The Prince and the Wedding Planner

“Not now, Giselle.” Leo’s voice was low but firm. “We have a guest.”

It was only then that Giselle’s blue gaze met Bianca’s. The friendly smile returned to his sister’s face. She moved to stand in front of Bianca. “Welcome. Leo didn’t say he was bringing home company. He can be forgetful that way.”

Forgetful? He took exception to that comment. He had a lot on his mind at the moment. And he didn’t want his mother to know about Bianca until he’d had a chance to speak with her.

“It’s so nice to meet you.” Bianca curtsied. “I can’t believe I’m here. This place, it’s amazing.”

Giselle’s smile broadened as she moved next to Leo. “She’s marvelous. Where did you find her?”

“At a wedding.”

Giselle’s brows rose. “Really? And you went there voluntarily?”

Leo shrugged off the question. “I’ve hired Miss Bartolini to plan the wedding.”

“And I’m quite honored,” Bianca said, punctuating her words with a smile. “But we don’t have much time so if you two could sit down with me and tell me what you have in mind for your big day, we can get started.”

“We?” Giselle’s fingers moved between her and Leo. Her eyes glittered with amusement. “You think we are getting married?”

When Bianca turned a questioning gaze in his direction, Leo cleared his throat. “I suppose I was rather light on the details. My apologies. You will not be planning my wedding. You are here to plan my sister, Giselle’s, wedding.”

Bianca’s gaze moved back and forth between the two siblings. “I... I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Giselle said. “It’s like my brother to leave out the most important bits of information.” Then she turned to Leo. “I can’t believe you hired a wedding planner. Mother is going to have a fit.”

“If you’ll let me, I can be a big help to you with planning your big day,” Bianca uttered. “I have a lot of experience with big weddings, famous weddings and difficult weddings.”

That bit of spunk was why he’d hired her. He just hoped Bianca didn’t back down when it came to dealing with his mother. Only time would tell.

Giselle’s wary gaze turned to Bianca. “How well do you cope with difficult people?”

“Giselle,” Leo said, “let’s not scare her

off before she’s even started.”

His sister shrugged. “Fair enough. Bianca, once you’re settled, we can go over the plans that have been made so far.”

Bianca smiled. “I’ll be ready.”

“I’ll show you to your room,” Leo said.

“That’s okay. I’ve got this.” Giselle moved to Bianca’s side. “It’ll give us a chance to get acquainted while you go speak to Mother.”

Leo had been looking forward to spending more time with Bianca, but arguing with his sister would only arouse his sister’s suspicions about his intentions with Bianca. And that was the very last thing he needed at this point.

He nodded. “I’ll see you both at dinner.”

His gaze briefly connected with Bianca’s. It was long enough for his heart to pick up its pace. They’d been together for hours on the trip here and yet they’d barely had a chance to say more than a few words to each other. He deeply regretted it. And now he had to walk away. Why did dinner have to be so far off?

* * *

Disappointment shrouded her in its murky grayness. She really had been hoping to talk to him—to get to know him better. There was an air of mystery that surrounded him.

Prince Leopold was different. And it wasn’t just that he was royalty, though that was definitely enough to set him apart from anyone else she’d ever known. But there was this invisible yet impenetrable wall that he kept himself cloaked in at all times, much like a body of armor.

As she watched him walk away, she noticed his broad shoulders were pulled back in a straight line. He held his head high as he took long, sure steps. She couldn’t help but wonder about the man behind the facade. He might have all the physical things one could want, plus some, but what had happened to him to keep him segregated from the rest of the world?

Once he was out of sight, it gave her a chance to look around. She wasn’t sure what she expected to find inside. It wasn’t like she’d ever been in a palace before, but this place, it was enormous. The foyer was larger than the flat she’d had in Venice.