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“Sorry, Alex. We must have a bad connection and I heard you wrong. Say that again.”
The connection was perfect.
“Darrell Collier has been raising my son for the last twelve years. I’m afraid I parted with that ring one starry night in the Colorado mountains where she was working for the summer. But as I told you, the memory is vague due to too much alcohol on both our parts.
“When Uncle Vittorio had a bad accident while I was on vacation with Chaz, we had to fly home. Since I traveled incognito, Ms. Collier didn’t know who I was or where to reach me. So we never saw each other again. For Phillip’s sake she’s been trying to find me.”
He heard the other man make a strange sound in his throat. “You call this a crisis averted?” Leo blurted in genuine alarm. “After hearing news of this magnitude, how in the hell are you even functioning?”
“I admit I was in shock until Phillip came running in Darrell’s house. He’s a living miracle, Leo. I’m bringing him and his mother home with me tonight.”
“What?”
“I’m his father. He’s never given up hope of being united with me.”
“Obviously Ms. Collier never got over you, either, or she’d be married by now.”
Alex let the remark go. For the moment it was too complicated to explain about Melissa, let alone Darrell’s sacrifice. For several reasons no one could know the truth yet. Darrell was Phillip’s legal mother. For the time being that was as much as Alex wanted anyone to know.
First and foremost, he needed Darrell with them in order to establish a bond with his son.
“It’s only natural he wants to see where I live and spend time with me. We need to get acquainted, but I can’t do that in Denver while I have so many commitments back in Bris right now.”
“Alex—you’re not thinking like a king whose marriage is three weeks away. You haven’t thought through the myriad ramifications.”
That was all Alex had been doing. But no matter what he had to face, it took a back seat to the joy he’d felt when Phillip let go of his pain and hugged him. An inexplicable sense of their belonging together had assailed him. At that moment his gratitude to Darrell knew no limits.
“Who else knows about this besides me?”
“Carl. But he’s the soul of discretion.”
“How much does Phillip look like you?”
“The second you meet him, you’ll know he’s mine.”
By the silence, Alex could tell Leo was still trying to absorb the earthshaking news. Finally he said, “I’ll make certain bodyguards are assigned to them.”
“Thanks, Leo.”
“Alex—I’m not speaking as your security advisor now, but as your friend. Take my advice and don’t bring them to Bris until after your wedding. Then it can be handled privately. Give this more time or the press will tear you to pieces.”
Not just the press, Alex muttered inwardly. His uncle Vittorio, the second most powerful man in the kingdom, would be outraged and poison the cabinet against Alex, forcing him to step down. Fortunately he was still in Greece on a cruise with Alex’s Aunt Renate.
As for Alex’s mother, she would go into shock. But he had faith she would recover. He had a plan how he would handle Isabella’s parents. Which brought him around to thoughts of Isabella and her reaction. This news would crush her in ways he didn’t want to entertain. There was no way around the fact that Alex was about to do an unthinkable thing to her…
But the truly unthinkable thing would be to turn his back on his son. Already Phillip had a stranglehold on his heart that took precedence over every other consideration.
He lowered his head. “If I don’t follow through, Phillip will take it as a rejection, Leo. I can’t risk it. He’s too emotionally vulnerable.”
After twelve years Alex had to act immediately or he could never hope to have a close relationship with his newfound son.
“Isabella’s going to find out!”
“I intend to tell her the truth before she hears it from another source.”
“That’s a terrifying thought, Alex.”
Leo was wrong. The only terrifying thought was that Phillip had been alive all these years and Alex hadn’t known about it. He closed his eyes for a moment, thankful that Darrell’s love for Phillip had driven her to unite him and Alex.
“I want him with me forever. I love him, Leo.”
“Understood,” his friend whispered at last. “But you are the king. My first instinct is to want to protect you. Hell, Alex, I’m sorry to have come at you like this. I have no right.”
“No man had a better friend. That gives you the right. If this had happened to you, I’d be voicing the same concerns.”
“What in the name of heaven are you going to do?”
From the limo window Alex could see the lights go out in the upstairs portion of the condo. His security people had started to close in.
