“It sounds complicated.”
“More than that, it takes time to make sure it’s all working satisfactorily and has involved some engineers from Chile, Bolivia and the States. I have to be there to oversee everything. Yet, I know your father is expecting to meet with me in the morning to discuss what responsibilities he expects me to start handling. I’m concerned he’ll be offended when I tell him I have a prior commitment before I can give him quality time.”
She finished her coffee. “He’ll understand. How long will you be gone? Four, five weeks?”
“It could be that long.”
“Then tell him the truth and say you’ll probably need five weeks before you’re back. That way he won’t have expectations you can’t meet.”
Stefano nodded. “That’s sound advice I’ll take to heart. I’m sorry I’m going to have to leave you the moment we’re back.”
She stared at him in a way he couldn’t tell what she was thinking. “We knew this would be our life.”
Yes, he knew, but he hadn’t counted on being crazy about his wife. “What will you do while I’m gone?”
A small laugh escaped her lips. “What I’ve been doing for several years. I organize benefits to raise money. At present my efforts are for our various homeless shelters. As I told you earlier, there’s a new low-income housing project going up on the other side of the city. I’m anxious to get enough money donate
d to start a soup kitchen.
“And after that, I’m planning to find a billionaire who might be willing to donate land for the building of new housing for our naval vets. Again, it all takes money and sometimes I reach out to our allies who are willing to invest a little.”
He heard what she was saying, but she wasn’t the same woman he’d been with at the chalet. It was as if she’d lowered a shield between them he couldn’t get past.
In several prior conversations with her, she’d told him her sister Donetta, who wanted to be king, would make a great one. To Stefano’s mind Lanza was the sister who would make the best ruler.
The steward came in to remove their trays. After he left them alone Stefano said, “I phoned your father’s chief assistant, Marcello, earlier and told him we’d be arriving shortly.”
One delicate brow lifted. “I would love to have shown up unannounced, but you did the right thing and will be in his good graces. My father dislikes surprises.”
“So does mine. Any other advice to help me?”
“You don’t need it. Do you know what he said when he told me you’d asked for my hand? ‘Lanza? Prince Stefano was raised like his brother, Alberto, and will make a splendid husband for you. His brilliant business acumen is known around the world. He’s Basilio’s son, after all.’ There could be no greater praise.”
But Stefano knew Lanza hadn’t believed what her father had told her about him at the time. That was because he’d hurt her too deeply.
Our life will begin after we meet at the altar. Don’t worry about our wedding night. We’ll spend it away from everyone while we sort out the rules of engagement.
Looking back on what he’d said to her crushed him now.
The fasten seat belts sign flashed on.
She smiled at him. “We’re almost home. Happy New Year, Stefano.”
* * *
The waiter poured Lanza more coffee after a working dinner with Matteo Fontana at a restaurant in the western part of Domodossola City. Earlier in the day she’d walked through the new low-income, three-story housing facility with him. She enjoyed working with the young, good-looking, wealthy businessman in charge of overseeing this big project, one of her pet projects.
“It’s fabulous. How soon can it be opened?”
His warm brown eyes played over her. “One week, Your Highness.”
“You’ve accomplished everything in such a short time. I’m awestruck.”
“I’m glad you’re delighted. Our office is pleased, too.”
“Did you have a chance to look over my ideas for a series of soup kitchens? I’m still working on getting the funds, but what do you think?”
“I went over them with my architect, Marco. They’re brilliant and desperately needed. If you give me the go-ahead, they can all be built within six months.”