The Heir the Prince Secures

If Stefano didn’t love her and she stayed anyway, no matter how she tried to endure his coldness, eventually her love would turn to hate. What would their marriage be like then? A prison. For both of them.

What would that teach Esme?

Stefano had been nearly destroyed by his parents’ selfish cruelty. Even Tess, unthinkingly, had followed her own mother’s path when she’d let herself fall in love with an emotionally unavailable man like Stefano, who in spite of his warmth and goodness, seemed now as cold and unreachable as a distant star.

Tess had learned to give too much. Stefano had learned to be selfish. He put himself first. Tess and the baby were mere baggage. Whether he took her with him on his travels or left her behind on a whim, he expected her to be his accessory. He expected to be the boss.

Though my wife is amazingly talented, she’s focused on raising our daughter.

She’d been a little hurt, but told herself it didn’t matter. Because there was something she wanted even more than to be a designer. She wanted to be loved.

Now she knew she’d be neither.

Tess closed her eyes, suddenly wishing she was back in New York with her family and friends. Wishing she still had a job, even a poorly paid one, where she could earn money and self-respect, rather than being dependent on Stefano, when he didn’t love her.

She’d told him she loved him, and after one precious night, when he’d held her so tenderly, he’d left her in the morning. He’d abandoned her.

Again.

This was unbearable, she thought. She couldn’t let it go on.

Now, standing on the balcony in the cool October night, Tess stared at Stefano’s terse message for the tenth time since she’d gotten it an hour before.

On my way home. I think I know how to make you happy. Talk more tonight.

What did it mean? Tess shivered. Was he going to tell her he loved her after all?

Hearing her baby babble, she glanced back through the open door toward the master bedroom, where Esme, fresh from her bath and in footsie pajamas, was playing with soft blocks on the bedroom rug.

Tess looked hungrily toward the pale sliver of road between the violet-purple hills leading to the castle. She expected Stefano any moment. She wrapped her arms around her body, hugging herself for comfort. She’d hoped he would arrive before the baby’s bedtime, but it was almost too late...

Then she saw the headlights. A car was racing toward the castle at a breakneck speed.

She jumped, as if afraid of being caught waiting for him again. She hurried back into the bedroom, her hands shaking as she slid the balcony door closed behind her. Inside, her eyes caught her reflection in the full-length mirror.

Tess’s pride hadn’t been able to talk her out of trying to look nice tonight. Her wild red curls tumbled over her shoulders, and she wore a simple dress of her own design, with pink roses patterned on black silk. Spots of feverish pink color stood out on her cheeks.

“Bah!” Esme said proudly, holding up her chubby arms. The baby had recently figured out how to sit, but Tess always made sure to surround her with pillows for those moments when Esme would topple over with a crash.

“You have a block! Good job!” Tess picked the baby up, cuddling her close, relishing her sweet smell. She thought of why she’d married Stefano. So they could be a family. So they could be happy.

So they could love each other.

Please, let him love me, Tess thought, closing her eyes. Please, let my faith be rewarded.

She heard noises downstairs, as Stefano’s deep voice called out to staff in Italian and they answered. With his return, the castle seemed to come alive.

Or maybe it was just Tess. She waited, practically vibrating, until she heard his heavy step in the hallway. Trembling, she turned to face the bedroom door.

Stefano’s tall, broad-shouldered silhouette filled the space. He was wearing a well-cut suit and tie that perfectly fit his powerful, muscular body. His handsome face was serious. His dark eyes cut through her heart.

“Hello, Tess,” he said quietly.

“Hello,” she said, her heart pounding.

Coming forward, he kissed her softly on the cheek. She inhaled his scent of soap and spice and power. She felt the warmth and heat of him so close to her.

Please, she thought. Please, please, please.