Can a convenient marriage…

Lead to a happy-ever-after?

In this The Princess Brides story, Princess Lanza is determined to do her duty even if it means marrying a virtual stranger! She knows dashing Prince Stefano is honoring his late brother’s promise to unite their countries, and that she must steel her heart, but it’s not long before the captivating royal gets under her skin… Can their hastily arranged New Year wedding lead to a lifetime of wedded bliss?

REBECCA WINTERS lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. With canyons and high alpine meadows full of wildflowers, she never runs out of places to explore. They, plus her favourite vacation spots in Europe, often end up as backgrounds for her romance novels—because writing is her passion, along with her family and her church. Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to email her, please visit her website at cleanromances.net.

Also by Rebecca Winters

Holiday with a Billionaire miniseries

Captivated by the Brooding Billionaire

Falling for the Venetian Billionaire

Wedding the Greek Billionaire

The Princess Brides miniseries

The Princess’s New Year Wedding

And look out for the next book

Coming soon

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

The Princess’s New Year Wedding

Rebecca Winters

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09065-0

THE PRINCESS’S NEW YEAR WEDDING

© 2019 Rebecca Winters

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version date: 2018-12-14

Version: 2020-03-02

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How lucky was I to be born to my darling, talented

mother, who was beautiful inside and out?

She filled my life with joy

and made me so happy to be alive!

I love you, Mom.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

Extract

About the Publisher

CHAPTER ONE

“MIO FIGLIO? I know it’s early, but there are things I must talk to you about. Come to the apartment.”

Thirty-year-old Stefano sat up in bed. It was a shock to get a phone call from his father at 5:30 a.m., but his father’s entreaty shocked him even more.

“You mean now?”

“Please.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Stefano realized his father’s broken heart wouldn’t allow him to sleep, but then Stefano doubted anyone in the palace had known a moment’s rest for the past week. Alberto, his adored younger brother—his parents’ beloved son and heir to the throne—had just been buried yesterday at the young age of twenty-eight. There was no antidote for sorrow.

Stefano’s twenty-seven-year-old sister, Carla, and her husband, Dino, and two children, were just as grief-stricken over the loss of a wonderful brother and uncle. She was now first in line to the throne and would be queen when their father died or could no longer rule. The rules of succession fell to the firstborn, then the second or the third, regardless of gender.

Stefano would never rule.

Since his eighteenth birthday when he’d prevailed on his parents to be exempt from royal duty for the rest of his life, Stefano had been granted that exemption by parliament. From that time forward, he was no longer a royal, but he loved his family and they loved him. They’d all come together for this unexpected tragedy.

With Alberto gone, his mother looked like she’d aged twenty years and had gone to bed after the interment of her second-born son. The funeral had been too much for her.

Stefano had struggled with his pain and was forced to face the fact that he was now the only son of King Basilio. Though his father would rely more and more on Carla, he needed Stefano, too, and would lean on him for comfort. Stefano guessed that was why his father had summoned him this early in the morning. Forcing himself to move, Stefano dragged himself out of bed to shower and dress.

Before long he entered his parents’ private lounge off their bedroom in the north wing of the palace. His bereaved father turned away from the fireplace to look at him. “Thank you for coming, Stefano. Your mother is still in bed, overcome with grief.”

“As you are, Papà.” Stefano gave him a soulful hug. It would be impossible to get over the reality that Alberto had been killed in a car crash a week ago.

Stefano, who’d graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in the US, had been in Canada at the time, inspecting one of the Casale gold mines. Casale being an old family name dating back to the founding of Italy. Nothing had seemed real until he’d returned home to the Kingdom of Umbriano, located in the Alps. His father had met him after the royal jet touched down and they went to identify Alberto’s body.

Yesterday’s state funeral in the basilica of Umbriano, presided over by the cardinal who had also delivered the eulogy, had been a great tribute to Alberto, a favorite son revered by the people. Dignitaries of many countries had attended, including of course the royal family of the Kingdom of Domodossola bordering France, Switzerland and Italy.

Stefano would never forget the vacant look on the face of Alberto’s betrothed, Princess Lanza Rossiano of Domodossola, beneath her black, gauzy veil. He’d met war victims after serving a required year in the military in the Middle East who’d had that same lost, bewildered expression, their whole world wiped out.

The twenty-two-year-old daughter of King Victor Emmanuel of Domodossola had been betrothed to Alberto twelve months ago. Their marriage was supposed to take place a year from now on New Year’s Day, and her family had clearly been devastated.

Stefano, who was rarely in the country because of business, hadn’t met with King Victor’s family since his childhood when both families got together on occasion. Meeting them again at the funeral, he was shocked to see all three of the king’s daughters grown up. Not until he witnessed their bereavement did Stefano realize how terrible the news must have been for them. Stefano still couldn’t believe Alberto was gone.

“Sit down. We have something vital to discuss.”

By vital, his father must mean he wanted Stefano to stay around for a while, but that would be impossible because of Stefano’s latest gold mining project in Kenya. He needed to fly there the day after tomorrow to oversee a whole new gold processing invention that could bring in a great deal more money. Hopefully, it would serve as a prototype for all his other gold mines throughout the world. He imagined he’d be gone six weeks at least.

With his hands clasped between his legs, Stefano closed his eyes, knowing his father was in so much pain at the moment that he needed all their support, but he was curious as to what his father wanted to talk about.

