The Royal Collection

CHAPTER NINE

September, Voti, Halencia

AFTER HIS SPEECH, Antonio stood before the divided government assembly to answer questions.

“With all due respect, Your Highness, Princess Christina has graciously stepped aside to appease those voices who still want you to rule, but with someone more befitting to be your consort. Why won’t you listen to reason?”

His anger was acute. “What princess on your short list has devoted half her life to charity and worked among the poverty-stricken in Africa with no thought for herself? What princess would willingly give up the title of queen in order not to stand in the way of her husband?”

The room grew quiet.

“My wife hasn’t made excuses or defended herself, so I’ll do it for her. This so-called affair of hers was in truth a friendship, nothing more, but trust evil to find its way to do its dirty work. She remained true to our engagement. So I’ll say it again. If I can’t rule with Christina at my side, then I have no desire to rule. Therefore I’ve given orders that there’ll be no coronation.”

A loud roar of dissent from that part of the council loyal to him and the crown got to their feet, but he was deaf to their cries.

“But, Your Highness—”

Antonio ignored the minister of finance, his good friend, who was calling to him and stormed out of the council meeting. He walked out of chambers and headed straight for his office down the hall of the palace.

“Roberto?” he barked.

“Your Highness?” His assistant’s head came up.

“Call the press secretary and ask him to come in here right away. No one is to disturb us, do you understand?”

“Si.” He picked up the phone immediately.

Antonio went into his private suite and slammed the door, but he was too full of adrenaline to sit. With Christina’s stunning press statement read over the airwaves three weeks ago, plus her disappearance that had come close to destroying him, the joy he’d experienced on his honeymoon had vanished. He felt as if he’d been shoved down a pit and was falling deeper and deeper with no end in sight.

Within a few hours of searching for her that night, Alonzo’s security people had tracked his wife to the Palazzo di Comparino. Apparently Louisa had taken her in. His clever, resourceful wife had made her getaway so fast by car, taxi, ferry and train that it had knocked the foundation from under him.

There’d been no word from her for the past desolate three weeks, but he hadn’t expected any. Her father had made certain of that. With her press statement ringing out over the land, she would never come to him now. Meanwhile, Antonio had made a firm decision. He’d meant what he’d just said before the council. If he didn’t have her at his side, he didn’t want to be king at all.

For the first time in his life he was doing what he wanted, and he wanted Christina. No amount of argument could persuade him to change his mind. Being reminded by Guido that Christina had decided to sacrifice her own heart for Antonio’s reputation and the country had only made him fall harder for his wife, if that was possible.

Roberto buzzed him that the press secretary was outside. Antonio told him to send him in.

When the other man entered the room looking sheepish, Antonio said, “Do you want to redeem yourself?”

“Anything, Your Highness.”

“I want you to arrange a press conference for me on the steps of the palace in approximately one hour.”

“I’ll do it at once, Your Highness.”

* * *

Louisa had turned the sitting room at the palazzo into a TV room. Christina was grateful, since it was the only way she got information from the outside world. The rest of the times she took long walks and coordinated charity business with the foundations in both Halencia and Nairobi.

Between Marusha and Elena, she was kept apprised of their news. Marusha was pregnant after suffering two miscarriages. Christina couldn’t be happier for her. Elena’s boyfriend, Enzio, wanted to marry her, but it meant talking to her parents first and she was nervous about that.

Though there was plenty of talk because Louisa had constant visitors, no one mentioned Antonio in her presence. Her aching heart couldn’t have handled talking about him. Marusha begged her to come back to Africa. She would always have a home waiting. Christina told her she’d be coming in a few days. She’d outstayed her welcome with Louisa. It was time to go.

This afternoon both love-smitten Daniella and Marianna had come over for an evening with the girls. Christina had the suspicion Louisa was trying to cheer her up. She loved her for it and it was fun for all of them to get together.

Louisa poured wine from the vineyard and showed off her expertise about the vintage. Christina was impressed that she knew so much about it. Nico definitely had something to do with it.

Dinner wouldn’t be for another couple of hours. Christina wasn’t a wine drinker, but this afternoon was special, so she joined in with the others to take a sip.

Marianna smiled. “Hey, you guys—want to know a little gossip? I overheard Connor and Isabella talking wedding plans with Lindsay.”

“I knew it!” Louisa said while everyone cheered. “Oh—it’s time for the six o’clock news.”