“The only thing I can do. Take it a step at a time.” Alex had never been a father before. He needed time for the wonder of it to sink in. There were plans to make. “We’ll talk when I land.”
After ringing off, Alex levered himself from the back of the limo in order to help Darrell, who’d just locked her front door. He was glad to see that Phillip was carrying both their bags. Two security men offered to assist him but Phillip held on to them all the way to the limo.
Alex’s first little parental talk with his son had produced results. His heart swelled with fatherly pride. Too many emotions were welling inside of him from all directions.
As Darrell walked toward Alex, the glow from the street lamps highlighted the silvery-gold sheen of her hair.
Unable to keep from studying the contours of her lovely face and figure, he felt the same quickening in his blood as before when she’d first walked up the steps of the jet. To his chagrin it was much stronger now.
The fact that he’d never had this kind of reaction to Isabella caused him to groan because he knew he was in trouble. Worse, there wasn’t a damn thing he wanted to do about it. What in heaven’s name was happening to him?
Darrell discovered there were two bedrooms aboard the plane. For the flight to Switzerland Alex had installed them in the one normally reserved for his mother. When Phillip joked about the queen-size bed being named after his grandmother, laughter pealed out of Alex.
Though he indulged his son and seemed to find him a never ending source of entertainment, Darrell was concerned Phillip’s sometimes cheeky nature was too over the top.
He hadn’t inherited that behavioral trait from Melissa, so Darrell had assumed he must be more like his father. But Alex wasn’t anything like Phillip in that regard, which made Darrell wonder where exactly the imp in Phillip had come from.
After he’d changed into sweats and climbed under the covers he looked up at Darrell. “Dad’s awesome.”
The hero-worship in her son’s eyes was clear for anyone to see. For the last hour Phillip had fired one outrageous question after another at his father until they were all worn out from laughing.
“I agree.”
“My friends are going to freak when they find out he’s the king of Valleder.”
“You’re right about that. Just remember that for now it’s our secret, and we’re simply your father’s guests. The woman he’s going to marry doesn’t know about you yet. After he’s told her, then you can claim him.”
“You don’t think she’s going to like me, huh.”
Darrell struggled for the right words. “I doubt your father would choose a woman who wouldn’t like you, but she’s going to need time to get used to the idea that she has to share him with you.” All of three little weeks in fact.
“Why? Steve’s stepmom likes him.”
“I’m sure in time Isabella will come to love you, sweetheart. But she’s a princess who’s been planning to marry your father for a long time. She doesn’t know he has a son. It’s going to be a shock to her.”
The whole thing was a shock to Darrell who couldn’t get Alex’s image out of her mind. What was wrong with her to be thinking intimate thoughts about a betrothed king who’d once slept with her sister? None of it made sense!
Phillip frowned. “Do you think Dad wishes you’d never found him?”
“No,” she said without hesitation. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be on his royal jet right now.”
He sighed. “Dad said he’s glad I’m learning French. He keeps calling me Phillip.”
“Of course. One of these years he’ll have you speaking Italian and German and Romanche, too.”
“He’s super intelligent. No matter what you ask him, he knows all about it.”
She nodded. “From the day he was born, he was tutored by experts to be king one day. He has to be on top of everything.”
Being a father to a child he hadn’t known about would have thrown any other man, let alone a king. Yet he’d let nothing stand in the way. Darrell had a foreboding there was going to be a huge price Alex would have to pay. It terrified her.
“Someday I’m going to be as smart as he is.”
“You’re his son, so I wouldn’t be surprised. But you’ll have to start taking your homework more seriously.”
“I know.”
She turned out the light. “I’m going to say good-night to him, then I’ll be back.”
“Okay.”
Her fear for the whole situation caused her to leave the cabin for the den where the three of them had been talking earlier. Alex was just coming out.
They would have collided but for his quick reflexes that sent his hands to her shoulders to steady her.
She let out a small cry of surprise.
“That was close,” he murmured without relinquishing his hold on her.