“The wedding to Princess Lanza must go on as planned. Since losing Alberto, your mother and I have talked of nothing else. It’s imperative that you take your brother’s place.”

Stefano’s head jerked up. “Surely, I didn’t hear you correctly.”

“I know this comes as a shock to you.”

Stefano shot to his feet, incredulous. “Shock doesn’t describe it, Papà.”

“Hear me out.”

Stefano groaned and walked over to the mullioned windows looking out on the palatial estate with the snow-covered peaks of the Alps in the distance. An icy shiver passed through his taut body.

“Our two countries need to solidify in order to build the resources of both our kingdoms. This necessary merger can only happen by your marrying Princess Lanza.”

Stefano wheeled around, gritting his teeth. “Years ago you gave me my freedom by parliamentary decree. I’m no longer a royal.”

“That decree can be reversed by an emergency parliamentary edict.”

“What?”

His father nodded. “I’ve already been investigating behind the scenes. Because of the enormity of this tragedy and their eagerness to see a marriage between our two countries happen, my advisors have informed me the parliament will reinstate you immediately.”

Stefano couldn’t believe it. “Even if it were possible, you’re not seriously asking me to marry Princess Lanza, are you? I haven’t been around her since she was a young girl. And I’m seven years older than she is.”

“That’s not a great age difference.”

Stefano tried to calm down. “Alberto was the one who was attracted to her. I can’t do this, Papà. Right now I’m doing everything in my power to develop more lucrative gold mines and invest the revenues to help our country grow richer. We don’t need the timber from Domodossola!”

His father shook his head. “What I’m asking goes a great deal deeper than cementing fortunes. Victor and I have had this dream of uniting our two families in marriage since the moment we both became parents of future kings and queens.”

“But it’s not my dream, Papà, and never could be,” Stefano said, attempting to control his anger. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do what you ask.”

“Not even to honor your brother?”

He hadn’t realized his mother had come into the lounge wearing her dressing gown. The edge in her tone caught him off guard. “What do you mean, Mamà?”

“This has to do with keeping faith with a sacred pledge your brother made to Princess Lanza a year ago. She’s been groomed to become Alberto’s bride. For the past year her life has been put on hold because she wears our family betrothal ring. All this time she’s been faithful to their pledge, preparing for their wedding day.”

Stefano shook his head. “No one could have imagined this crisis. It changes all the rules.”

“Except for one thing your father and I have never told you about because we didn’t think we would have to.”

Fearing what he’d hear, Stefano’s heart jolted in his chest. “What do you mean?”

“On the morning you turned eighteen, your brother came to us in secret. He wanted to give you a gift he knew you wanted more than anything on earth.”

His brows furrowed. “What was that?”

“What else? Your freedom.”

“I don’t understand, Mamà.”

“Then let me explain. You never wanted to be a royal. You made it clear from the time you were old enough to express your feelings. Alberto adored and worshipped you. By the time you turned eighteen, he was afraid you’d never be happy. He literally begged us to let you live a life free of royal duty.

“He loved you so much, he promised that he would fulfill all the things we would have asked of you as a royal prince who would rule one day so you could have the freedom to live life without the royal trappings. That was the bargain he made with us.”

“A bargain? That’s why you suddenly gave in to me?”

His father nodded solemnly. “The only reason, figlio mio. You two were so close, he put you before his own wants or desires. He convinced us you had to be able to go out in the world free to be your own person. Otherwise you’d die like an animal kept in a cage.”

Alberto had actually told them that?

“All he asked was that we agree. Then he would do everything and more than we expected of him as a crown prince, and…he consented to become betrothed to Princess Lanza on whatever date we chose. He knew how much we loved her growing up. She was always a delight. In truth, he wanted his elder brother’s happiness above all else, and made that request of us out of pure love.”

Stefano stood there rigid as a piece of petrified wood. His parents had never lied to him. He had to believe them now. Because of his brother’s love and intervention—and not because of his parents’ understanding—Stefano had been able to escape the world he’d been born into all this time.

His mother walked over to him and put her hands on his shoulders. It pained him to see the lines of grief carved in her features.

“His only desire was that you never know how he pled for you. He worried that if you ever found out the truth, you would always feel beholden to him. That request was his unselfish gift to you.”

Unselfish didn’t begin to describe what Alberto had done to ensure his happiness.

In Stefano’s mind and heart, it was an unheard-of gift. He’d always loved his younger brother, his buddy in childhood. Alberto’s noble character made him beloved and elevated him above the ranks of ordinary people. Many times he’d heard people say that the good ones died young. His brother was the best of the best, and death had snatched him away prematurely.

Overcome with emotions assailing him, Stefano wrapped his arms around his mother until he could get a grip on them, then he let her go. He was amazed his parents had so much love for their sons that they’d gone along with both his and Alberto’s wishes at the time. It was humbling and gave him new perspective.

Her eyes clung to his. “Would you be willing to do what Alberto can’t do now? Take on the royal duty you were born to and marry Princess Lanza?”

He inhaled sharply. “Do you think she would consent when she’d planned to marry Alberto?”

“King Victor says his daughter will agree. You and Lanza knew each other in your youth and you have a whole year to get reacquainted.”

“But that will be close to impossible, Papà. My schedule has been laid out with back-to-back visits of all the mines through the next eighteen months. There’s no time when so many managers are depending on me, especially with the new mining process I’ve developed.”

