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In an instant both parents jumped to their feet bringing an end to the frivolity.
Wanting to say something to assure them, Carolena said, “He’s probably caught a little cold.”
Abby nodded. “I’m sure you’re right, but he’s still not as used to the queen yet and is in a strange place. I’ll go to him.” She put a hand on Vincenzo’s arm. “You stay here and enjoy your visit, darling.”
At this point, Valentino stood up. “We’ll have all day tomorrow. Right now your boy needs both of you.”
“Thank you,” they murmured. Abby came around to give Carolena a hug. “See you in the morning.”
“Of course. If you need me for anything, just phone me.”
“I will.”
When they disappeared out the doors, Carolena got to her feet. “I’ll say good-night, too. Thank you for a wonderful dinner, Your Highness.”
He frowned. “The name’s Val. I want to hear you say it.”
She took a deep breath. “Thank you...Val.”
“That’s better.” His gaze swept over her. “Where’s the fire?”
“I’m tired.” Carolena said the first thing that came into her head. “I was up early to finish some work at the firm before the limo arrived to drive me to the airport. Bed sounds good to me.”
“Then I’ll walk you back.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
He cocked his dark blond head. “Do I frighten you?”
Your appeal frightens me. “If anything, I’m afraid of disturbing your routine.”
“I don’t have one tonight. Forget I’m the prince.”
It wasn’t the prince part that worried her. He’d made her aware of him as a man. This hadn’t happened since she’d fallen in love with Berto and it was very disturbing to her.
“To be honest, when you showed up at the swimming pool earlier, you looked tired after a hard day’s work. Since it’s late, I’m sure you’d like a good sleep before you spend the day with Vincenzo tomorrow.”
“I’m not too tired to see you back to your room safely.”
“Your Highness?” The same maid came to the entrance once more. “The queen would like to see you in her apartment.”
“I’ll go to her. Thank you.”
He cupped Carolena’s elbow to walk her out of the dining room. She didn’t want him touching her. The contact made her senses come alive. When they passed the guard and reached the grounds, she eased away from him.
“After getting to know Vincenzo, I realize how busy you are and the huge amount of calls on your time. Your mother is waiting for you.”
“I always say good-night to my mother before retiring. If our dinner had lasted a longer time, she would have had a longer wait.”
There was no talking him out of letting her get back to her room by herself. “What kind of work were you doing today?” She had to admit to a deep curiosity.
He grinned. “I always come home looking dirty and need to wash off the grime.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to. Volcanoes are a dirty business.”
Carolena came to a standstill before lifting her head to look at him. “You were up on Mount Etna?”
“That’s right.”
His answer perplexed her. “Why?”
“I’m a volcanologist with the National Center of Geophysics and Volcanology lab in Catania.”
“You’re kidding—” After that movie she’d watched on the plane, she couldn’t believe what he’d just told her.
One corner of his compelling mouth lifted. “Even a prince can’t afford to be an empty suit. Etna has been my backyard since I was born. From the first moment I saw it smoking, I knew I had to go up there and get a good look. Once that happened, I was hooked.”
With his adventurous spirit, she wasn’t surprised but knew there was a lot more to his decision than that. “I confess it would be fantastic to see it up close the way you do. Have you been to other volcanoes?”
“Many of them.”
“You lucky man! On the way down here I watched a Hollywood movie with Louis Jourdan about a volcano erupting in Polynesia.”
“You must mean Bird of Paradise.”
“Yes. It was really something. Your line of work has to be very dangerous.”
For a second she thought she saw a flicker of some emotion in his eyes, but it passed. “Not so much nowadays. The main goal is to learn how to predict trouble so that timely warnings can be issued for cautioning and evacuating people in the area. We’ve devised many safe ways to spy on active volcanoes over the decades.”
“How did your parents feel about you becoming a volcanologist?”
A smile broke the corner of his mouth, as if her question had amused him. “When I explained the reasons for my interest, they approved.”
That was too pat an answer. He sounded as if he wanted to get off the subject, but she couldn’t let it go. “What argument did you give them?”