“Yes.” She exhaled the word, afraid to look at him. Even though the jet was full of his staff, in the dimly lit passageway it felt like the two of them were far removed from the rest of his entourage.
His male warmth enhanced the tang of the soap he used, overwhelming her with telltale sensations and yearnings.
A long time ago Melissa had experienced these same feelings. With the help of alcohol she’d acted on them and he’d been willing. To Darrell’s shame, she couldn’t seem to control her attraction to the man who’d given Melissa a son.
If he’d been a normal man who’d married her sister, Alex would be her brother-in-law. Instead he was engaged to be married to another royal. Darrell needed to keep that fact foremost in her mind. He was off-limits to her and always would be.
Guilt drove her to back away from him, forcing his hands to let go of her.
“I know it’s late,” she said in a breathless voice, “but now that Phillip’s in bed, there’s something we have to talk about.”
“If you’re referring to our son, he seemed fine to me earlier.”
“I agree. I’m afraid I’m the one who’s nervous. My relationship with Phillip is changing. When I think of the life we’ve had in Denver all these years. Now everything’s different.”
Her head fell back as she looked up at him through eyes that had turned a deeper shade of violet. “I keep wondering what I’ve gotten us into. I—I’m scared.”
His lips tightened, giving him a forbidding aura that made her tremble.
“What are you really saying, Darrell? You want me to instruct my pilot to turn the jet around?”
“No—Yes—” she cried, covering her face with her hands, “This is going to ruin your life—” The words came out muffled.
To her surprise he removed her hands. Still holding them clasped in his he said, “Look at me.”
She was afraid to, but his compelling demand had her lifting her chin. His gaze probed hers.
“The fact of Phillip’s existence trumps all royal oaths and pledges. There’s no question this is going to change things. But I’ll make you this promise. I’ll do everything in my power to shield Phillip from any unnecessary hurt.”
Darrell could hardly swallow. Once again she eased herself away from his touch.
“Melissa begged me to look for you because she believed in you. Now that I’ve found you, I believe in you. I know you’ll do everything in your power to make Phillip feel secure in your love. But I’m not naïve.
“Though I may not have been born to royalty, I’ve read enough history over the years to know the normal challenges of living take on a life of their own within a royal household.
“I have to admit I’m afraid for all of us. For you! Your wedding day should be one of happiness and joy. If the monarchy suffers, then I’m going to feel responsible. So I’m begging you to rethink what you’re doing. It’s still not too late to go back to Denver and give this a little more time.”
He stared at her through shuttered eyes. “It was too late the moment I saw the pictures of the ring. I’m the one who set things in motion thirteen years ago. Therefore that absolves you of all responsibility. As I told you earlier, I can never repay you for restoring my son to me. Perhaps he’ll be the only son I ever have, the only child…
“Since no man can know what the future holds, we’ll think only the best thoughts.”
The best thoughts? her heart cried hysterically.
“Just so you know what to expect ahead of time, a helicopter will be waiting at the airport in Zurich to fly you to the castle. You’ll be taken to one of the apartments on the second floor, which has been prepared for you and Phillip.
“Anything you need, whether it’s food or fresh towels, all you have to do is pick up the phone and press line two. Rudy will see to your requests and arrange a morning city tour for you. It will give Phillip a feel for the place.
“To reach me, press line one and my private secretary Carl will get word to me. I plan to join you at the pool by midafternoon for a swim and an early dinner.”
“Where will you be until then so I can tell Phillip?”
She watched his broad chest rise and fall. “San Ravino.”
“Is that where the princess lives?”
“Yes. By noon tomorrow she’ll have heard the truth from me in person.”
“Oh, Alex—” she cried softly, forgetting she wasn’t going to look at him. “Isn’t there anything I can say to get you to reconsider acting too hastily?”
“No.”
Darrell moaned because a chiseled mask slipped over his striking features. She could feel it lock into place like the suits of battle armor on display in his castle’s ancient war room.
“The matter’s settled, Ms. Collier.”
In an instant he’d put an impenetrable barrier between them, one that froze her out with devastating force.
