Кэрол Мортимер – Diamonds are Forever: The Royal Marriage Arrangement / The Diamond Bride / The Diamond Dad (страница 8)
“First Vladmila, then Nicholas got pneumonia and died. Oleg left New York to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. Once he reached Las Vegas, I’m afraid he didn’t keep in touch. We didn’t hear until after the fact that he’d died in a plane crash. Such a young age to lose his life. I wish I’d known he had a daughter. To think you grew up in Los Angeles without him.”
While she fought to control her tears, his moist gray eyes swerved in Lucca’s direction. “My children and grandchildren will be surprised and thrilled to learn of Alexandra’s existence. I have you to thank for uniting us, Lucca.”
The prince sat there at ease, the quintessential picture of royal sophistication. “It was my pleasure, believe me.”
“Whatever I can do to repay you, name it.”
Alex felt Lucca’s dark eyes on her and shivered, wondering what he was thinking. She didn’t have to wait long to find out.
“I’m glad you said that because I’ve asked Alexandra to marry me.” She gasped. “We hope to gain your blessing and would request that you do us the honor of giving her away at our wedding next month.”
“Is this true?” Yuri cried. He looked delighted.
Her breath caught. “I … I haven’t said yes yet, Uncle,” she stumbled over the words.
“Why ever not?”
Alex wanted to blurt that they’d only met six hours ago, but she was too embarrassed to tell him the truth. Instead she said, “We haven’t known each other very long.”
Her great-uncle stared into her eyes. “That’s what marriage is for, to get to know each other, my child. You’ll have years of togetherness while you learn more and more how to make each other happy.”
She moistened her lips nervously. “You don’t understand, Uncle Yuri. My mother was married six times.” Not to mention that before today Alex and Lucca had been total strangers. Marriages like this simply didn’t happen.
“I can understand why you’re frightened. But think about this.” He lifted his forefinger as if he was giving a speech. “Maybe part of it’s because she lost Oleg, and maybe the other part is because she didn’t have parents to teach her what a good marriage is all about. Hmm?”
“Maybe,” she answered in a tiny voice. He’d confounded her thoughts with his reasoning, and it didn’t help that Lucca sat there looking pleased and impossibly confident.
“Don’t forget you’ve got
He was very sweet. She squeezed his hand back. Already a bond had developed, but he didn’t have the faintest clue what was going on here. Alex felt as though she’d been caught up in a tornado and had no idea where it was carrying her.
“If Lucca has the good sense to choose a Grigory when there are other eligible royals who’ve had their eye on him for years, then I can guarantee a happy union. Our family stays faithful to each other.”
Lucca sat forward, capturing her gaze. “For my part I intend to do everything to make you happy.”
“There,” her uncle cried out. “You see?”
Yes … she saw. What her uncle didn’t know was that the most vital ingredient in their marriage would be missing, but she held back in deference to her newly found relative who was beaming. Too agitated to sit still, she reached for her coffee and drank it.
“Alexandra?” he said excitedly. “You’re the loveliest of all the Grigory women. I noticed it when you walked in with Lucca. You two make a splendid match.”
“I thought the same thing the first time I laid eyes on her,” Lucca concurred with an unmistakable tone of sensuality.
Alex choked on the hot liquid and put the cup back on the saucer. He’d gauged it just right to convince her great-uncle he was in love. The crown prince of Castelmare was a sensational actor.
While she wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin, Lucca got to his feet and went around to her chair. “I dislike cutting this meeting short, Yuri, but Alexandra and I have to leave for the airport.”
This was Alex’s cue to get up from the table. As she stood, their arms brushed. The contact sent a shockwave through her body. She hurried ahead while her great-uncle, who was as tall as Lucca, followed suit. He moved to the outer door of his office like a person ten years younger and kissed her on both cheeks.
“Lucca has my number. Let me know you’ve arrived safely in Castelmare. Now that we’ve met, I want the two of you to be part of my life, Alexandra.”