His brows lifted. “Did you think I needed one?”
She took a quick breath. “If they were anything like my grandmother, who was the soul of caution, then yes!”
He stopped outside the entrance to her wing of the palace. Moonlight bathed his striking male features, making them stand out like those of the Roman-god statues supporting the fountain in the distance. His sudden serious demeanor gave her more insight into his complex personality.
“A king’s first allegiance is to the welfare of his people. I explained to my parents that when Etna erupts again, and she will, I don’t want to see a repeat of what happened in l669.”
Carolena was transfixed. “What did happen?”
“That eruption turned into a disaster that killed over twenty-nine thousand people.”
She shuddered, remembering the film. “I can’t even imagine it.”
He wore a grim expression. “Though it couldn’t happen today, considering the sophisticated warning systems in place, people still need to be educated about the necessity of listening and heeding those warnings of evacuation.”
“In the film, there’d been no warning.”
“Certainly not a hundred years ago. That’s been my greatest concern. Gemelli has a population of two hundred thousand, so it can’t absorb everyone fleeing the mainland around Catania, but I want us to be prepared as much as possible.”
“How do you get your people prepared?”
“I’ve been working with our government to do mock drills to accommodate refugees from the mainland, should a disaster occur. Every ship, boat, barge, fishing boat would have to be available, not to mention housing and food and airlifts to other islands.”
“That would be an enormous undertaking.”
“You’re right. For protection against volcanic ash and toxic gas, I’ve ordered every family outfitted with lightweight, disposable, filtering face-piece mask/respirators. This year’s sightings have convinced me I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s needed to be done to feel at all ready.”
“Your country is very fortunate to have you for the watchman.”
“The watchman? That makes me sound like an old sage.”
“You’re hardly old yet,” she quipped.
“I’m glad you noticed.” His remark caused her heart to thud for no good reason.
“I’m very impressed over what you do.”
“It’s only part of what I do.”
“Oh, I know what a prince does.” She half laughed. “Abby once read me Vincenzo’s itinerary for the day and I almost passed out. But she never told me about your scientific background.”
“It isn’t something I talk about.”
“Well, I think it’s fascinating! You’re like an astronaut or a test pilot, but the general population doesn’t know what you go through or how you put your life on the line.”
“That’s a big exaggeration.”
“Not at all,” she argued. “It’s almost as if you’re leading a double life. What a mystery you are!”
She wouldn’t have put it past Abby to have chosen that particular film because she knew about Valentino’s profession and figured Carolena would get a kick out of it once she learned about his secret profession.
After a low chuckle, he opened the doors so they could walk down the hallway and around the corner to her room. She opened her door. Though she was dying to ask him a lot more questions about his work in volcanology, she didn’t want him to think she expected his company any longer. She was also aware the queen was waiting for him.
“It’s been a lovely evening. Thank you for everything.”
His eyes gleamed in the semidarkness. “What else do you do besides give unsuspecting males a heart attack while you’re diving?”
Heat scorched her cheeks. “I thought I was alone.”
“Because I was late getting back, I cut through that part of the grounds and happened to see you. It looks like I’m going to have to do it more often.”
He was a huge flirt. The tabloids hadn’t been wrong about him. “I won’t be here long enough to get caught again. I have a law practice waiting for me back in Arancia.”
He studied her for a moment. “I heard you’re in the same firm with Abby.”
“We were until her marriage. Now she’s a full-time mother to your nephew.”
A heart-stopping smile appeared. “It must be tough on your male colleagues working around so much beauty and brains.”
“They’re all married.”
“That makes it so much worse.”
She laughed. “You’re outrageous.”
“Then we understand each other. Tomorrow we’ll be eating breakfast on the terrace off the morning room. I’ll send a maid for you at eight-thirty. Buona notte, Carolena.”
“Buona notte.”
“Val,” he said again.
“Val,” she whispered before shutting the door. She lay against it, surprised he was so insistent on her using his nickname, surprised he’d made such an impact on her.
