The Heir

“It’s very beautiful, but how much is it?” I ask.

It is as if I said I was planning to kill someone. Both shop assistants start with surprise and Cassandra gives me a strange look. “We never talk about prices here. The bills are sent directly to the accounting office.”

“But my dress is going to be paid for by Dante. I can’t make him pay for a dress as expensive as I know this must be.”

Cassandra’s smooth brow furrows. “Well, he knew I was bringing you here and he was more than happy with it.”

“I can’t buy this, Cassandra. I just don’t feel comfortable spending this kind of money. Especially since it is not even mine.”

“Shall I call Dante?”

I shake my head violently. “No. Of course not.”

Her head tilts as she stares at me curiously. “Why not?”

“Because then he will think I want him to buy the dress.”

“Oh, don’t be such a goose. This is not about you. If you are not dressed in the style and manner that is expected of Dante’s fiancée you will embarrass the whole family. People will think you are some kind of ugly duckling that we are mistreating.”

I get what she is saying, I don’t want to let Dante down, but at the same time … I just can’t spend that kind of money on a dress.

With a sigh she takes her phone out of her bag and dials out a number. She speaks rapidly into it in Avantian. She ends the call and smiles at me. “I told you it would be fine. Dante told me to spare no expense.” She turns to the two women watching us with round eyes. “Now we need a purse and shoes to match.”

The assistants bring purses with no price tags on them. I stare at them in confusion. I can still hear Dante’s aunt saying, ‘they’re destroying the country so that they can buy bigger yachts and more expensive watches and clothes for their wives.’ Cassandra picks up a gorgeous one with a pearl clasp.

“You like this? It will be perfect with your dress.”

“Yes, it’s gorgeous.”

“Then let’s get it. Now shoes.” She turns briskly to the assistant. “Please hurry. We don’t have much time.”

I choose a pair of lovely silk shoes with crystal heels. They come in a silver box with black satin lining.

“If you see anything else you especially like,” Cassandra says with a smile, “don’t hesitate.”

“No, that is fine,” I say quickly. I have never shopped like this before. It is disconcerting to not know how much the items I am buying cost. I think I am actually horrified by the idea.

Cassandra laughs, then leans close to me. “What is that expression in English?” she whispers. “It’s just a drop in the bucket. There is far more where this came from.”

I turn to face her, surprised by the naked greed in her voice.

“You should see the expression on your face,” she teases.

“I’m not from a rich family so I’m just not used to spending money like this.”

She laughs gaily. “Trust me, you’ll take to it like a duck to water. Right. Let’s go. We do have to be back in time for the hair stylists.”

I nod. “I’d almost forgotten.”

“Can’t forget something like that,” she says. “After all we want to look our very best.”

“Yes, of course,” I murmur softly.

She is fun to be with and I’m grateful to her for helping me find a dress that will be considered suitable for Dante’s fiancée to wear to a palace ball, but something about her makes me feel uncomfortable.

I am glad that Dante and I will not be living at the palace.

Chapter 33

Dante

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Oo_73SlOwk

A quiet angel on the sun

(Un Angelo Disteso Al Sole)

She’s always accused me of being a player, and yeah, I was, the King of Seduction himself. All the women were just about pleasure. With her it’s so different. This deep longing for the feel of her skin, her taste, her smile.

I’d planned to tell her how I really feel about her, but when I see her standing in her ball gown it feels like I’ve been sucker-punched. The air leaves me in a gasp. There are no words in my head or on my tongue. Surely this creature can’t be a flesh and blood woman. Only an angel could shine like this.

Her brow knits. “Is something wrong?”

I shake my head. Still in a daze.

“I … I … honestly didn’t want you to buy this dress for me. I … I … could tell it was too expensive, but Cassandra said that if I didn’t wear something like this … it would reflect … um … badly on your family so … I really didn’t have a choice. I’m sorry,” she stammers.

I stride up to her and put my fingers over her mouth. “I would have gladly paid anything to see you in this dress.”

“Oh, do you like it?”

“Fuck the dress. You look incredible.”

She blushes. “Thank you. You look pretty hot yourself.”

I could have told her then, but there is a noise behind us. I turn and Viggo is standing behind me holding two velvet boxes.

“Her Majesty wanted Miss Winchester to wear these pieces of jewelry to the party,” he says with a slight bow.

I take the boxes from him and open the boxes. To my shock the first one is one of my mother’s necklaces and the matching bracelet. I can still remember her wearing the necklace one night she came into my room to kiss me good night. The memory is still sharp. I even remember her special perfume. When I put my arms around her neck the clasp scratched me.

I examine the clasp, there is still that rough edge on it. I open the other box and it holds a pearl orchid hairpin. I had never seen my mother wearing it, but I know it is hers. Only she would wear sweet little pieces like this.

I look into Rosa’s eyes.

“What’s the matter?”

“These belonged to my mother.”

She gasps and covers her mouth. “I don’t have to wear them, Dante. This dress is already so full of pearls and stones. There is no need for more bling.”

“Rosa, Rosa, Rosa. Turn around.”

She falls silent and looks up at me with wide eyes.

I press the clasp down with my fingernail, so that it does not cut her soft skin, and carefully fit it around her slender neck. I turn her back to face me and sigh with satisfaction. Nothing has ever felt as right as Rosa wearing my mother’s jewelry. Gently, I pin the pearl flower into her hair, and fix the bracelet around her slim wrist.

I take her to a mirror and let her look at herself.

“We make a lovely couple, don't we?” she whispers.

I will tell her tonight when we come back here. I will tell her while we are in bed. Now I am too overwhelmed by her in this dress, by my mother’s jewelry, and by the decision I have taken. A decision that will change the trajectory of both our lives.

Chapter 34

Rosa

By the time Dante and I reach the curtained entrance of the vast ballroom, the floor is already crowded. Everything is picture perfect. The chandeliers are sparkling, an orchestra is playing, all the men are in tuxedos, and the women are in designer gowns and dripping with jewels.

A man in a maroon suit announces us, “Prince Nils Dante De-Beauvouli and his fiancée, Miss Rosa Winchester.”

Everybody in the room turns to look at us as we go down the marble steps. It feels unreal, almost like the way it is in movies. Dante nods to several men, and I try to keep my smile polite and confident as we walk up to where his father and stepmother are standing with Linnus and Cassandra. They are flanked by fawning Court courtiers. Linnea is wearing a blood-red gown that makes her stand out amongst all the other women around her.

We pay our respects to them. For a second Dante’s father stares at me as if he does not recognize me, then he smiles distantly. Linnea’s eyes dip down to my necklace before she smiles serenely at me.

“You look wonderful, my dear.”

“Doesn’t she just,” Cassandra says.

>   “Yes, she’s quite the beauty,” Linnus remarks softly.

I feel myself blush.

Dante turns to me. “Shall we?”

“Yes,” I say with relief.

We join the whirlwind of moving feet and flaring skirts. This is the first time Dante has taken me in his arms on the dance floor, but it feels just right. I can tell immediately that he’s an excellent dancer, and easier to follow than anyone I’ve danced with.

“Do you realize everyone is watching us?” I ask sotto voce.

“Imagine them all sitting on toilets.”

I almost grin. “I can’t go around imagining everybody sitting on toilets.”

“I don’t see why not. Most of the time they sound like they’re spewing shit anyway.”

This time I break into a giggle.