His father cocked his head. “After we inform her and her parents of your official proposal of marriage, surely you could find a way to visit her once and stay in touch with her the rest of the time? Both King Victor and I have already talked to the cardinal, who has given this marriage his blessing.”

Stefano could see the die had been cast.

His mother eyed him through drenched eyes. “Our two countries have been looking forward to this day since you were all children. The citizens know that your business interests throughout the world have contributed to our country’s economy. Umbriano will cheer your reinstatement and honor your name for stepping into your brother’s shoes, believe me.”

Stefano found all this difficult to fathom. There wasn’t time for him to get reacquainted with Princess Lanza. Even if parliament voted to reinstate him as a royal, he had crucial business issues around the globe.

His father walked over to them. “I’ve never asked anything of you before, Stefano. I’ve allowed you to be your own person, free of all royal responsibilities, but fate stepped in and took Alberto away too early. Now is the time when your parents and Lanza’s are asking this for the good of both our countries.”

“Alberto told us he hoped to have a family.” His mother stared at him with longing. “I’m sure Princess Lanza was planning on children, too. That dream is gone, but you could make a whole new dream begin. I’ve had that dream for you, too, Stefano.

“On all your travels for business and pleasure, you’ve never brought a woman home for us to meet, let alone marry. We were prepared that you’d eventually want marriage and have a family, but it has never come to pass. If there’s a special woman, you haven’t said anything.”

Stefano sucked in his breath. This whole conversation was unreal, including a discussion of a woman in his life he couldn’t do without. He’d met several and had enjoyed some intimate relationships, but the thought of settling down with one of them hadn’t entered his mind. As Alberto had said, he liked his freedom too much.

“Have you even considered Princess Lanza’s feelings?” he asked them in a grating voice, struggling to make sense of this situation.

His father nodded. “King Victor and I talked about it before the funeral. He’s as anxious as I for this to happen and has probably discussed this with her already. Victor assures me it’s in her nature to do what is good for both countries.”

No normal woman worth her salt would agree to such a loveless marriage, but a royal princess was a different matter if she believed it was her duty. Over the phone a few months ago, Alberto had told him in private that Princess Lanza had a sweet, biddable disposition.

Maybe she did. But the many royal princesses he’d met in his early teens were very spoiled, full of themselves, impossible to please, moody and felt entitled to the point of absurdity.

His vague memory of Lanza was that she was nice, but that was years ago and she’d been so young. His brother was a kind, decent human being. Alberto always tried to find the best in everyone and had probably made up his mind to like her.

After hearing what his parents had just told him about the sacrifice he’d made for Stefano, it was possible Alberto hadn’t liked Princess Lanza at all. But he would have pretended otherwise to fulfill his obligations after making the incredible bargain with their parents. It was Alberto’s way.

Stefano shook his head. He wasn’t born with that kind of greatness in his soul. Humbled by what he’d learned, tortured by the decision his parents were asking him to make, he started for the door. “I need to be alone to think and will be back later.”

Once outside in the chilling air, he drove his Lancia into the city to talk to his best friend, Enzo Perino, who managed his own father’s banking interests. Stefano found him in his office on the phone.

The second Enzo saw him in the doorway, he waved him inside. After he hung up, he lunged from the chair to hug him. “I’m so sorry about Alberto.”

“So am I, Enzo.”

“Chiara and I couldn’t get near you at the funeral. There were too many people.” Stefano nodded. “Come to our house tonight for dinner so we can really talk.”

He stared at his best friend who’d recently married. They’d been friends throughout childhood and had done everything together, including military service. Stefano had been the best man at their wedding three months ago.

“I need help.”

Enzo chuckled. “Since when have you ever needed a loan?”

Stefano sat down in one of the leather chairs. “I wish money were the problem, but it isn’t.”

As Stefano’s father had emphasized, this suggested marriage had a lot more riding on it than financial considerations.

“You sound serious.”

“More serious than you’ll ever know.”

“Go ahead. I’m listening.”

“My father woke me up at the crack of dawn to have a talk.” In the next few minutes he told Enzo the thrust of the conversation with his parents, including the necessary part about being reinstated by parliament.

“Our marriage will make me heir apparent to the throne of Domodossola since King Victor has no sons. He doesn’t have any married daughters yet. According to their rules of succession, a woman can’t become queen in their country. He’ll have to rely on a son-in-law.”

His friend whistled and sank down in the chair behind his desk. “I know this used to happen in the Middle Ages, but not today.” He looked gutted. “Who will take over Umbriano when your father can no longer rule?”

“My sister, but I imagine that’s many years away. Our country doesn’t run by the same laws. You know that. Since I was granted my freedom, she’s been raised to be second in line should anything happen to Alberto. Which it did,” he said in a mournful tone.

“But if you’re reinstated—”

“No—” He interrupted him. “My destiny lies with the throne of Domodossola, the only reason for reinstating me.”

Enzo slapped his hands on the desk. “There goes the end of our friendship.”

“Don’t you ever say that!”

He smiled sadly. “How can I not? With you living in Domodossola, you’ll be a prisoner running the affairs of government, hardly ever free to leave the country or have time for me. What will you do with all your mining companies?”

“I still plan to run them, of course.”

