She let the comment go and crossed her legs at the ankles. “While we’re alone, let me thank you for the lovely necklace you sent me. I’m wearing it now.”
“I noticed. It’s made from the gold of one of our mines in Umbriano.”
“That was very thoughtful. I’ll treasure it. What about the pearl?”
“I purchased it in Japan a long time ago.” It looked like a pregnant pear.
“I can always replace it with something you would like better, perhaps a diamond?”
“Don’t you dare.” She touched it with her fingers. “I’m sure there’s not another pearl like this one in existence.” Actually, she loved its unique shape.
She had a gift for him, but it was packed in her luggage.
Before long they reached the airport and were driven to the area where the private planes landed. In a minute they arrived outside the royal jet with the King of Umbriano’s insignia.
The steward came down the steps of the jet and loaded their luggage. Stefano got out of the limo to help Lanza. Cupping her elbow, he walked up the steps with her into the luxurious interior and introduced her.
“My name is Corso. I’m honored to meet you, Your Highness. It’s a privilege.”
“I’m very happy to meet you.”
Stefano led her to the club compartment and helped her off with her coat.
She felt those dark, probing eyes rove over her as she sat down and fastened her seat belt.
“You look stunning in that suit.”
Lanza wondered how many women he’d said that to in the past, but she needed to stop thinking about what had gone on before. The last thing she wanted to act like was a jealous wife.
“Your gift gave it the touch it needed.”
The engines fired and she saw the fasten seat belt sign flash. He sat across from her and buckled up. She knew he was anxious to get going. That was fine with her, but Lanza couldn’t imagine anything more nerve-racking than going to a beach with him. She barely knew him, and part of her wished this was a bad dream and she’d wake up to find herself alone.
“If you’d like something to eat or drink, I’ll tell Corso.”
“Nothing for me, but thank you.”
Exhausted after such a long day, she closed her eyes, anxious to fall asleep and avoid the inevitable small talk neither of them had any desire to engage in. By the time she awakened, they would have landed somewhere in the Caribbean.
But it seemed like she’d barely dropped off when she heard the ding of the fasten seat belt sign and opened her eyes. They couldn’t possibly have been in the air very long. She could feel increasing turbulence. Lanza darted him a glance. “Do you know why we had to land?”
He eyed her intently. “Unbeknownst to our families, I changed our honeymoon destination and instructed the pilot to fly us to Umbriano.”
The jet was starting to descend against strong winds. This part of the Alps was known for its fierce weather. “Apparently right into the heart of winter,” she drawled. “This must be why you told me to hurry.”
“I heard a storm front was moving in fast.”
“I presume you had no taste for a beach honeymoon, either, but our families will continue to fantasize. This is their wedding day, after all, the one they’ve dreamed of since we were children.”
She undid her seat belt, but before she could get up, Corso came in carrying a pair of women’s leather lace-up boots he handed to Stefano.
Her husband had already gotten to his feet and put on his overcoat. “You’ll need to remove your high heels so they won’t get ruined in the snow.”
“Thank you. You’ve managed to think of everything.” As soon as she’d taken them off, he put them inside his coat pockets. The man was full of surprises.
While she tied the boots, Corso took their luggage out of the plane. Stefano helped her into her coat and together they walked to the entrance and down the steps. Snow had been falling, spattered by the wind.
An attractive man with blue eyes and dark blond hair she’d met at the wedding reception stood outside an all-terrain vehicle. Right now he was wearing a ski hat and parka. The steward loaded their bags at the back.