After their delicious meal, she wasn’t ready for bed yet. Once she’d slipped on her small garden-print capri pajamas, she set up her laptop on the table and started to look up Mount Etna. The amount of information she found staggered her. There were dozens of videos and video clips she watched until after one in the morning.
But by the time she’d seen a video about six volcanologists killed on the Galeras volcano in the Colombian Andes in 1993, she turned off her computer. The scientists had been standing on the ground when it began to heave and then there was a deafening roar. The volcano exploded, throwing boulders and ash miles high and they’d lost their lives.
The idea of that happening to the prince made her ill. She knew he took precautions, but as he’d pointed out, there was always a certain amount of risk. The desire to see a vent up close would be hard to resist. That’s what he did in his work. He crept up close to view the activity and send back information. But there might come a day when he’d be caught. She couldn’t bear the thought of it, but she admired him terribly.
The playboy prince who’d had dozens of girlfriends didn’t mesh with the volcanologist whose name was Val. She didn’t want to care about either image of the sensational-looking flesh-and-blood man. When Carolena finally pulled the covers over her, she fell asleep wishing she’d never met him. He was too intriguing for words.
At seven-thirty the next morning her cell phone rang, causing her to wonder if it was the prince. She got a fluttery feeling in her chest as she raised up on one elbow to reach for it. To her surprise it was Abby and she clicked on. “Abby? Are you all right? How’s Max?”
“He’s still running a temperature and fussing. I think he’s cutting another tooth. The reason I’m calling is because I’m going to miss breakfast with you and stay in the apartment with him. It will give Vincenzo and Valentino time to get some work done this morning.”
“Understood. I’m so sorry Max is sick.”
“It’ll pass, but under the circumstances, why don’t you order breakfast in your room or out by the pool. I’ll get in touch with you later in the day. If you want a limo, just dial zero and ask for one to drive you into town, and do a little shopping or something.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll love relaxing by the pool. This is heaven after the hectic schedule at the law firm.”
“Okay, then. Talk to you soon.”
This was a good turn of events. The less she saw of Valentino, the better.
CHAPTER TWO
BY TEN-THIRTY A.M., Valentino could see that Vincenzo wasn’t able to concentrate. “Let’s call it a day. I can see you want to be with Abby and Max. When I’ve finished with some other business, we’ll meet for dinner.”
Vincenzo nodded. “Sorry, Valentino.”
“You can’t help this. Family has to come first.” He walked his brother-in-law out of his suite where they’d had breakfast while they talked. When they’d said goodbye, he closed the door, realizing he had a free day on his hands if he wanted it.
In truth, he’d never wanted anything more and walked over to the house phone to call Carolena Baretti’s room, but there was no answer. He buzzed his assistant. “Paolo? Did Signorina Baretti go into town?”
“No. She had breakfast at the pool and is still there.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Within minutes he’d changed into trunks and made his way to the pool with a beach towel and his phone. He spotted her sitting alone reading a book under the shade of the table’s umbrella. She’d put her hair in a braid and was wearing a lacy cover-up, but he could see a spring-green bikini beneath it.
“I guess it was too much to hope you were wearing that purple swimsuit I found you in last evening.”
She looked up. Maybe it was a trick of light, but he thought she looked nervous to see him. Why?
Carolena put her book down. “You’ve finished your work with Vincenzo already?”
He tossed the towel on one of the other chairs. “Between you and me, I think he wanted to take a nap with his wife.”
A smile appeared. “They deserve some vacation time away from deadlines.”
“Amen. We’ll do more work tomorrow when Max is feeling better. Come swim with me.”
She shook her head. “I’ve already been in.”
“There’s no law that says you can’t swim again, is there?” He put his phone on the table.
“No. Please—just forget I’m here.”
“I’m afraid that would be impossible,” he said over his shoulder before plunging in at the deep end to do some laps. When he eventually lifted his head, he was shocked to discover she’d left the patio and was walking back to her wing of the palace on those long shapely legs.
Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. Propelled into action, he grabbed his things and caught up to her as she was entering the door of her apartment. Valentino stood in the aperture so she couldn’t close it on him.
