The Marcelli Princess

10

Rafael woke up alone in his bed. As much as he wanted Mia there with him, they had agreed it would be better for them to keep their relationship a secret until after they eloped.

As he walked into the bathroom attached to his room, he smiled. Last night had been most pleasurable, and not simply because Mia had finally agreed to marry him. Their lovemaking had been as exciting and sensual as he remembered. She had always been able to match him, desire for desire, and time had not eroded that connection.

Although her getting pregnant had been an unexpected complication, he could not regret Daniel’s parentage. Mia brought great strength and heart to the boy.

He shaved, then stepped into the shower. As he reached for the soap, he remembered how she had asked if he had loved before. As if not sure he had loved her.

He had never allowed himself to examine his feelings for her. He had known they would only be together for a short time. But he had never forgotten her. Was that love?

Did it matter? Despite the brief marriage they would share, she was not an appropriate queen. He would let her go because it was the right thing to do. His responsibility demanded…

Everything, he thought, both angry and resigned. It always had. This time, Mia would pay the price for who he was. He stepped out of the shower. He did not want to hurt her. Before he had arrived, she had been an obstacle. Now she was uniquely herself.

When he had dried off, he dressed. Later he would call his father and tell him of his victory. They would need to begin to draw up the required paperwork. Rafael decided that he would be generous. He would allow Mia the right to visit her son as often as she would like. There was no need to keep them apart. Having his mother around would make the transition easier for the boy.

He heard a knock on the door, followed by a low, “Your highness?”

“Enter.”

Oliver stepped into the room. “Your gift has arrived and is ready.”

“Good,” Rafael said, knowing how pleased Daniel would be. “I will get the boy and be right down.”

Oliver nodded and left. Rafael finished dressing, then walked to Daniel’s room.

Mia was already there. He paused in the doorway and watched her brush his son’s hair while outlining their activities for the day. She worked quickly, with the easy grace of someone who has performed this particular task a thousand times before.

Rafael stepped into the room. “Good morning,” he said.

Daniel looked up and grinned, then darted forward. “Daddy, Daddy!”

Rafael dropped to one knee and pulled the boy close. “It has only been one night. Did you miss me so much?”

He asked the question of his son, but his gaze was on Mia as he spoke. She stood by the dresser, wearing her usual shorts and a T-shirt. Her hair was damp from her recent shower, which made him think of her naked, which made him want her again.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked with a smile that only she could see.

“Better than I expected.”

“Perhaps it was the exercise you had yesterday.”

She blushed faintly. “Yes, well, maybe. And you?”

“I slept very well.”

“Good. We’re all rested. Danny, come on. I can smell breakfast.”

Rafael ruffled the boy’s hair. “Perhaps that could wait for a few minutes. I have a surprise for him.”

Mia crossed to the door. “Let me guess. A crown?”

“You mock the scepter.”

“It’s fairly mockable.”

“Your circumstances suggest you will want to understand all of my country’s traditions.”

Her smile faded as something very close to panic filled her eyes. “Good point. Danny, your dad got you an early birthday present. Do you want to go see it?”

The boy nodded eagerly and took his father’s hand. Rafael frowned slightly. Was it appropriate for a male child this age to hold his father’s hand? He could not remember ever having such contact with his own father.

He glanced at Mia, but she didn’t act as if anything was amiss. Perhaps his childhood should not be the measure of normal, he admitted. There would be time for Daniel to learn how to behave royally.

“Where is it?” Danny asked. “Is it big? Is it soldiers? Is it lots of soldiers?”

“It is not soldiers and it is not large.” Rafael looked at the boy. “It may seem large to you. Come. You will see for yourself.”

They walked down the stairs. The Grands were already in the kitchen, fixing breakfast.

“Mornin’” Grammy M said, beaming at him. “You’re up early.”

“I have a surprise for Daniel,” Rafael told her.

Grandma Tessa narrowed her eyes. “He’s barely four. Still a little boy.”

Rafael paused to kiss her cheek. “And here I thought you had accepted me, Tessa.”

She gave him a smile. “All right. I’ll wait to see what it is before I complain.”

“Thank you.” He reached for Mia with his free hand. “You will be very impressed.”

“I’m already having doubts.”

“How can you not trust me?”

“Fascinating question. We’ll have to explore that later.”

Later he would have her in his bed again. Later he would make her forget everything but the pleasure she felt in his arms. Later she would make plans for their wedding and he would let her.

