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

She turned her head to look at him with a passive gaze. “No. One of yours. It’s a good spy novel.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. In truth, I didn’t mean to be gone so long.”

A small smile lit her lips. “This is your world. For the last month all you’ve done is get ready for our wedding. But it’s over at last. You can relax for a little while and do what you want from here on out. I know I’m loving the freedom.”

There was that word freedom again. It had driven him away from his family. Now it was driving him and his new bride apart if he didn’t take steps to make their marriage work.

“Are you hungry?”

She shook her head. “I ate earlier, but I imagine you are and know exactly what you’re going to fix. As I told you earlier, you’re a great cook.”

His hands curled into fists, not because of her remarks, but because of his earlier behavior toward her. “Before any more time passes, let me thank you for the gift. The note Alberto wrote to you is priceless to me. I’ll always treasure it.”

“You and your brother clearly had an exceptional relationship. For you to take his place and marry me is beyond extraordinary. What you’ve done is almost unbelievable.”

Lanza was wrong. Alberto had laid down his life for his brother, who’d been spoiled and hadn’t thought about anyone but himself. But what was almost unbelievable was Lanza’s willingness to marry Stefano.

“What’s extraordinary to me is that you accepted my proposal. For what it’s worth, you’ve made me very happy, Lanza.”

Her eyes finally looked away, but not before he saw them light up. Hopefully, she’d believed him.

“Tomorrow morning Enzo will be here to take us down to the city. From there we’ll leave and start our trip. After ten days we’ll return to Domodossola.”

She sat up. “I have an even better idea. Why don’t you plan to go where you want while I visit Zia Ottavia in Rome? She invited me to come at the wedding. I promise I won’t tell a soul.” So saying, she went back to her novel.

He’d never been dismissed before. That was what it felt like. But in truth, he’d been the one to set the rules. Damn if she hadn’t taken him at his word on everything, but this was going to change. He planned to change the rules until she welcomed him in her arms and her bed.

After making some sandwiches and coffee, he disappeared down the hall to his bedroom for the night. A ton of work had piled up while he’d been getting ready for his marriage. He dug in and arranged for his next travel plans to include the Casale mine in South America.

But to his chagrin, he had a devil of a time staying focused on his work. He kept replaying her unexpected remarks in his head. It wasn’t as much what she said as the tone of her delivery. In his gut he knew that somewhere deep inside her lovely facade lived the real Lanza. He was convinced that neither he nor Alberto had ever met her.

* * *

Lanza woke up the next morning to discover sunshine had filled the bedroom. Loving the light, she scrambled out of bed and padded over to the window. A blue sky had chased away the blizzard.

Glorious, dazzling snow resembling trillions of diamonds covered Stefano’s playground. That was what it was, and secretly she loved this hideaway of his. Wouldn’t every man or woman kill to live in such splendid isolation? This was her childhood dream come true. She had always fantasized about having freedom from her royal life. And here there was no one dogging her footsteps or telling her what she could and couldn’t do.

More than anything she wanted to go out and play in the scrumptious white stuff no human had touched. She’d give anything to stay longer. If only Enzo weren’t coming. Nothing sounded worse than having to leave on a driving trip to fill time when they had paradise right here.

If she only could stay, Lanza would borrow some of Stefano’s winter clothes and fix them so they’d fit. Luckily, he’d bought her boots. In her dreams she’d go outside for hours and have a blast. Too bad that wasn’t goin

g to happen.

Knowing that Enzo could be here at any moment, she showered and put on another sweater and pair of wool pants. Once she’d done her hair and makeup, she made her bed and packed her bags. It had surprised her that she’d found her high heels inside the door when she’d gone to bed last night. She smiled when she remembered Stefano putting them in his elegant coat pockets.

With everything done, she reached for her coat and carried her cases down the hall to the living room. There was no sign of Stefano, but she noticed that his cases had been placed near the stairs. She put her things there, too. Maybe he was outside waiting for Enzo.

Lanza walked into the kitchen that looked spotless. She reached for a small apple in the bowl on the counter. While she ate it, she wandered over to the living room windows. Once again her breath caught at the beauty of the Alps in winter. Then a noise from below caused her to turn around. She saw her husband walk into the room with a concerned expression.

“Buon giorno, Stefano.”

His gaze traveled over her in that way that told her he missed nothing. It made her feel fluttery inside.

“Buon giorno, Lanza.”

“I’m all packed and ready to go. Has Enzo arrived?”

He shook his dark head. “He’s late and there’s no cell phone service. The storm must have knocked it out along with the electricity. There’s no email, either.”