Nico blinked. “What’s wrong with him?”
“A bad heart. These days my brother-in-law Prince Stefano is helping him more and more with the load.”
“I’m sorry he’s not well.”
She sighed. “I am too and shouldn’t have said anything. No one outside the family knows.”
“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
Fausta finished her coffee. “I believe you.” She’d lost her trust in men four years ago, but somehow she felt she could trust this doctor who took her breath away and had a bedside manner that instilled confidence in his patients.
One dark brow lifted. “Did you find any new benefactors this morning?”
She welcomed the change of subject. “Not today. Maybe tomorrow. Fund-raising takes time, but I had such a wonderful afternoon with the children, I can’t complain about anything.”
“Nor I.”
Suddenly his phone rang and he answered. When he hung up, he said, “I was afraid of this and need to check on my patient now. Tell me something. How do you get home at night?”
“Don’t worry about me. I call for the limo. The driver will pick me up here.”
“I’m sorry I have to go.” He got to his feet and picked up the dog. “Do you work tomorrow?”
Her pulse picked up speed. “Yes. Tuesday through Friday.”
“Unfortunately I have a two day seminar that will prevent me from meeting you. If you’re free Sunday evening, I’d like to see you again.”
“I want that too.” Her swift response thrilled him. “When you come to the palace, drive around to the left entrance and I’ll be there waiting for you. Just name the time.”
“Six thirty?”
“That sounds perfect. Thank you for dinner this evening.”
“I’m the one wanting to thank you for coming with me.” After reaching for the dog, he glanced at her. “I don’t want to leave, but work calls.”
“Don’t apologize. I bet your patient can’t wait to see you walk in his room. I know that’s how I would feel.”
If she didn’t miss her guess, she sensed he would rather stay with her. Heaven help her but she hated that the evening had to end so fast. Sunday sounded so far away.
“I’ll see you soon, Princess. And I’ll make certain Tommaso receives his gift when he comes in for his checkup.”
“Grazie. A presto, dottore.”
CHAPTER TWO
NICO LAY AWAKE half the night. He kept seeing the princess’s incredible light blue eyes staring into his, holding him spellbound. The words that she wanted to be with him too haunted him throughout the two days of meetings. But his insecurity over not knowing who his parents were made him feel less worthy of her interest. It was hard for him to believe she wanted to be with him.
The women he dated on occasion didn’t come close to her kind of compassion or understanding, let alone her beauty. She was unique in ways that made him hunger to know her better. Much better.
On Sunday evening he drove to the fifteenth century palace and followed her instructions that led him to the side entrance. She stood outside the doors next to a guard waiting for him, dressed in a wispy blouse and skirt in a heavenly shade of hyacinth.
Her flowery fragrance filled the interior of his car as he helped her inside. Within seconds he drove his car out of the parking area and the estate onto the street.
“Fasten your seat belt, Princess.”
“I will if you’ll do me a favor and start calling me Fausta.”
“You’re sure?”