“Donetta? I’ll see you back at our apartment in a little while.”
“Take all the time you need.” Both Giovanni and Donetta got to their feet. “Thank you for letting me talk to you, Your Majesty.”
The queen actually smiled at her. “Call me Mamma.”
Donetta left the dining room with Giovanni, who looked over at her. “I hope you realize my aunt just welcomed you to the family.”
She nodded. “I’m still overcome that she has forgiven me.”
“Beneath that exterior she has a heart of gold. But where Valentina was concerned, she had a soft spot. However, I’m afraid the princess no longer holds first place in her heart.”
Donetta smiled at him. “Have you ever been interested in Valentina?”
“No, but there is one woman I’ve had my eye on for a couple of years. It’s hopeless, of course.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because it’s your sister.”
“Fausta?” she cried out in surprise.
“I met her in Paris. But I gave up on pursuing her when I heard the gossip about her.” He flashed Donetta a glance. “Is it possible that by now she has given up the dream of marrying a commoner?”
What she’d give to have Giovanni for a brother-in-law! “I’m afraid not, or I’d throw her at you.” He laughed that rich laugh, sounding so much like Enrico her heart hurt. “We’re going to have to find you a woman you can’t live without.”
“Please do.”
It was her turn to laugh.
“Do you know my cousin went through a period where he wished he hadn’t been born royal? He eventually got over it.”
“He told me about that. Would it surprise you to know my brother-in-law Stefano disliked being royal and was legally exempt for a decade? But that changed when his brother died and he married Lanza.”
“Are they happy?”
“Ecstatic. But Fausta is different. She likes being royal and believes that if she marries a commoner, they’ll have such an unusual, interesting marriage they’ll always be in love. It’s that unknown element separating the classes she believes is missing from many marriages, royal or otherwise.”
“Her mind is as fascinating as yours.”
“Mine doesn’t match hers. When we were little, Mamma would read fairy tales to us. After she turned out the light and left the room, the three of us would discuss them for hours.
“Lanza loved Cinderella the most, where life would be perfect. Fausta loved The Twelve Dancing Princesses. She would speculate that instead of meeting a dumb prince, she would meet a commoner, which was much more exciting and dangerous.”
He laughed. “What was your favorite?”
“I didn’t have one because something was missing in all of them. So I wrote my own about a good queen who ran her country beautifully without any help.”
“You’re an original, Donetta Rossiano. So is Enrico.”
She gave him a hug. “You’re the best, Giovanni. Marrying Enrico, I’ve gained a brother. There isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for you.”
“I’ll remember that.” He hugged her back.
They parted and went different ways. She returned to the apartment to wait for Enrico. He came in two minutes after.
“Donetta?” He swung her around. “We’re going back to our camp. I need time alone with you away from the palace. Pack what you need and let’s get going.”
Life with Enrico was one of total excitement. She threw a few things together and they left in the Jaguar. She looked up at the sky. It was semi-cloudy and she could tell the clouds were gathering. Donetta wouldn’t be surprised if there was a rainstorm by dark.