...but now I wonder if he meant it or if he just accepted the baby because our families were pressuring both of us to get back together.
Am I overthinking his words? Maybe he just spoke in the heat of the moment. Tonight, when he comes in from the vineyard, we’ll talk. It’s the only way to fix things.
Who? Who isn’t a Bartolini? Frustration, anger and sorrow churned in her stomach, making her nauseated. The journal was jerked out of her grasp before she could turn the page.
Enzo held the journal. Anger sparked in his eyes. “Stop! We’re not doing this. We have a will to read. We have our parents to mourn. The past must stay in the past.”
“What are you going to do with the journal?” Gia asked.
“I’m taking it downstairs and burning it in the fireplace—”
“No.” Bianca jumped off the bed. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because one of us isn’t a Bartolini. And that’s the only key to the past.”
CHAPTER ONE
Six weeks later, Bartolini Villa
HE NEEDED THIS EXCURSION.
He wished it could last longer—much longer.
Crown Prince Leopold stood in the lush garden of an Italian villa. He was surrounded by a group of lavishly dressed people. They all wanted a word with him. Why did he think coming to Tuscany would be any different than attending a social occasion in his homeland?
But in that moment, everyone’s attention gravitated from him to a woman who’d joined their group. Her bold makeup and flamboyant hot pink outfit matched her personality. He was grateful the woman enjoyed being the center of attention. All he wanted to be was just another person in the crowd. What was it about people always wanting what they didn’t have?
Just as his sister, the Princess of Patazonia, wanted a wedding that reflected her personality instead of a traditional royal wedding. But the queen insisted that tradition must rule above all else. Just as his father had said to him, right before he died:
Traditions are the bedrock of this kingdom.
Leo gave himself a mental shake. Now wasn’t the time to get caught in the past—in the regrets—in the what-ifs.
Right now, he had his hands full with his feuding mother and sister. The battles between the two headstrong women was a daily occurrence. So when he was invited to this wedding of a childhood friend, he’d ordered up the family jet. Since he was of no help back at the palace, he figured he might as well wish his friend the very best.
Leo moved away from the flamboyant woman. He could take her high pitched, nasally voice only in small doses. Truth be told, there was another woman that had caught his attention. Her hair was dark and her skin glowed a warm tan. He noticed that she spoke when addressed but for the most part she was quiet. And when she did speak, her voice was soft.
He caught himself staring at her more than once. Maybe it was because she didn’t make a point of walking up to him and introducing herself like so many of the other people. In fact, she acted as though she didn’t even know he was royalty. Could that be possible?
Regardless, his interest in the beautiful woman increased. It’d been a while since he’d enjoyed a woman’s company. With his pending engagement and marriage—a necessity in order to ascend to the throne—he wasn’t in a position to start anything. But for the moment, he was still a free man.
He noticed how the other men stared at this woman—even the men that were in committed relationships discreetly turned their heads when she walked by. He couldn’t blame them. She was stunning. He had to know more about her.
Noticing that she didn’t have anything to drink, he snagged two flutes of champagne. He weaved his way through the crowd, dodging attempts at conversation, on his mission to meet the mystery woman. She was difficult to catch up with as she didn’t stop to talk to any person for more than a second or two.
At last, he came up behind her. “Excuse me. I believe this is yours.”
The woman turned to him. He held the glass out to her. Her brown eyes were filled with confusion. “But I didn’t have any champagne.”
“I noticed. That’s why I retrieved this for you.”
She accepted the glass, but he noticed she didn’t drink any of it. “Are you enjoying the wedding?”
“I am. The setting is well done. And the gelato treats are unique.”
“That was the bride’s idea to help keep guests cool.”