he would never have lost his life.’
Rico shook his head in denial.
‘We know nothing of the nature of their relationship The girl might just as easily have been in love with him, and he with her.’
Something flashed in his father’s eyes, and then it was gone. Before he could speak Rico continued.
‘And whether or not it was love—or entrapment—Paolo did the honourable thing. He married her for the sake of his unborn child.’
His father’s face was like marble. Cold and hard.
‘He had no business doing so. His first duty was to his name. He was impetuous and self-indulgent.’ His voice grew more heavy. ‘I blame myself for that. He was indulged as a child—spoilt—and that was the consequence.’
A chill went down Rico’s spine, like ice crystallising in his nerve fibres. His father was speaking again. Rico forced himself to listen.
‘Nevertheless, when the existence of the boy was discovered—although I would have preferred to have ignored the matter, whatever repellent drivel the gutter press produced—I was prepared, however reluctantly, to acknowledge Paolo’s brief marriage, and thereby accept his son as legitimate. Given the circumstances, it seemed the most…advisable…course of action. With the mother dead there would be no…unwelcome entanglements. The boy would be raised in an appropriate manner, without the indulgence that ruined his father, and accepted as a member of the royal family. Unfortunately the obduracy and ambition of the aunt proved a serious impediment.’
Rico’s eyes hardened.
‘She is more than his aunt, she is his mother—his legal guardian. I made it crystal-clear that she would not be parted from her son—and your attempt to do so was despicable.’
His father’s eyes flashed coldly again.
‘You will not address me in such a fashion,’ he said freezingly. ‘However, you will be glad to learn that the boy is no longer a requirement. I have rescinded my decision to recognise Paolo’s marriage.’ The cold eyes rested impassively on Rico. ‘The boy is therefore illegitimate within the state of San Lucenzo. His future is of no concern to me.’
It was said with an indifference that chilled him to the core.
‘He’s your grandson,’ said Rico. ‘Does that mean nothing to you?’
His father’s face did not change. ‘Royal bastards are not acknowledged. He has no entitlements and can have no claim on Paolo’s estate. Nevertheless, arrangements will be made for suitable maintenance, and an appropriate capital sum will be settled on him for his majority. The issue is now closed, and I will discuss it no further. Luca will handle the matter with the lawyers, and you will not be involved. As for yourself,’ the cold voice continued, ‘you will undertake to have no further contact or communication with the woman or the boy. When you have given this undertaking, the charge will be lifted.’ He gave a sharp intake of breath. ‘That is all I have to say to you.’
Rico looked at him. Looked at this man who was his father.
He was standing only a few metres away from him—but the distance between them was much more than that.
Then, without another word, Prince Eduardo walked from the room.
The doors shut behind him, and Rico was alone once more.
How long he stood there he did not know. He could feel his lungs breathing in, and out, he could feel the steady beat of his heart—but he could not feel anything else.
There were voices outside the doors. A sharp voice, and then a deferential one. A door swung open—only one this time.
It was Luca.
Rico looked at him. For a long moment the brothers’ eyes met and held.
‘Why did you do it?’ There was almost resignation in his brother’s voice as he put the question, Rico thought. ‘Are you completely insane—or just extraordinarily stupid? Not just to do what you have, but then to think you could pressurise our father into accepting it. Good God, do you not know him well enough by now to know he would never back down before you?’
‘I thought he would consider the scandal of an open breach with me more repugnant than forcing himself to do the decent thing by Paolo’s son.’
‘The decent thing?’ A dam seemed to break inside Luca. ‘God Almighty, Rico. You’ve lost us Paolo’s son. His son. Do you know, do you have any idea, how hard I had to work to get our father to recognise Paolo’s marriage? When I told him that there was a story brewing in the press, and what it was, his first and immediate reaction was to ignore it. He was so furious with Paolo that he couldn’t think straight. But he finally agreed—after endless persuasion on my part—that the best thing to do would be to recognise the boy as legitimate. That meant he could come here. That meant he had to come here. On his own,’ he spelt out. ‘That went without saying. Do you seriously imagine for a moment that our father would have anything to do with the family of the boy’s mother?’
Luca’s mouth set grimly. ‘But how the hell could I have known that the girl would kick up such a fuss, and that you—you of all people—would let her get away with it? Dio, Rico—you were the one who was supposed to have her eating out of your hand, not the other damn way round. I never had you down for an idiot—let alone an insane one—but I do now. And now, thanks to your insane stupidity, you’ve gone and lost us Paolo’s son. Thanks to you he’s been declared a bastard. A bastard—Paolo’s son. That’s what you’ve achieved. And it’s not something I’m going to forgive you for lightly.’
Bitter fury stung in his accusation. Then his slate eyes flashed again.
‘It’s time to grow up, Rico. To take some responsibility. Not to play infantile games and be led around by your damn overactive sex-drive! Because that’s what’s happened, obviously. That much is clear from the photos you sent. You had her done up and moved in on her. Well, I hope you’ve had your fill of her—because it’s over now. You won’t be allowed to go within a hundred miles of her. From now on she doesn’t exist any more. And maybe finally you’ll learn some responsibility, Rico. You’d better, because this really is your last chance. He’s made that very clear, our father—very clear indeed. You came this close to stepping over the edge. This close. From now on, no more stepping out of line by you—not one more breath of scandal. From now on you learn to conduct yourself with some responsibility.’