The Prince's Forbidden Bride (The Princess Brides 2)

“You’re kidding. I thought his father was incapacitated. Is Enrico upset about it?”

“I can’t tell.” Suddenly she heard a noise and knew Enrico had come back. “I’ll have to call you another time, Fausta. Good night.” She clicked off and put the phone on the side table just as he walked into the room. Thankfully, the TV was still on.

Those penetrating black eyes of his zeroed in on her. “There you are. Just where I want you to be and looking delightful in yellow.” When he disappeared into the bathroom, she turned the TV off with the remote.

In a minute he’d changed out of his clothes and put on a robe. After turning out the lights, he slid into bed and pulled her against him. “Our first night in our own home. I hope it will feel that way to you soon.”

“I’m with you forever. It’s all that matters.”

It was all that mattered.

Fausta had been right about Enrico wanting to show her how much he loved and believed in her. Donetta had been reading way too much into the earlier conversation with her husband. She loved him more than life itself. “Is your mother all right?” She kissed his hard jaw.

“No,” he said honestly. “She can’t let it go that I didn’t marry Valentina, but in time she’ll come around. You’re wonderful to her. Please don’t let her upset you too much. The day will come when she’ll learn to love you.”

“I want to believe that, too. Now tell me what else is wrong.”

She heard his sharp intake of breath. “The truth is, she’s afraid I’m going to be assassinated.”

Donetta’s fingers tightened in his hair. “You can’t blame her for that. I think deep down that the wives and children of any sovereign harbor that same fear. If you want to know the truth, my sisters and I have always lived under that same worry where our father is concerned.”

“But you can handle it.”

Enrico was wrong. The thought of losing him to a sniper’s bullet or the slash of a dagger terrified her.

He held her tighter. “The problem is, she’s demanding I stop taking on the corrupt elements with so much force. Of course that’s something I won’t do.”

“Doesn’t she realize you’re carrying out the same policies as your father?”

“Yes and no. In the last year I’ve been more aggressive than he ever was. These death threats prove I’m getting more results with every arrest. The progress we’re making is vital for our country’s welfare. My goal is to rid Vallefiore of this menace.

“Since college Giovanni has been helping me develop a massive internal structure of intelligence operatives. In time we’re going to win this war. We can’t back down now.”

Donetta rose up on one elbow. “That’s the reason she didn’t allow the coronation to happen. Once you become king, with all the power, you’ll be their target more than ever, and she’s terrified of losing you.”

“Trust my brilliant wife to figure it out, but we have the needed kind of security in place to ensure that you and I will reign for a long time, God willing.”

They were in God’s hands. She knew that.

CHAPTER NINE

“I ADMIRE YOU for your fearlessness and determination, Enrico. I promise I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“You already do that just being here in my arms.”

The time for talk was over. With one kiss he swept her away. They gave in to their desire, which continued to grow with every passing minute, taking them far into the night. Donetta fell asleep nestled against him.

They slept in and enjoyed breakfast in the apartment. After both of them dressed in casual clothes, they left for the wing of the palace that housed the government. His staff resembled a small city of men and women officials.

When they saw Enrico, they all stood and clapped. Chief among them was Giovanni. His arms were folded. He wore a broad smile on his good-looking face.

Her husband put his arm around her waist. “Thank you for welcoming us this morning. Let me introduce you to my bride, Princess Donetta Rossiano of Domodossola. She will be working with all of us from here on out on a daily basis.

“You are to offer Her Highness the same help and courtesy you offer me. There will be times when I’ll be away on other business, but she will be here. Any matters that would come to me will now come to her. Let me make it clear that she’ll speak with the same authority as I do.”

Donetta marveled how quickly he was changing the dynamics of a system of male succession that had been in place for centuries. Already Enrico was preparing the staff for her to carry out the role he’d created for her.

Everyone continued to pay attention, but deep down she knew they didn’t really believe he meant every word of that speech. But in time they’d find out and be in shock. Common sense told her they weren’t going to like it.