“Then you’ll be carrying a double load. I thought it was too good to be true when your father released you from your princely duties on your eighteenth birthday. We should have known it would all come to an early end.”

Stefano closed his eyes for a minute, never imagining he’d lose his brother so young. “I haven’t told my parents what I’m going to do. Not yet.”

While he’d driven into town, he’d considered the huge decision his parents had made to give Stefano his freedom. In searching his soul, one thing became clear. He could solve his parents’ dilemma about the marriage situation by unselfishly taking Alberto’s place. How could he not when his brother had willingly done his double royal duty to make up for Stefano’s absence?

“It’ll happen,” Enzo muttered. “I know how much you loved Alberto. You’ll never let your parents down now that you know of your brother’s sacrifice. As for Princess Lanza, she’ll agree to marry you. After all, you are Alberto’s brother and she knew you when your families got together as children.”

“That’s true, but I was hoping for some much-needed advice from you.”

They stared at each other for a long time. “All right—there’s only one way I can see this working. You need your freedom, so do her the biggest favor of her life and yours. You’ve got a year before the wedding. Let her know before you’re married that you plan to be your own person and continue doing the mining work you love while you help her father govern. It’ll mean you’ll be apart from her for long periods. Give her time to adjust to that fact, know what I mean?”

* * *

Pain wasn’t the right word to describe Lanza’s feelings since returning from the funeral in Umbriano four days ago. Shock would be more precise. Prince Alberto had always been kind to her when they had met. She’d never felt uncomfortable with him.

The second-born son of her father’s best friend, King Basilio of Umbriano, had been mild-mannered. Over the years and occasional family get-togethers, both families felt their two children were the perfect fit. Since they’d wanted the marriage to happen, they went ahead with the betrothal on her twenty-first birthday.

According to what her parents had told her, they’d believed that out of her two sisters, Lanza had the right temperament and disposition to be the wife for Prince Alberto, who’d shown an interest in her.

From that time on Lanza had spent several weekends a month with Alberto, both in Domodossola and Umbriano. They’d developed a friendship that helped her to get ready for her marriage. She’d enjoyed being kissed by him, but they hadn’t been lovers.

The fact that he was nice-looking had made it easier to imagine intimacy in their marriage. She’d liked him well enough and believed they could be happy. But now that he was gone, one truth stood out from everything else.

She hadn’t lost the love of her life.

Furthermore, his death had made her aware of her own singlehood in a way she would never have anticipated. Since the betrothal she’d known what her future would be. For the past year she’d been planning on the intimacy of marriage and family, the kind her parents enjoyed. Yet in an instant, that future had died with him.

His life had been snuffed out in seconds because of a car crash on an icy, narrow mountain road when he’d swerved to avoid a truck. The accident had robbed her of the destiny planned out for her. But as sorry as she was for Alberto and his family, a part of her realized that she was now free to make different plans.

There was no law of succession in Domodossola since a female couldn’t rule. Now her parents would have to look elsewhere for a prince who would marry one of her older sisters, either Fausta or Donetta.

The sad, legitimate release of her betrothal vows gave Lanza a sense of liberation she’d never known before. Heaven help her but the thought was exciting. So exciting, in fact, she was assailed with uncomfortable guilt considering this was a time of mourning, and she did mourn Alberto’s death.

In an attempt to help her deal with the fact that Prince Alberto had been taken prematurely, the palace priest, Father Mario, had been summoned. He counseled her that she should be grateful Alberto hadn’t been forced to live through years of suffering. If his life had been spared, he might have lost limbs or been paralyzed.

Of course she was thankful for that and appreciated the priest’s coming to see her, but no one understood what was going on inside her. No longer would she be marking time, waiting for her future with Alberto to start. There was no future except the one she would make from here on out. In truth, Lanza found the thought rich with possibilities.

Since returning from the funeral, it hit her with stunning force that she was alone and dependent on herself to make her own decisions, just like her sisters had been allowed to do. This strange new experience wasn’t unlike watching a balloon that had escaped a string and was left to float with no direction in mind. But she knew what she wanted to do first.

With this new sense of freedom, she planned to visit her favorite aunt, Zia Ottavia, who lived in Rome with her husband, Count Verrini. They could talk about anything and Lanza loved her.

A knock on the door of her apartment brought her back from her thoughts.

“Lanza?” Her mother’s voice. “May your father and I come in?”

She assumed they wanted to comfort her and she loved them for it. Lanza hurried across the room and opened the door, giving them both a long hug. “Come in and sit in front of the fire.”

They took their places on the couch. She sat in her favorite easy chair across from them where she often planted herself to read. She’d been a bookworm from an early age.

“We asked Father Mario to visit you. Did he come?”

“Yes, and he gave me encouragement.”

“Oh, good,” her dark-blonde mother murmured, but Lanza could tell her parents were more anxious than ever and looked positively ill from the shock they’d all lived through. “We don’t think it’s good for you to stay in your apartment any longer. I’ve asked the cook to prepare your favorite meal, and your sisters are going to join us in the dining room for an early dinner.”

Her distinguished-looking father nodded. “You need to be around family. It isn’t healthy for you to be alone.”

“Actually, I’ve needed this time to myself in order to think. Please don’t be offended if I tell you I’m not hungry and couldn’t eat a big meal.”

“But if you keep this up, you’ll waste away,” her mother protested.