“Do we care?” Daniella interjected.

“I do,” Louisa exclaimed. She hurried over to the TV and turned it on. Christina was secretly glad, since it was the only way she had of knowing what was going on at the palace. Her heart was broken for Antonio, who was having to carry on through the fight to determine the destiny of his country.

“Buonasera. Tonight we have more breaking news coming from the royal palace in Voti, Halencia. Crown Prince Antonio de L’Accardi has broken his long silence and has prepared a statement, which we will bring to you from the front steps of the royal palace.”

The image flashed to a somber Antonio in a dark blue suit who was so gorgeous that Christina feared her heart would give out. The girls grew quiet as all eyes were focused on him.

“Fellow countrymen and women, these have been dark times for the crown and it’s time for the conflict to end. I’ll be brief. As I told the National Council this morning, I dare any tabloid to come after me or my wife again.”

What? Christina shot to her feet.

“I admit that our engagement was originally a strategic move, but having spent time with Christina, I realize what an amazing person she is, how kind, generous and charitable she is, and how lucky this country is to have her as queen! I defy anyone to call our marriage a fake. To me it’s the most real and true relationship I’ve ever had. So I’ll tell you what I told the council. I’m in love with my wife and will not be giving her up, even if it means losing the throne!”

Christina was shaking so hard she might have fallen if she’d hadn’t been holding on to the chair. The girls stared at her in wonder.

Louisa smiled at her. “Every woman in the world with eyes in her head would love to be in your shoes right now, Christina Rose.”

She nodded. “I’d like to be in them too, but he’s not here.”

Footsteps coming from the hall caused them to turn. Christina came close to fainting when Antonio walked in. “Who says I’m not?”

“Antonio,” she gasped. “But you were just on television.” He was dressed in a sport shirt and chinos instead of his dark suit.

“That was taped at noon. This afternoon the council reassembled and voted unanimously for our marriage to stand. The coronation will take place in two weeks. Once I was given the news, I flew here in the helicopter. It’s standing by for me to take you back to the palace.”

By now the girls were on their feet, hugging her and each other for joy.

Christina watched as her husband in all his male glory walked over to her. His brilliant blue eyes blinded her with their heat.

“H-how did you know I was here?”

“Palace security traced you once we heard from the guard that you’d left the grounds with Arianna.”

“I thought I was being so careful.”

“You were. For a few hours your disappearance gave me a heart attack. Since we’d barely returned from Bora Bora, I hardly think that’s fair. Don’t you ever do that to me again.”

Her love for him was bursting out of her. “I promise.”

In front of everyone he picked her up in his arms as he’d done twice before. “Excuse us, ladies. We have very personal matters of state to discuss and must get back to the palace. The limo is waiting for us.”

Heat flooded her body as he carried her out of the room and the palazzo. After helping her into the car, he told the driver to head for Monte Calanetti before crushing her in his arms. “You don’t have to worry about the state of our marriage, cara. I’m madly in love with you and this is a new day.”

Christina was euphoric during their flight to Voti. Once they touched ground and were driven to the palace, he swept her along to their home on the second floor. Again he gathered her in his arms and carried her through to their bedroom.

After following her down onto the bed, he began kissing her. They were starving for each other. Christina couldn’t get enough of him fast enough. Everything that had kept them apart had been cleared away. She was able to give him all the love she’d stored up in her heart and body.

The next morning she heard a sound of satisfaction as he pulled her on top of him. Their night of lovemaking had appeased them for a little while. She sat up and looked at their clothes strewn all over the floor.

Antonio pulled her back down. “I’m in love with you, Christina. So terribly in love with my red-haired beauty I’ll never get over it. You believe me, don’t you?”

There was a vulnerability about the question that touched her heart. “I feel your love in every atom of my body, my darling. Is there any doubt how I feel about you after last night? I need you desperately and want your baby.”

“Anything to oblige the woman who has made me thankful I was born a man.”

“I loved you from the time I was fifteen, but I never dared admit it to myself because—”

Another kiss stifled any words. “We’re never going to talk about past sadness. When I called your father to find out what he said to you, he gave me the answer and I had a revelation of what it was like to grow up with him. All we can do is feel sorry for him. I believe your mother has always been afraid of him.”

“I know you’re right.” Just when Christina didn’t think she could love him anymore, he said or did something that made her love for him burn hotter. “I can’t wait to thank your parents for Bora Bora.”

