Reclaiming the Prince's Heart

A number of luxury cars filled the parking area. Rini found a space and shut off the engine. In the distance he heard dance music. The castle had been lit up like a Christmas tree. He helped Luna from the car, keeping his arm around her waist as they entered what looked like a thirteenth-century castle.

“Your Highness!” The host came running and greeted them, beaming from ear to ear. “It’s an honor.” He put his hand over his heart. “Come right this way.”

Luna translated before following the man through a corridor to doors leading out to the patio. Couples were dancing to the music of the terrific band. Trees decorated with twinkling white lights gave the individual tables privacy. The host led them to the other end of the patio. Their table overlooked the water.

Once seated, he gave them menus, and a waiter took over. He poured them wine.

She looked at Rini across the small, candlelit table. Her eyes shimmered like green diamonds. “Do you trust me to order for you?”

“Why don’t we eat the same meal we had when I brought you here before.”

Luna gave the waiter the order before he left them alone.

“What are we having besides ham?” He drank some of the wine and liked it very much.

“You knew that word! As for the pappardelle funghi, it’s a pasta with mushrooms.”

He said the words, committing them to memory. Then he looked at her, needing to get her in his arms. “Signora Baldasseri, ballerai con me?” Rini had been practicing that phrase.

“Mi piacerebbe.” She got out of her chair before he came around. That action told him what she’d said. Another word to put to memory. He caught her curvaceous body to his. She melted against him. “I can’t believe I’m dancing with you again.” Her voice caught. “It’s a miracle that you’re alive.”

His lips roved over her soft cheek. “You’re the miracle.”

She nestled closer, clinging to him. “I’m in heaven, Signor Baldasseri.”

He couldn’t help running his hands up and down her back. “Luna—I want to make love to you when we get home. Is that asking too much of you? Don’t be afraid to tell me the truth. If it’s too soon...”

“Too soon?” She hugged him harder. “I’d hoped it would happen the first day I got you home from the hospital. But you held back because you thought I pitied you.”

“I know that’s not true now, but I need an answer to one more question. How badly do you want a baby knowing I’ve got amnesia? Does that change the idea for you?”

“Not at all. We’re married and have decided to move forward. I want your child. Nothing would ever change that.”

“So if I get you pregnant—”

“I’ll shout from the rafters!” She stopped dancing and cupped his face in her hands. “Besides marrying you, Rini darling, I’ve wanted your baby more than anything else in this world. We’ve said we want to begin again, so the answer to both your questions is yes! I want to sleep with you in every sense of the word, and I can’t wait for children. Whatever the future holds, we’ll deal with it.”

Rini let out the breath he’d been holding. “You’ve made me the happiest man on earth. I don’t know if I can eat dinner.”

“You have to, remember?” she teased. “Come on. Let’s sit down so the waiter will serve us.”

The next half hour passed in a blur. The food was sensational, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Luna. “Do you want dessert?”

“I couldn’t. What about you?”

Rini reached for her hand across the table. “I think you know the answer to that.”

“I do.” She put money from her purse on the table. “Let’s go home.” The pleading in her eyes was almost his undoing. He rushed around to help her, and they left the castle with indecent speed. On the drive back to the palazzo, he managed to elude a police car and his bodyguards.

She laughed as they pulled around the back. “All you have to do is present yourself as a race car driver and you can make your fortune in a whole new, exciting way.”

“Well, there is this about it. At least if I crash during another earthquake, it will be above ground. Maybe I won’t be able to speak Romansh anymore.”

“Rini—you mustn’t kid about things like that!”

He put a hand on her arm. “I agree that wasn’t funny. Forgive me.”

They got out of the car and went inside. She disappeared into the bathroom of their suite. He got ready for bed and threw on a robe while he waited for her. She emerged a few minutes later wearing a cream-colored nightgown.