“No, Mamà. I promise that won’t happen. Right now I have important things on my mind.”

“We do, too,” her father broke in. “It’s time we talked seriously.”

She sat back. “What is it, Papà?”

He got to his feet and stoked the fire. “I’ve been on the phone with Basilio almost constantly for days.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. I’m sure Alberto’s death has brought you two even closer. He and Queen Diania must be in desperate need of comfort.”

Her father blinked. “You’re really not all right, are you, my dear girl?”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You…don’t seem quite yourself,” her mother blurted.

If Lanza’s parents had expected her to fall apart and take to her bed, then they truly didn’t understand.

“I’ve shed my tears, but all it has done is give me a headache. I have to pull myself together and deal with the here and now. Honestly, I’ll be fine. In fact, I’m thinking of taking a trip to Rome to visit Zia Ottavia.

“She phoned me last night and asked me to stay with her for a few months. She’s planning to take a long trip to the US and wants me to go with her while Zio Salvatore has to stay in Rome on business. I love being with her and told her I’d come after I talked to you.”

He shook his head. “I’m afraid you can’t go.”

What? She sat forward. “I don’t understand.”

He cleared his throat. “Alberto’s brother, Stefano, has asked for your hand in marriage and wishes to marry you on New Year’s Day in a year as planned.”

CHAPTER TWO

A STRANGE LAUGH broke from Lanza, who got to her feet. Maybe she was having a bad dream.

“Stefano? What kind of a joke is this? For one thing, that’s impossible! He was relieved of his royal duties years ago by their parliament.”

Lanza had taken a personal affront to the news at the time, even though she knew it didn’t have anything to do with her. How could it? She’d only been eleven years old.

But she still remembered how shocked she’d been when she’d heard Stefano had walked away from royal life. She’d always found him more attractive and headstrong than Alberto, but she’d never told anyone her true feelings.

Her father shook his head. “His royal title has just been restored to him through an emergency act of that same parliament. Now he has officially proposed marriage to you.”

Lanza let out a cry, incredulous that Stefano wanted to marry her when he’d hardly noticed her growing up. “Is it so important that our two countries combine our money and resources to the point that Stefano has been sent in to salvage the situation? He’s the brother who wanted nothing to do with royal life!”

She knew she’d shocked her parents with an outburst that was totally unlike her. Never in her life had she dared speak her mind to them like this. But she felt frustrated and angry.

Her mother stood up and walked over to her. “We can understand your anger, darling, but please just listen. These have been dark days for all of us, but it’s true that Stefano wants to take his brother’s place and honor his commitment to you. It’s what both our families want.”

“But it’s not what I want and I’m over twenty-one!” Lanza stared at her parents in sheer disbelief. What they were asking went beyond rational thought. “You do know Stefano gave up the royal life years ago because he hated it.”

“That’s in the past,” her father murmured.

“Papà—he’s a gold-mining engineer and, according to Alberto, has had various love affairs with women where he’s lived around the world. You’re asking me to marry him? Are you serious?” she cried out.

Her mother’s eyes implored her. “We’re asking you to think about it and what it will mean for our two countries, for the future of both royal lines.”

“I’m getting older every day,” her father murmured. “Worse, I’m plagued by a fatigue that is growing more serious. I need a son-in-law to lean on who is fit to be king. Prince Stefano was raised like his brother, Alberto, and will make a splendid husband for you.”

“But he’s been a playboy!”

“No,” her father argued. “What he has done in his nonroyal past is what most men do before they find the right woman. There’s been no scandal about him in the media. He’s brought no shame of any kind. Quite the opposite. His brilliant business acumen is known around the world and has helped enrich his country. He’s Basilio’s son, after all.”

“But Father—”

“Hear me out, Lanza. His private life before now has no bearing on the future. That part is over.”

“How do you know he doesn’t have children somewhere? I’m not trying to be cruel by saying that, only practical.”

His expression hardened. “I’m going to forget you said that. He’s prepared to be a husband to you.”

Lanza was too stunned to talk. She studied her father, worried if it was true that he was ill. This was news no one had told her about. “Why haven’t I heard about your health before now, Papà?” She’d noticed he moved a little slower these days, but she attributed it to his growing older.

Her mother put a hand on her arm. “Because we didn’t want to burden you while you were preparing for your wedding day. We were assuming you wouldn’t have to worry about it, but with Alberto dying, everything has changed. Under the circumstances we’ll leave to give you time to think about everything.” She turned to Lanza’s father. “Come on, Victor.”

As Lanza watched them go, her two older sisters came in and shut the door. She sucked in her breath. “I take it you could hear us talking.”

They nodded.

“Is it true? Is Papà ill?”

“I only know what Mamà said.” Donetta spoke first. “Papà’s physician is concerned about his health and says he needs to slow down.”

Fausta nodded. “I have a feeling it’s his heart, but they won’t tell us.”

Lanza shivered and walked over to the fireplace. “Why didn’t you two tell me?”

Donetta drew closer. “We were ordered not to.”

“In other words, I’m the baby who can’t handle bad news.”

“No. They’ve been living for your wedding and didn’t want anything to mar it.”

She closed her eyes tightly. “What they’ve asked me now is impossible, but I shouldn’t have gotten so upset with them.”

“Yes, you should have!” Fausta blurted. “I’m proud of you. You haven’t seen Prince Stefano in years. Naturally, we’re all worried that something is wrong with Papà, but even so, you shouldn’t let this news make you do what you don’t want to do.”