“They’ve always lived their life over-the-top, but there’s one thing they did I’ll always be thankful for. They wanted us to find love.”

“Yes, darling, and we found it there.”

He kissed her neck and shoulders. “I’m the happiest man alive.”

“Are you ready for a little more happy news?”

“What?”

“Enzio has asked Elena to marry him.”

Antonio grinned. “He’s a brave man to want to take her on.”

“She’s worth the risk. Guess what else? Marusha is expecting a baby.” Christina kissed every feature. “I can’t wait until we can announce we’re having our own baby.”

“I’m going to do my best to make that happen. I know now the one thing missing in my life was you and the family we’re planning to have. We should have gotten married instead of engaged.”

“I think about that too, all the time. But I don’t think we were destined to get together until the time was right. We both had work to do first.”

Antonio rolled her over and looked down at her. “You’re the most beautiful sight this man has ever seen. I love you, tesoro mio. Never leave me.”

“You know why I did.”

A pained look entered his eyes. “The last three weeks have been the worst of my entire life.”

“For me too. But as you said, no concentrating on past sorrows. We’re together now and I’m able to live every day and night with the prince of my heart.”

While they were talking, the house phone rang. She eyed her husband. “That’s probably Guido wanting to know when you’re free to discuss royal business. You better put him out of his misery.”

Antonio grinned and picked up. “Pronto.”

“Your Highness, Princess Christina’s mother is asking if she can talk to her daughter in private.”

He covered the mouthpiece. “Christina?” Curious, she looked at him. He stared into her eyes with concern. “Your mother wants to talk to you.”

She swallowed nervously. “Is she on the phone?”

“No. It’s Guido. What do you want to do?”

“I’ll take the call.”

He handed her the receiver. “Guido?”

“Your mother asks if she can come to your apartment to talk to you.”

She blinked. “Now?”

“She’s says it’s of vital importance.”

“Then have someone show her up.”

“Very well.”

Antonio had picked up on the conversation. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes. My mother let me know she’s on our side. Why don’t you order breakfast while I talk to her in the living room? She won’t be here very long, no matter what is on her mind.”

He pressed a swift kiss to her lips and did her bidding. As for herself, Christina could have changed into an outfit, but she decided the robe was perfectly presentable. Before long she heard a knock on the main door.

Sucking in her breath, she opened it. Her mother always looked impeccably dressed and coiffed. But Christina knew right away something was wrong when she saw the tears in her eyes. “Come in.”

But she just stood there.

“Mother?”

She shook her head. “I thought I could do this, but I can’t.” She started to turn away.

“Can’t do what?” Christina asked, causing her mother to stop.

“Ask your forgiveness, but I don’t have the right. I lost the right years ago. I knew your father must have had emotional problems when you were born. He wanted to give you up for adoption because you weren’t a boy. I purposely prevented any more pregnancies in case I had another girl.”

Christina was aghast at what she was hearing, but it made sense when she considered what her great-aunt Sofia had told her about the Rose men.

“I bargained with him that I wanted to keep you, and he wouldn’t be sorry. That’s why I kept you away. But you’ll never know my shame for what I’ve done.” She hung her head.

“I may have given birth to you, and your father may have provided you with everything, but you didn’t have parents who showed you the love and devotion you deserved.”

Christina stood there in shock as her mother broke down and sobbed.

“I’ll never be forgiven for what I did to you. I don’t deserve forgiveness, but you’re my sweet, darling girl. I love you, Christina. My pride in you is fierce. Just know that I loved you from the moment you were born and I wanted you to hear it from me. I won’t bother you again.”

“Mother? Don’t say that. I want us to have the relationship we never had. It’s never too late,” Christina said in a tremulous voice. “What you’ve told me about Papa changes everything.”

Her mother turned to her with a face glistening in tears. “You mean you don’t hate me with every fiber of your being? I would, because I’m not the great person you are.”

“Oh, Mama—”

Christina reached for her and hugged her until her mother reciprocated. They clung for a long time. With every tear her mother shed, Christina felt herself healing. “We’ll invite you over for dinner in a few weeks. I’ll be cooking.” She kissed her mother on both cheeks. “Dry your tears and I’ll see you soon.”

“Bless you, figlia mia.”

* * *

On Coronation Day bells rang out through the whole of Voti as Antonio and Christina left the cathedral and climbed into the open carriage. The massive throng roared, “Long live King Antonio and Queen Christina! Long live the monarchy!” They chanted the words over and over as the horses drew the carriage through the street lined with cheering Halencians.