Tears smarted her eyes. “I want that, too!” She gave him a big hug. “You’ll never know what this day has meant to me.”
“I think I do.” He sniffed before handing her a manila envelope full of family pictures. His gaze shifted to Lucca. “Take good care of her. She’s very precious to me.”
To her shock Lucca put his arm around her shoulders. Dazzling her with his white smile, he said, “I intend to.” It sounded more like a fierce avowal. “When the time comes, I’ll send the jet for you and your family.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“I insist,” Lucca stated in a tone of finality.
“Then we’ll be waiting most impatiently.” Yuri gave her a grandfatherly kiss on the forehead before Lucca whisked her through the door.
Paolo and Carlo, the bodyguards he’d introduced to her earlier were waiting to escort them out a rear exit. In the back alley three bullet-proofed limousines with smoked glass were parked. She had no idea who was inside the first one. Carlo followed them into the middle one. Paolo rode in the limo behind. Lucca sat next to her. Whether on purpose or not, his body rested against hers.
“You should never have said anything to my uncle. I haven’t agreed to marry you. I don’t even have a passport.”
“I can let anyone I want into the country.”
She gripped the armrest. With Lucca this close to her, she couldn’t think clearly. “Uncle Yuri thought you were serious about your marital intentions.”
“I am. I wish I could convince you this is a good way out for both of us.” An almost mournful quality had crept into his voice. “You gave me the impression you would do whatever it takes to pay the debt, even if it requires eight years at medical school to accomplish, but it appears I was wrong.”
Alex edged against the door. “Everyone will say I’m just like my mother, running after a prince for his money.”
“You’re a princess in your own right and don’t need anyone’s money, but it doesn’t matter what other people think,” he came back suavely. “We’re the only two people who know the truth or need to know.”
She kneaded her hands. “We’d never be able to fool your parents,” her voice throbbed.
“We don’t have to. They’re painfully aware I’ll be struggling to do my duty, but it’s expected.”
Her thoughts reeled. “So there is a woman.”
After a slight pause she heard him murmur yes.
Alex shouldn’t have been surprised by his last-minute confession. He loved a woman with whom he could never share his life openly or marry. He couldn’t have children with her, couldn’t grow old with her. From the moment he was born, he’d been robbed of his free agency. How dreadful.
“No one else has knowledge of our situation, Alexandra, not even my sister, and she’s my closest confidante. You’re the only person who knows the truth.”
She lowered her head. “I can’t imagine your pain. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry your mother’s debts have placed such an unbearable burden on you. We could help each other out, but if you can’t bring yourself to do it, then I won’t pressure you further.”
Alex clasped her hands together, not having expected this kind of honesty from him. He was in love with someone. What could be more natural, except that he couldn’t marry a commoner. When it got right down to it, how many men were honorable enough to sacrifice their personal happiness to this degree?
Earlier he’d indicated that his interest in women lay with nonroyals, but not until this second did she realize what exactly he was being forced to give up for the sake of his father’s health and the kingdom.
No matter how hard Alex fought it, she felt a wrench in her heart for him. For the first time all day it didn’t seem quite so ridiculous that he’d chosen Kathryn Carlisle’s daughter of all people to carry off this charade. Through the backhand of fate she had enough Grigory royal blood in her veins to satisfy his parents. Lucca knew her darkest secrets. There would be no pretense between them in private, no surprises. She’d already told him she never planned to marry. There’d be no expectations of love on either side.
From her point of view she’d be getting the best of the bargain by being able to pursue her education toward a career. If she became a doctor, she would eventually pay him back. If she couldn’t get into medical school, she’d find another career and pay him back. When that became a reality, she’d start paying off the twelve million dollars.
What would he get besides a titular wife?
Not much … unless she helped him find a way to be with the woman he loved. Now that would be worth something no one else could give him.
Alex could do that! She
“We’re approaching the lane for the airport,” he said, breaking in on her chaotic thoughts. “Tell me the terminal where your flight will be taking off so I can alert the driver.”