CHAPTER SIX
DONETTA WAS STUNNED by the the palace chapel, a a beautiful creation of Moorish design. The interior glowed with lighted candles as they walked arm in arm on ancient tiled floors of fantastic colors and intricate motifs toward the priest in his black robes. In these surroundings that hinted at both the Moorish and Ottoman Empires, she felt transported to the Ottoman Empire.
Holding on to Enrico’s arm, she passed under one ornately designed arch after another. Each one was covered with lacelike patterns leading to stained glass windows of mosaic artisanship set in flower shapes.
Chairs with velvet cushions were placed on either side of the aisle. The two witnesses sat on the front seats.
Like everything he did, Enrico had sidestepped the rules. He explained he’d asked the elderly priest to keep the ceremony short for secrecy until they could announce their news to both sets of parents.
The priest didn’t give a long sermon about marriage. What he told them was to be honest with each other, trust and love each other. Those were vows Donetta could keep with all her heart.
She was excited beyond belief when the priest came to the last part. Enrico slid the Montedoro-crested gold wedding band on her finger. To her chagrin she had no ring for him, but that was her next priority.
“I now pronounce you, Enrico da Francesca di Montedoro, and you, Louisa Regina Donetta Rossiano, husband and wife, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. You may kiss your bride, Enrico.”
It was the most natural thing in the world to melt into his arms after taking her vows and lift her mouth to his the way she’d done in the mountains. Donetta had to restrain her passion from here on out since he’d said their marriage would be in name only. But he’d said he loved her and she knew he’d chosen her for his bride. Now she was married to the man she loved. No more separations. Together forever.
They thanked the priest and signed the marriage document before walking back out to the waiting limo. This time when they sat opposite each other, he grasped her hands. “We’ve done it, Signora Montedoro. It’s what I’ve wanted for so long.”
“I confess that I hoped to become your wife while you were away at university, but never thought I’d see this day, Signor Montedoro.”
From his pocket he pulled out a three-carat blue-white diamond set in white gold and put the ring on her finger next to the wedding band. She gasped. “I bought this diamond after college, planning to give it to you. I didn’t want to present you with one of the family jewels. You need to have your own.”
“Enrico.”
“After I saw you in Madrid, I had it set in white gold to match your hair.”
She held up her hand. “I adore it!”
The limo pulled up to the rear entrance of the hotel. “It’s vital Mamma sees evidence of our ceremony and knows how important you are to me. Hopefully, when my father looks at these rings, something will register in his brain.”
“I could pray for that. He has to be an outstanding father to have raised a son like you.”
“You’re very sweet, Donetta. We were always in lockstep. He would welcome you with open arms if it were possible. Let’s hurry inside so you can change, and then we’ll make that phone call to your parents.”
Within a few minutes they reached her hotel room and she changed out of her wedding finery into a silky white blouse and print skirt of white and café-au-lait. When she came out of the bedroom, she found him eating.
They walked over to the couch and sat down while she reached for her phone.
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“It’s going to be all right.” Enrico could probably tell she was trembling.
She nodded and pushed the speed dial. “It’s ringing. I’ve put it on speaker.”
“Donetta, darling?” came her mother’s voice after the first ring. “The girls told us you would be calling this morning. Your father is right here.”
Donetta clutched his hand. “Enrico is with me, too. We’re on speaker.”
“So are we.”
“I don’t know where to start except to tell you both I love you and always will. What I did yesterday has hurt everyone and I don’t expect forgiveness. But when I came to Vallefiore and spent time with Enrico, I knew I couldn’t marry Arnaud because it was Enrico I loved.”
“As I love Donetta,” Enrico broke in. “We’ve been in love for years, but my father has been plagued with Alzheimer’s since I was at university.” His voice rang with the truth, thrilling her. “I had to fully support him and couldn’t go after Donetta until very recently. Once we saw each other again, we knew how we felt, but she was already promised to Prince Arnaud.
“I know Prince Arnaud must be disappointed. I hope that he recovers soon. We’re calling you this morning to let you know that Donetta and I were just married in the palace chapel by our family priest. Later today we’ll be meeting with my mother to get her blessing. I hope we have yours.”
“You have it,” Donetta’s father interjected in a choked voice. “Only a woman madly in love would do what you did, Donetta. We want your happiness.”