For a few minutes she’d forgotten he was a king and had pled with the man. But she wouldn’t be making that mistake again. “Good night, Your Majesty.”
Darrell hurried down the corridor to the bedroom. Almost crazy from lack of sleep and the incredible circumstances of their lives, she got ready for bed in the dark, then slid under the covers, taking care not to disturb Phillip. Before long oblivion took over.
Toward morning her troubled dreams had changed into a nightmare. At one point she came awake in a cold sweat with the very real premonition that the fairy tale Melissa had envisioned would not end in the traditional manner.
In Darrell’s dream she was hidden in the crowd of spectators lining the streets on Alex’s wedding day. The disillusioned citizens of his kingdom were booing the broken king and his twelve-year-old American offshoot sitting in the carriage between him and his grieving queen.
Quickly, before Phillip woke up and asked her why her face was wet, she rushed into the bathroom to shower. When she emerged a few minutes later, he was awake. The room steward had already delivered their breakfast trays, but Phillip’s was still untouched.
“How come you’re not eating?” she asked as she pulled a hydrangea blue two-piece suit from her luggage.
“I’m not hungry.”
That had to be a first for him.
“In that case, you’d better shower.”
“Okay.” He rolled out of bed. “I can’t wait to see Dad.”
“I’m sure he feels the same way, but he’s a busy man, so you’re going to have to be patient.”
“I know.”
No. Phillip didn’t know. He didn’t have a clue, and patience was not his strong suit.
Alex had been inspired to suggest a tour of the city. The key to handling Phillip’s nervous energy was to keep him busy, something his father seemed to understand instinctively.
For herself Darrell was glad they would be kept so occupied she wouldn’t have a lot of time to imagine what was happening in San Ravino.
She shuddered to think of the princess who was probably eating breakfast right now with no idea that in a few hours her whole world was going to be shattered.
CHAPTER FOUR
“WHOA, Mom!” Phillip’s hungry eyes had just taken in the setting of the medieval castle at Bris, bordered in back by Lake Bris. Darrell’s heart echoed his words as the helicopter set them down on a helipad amidst the private, velvety green grounds east of the massive stone structure.
Accompanied by bodyguards who’d taken pains to explain everything they were seeing during their flight from Zurich, it truly was like being in a fantastic dream. From this height she could see other parts hidden from the public to the west that included a palace, a stable, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
On Darrell’s first visit to the castle the other day, she’d had to stand in line with other tourists at the front entrance, and saw but a small portion of the magnificent royal estate. Only from the air could you appreciate its vast size and splendor originating from the Middle Ages when the earliest Valleder kings built the city’s stronghold to keep the enemy at bay.
From the ticket window she’d followed the guide straight down to the vaulted, lonely dungeons every tourist came to see. But the tour had passed in a blur because her mind had been focused on meeting Phillip’s father. Such wasn’t the case with her son this morning. All Darrell had to do was look at his face to realize he couldn’t wait to go exploring in those dark, dank places. This was his legacy after all.
For her the real wonder of the castle lay in the rooms upstairs where the public was never allowed to go. Rudy, the man named who’d been on Alex’s staff for years and spoke excellent English, met them at the base of the grand staircase. He took over and gave them a cursory tour on the way to their room.
Both she and Phillip marveled at the grand knights’ halls, the secret twisting passages between lavish bedchambers, the Gothic windows with glorious views, a large, frescoed chapel. There was so much to see, it would take weeks!
“The Grand Kitchen,” Rudy explained, “still has its original wooden ceiling and four massive oak pillars which were installed in 1270.” He showed them the Plessur Bedchamber containing the original bird and ribbon decorations dating from the 1580s. When he escorted them to the expansive Hall of Arms covered with escutcheons of the Valleder bailiffs, Phillip went into ecstasy and didn’t want to leave. But Rudy reminded him, “There’s much more to see.”
He was right. The King’s Chamber with its original thirteenth-century wall paintings showed rustic scenes of animals in a meadow with St. George slaying a beast on the chimneypiece. Not far from that room they entered the magnificent Great Hall of the Prince of Bris with its original octagonal table and tapestries.
