Her crystalline blue eyes clouded over. “How can you even ask me that? I’m so in love with you, it’s indecent.”
“That makes two of us. Do you know when I saw you in the cafeteria with Mia, I thought you were a celebrity because you seemed familiar? Your beauty, everything about you drew me in. The next time I saw you in Tommaso’s room, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“But when he called you Fausta, my heart almost failed me because it was then I realized you were Princess Rossiano. By the time I’d recovered my wits, you’d left too fast for me to be able to catch up to you. I was haunted by you until your next visit to the ward. At that point I’d lain in wait for you. No way was I going to let you get away from me again.”
The intensity of his deep voice found its way to the deepest recesses of her soul.
“I didn’t want to get away. You were the most amazing man to come into my life. When you turned down my invitation to come to my apartment, I told Mia I’d made a huge mistake with you.”
“You know that’s not true.”
“I do now, but that night I was afraid I didn’t measure up to you. I worried that you didn’t find me interesting enough. Let’s be honest. In many ways I’ve led a sheltered life compared to yours. More than ever I hated it that I was a royal. I feared that you wouldn’t be back. The torture I went through.” She shook her head.
“You didn’t witness the torture I went through. While we ate at Prospero’s cantina, I sat there thinking that I’d met the woman of my desire. No other woman had ever come close or ever would. Prospero’s eyes lit up to see that the princess of the realm had honored him by eating at his restaurant.
“For that night you were my princess. I was the happiest man alive until I drove you back to the palace that represented the dividing line between us. For a time I’d forgotten. When you asked me inside—”
“Every lesson Angelo had tried to teach you got in the way,” Fausta broke in. “I didn’t know how to fight it.”
“You didn’t have to. You already had me hooked body and soul, and now you’re about to become my wife. Whatever happens, wherever we end up, I swear I’ll love you forever, Fausta.”
Too touched by his words, all she could do was clutch his hand for the rest of the drive to the castello.
After they arrived and Nico had parked the car in the courtyard, he grabbed his doctor bag and opened Fausta’s door. Enzo, looking sporty, was waiting for them at the entrance with a huge smile on his face. He hugged Nico before turning to her.
“You’re right on time for your own wedding. Congratulazioni, Fausta.” He gave her a warm hug, which she reciprocated. “Nico says you’re on a tight time schedule, so the priest has been warned. Since I’m taking your father’s place to give you away, I’ll walk you to the chapel where Pippa is waiting.”
“Thank you so much, Enzo.”
“It’s an honor.”
Nico left the bag in the foyer and they proceeded to walk down several hallways of portraits and tapestries to the small chapel on the main floor. With candles lit, the interior dazzled the eye like a jewel. Fausta adored everything, including the beautiful statues, but she didn’t see the priest yet.
Pippa sat in her wheelchair near the altar. While Enzo took Nico aside, she tugged on Fausta’s hands and pulled her down to kiss her cheek. “You’re marrying a veritable prince, but you already know that.”
She nodded. “He’s the prince of my heart.”
“You’ve caught the eye of a most amazing and wonderful man. I know you’re both going to be very happy.”
“Dear Pippa—grazie for arranging this for us.”
“We wondered if we would ever see this day. Nicolo seemed so determined to find his parents, I feared he would never find true love. Then he brought you inside the castello. The look in your eyes told me everything I wanted to know.”
Fausta struggled for breath. “He’s my life.”
Pippa handed her a man’s gold band. “This is the wedding ring I gave Enzo. He wants you to give it to Nico for the ceremony.”
“I can’t take this.”
“Yes, you can. It means the world to my husband. He loves Nico like a son.”
“You two are so dear.”
As she put it in her blouse pocket, the priest walked in. He was young and quite handsome. No doubt he was surprised she was wearing pants. Not even a veil.
“Father Pietro, allow me to introduce Princess Fausta Rossiano of Domodossola.”
“Principessa. I understand this must be a secret, quick ceremony. I’ll do my best.”