The Prince and the Wedding Planner

“Mother, not everything should be a shade of gray. Sometimes there needs to be bright oranges, pinks and purples. In fact, purple would suit you.”

The queen remained quiet for a moment, not used to Leo getting in her face and disagreeing with her. The quietness didn’t last for long. “Then maybe she should pay more attention to her color choices instead of taking up your time. You have other matters of great importance—”

“Bianca,” he said, cutting off his mother because he knew where this conversation was headed, “would you mind leaving my mother and me alone so we can talk?”

“No problem.” Bianca nodded to the queen and then quietly escaped.

Lucky her. Leo wished he could follow her.

He turned his attention back to his mother. “I know you’re frustrated with me but that’s no reason to take it out on Bianca. She’s doing a really good job with the wedding and Giselle is happy. Isn’t that the important part?”

“You’re falling for her.”

“Bianca?” He shook his head. “No. I’m not.”

It was just a passing attraction, nothing serious. When this wedding was over, she’d return to Italy. And he would get on with his royal duties. First, he would get married. And then he would ascend to the throne. It was all planned.

His mother’s gaze searched his. “Do you really believe that?”

“Bianca is nice. And I enjoy her company, but that’s all it is.”

His mother sighed. “Then you are a fool. And I didn’t raise a fool.”

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving him alone with her words. Was she right? Did his feelings for Bianca go deeper than he allowed himself to believe?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

LAST NIGHT HAD been the most boring date of his life.

And his lunch date wasn’t faring much better.

Neither woman would do as his princess.

Leo set aside his now-empty coffee cup. When he glanced up, he found his luncheon companion staring at him. Immediately she smiled at him, like that was going to change things.

There was no spark between them. There wasn’t even a fizzle. There was nothing. No chemistry. No anything.

Bridgette was the daughter of an earl of a small country in the Mediterranean. And though many had gone on about her beauty, all Leo could think was that she didn’t hold a candle to Bianca’s glittering eyes and her sparkling smile.

And then there was the fact that conversation between him and Bianca flowed easily. He didn’t have to work to keep the conversation going like he did tonight. How was he supposed to marry someone when they had nothing to talk about?

Bridgette lit up with a smile. “This has been the most enjoyable evening.”

She surely couldn’t mean it. After all, they hadn’t found one subject to talk about that they had in common.

“It was a nice meal. And I enjoyed your company.” Was it wrong that in his mind he pretended he was speaking to Bianca?

“I’ve heard so much ab

out your lovely gardens.”

He followed her over to the glass doors that led out to the expansive patio on the edge of the famed gardens. All the while, he was thinking of how to get out of this. Because he knew as sure as he was standing there that they didn’t have a chance for a future. There was no point in getting Bridgette’s hopes up.

“Leo, there you are.” Giselle rushed into the room. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“Well, you’ve found me.”

She glanced over at Bridgette. “There’s a problem with the wedding.”