring. “You’re a good girl for calling me back so fast, Alex. How would you like to be a very, very rich one in no time at all?”

“Were mother’s real diamonds found?” she cried.

“No, no, honey. Those are long gone.”

Her brief elation dissipated. She sank down on the side of the bed. “Then I don’t understand.”

“Listen to me and don’t interrupt. Can you do that?”

If she didn’t get downstairs soon, Lucca would come looking for her. “Yes—if you make it quick. I’m on my way out the door.”

“I’ve got the part of the century for you!”

She frowned. “What are you talking about, Manny?”

“Oh, honey, after seeing your beautiful face splashed all over the news and the Internet this morning, you’re the only one who can play it.”

“Play what?”

“Garbo! I’ve got the script in my hand. Every actress in Hollywood wants the part. None of them can do it. They don’t have what it takes. You do! Come home, Alex. I’ve already got the audition arranged for you.”

She shot to her feet. “Manny, I’m not an actress!”

“Ah, honey … you’ve been around it all your life.”

It was hard to breathe. “If you saw me on TV, then you’d know I’m getting married.”

“You can work around that. The point is, you can carry off the role so people will believe you’re Garbo. I just talked to Michelle. She agrees with that me you’ve got those great bones—everything it takes including her sad eyes.

“Between your portrayal, plus the fact that you’re Kathryn’s daughter and the consort of Prince Vittorio of Castelmare, the box-office take will be in the millions. One film of the definitive Garbo, honey. Just one and you’ll be on easy street for the rest of your life!”

And you’ll get paid what mother owed you within the year instead of ten or twelve years from now.

For the first time in all these years, she was beginning to realize the kind of pressure her mother had lived under. Manny said and did all the right things. He was a master manipulator.

Alex’s mind went back to the conversation with her Uncle Yuri:

“My mother was married six times,” she’d said.

“I can understand why you’re frightened. But think about this. Maybe part of it’s because she lost Oleg, and maybe the other part is because she didn’t have parents to teach her what a good marriage is all about. Hmm?” Yuri had told her.

There was a familiar rap on the door. “Alexandra?”

“I’ll be right there, Lucca,” she called out, then put the phone back to her ear. “Listen, Manny. I have to go.”

“No way. Whatever else you have to do can wait.”

She took a deep breath. “I’m afraid it can’t, Manny. I’ll have to call you later.”

“When? This thing is big, honey. An opportunity like this only comes knocking once in a lifetime.”

Manny never gave up!