Finally Rudy escorted them to the Saxony apartment where they would be staying. It was two bedrooms really, both with enormous canopied beds and fireplaces, and joined by a set of carved doors. “This is awesome!” Phillip exclaimed. Rudy laughed, obviously finding her son amusing. But Darrell was so overcome by the room’s beauty, she stood in place, speechless.
There were slender black marble pillars and shimmering checkered wall decorations. Her neck hurt from viewing the coffered ceilings, which dated from the fourteenth century. She was charmed by the two recessed windows with window seats overlooking the lake. Above the arches of each window was a fabulous cloverleaf design. The same set of windows graced the smaller, adjoining room. Exquisite.
“Hey, Mom—Come here! Your room has a balcony!”
Rudy had opened a pair of doors that went from the inlaid-wood floor to the vaulted ceiling. The inserts told a Biblical story in gorgeous stained glass. Beyond them lay the shimmering waters of Lake Bris.
The sculptured stone balcony could have been made for Romeo and Juliet. It hung out over the water, taking her breath. So did the view of the mountains rising from the other side of the lake.
“His Majesty asked me to take you on a tour of the city. I’ll come by for you in twenty minutes. In the meantime, make yourselves at home. Your bags have been brought up.”
Once Rudy had gone, Phillip let out a whoop of excitement and began exploring his room. He soon discovered a mini-fridge had been installed. It was filled with drinks and treats. “Dad’s the best! I wish he hadn’t had to leave.”
“You know why he did.”
“Yeah…I can’t wait to see him!”
Darrell felt the same way. Alex’s presence had an electric effect on her, but she kept those thoughts to herself.
Later in the day she lay in the sun on one of the pool loungers. She’d put on a pair of denim shorts and a white halter top. When a shadow fell across her, she thought Phillip had come back outside after going to their apartment for a snack. Following the sightseeing visit of Bris he’d grown tired of waiting for his father, and had rediscovered his appetite.
But when she opened her eyes, she had to look up a long way before she encountered a pair of eyes that were intensely alive and had taken on the green of the immaculate lawn. They’d been studying the lines and curves of her body without her realizing it. A tiny gasp escaped her throat.
The excitement of seeing Alex made her pulse race until she remembered his meeting with Isabella, which had to be one of the worst moments of their lives. Yet Darrell couldn’t tell by his demeanor how he’d been affected. He was like the proverbial rock you could cling to no matter the fury of the storm.
She noted inconsequentially he was wearing a silky Ceylon-blue shirt with beige trousers. In danger of staring at the hard male lines of his unforgettable face, she got up from the lounger dragging the towel in front of her. Though her outfit was perfectly modest, the way his gaze traveled over her body and slender legs caused her to feel exposed.
Before she could gather her wits he said, “Forgive me for arriving late, but it couldn’t be helped. Where’s our son?”
Anyone hearing him would assume she and Alex were man and wife. Thank goodness no one was around except his security people who’d positioned themselves at a discreet distance.
“He got hungry and went back to the apartment.”
“How do you like your accommodations?”
The question threw her because he was avoiding the subject of Isabella. It made Darrell want to cry out in exasperation. But as she’d learned to her chagrin last night, he couldn’t be moved by begging or pleading.
“Surely you already know the answer to that. I’ve never been in a more beautiful set of rooms in my life. The balcony overlooking the lake makes me feel like I’m living in a medieval tapestry. Undoubtedly the chatelaine of the castle, one of your female progenitors, stood in that very spot watching for her knight to return from battle.
“Before I came outside I must have spent at least an hour examining the stories in the stained glass.”
His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “What does Phillip think of things so far?”
“He just keeps walking around examining everything and saying ‘whoa’ every few seconds. Unfortunately he’s already told me how cool it would be to attach a rope from the balcony and lower himself into the blue depths, which must be hundreds of feet below.”
A mysterious light entered Alex’s eyes. “I know someone who once did that very thing and got into a lot of trouble for it. Great minds think alike.”
Forgetting that he could be implacable, she cried, “Alex—please don’t keep me in suspense any longer. I have to know what happened today!”