“Did you go away because I’d disturbed you with my presence? Or was it because you have an aversion to me, signorina?”
Color swept into her cheeks. “Neither one.”
His adrenaline surged. “Why didn’t you tell me you preferred to be alone?”
“I’m just a guest. You’re the prince doing your own thing. This is your home. But I had no intention of offending you by leaving the pool.”
He frowned. “Yesterday I asked if you were afraid of me. You said no, but I think you are and I want to know why. It’s true that though I’ve been betrothed to Princess Alexandra for years, I’ve had a love life of sorts. In that way I’m no different than Vincenzo before he married Michelina. But I’ve the feeling Abby has painted me as such a bad boy to you, you’re half terrified to be alone with me.”
“Nothing of the sort, Your Highness!” She’d backed away from him. “Don’t ever blame her for anything. She thinks the world of you!”
That sounded heartfelt. “Then invite me in so we can talk without the staff hearing every word of our conversation.”
She bit her lip before standing aside so he could enter. “I’ll get you a dry towel so you can sit down.” He closed the door and watched her race through the suite. She soon came hurrying back with a towel and folded it on one of the chairs placed around the coffee table.
“Thank you,” he said as she took a seat at the end of the couch.
He sat down with his hands clasped between his legs and stared at her. “What’s wrong with you? Though I’ve told you I find you attractive, it doesn’t mean I’m ready to pounce on you.” She averted her eyes. “Don’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“I wasn’t going to, and I didn’t mean to be rude. You have to believe me.”
She sounded sincere enough, but Valentino wasn’t about to let her off the hook. “What else am I to think? Last night I thought we were enjoying each other’s company while we talked, but today you act like a frightened schoolgirl. Has some man attacked you before? Is that the reason you like to be alone and ran the minute I dived into the water?”
Her head lifted. “No! You don’t understand.”
“Since you’re a special guest, help me so I don’t feel like some pariah.”
“Forgive me if I made you feel that way.” Her green orbs pleaded with him. “This has to do with me, not you.”
“Are you this way on principle with every man you meet? Or am I the only one to receive that honor?”
She stood up. “I—I’m going through a difficult time right now.” Her voice faltered. “It’s something I really can’t talk about. Could we start over again, as if this never happened?”
Much as he’d like to explore her problem further, he decided to let it rest for now. “That all depends.” On impulse he said, “Do you like to ride horses?”
“I love it. I used to ride all the time on my grandparents’ farm.”
Good. “Then I’ll have lunch sent to your room, and I’ll collect you in an hour. We’ll ride around the grounds. It’s someplace safe and close to Abby, who’s hoping you’re having a good time. But if you’re afraid of what happened to my sister while she was riding, we could play tennis.”
“I’m not afraid, but to go riding must be a painful reminder to you.”
“I’ve worked my way through it. Accidents can happen anytime. To worry about it unnecessarily takes away from the quality of life. Don’t you think?”
Her eyes suddenly glistened. “Yes,” she whispered with such deep emotion he was more curious than ever to know what was going on inside her, and found himself wanting to comfort her. Instead he had to tear himself away.
“I’ll be back in an hour.” Reaching for his towel and phone, he left the apartment and hurried through the palace to his suite. Maybe by the end of their ride today, he’d have answers...
* * *
Carolena stood in the living room surprised and touched by his decency. He’d thought she’d been assaulted by a man and wanted to show her she didn’t need to be afraid of him while he entertained her. No doubt he felt an obligation to her with Vincenzo and Abby indisposed.
He was sensitive, too. How many men would have worried she might be afraid to ride after what had happened to his sister? She’d gotten killed out riding, but he didn’t let that stop him from living his normal life. His concern for Carolena’s feelings increased her admiration for him.
So far she’d been a perfectly horrid guest, while he was going out of his way to make this trip eventful for her when he didn’t have to. This wasn’t the behavior of a playboy. The crown prince was proving to be the perfect host, increasing her guilt for having offended him.
