“Are you all right?”
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
“You look a little pale.”
“I’ll be fine when I eat.”
He cupped her elbow, and they joined the guests in the enormous ballroom decorated for their wedding feast. According to her mother, no expense had been spared to make this the most lavish affair since her father had been crowned king.
They sat at the head table with their royal parents on either side of them. Stefano couldn’t have been more accommodating, seeing to her every need as they ate. His behavior and noble bearing were impeccable.
The way he waited on her and was so attentive, she had the impression he’d convinced everyone this was a match made in heaven. She was bewildered because deep inside her she knew he hadn’t wanted this marriage.
Her father gave the first toast. “To my new son-in-law, Stefano, who has made me and my wife the happiest people in Domodossola, except for our daughter. Her radiant countenance speaks for itself. To the bride and groom and a lifetime of joy!”
Everyone drank from their champagne glasses. Stefano touched his flute to hers with a smile. “I’m relieved to see more color in your cheeks.”
“I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
“Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, thank you.”
This should be the most exciting, thrilling night of her life, but Stefano didn’t love her and she wasn’t foolish enough to pretend otherwise.
At that point Stefano’s father stood on his feet. “Victor took the words right out of my mouth. My wife and I are overjoyed. Over the years we’ve been delighted to anticipate the day when Princess Lanza would become our daughter-in-law. Now it is here. To Stefano and Lanza. We couldn’t ask for a greater blessing.”
Again, Stefano touched her glass with his and they sipped their champagne. Then to her surprise, he stood up. Looking down at her he said, “Lanza? Will you stand up with me?”
After she got to her feet, he slid his arm beneath her veil to get it around her waist and pulled her next to him. “I’m the luckiest of men today. There’s no bride to compare to her. Wouldn’t you all agree?” His comment produced cheers and clapping.
Warmth filled her cheeks. When she looked at her sisters sitting next to her mother and father, she knew what to say in response. “With three daughters, my parents have waited a long time for a son. Who better than the son of my father’s best friend, a man he reveres?”
Then everyone got to their feet for one more toast. King Basilio sent her a special smile that seemed to come from his heart. Then everyone sat down.
She watched her father get up again. “The fireworks are starting. We’d like to invite everyone to go through the side doors of the ballroom to the balcony. Stefano? If you and Lanza will lead the way. The crowds are waiting for you.”
He helped her up, and they walked together. On their way out in the chilly night air he pulled her close again. “You made my father very happy just now.”
“They’re all happy,” she murmured back. Without waiting for a response, she moved ahead of him to the balcony railing.
The sight of their winter wonderland kingdom waving and cheering at them from the lighted palatial estate came as another emotional moment, like the one when she’d stepped inside the cathedral and heard the magnificent music of the organ and choir. How sad their marriage was such a travesty of a proper wedding.
Stefano joined her and found her hand, holding it with enough strength that she couldn’t shake it off. Of course she wouldn’t have.
Before everyone got too cold, they went inside and cut the eight-tiered wedding cake. Her awareness of him was growing so strong, she could hardly eat any of it. Lanza despised her own weakness for being vulnerable to anything to do with him.
His dark gaze found hers. “Our bags have already been taken out to the limo. We need to leave soon to make our flight. I’ll meet you in the rotunda in a half hour.”
“Maybe that’s possible for you. But it’s obvious you’ve never had to get yourself out of a wedding dress with thirty tiny buttons holding it up. My sisters will do their best.”
She nodded to Donetta and Fausta, who left their parents to accompany her out of the ballroom to her suite on the second floor of the palace. On the bed, Serena had laid out the designer eggshell-colored two-piece suit with lace on the hems of the sleeves.
After they helped Lanza remove the veil and tiara, they turned her around. “How do you feel now?” Fausta wanted to know as she worked on the bottom half of buttons. Donetta stood on her other side to undo the top ones.
“I’m so exhausted, I have no idea how I feel. Tomorrow when I’m lying on a beach, I’ll be better able to tell you.”
“Good grief, he’s handsome!”