Donetta nodded. “I hate to tell you this, Lanza, but you’ve always been a lot like Cinderella from your favorite fairy tale. She, too, was sweet and believed everything would turn out in the end. But you don’t have a fairy godmother to save you. Otherwise, Alberto wouldn’t have died. You need to wake up before it’s too late.”

“She’s right!” Fausta chimed once more, adding to Lanza’s turmoil. “Cinderella was a fool. She should have gone out into the world to find a man of the people, not some puppet prince, and enjoy a life away from a royal world. That’s what I’m planning to do.”

Lanza understood her sisters well. Twenty-five-year-old Donetta had no intention of getting married and her parents knew it. But the day would come when they would demand that she marry some prince they approved of.

She’d grown up wanting to be queen, with no man telling her what to do, but it would be impossible because of the succession law of their country that excluded women from ruling.

As for Fausta, their twenty-four-year-old sister, she’d dreamed of marrying a commoner and having a life like her close friends in the city. Fausta thought she was safe, but in the end their parents wouldn’t allow it and she’d end up marrying a prince they’d picked out for her.

That left Lanza as her parents’ hope for finding the perfect royal son-in-law. But Alberto’s death had rendered that null and void. Or so she’d thought!

“We know how upset you are. Would you rather be alone?”

Lanza turned to Fausta. “If you don’t mind, I’ve got a lot to think about.”

“We’ll eat dinner and then come back up to talk. We’re here if you need us.” Donetta gave her a peck on the cheek before they left the apartment.

Lanza turned toward the fire once more. What in the name of heaven was she going to do? She loved her father. The last thing she’d ever want would be to disappoint him or her mother, or do something that could make his condition worse.

But to be asked to marry Stefano, who’d turned his back on everything in order to be free…

She remembered one weekend in August when Alberto had come to see her and she’d asked him why he sometimes seemed sad. Lanza wanted to know the truth so she could understand him better.

Alberto told her he missed his elder brother terribly since he no longer lived at the palace. They’d been incredibly close. A few days later Alberto sent her a letter with a picture of Stefano enclosed, looking gorgeous in a safari shirt. He’d been twenty-two in the photo, taken when he’d been working in Kenya.

“I love that smile of his, Lanza. He’s my idol and always has been. There are times when I miss him like crazy. After you and I are married, I hope he’ll come around more often. I’d give anything to see more of him.”

Lanza stoked the fire, recalling those words that had come straight from Alberto’s heart. He’d gotten his wish far too late. Stefano was back, and had proposed marriage to her.

Stefano was an important, sophisticated man of the world and had been intimately involved with various women over the years, according to the media, so there were no surprises. If Alberto had been with other women this past year, Lanza knew nothing about it, but assumed he’d had a few girlfriends in the past.

Marrying Stefano would mean having a normal intimate relationship that would produce a family in time. Her attraction for him had never changed, even though they hadn’t seen one another for a long time, but for some reason the thought of having relations with him made her nervous. She was an inexperienced and naive virgin. A shudder passed through her body.

Would she be a disappointment as his wife?

Could she bring herself to accept another royal proposal of marriage?

If she did, it might increase her father’s longevity and give him the help he needed to rule. She loved her father. Perish the thought if he died early because she’d refused to go through with this marriage. How would she be able to bear the burden of that knowledge?

Lanza was a mess.

Her sisters were right. Her favorite fairy tale had been about Cinderella, who’d met her heart’s desire at the ball and had lived happily-ever-after with her prince. But that was never going to happen to her now.

When Lanza finally turned away from the fire, she accepted the fact that she’d been a fool her whole life…

I’ll never know love or be in love.

On that note she left the apartment to find her parents and tell them she’d made her decision to accept Stefano’s proposal, but was stopped on her way out the door by her personal maid.

“This came for you personally by courier from the royal palace in Umbriano, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Serena.”

Lanza went back into the apartment to open it. Letters of condolences had poured into the palace for days through the post, but this had been hand delivered. There was no writing on the outside of the envelope. Who would be sending her a letter?

Curious, she opened it and found a brief missive.

Dear Lanza,

What you and I are about to do is unprecedented. I’ve already had to leave the country for Kenya, where I’ll probably be working for at least six weeks. After that I must fly directly to Australia, and from there Bulgaria.

I’ll try to get to Domodossola at some point to see you. If I can’t, I’ll email you so we can talk regularly and get prepared for the wedding. Phone calls are difficult because the mines where I work rarely have cell phone service.

I’m afraid our life will have to begin after we meet at the altar.

Don’t worry about our wedding night. We’ll spend it away from everyone while we sort out the rules of engagement.

Stefano

She gasped in surprise. Before she’d even given her parents or him her answer, Stefano had already sent this message assuming she would have fallen in line with their parents’ wishes.

What on earth did he mean about the rules of engagement, unless he was implying he had a solution they could live with?

Lanza sank down on the side of the bed, confused and unsettled as she reread it. Stefano’s work truly did take him around the world. When would he have time to help her father? Maybe she shouldn’t marry him, after all.

“Lanza?”

“Just a minute.” Hearing her sisters’ voices, she quickly buried the letter beneath a cushion on her bed and hurried over to the door to open it. “Come on in.”

“We thought you might want company.”

