The Princess's New Year Wedding (The Princess Brides 1)

Lanza finally fell asleep again and didn’t get up until ten in the morning. The wind was even stronger than before and the sky had grown dark. That meant another storm was on the way. They wouldn’t be able to ski today. She doubted any lifts could run with these gusts.

She scrambled out of bed to get dressed and brush her hair, which she tied back at the nape. Once she’d done her makeup, she headed for the kitchen, hungry for a pastry and some juice. When she opened the fridge, she saw that the leftover pizza was gone, providing Stefano with breakfast. He’d probably gone outside after eating.

Lanza took her food into the living room where he’d turned up the fire and switched on a lamp. Though Stefano had watered their Christmas tree, it didn’t look well. She wandered over to the window while she munched. The spectacular view of the mountains never ceased to exhilarate her, especially with the clouds moving in.

Maybe if Stefano didn’t have any other plans for today, she could ask him to show her his huge map of the mines and learn what he did. The wealth he brought into his country staggered her.

As she turned to go back to the kitchen, he walked into the living room, dressed in jeans and a pullover with a look of concern on his face. “I’m glad you’re up,” he said in his deep voice that told her something was wrong. “I was about to waken you.”

Her heart pounded. “What is it?”

Lines bracketed his mouth. “I was doing some work on the computer this morning when I received an emergency alert message from my mining manager in Zacatecas, Mexico. There was a cave-in at the Casale mine that has trapped some miners. I have to go and have arranged for the jet.”

No. Her heart lurched. “Of course you do. I’m so sorry this has happened. Those poor men and families. What can I do to help?”

“I contacted Enzo. He’ll be here at two to help close things up and get you to the airport so you can fly home to Domodossola.”

“Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

He shook his head. “This wasn’t the way I planned for the rest of this week to go.”

“Accidents happen, Stefano. You think I don’t understand?”

“That’s the thing. I know you do, thank God. Where’s your phone? Besides Enzo’s, I’m putting in the number at the main office at the mine in case you can’t reach me and there’s an emergency here at home.” When that was done, he gave it back to her and grabbed his suitcase.

She walked him downstairs. Wind almost knocked her over when he opened the door before they hurried to the car. “I wish you didn’t have to fly out in this.”

“Don’t worry. This is nothing.” He tossed his bag into the back seat, then turned to her. “I’ll call you after I’ve arrived and give you an update.”

“Please be safe.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth, Signora Casale.” He gave her a long, hungry kiss, then got in and shut the door. She watched through tear-filled eyes until she couldn’t see him anymore.

That kiss had reduced her to the lovesick wife she was fighting hard not to be. Little did he know he was taking her heart with him before she went inside the chalet where she’d known the greatest happiness of her life.

Her thoughts were reeling. The last thing she wanted was to go home to the palace. A part of her had hoped he would ask her to fly to Mexico with him. How ridiculous was that?

When she got upstairs she called her Zia Ottavia. Everyone believed she and Stefano would be on their honeymoon in the Caribbean until the end of the week. No one would be the wiser if she spent time with her aunt. Hopefully, by then, Stefano would be able to fly home and they would arrive at the palace together.

Her mother’s older sister was the best friend she’d ever had. She answered on the second ring. “Pronto?”

“Zia Ottavia? It’s Lanza.”

“Lanza! Are you calling from the tropics?”

“No, no. It’s a long story, but you can’t tell a soul. Are you up for a visitor?”

“How soon?”

“Today.”

“Ehi? I don’t understand.”

“I’ll explain later, but only if your invitation is still open.”

“I want you to come

anytime. You know that!”