Within the hour he came for her in a limo and they drove to the stables across the vast estate. Once he’d picked the right mare for her, they headed out to enjoy the scenery. In time, he led them through a heavily wooded area to a lake. They dismounted and walked down to the water’s edge.
“What a beautiful setting.”
“We open it to the public on certain days of the month.”
“Abby used to tell me she felt like a princess in a fairy tale growing up on the palace grounds in Arancia. If I lived here, I’d feel exactly the same way. You and your siblings must have spent hours here when you were young.” On impulse she asked, “Were they interested in volcanology, too?”
His eyes swerved to hers. She had the feeling she’d surprised him by her question. “Quite the opposite.”
That sounded cryptic. “What’s the real reason you developed such a keen interest? It isn’t just because Etna is there.”
“It’s a long story.” There was that nuance of sadness in his voice again.
“We’ve got the rest of the afternoon.” She sank onto her knees in the lush grass facing the water where an abundance of waterfowl bobbed around. “Humor me. Last night I was up until one o’clock looking at video clips of Etna and other volcanoes. They were incredible. I really want to know what drove you to become so interested.”
He got down on the grass next to her. “My father had a sibling, my uncle Stefano. He was the elder son and the crown prince, but he never wanted to be king. He fought with my grandfather who was then King of Gemelli.
“Uncle Stefano hated the idea of being betrothed and having to marry a woman picked out for him. Our country has never had a sovereign who wasn’t married by the time he ascended the throne. It’s the law. But Stefano didn’t ever want to be king and left home at eighteen to travel the world. I knew he had various girlfriends, so he didn’t lead a celibate life, but he never married.
“In time, volcanoes fascinated him and he decided he wanted to study them. To appease my grandparents, he came home occasionally to touch base. I was young and loved him because he was so intelligent and a wonderful teacher. He used to take me up on Etna.
“The day came when I decided I wanted to follow in his footsteps and announced I was going to attend the university to become a geologist. My parents could see my mind was made up.
“While I was at school, the family got word he’d been killed on the Galeras volcano in the Colombian Andes.”
“Valentino—” she gasped. “I read about it on the website last night. One of the people killed was your uncle?”
Pain marred his striking male features. “He got too close. The ash and gas overpowered him and he died.”
She shuddered. “That’s horrible. I should have thought it would have put you off wanting anything more to do with your studies.”
“You might think it, but I loved what I was doing. Statistics prove that on average only one volcanologist dies on the job each year or so.”
“That’s one too many!”
“For our family it was traumatic because of the consequences that followed. His body was shipped home for the funeral. A few weeks later my grandfather suffered a fatal heart attack, no doubt from the shock. His death meant my father took over as king with my mother at his side.
“While we were still grieving, they called me into their bedroom and told me they were all right with my desire to be a volcanologist. But they prayed I wouldn’t disappoint them the way my uncle had disappointed my grandfather. They said my uncle Stefano had disgraced the family by not taking up his royal duties and marrying.
“I was torn apart because I’d loved him and knew he’d suffered because he’d turned his back on his royal heritage. But when I heard my parents’ sorrow, I promised I would fulfill my princely obligation to the crown and marry when the time was right. They wouldn’t have to worry about me. Michelina and I made a pact that we’d always do our duty.”
“You mean that if she’d wanted to marry someone else other than Vincenzo, she would still have done her duty.”
He nodded. “I asked her about that, knowing Vincenzo didn’t love her in the way she loved him. She said it didn’t matter. She was committed and was hoping he’d fall in love with her one day.”
“Did you resent him for not being able to love your sister?”
“How could I do that when I don’t love Alexandra? When I saw how hard he tried to make Michelina happy by agreeing to go through the surrogacy process, my affection for him grew. He was willing to do anything to make their marriage better. Vincenzo is one of the finest men I’ve ever known. When he ended up marrying Abby, I was happy for him.”
“You’re a remarkable person. So was your sister.”
“I loved her. She could have told our parents she refused to enter into a loveless marriage, but she didn’t. Uncle Stefano’s death had affected all of us, including our brother, Vito. One day after his military service is over, he, too, will have to marry royalty because he’s second in line to the throne.”