She didn’t know what she wanted.

“Have you decided what you’re going to do?”

“Not yet. Papà said this marriage has the blessing of the cardinal. He says the citizens of both countries will accept it. But I think it seems like a sham and I feel guilty about it. Do you think it sounds honorable for Stefano to take Alberto’s place?”

Fausta eyed her with concern. “It’s a year away, and they were close. I do remember that.”

“But I don’t love him.”

“Did you love Alberto?”

She lowered her head. “No, but I liked him well enough. If I say yes and agree to marry Stefano, it will be because Papà needs a son-in-law to rely on.”

“No.” Donetta came back with a friendly smile. “That won’t be the reason. You can’t fool Fausta and me.”

“What do you mean?”

“We both know you always had a crush on Stefano. Who could blame you? As the tabloids say, he’s the dishiest bachelor on the planet.”

CHAPTER THREE
One year later…

A WINTRY NEW YEAR’S DAY brought thousands of people to line the streets of the capital of Domodossola for the royal wedding. A national holiday had been declared and the sound of bells rang out.

The kingdom had been preparing for this event since her betrothal to Alberto two years ago. Now that day was finally here with a different prince walking her down the aisle. Every shop was open to welcome visitors from all over Europe and beyond.

Lanza sat across from her father in the gold leaf closed carriage that took them toward the cathedral in the distance. With every step of the matched white horses in trappings of red and gold bells that jingled, huge cheers from the masses rang out to celebrate this day unlike any other. Excitement filled the air to see the king accompanying his daughter to the long-anticipated wedding ceremony.

Over the year she’d received dozens of long emails with pictures from Stefano while they’d discussed the plans for the wedding in the cathedral and the festivities afterward at the palace.

She’d asked him questions about his locations and work. He’d explained a lot of technical things about mining she’d enjoyed. His descriptions of the people and mountains painted pictures that lived with her. Lanza hadn’t counted on him being such a satisfying letter writer, and she’d found herself eagerly looking forward to reading them when they came.

But they hadn’t touched on their personal, intimate relationship yet. She was still anxious to talk to him about the rules of engagement. Those words had been dancing around in her head since his letter had arrived close to a year ago.

What had Stefano really meant? If only he’d explained, it might have helped her get through this ordeal without so much angst. Those words had sounded cold and unfeeling coming from a worldly man who’d managed to avoid a royal life until now. Now that they were about to exchange vows, her fraught nerves had made her too jumpy to concentrate on anything.

What she’d give to get out of the carriage and run for her life. Then she glanced at her father with his salt-and-pepper hair, who looked splendid despite the fact that he did move slower these days. The love in his eyes when he smiled at her helped her remember one of the reasons why she was going through with this farce of a marriage.

Her father had been living for this day for years and might be granted a longer life because she’d agreed to marry his best friend’s only son now that Alberto was gone.

“You look so beautiful in all that silk and lace, my angel daughter.”

“Thank you, Papà, but I’m not your angel.” He’d always called her that, but since the day she’d learned her parents expected her to marry Stefano, she hadn’t felt very angelic.

Through her mother, who talked constantly with Stefano’s mother, Lanza had learned Stefano planned to whisk her away for a two-week honeymoon to a secret spot in the Caribbean. She now had a wardrobe of beachwear.

Two weeks alone in paradise.

“I’m going to miss you around the palace while you’re on your honeymoon, my sweet girl.”

She wasn’t as sweet as her father thought. “I’ll miss you, too. Today you look magnificent, like the king you are. I love you and I’m sorry abou—”

“Let’s not talk about that day,” he interrupted. “We were all beside ourselves. You’ve brought me joy your whole life and it’s all in the past. Promise me you’ll forget it.”

Her eyes smarted. “If you can, then I will, too.”

But she would never forget. By agreeing to marry Stefano, all hope for personal happiness had died. Her mind kept going back to the note he’d had couriered to her.

They were definitely doing something unprecedented.

Soon the closed carriage drew up in front of the steps of the fourteenth-century cathedral. One of the footmen opened the door. She held her bouquet of white roses and stephanotis as he helped her step out, giving the press an opportunity to see her in all her wedding finery and take pictures.

Her chestnut-colored hair had been swept back and cascaded beyond her shoulders. The lace veil draped over the pearl tiara worn by her great-great-grandmother fell to her chin in front and flowed down her back to meet the hem of her gown with its long train.

Her father got out behind her and accompanied her up the steps to the roar and cheers of the thousands of people filling the streets. Lanza’s mother and sisters, along with her aunts, uncles and cousins, had already gone inside with the other dignitaries and waited in the pews. By now Prince Stefano’s entire family from Umbriano, including their future queen and her young children, would have already entered and been seated.

Once inside the doors, Lanza heard the glorious organ music and choir, catching her off guard. She took a deep breath, realizing the moment had come when she had to pledge her life to a man who’d lost a brother, hated royal life and was as unhappy as Lanza.

The wedding march sounded, alerting her this was it. Her father turned to look at her. “Are you ready?”

No…

Like an automaton, she put her free hand on his left arm, and they walked into the Romanesque nave that was packed wall to wall with the invited guests turned out in elegant dress. The fascinators worn by the women made the scene resemble a garden even though it was winter.