The day had turned out to be glorious. Christina thought her heart was going to burst with happiness. Every few minutes someone called out, “Queen Christina!” When she turned, people were taking pictures.

Antonio sat next to her and squeezed the hand that wasn’t waving. “You know what they want, bellissima.”

She looked back at him. “You mean a kiss? I want it much more.” Showing breathtaking initiative that would probably cause her to blush later, she kissed him several times to the joy of the crowds.

The capital city of Halencia teemed with joyful faces and shouts of “Long live the monarchy.”

“Your country loves you, darling. You don’t know how magnificent you looked when the archbishop put that crown on your head.”

“It’s a good thing I didn’t have to keep wearing it. How does yours feel?”

“I like the tiara. It’s light.”

“Your hair outshines its gleam.”

They were both wearing their wedding clothes. The only thing different was the red sash on Antonio proclaiming him king.

“We made a lot of promises today.” She kept waving. So did he.

“Are you worried?”

“No, but the sun is hot,” he muttered. Their procession went on for over an hour.

Christina laughed. “I feel it too. But don’t worry. We’ll make it through and be alone later.”

“I can’t wait.”

Eventually the carriage returned them to the palace. On their way up to the balcony off the second floor, Antonio summoned Guido to bring them a sandwich and a drink. The chief of staff, who’d chosen to stay on with Antonio, looked shocked, but he sent someone for the food.

Antonio whispered in her ear, “Did you see that look he gave us?”

“We’re breaking royal protocol, darling.”

“We’ll be breaking a lot of rules before my reign has come to an end.”

She shivered. “Don’t talk about that. I can’t bear the thought of it.”

When the sandwich arrived, they both ate a half and swallowed some water. Feeling slightly more refreshed, they walked out onto the balcony to the roar of the crowd.

To please them her husband kissed her again with so much enthusiasm she actually swayed in his arms. A thunderous roar of satisfaction broke from the enormous throng that filled every square inch of space.

Once the royal photographers had finished taking pictures, Antonio grasped her hand. “Come with me.”

“Where are we going?”

“To our home for some R and R until the ball this evening.”

“But we’re supposed to mingle with all the dignitaries.”

“There’ll be time for that tonight.”

She hurried along with him, out of breath by the time they reached their apartment. When they entered, they discovered a lavish meal laid out for them in the dining room.

“Who arranged for this, darling?” she asked.

“My mother. She said it would be an exhausting day and we’d need it.”

“I think she’s wonderful.”

Once in the bedroom, she removed her tiara and asked him to undo the buttons of her wedding dress. “That didn’t take long. You did that so fast I’m afraid you’ve lost interest already. Last time you took forever.”

“I hope it drove you crazy.” He bit her earlobe gently when he’d finished. “Did it?”

“I’ll never tell.”

Antonio caught her to him and rocked her in his arms for a long, long time.

“Your capacity to love is a gift,” he whispered against her cheek. “I don’t know how I was the one man on earth lucky enough to be loved by you. I’m thankful your mother came to see you on the day we got back from Tuscany. She was able to answer the question that’s always been in your heart. The sadness in your eyes has disappeared.”

Christina threw her arms around his neck and looked into those blue eyes filled with love for her. “You’re right. And now I have one more secret to disclose. You were always the man for me. When you asked me to get engaged, I jumped, leaped at the opportunity. To be honest, deep down I was petrified you would come to Africa and call it off. So I played it cagey, and it paid off!”

After enjoying a meal, they made love again before it was time to go out to greet their guests and enjoy the royal celebration. Guido looked frantic as they approached the balcony.

“Your Highness, we’ve been waiting for your appearance to start the fireworks.”

Antonio hugged her waist. “We’re here now.”

No sooner had they stepped out so everyone could see them than a huge roar of excitement from the throng of people filled the air. Suddenly there was a massive fireworks display that lit up the sky, bursting and bursting, illuminating everything. Antonio looked into Christina’s eyes. Her heart was bursting with happiness.

“Ti amo, Antonio.”

He stared at her. “Darling, you’re crying. What’s wrong?”

“I’m so happy tonight I can’t contain it all.”

Giving the crowd what they wanted by kissing her, he whispered, “My beautiful wife. This is only the beginning. Ti amo, bellissima. Forever.”

* * * * *