With each step that took her closer to the altar where the cardinal stood resplendent in red and gold robes, her legs felt less substantial. Then she saw Stefano waiting in a magnificent royal suit of navy and gold braid. Across his chest from shoulder to waist he wore the bright blue sash of his office as Prince of the Realm of Umbriano.

At the funeral she’d hardly noticed him with everyone around. They’d all been in mourning. Lanza had been in such deep shock, she hadn’t realized that over the years he’d grown taller than Alberto. Looking at him now, he probably stood six foot two and was built of rock-hard muscle.

A little closer and she gasped quietly. His burnished complexion reflected his work and travel in hot climates. Mesmerized, her gaze roved over his chiseled features set beneath dark brows and wavy black-brown hair. The boy had become a breathtaking man.

As the tabloids had claimed leading up to the marriage, he was a dashing male specimen. She suspected he had to shave twice a day and was more gorgeous than her idea of any prince in an old fairy tale.

Her heart tripped over itself. Stefano was going to be her husband. The man she would go to bed with and whose children she’d bear. She gripped her father’s arm harder and continued walking until they reached the cardinal, who put out his arms.

“Come stand in front of me.”

Stefano moved to Lanza’s side. She let go of her father’s arm and handed Donetta the flowers, then turned back to meet his dark, penetrating eyes. A thunderbolt passing through her body couldn’t have been more electrifying. Shaken by emotions new to her and an instant awareness of him, she transferred her gaze to the cardinal, who opened with some prayers, before proceeding to the marriage ceremony.

“Stefano Amadeo Piero Casale, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God’s law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

“I will,” he said in a deep voice Lanza felt resonate to her toes.

“Lanza Vittoria Immaculata Rossiano, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God’s law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor him, keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

“I will.”

“You will now exchange rings.”

Stefano, not missing a heartbeat, reached for her left hand and slid a ring with the royal Umbriano crest on her finger. She in turn put the gold band with the Rossiano crest on his ring finger. She felt tense and wondered if he could tell. “In as much as Stefano and Lanza have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands, I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

“You may kiss the bride, Your Highness.”

* * *

A year ago Lanza had worn the black veil of mourning. Since then Stefano had been imagining this moment. When she’d approached him at the altar—a vision in white silk—her white lace veil had given him enticing glimpses of her lovely features and deep blue eyes. As he lifted it, what he hadn’t counted on was her true classic beauty or the voluptuous shape of her mouth.

His heart pounded hard as he lowered his head to kiss her. Much as he wanted to taste her fully, he held back and only brushed his mouth against hers. The soft sweetness of her lips sent a sensation not unlike electricity through his body. The princess he’d met when she was just a young girl had grown into a breathtaking woman who was now his wife. His wife!

“We’ll talk in the carriage,” he whispered against the fragrant silky skin of her cheek before he lifted his head.

Organ music filled the cathedral while he took her hand in a firm grip. Donetta came forward to give her the flowers and they started down the aisle. He was now a married man who’d made promises to his new bride, who walked at his side. They made their way outside to the ringing of the cathedral bells, followed by bells ringing out all over the city.

He felt like they were part of a dream as he helped her into the same carriage he knew she’d ridden in with her father. Stefano climbed in and sat opposite her, hoping she’d meet his eyes. “This is where we have to wave at the crowd. They’re eager to see the beautiful princess and take pictures.”

“If the temperature keeps falling, maybe everyone will go home.”

He studied her features. “You know they won’t. This wedding has been anticipated for two years.”

She nodded. “We’re part of the fairy tale meant to be exciting for them, but by midnight it’ll all be over and the real test of living will begin.”

Stefano sat back. “I am guessing from that comment you received the message I sent you when we got engaged. But in all our emails, you never mentioned it.”

She continued waving. “I’m sorry that I didn’t. If you want to know the truth, it was like a breath of fresh air.”

One dark brow lifted. “Why do you say that?”

“You indicated that there are ways to negotiate our situation. It gave me hope that you have something brilliant in mind. Alberto said you were born with the real brains in the family.”

So saying, she turned to the windows on the other side of the carriage. For the next little while she fulfilled her part in acknowledging the crowds cheering and taking pictures.

They weren’t really going to have a chance to talk properly today; that would have to wait till they left to go on their honeymoon. That time couldn’t come soon enough for Stefano. He didn’t want their marriage to start off with this kind of tension.

“Uh-oh!” she exclaimed. “Don’t stop waving, Signor Casale. Alberto told me that’s the name you go by at your many gold mines throughout the world. Time’s not up yet. We only have to endure this display for the masses for a few more minutes.”

The woman who’d sent him enchanting emails he’d thoroughly enjoyed was not in evidence right now. Soon the carriage arrived back at the fifteenth-century palace. She faced him with a smile. “All we must do now is endure this endless day a little longer.”

The footman opened the door of the carriage, but Stefano got out first to help her. No matter her true feelings, whatever they were, he was determined to behave in every way like an adoring bridegroom, even arranging her veil and train. With her flowers in one hand, he grasped her other hand and they ascended the steps past the palace staff who’d assembled to welcome them.

He walked her through the rotunda where their families awaited them. After many hugs, she turned to him. “I’m going down the hall to freshen up, but I’ll be back.”

“Would you like me to go with you?”

“Thank you, but I won’t be long.”

“Then I’ll wait right here for you.”

“You don’t have to.”

His eyes searched hers. “Don’t you know I want to?”

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