They walked outside just as Umberto led a small pony out of a horse carrier. The animal was pure white, with a long mane and tail. Ribbons and bells had been woven into both, so the pony fluttered and tinkled as it walked.

Danny gripped his hand tightly. “For me?” he asked with a gasp. “For my birthday?”

“Yes, Daniel. This is a Calandrian pony. They are specially bred and revered all over the world.”

Mia came to a stop. “You bought him a pony?”

“As you can see.”

“You bought him a pony and you didn’t tell me?”

He frowned. “Why would I?”

“Gee, I don’t know. Because I’m his mother? Because we don’t exactly have a spare stable here on our vineyard?”

“You do not have to worry about details, Mia.”

“Why not? Someone does.”

“All will be taken care of.” He turned to Daniel. “His name is Gaspare, which means bringer of gifts.”

Danny stared wide-eyed. “He’s really mine?”

“Of course.”

“Can I ride him?”

“Right now.”

Oliver appeared with a saddle and bridle.

“There is much work in owning a horse, or even a pony,” Rafael told the boy. “You will have to be very responsible. Do you know what that means?”

Danny shook his head.

“It means you will have to take care of him. You will have to brush him and feed him.”

“What? He doesn’t get a groom with the horse?” Mia asked.

“Yes, of course there is a groom, but Daniel needs to learn to take care of things. To be responsible.”

“All part of his once-and-future-king training?”

There was something in her voice, something that made him watch her closely. “You are angry?” he asked, not sure how that was possible.

“Anger isn’t the right word. Shocked. Rafael, a pony is a big deal. How could you not have discussed this with me?”

“You worry too much,” he said, then kissed her on the mouth. “Help me saddle him so Daniel can ride him.”

Five minutes later a very excited boy sat on top of his pony. Mia hovered, which Rafael allowed. It was a first ride, after all. But in time she would have to learn to let her son go. He needed to be a man.

“I’m riding, I’m riding!” Daniel crowed as they made a slow circle around the backyard. “Daddy, this is the bestest present ever.”

“Socks are going to be a real letdown after this,” Mia mumbled.

“You did not buy him socks.”

“Not exactly.” She tentatively patted the pony’s neck. “He seems friendly enough.”

“He is very gentle, but with enough of a spirit to be a challenge as Daniel learns to ride more. In a few months, he’ll graduate to a horse, but Gaspare works for now.”

“I love my pony,” Daniel said as he leaned forward and hugged the animal’s neck.

“Keep control of the reins,” Rafael told him. “It is how you control your mount.”

Daniel grinned. “He’s a pretty pony. Can I take him to school to show my friends and Miss Valdrake?”

“His teacher,” Mia said. “Honey, I’m thinking we’re going to wait on pony show-and-tell. Just until we get this figured out.” She looked at Rafael. “You haven’t said what we’re going to do about a stable.”

“The weather is mild enough that the animal can stay out.”

“And in winter?”

Daniel and his pony wouldn’t be here, Rafael thought. But what he said was, “I have a staff to deal with details, Mia. Please, try not to worry. All will be well.”

“I don’t have a staff,” she said. “I’m used to solving my own problems and you’re not helping with that.”

“Do we really need to discuss this now?”

She smiled at Daniel, who urged Gaspare to go faster.

“I guess not,” she admitted. “It’s just…Wow. A pony. The whole prince thing is still something I have to get used to.”

“You will.”

“I guess I have to. What with…” Her voice trailed off.

He knew she referred to her acceptance of his proposal. That she would have to get used to being royal herself. He wanted to reassure her that the job would be much less taxing than she imagined for she would be only have it a few weeks.

“He bought Danny a pony,” Mia said as she paced around Brenna’s office at the winery. “He never said a word. He just announced he had a surprise and then there it was. An honest-to-God pony.”

“It wouldn’t be my first choice,” Brenna admitted, “but hey, he’s royal. Maybe it’s a big fourth birthday thing with his family.”

“I guess. It’s just…shouldn’t he have talked to me about it? I’m Danny’s mother.”

“Rafael is his father.” Brenna rolled her eyes. “I really hate taking the guy’s side against a woman, especially my sister, but this time I think you’re freaking over nothing. It’s a pony. It’s not like he bought him an island.”

“Calandria is an island. As heir, I guess Danny already has that.”

“Okay, then strippers. That would have been a gift to get crabby about. Families do odd things. Grandpa Lorenzo made all of us learn about wine even though I was the only one interested. It happens. Don’t worry about it. Danny is a prince, which is just too weird. Don’t all princes need to learn how to ride? Isn’t it in the prince handbook?”

“Probably. I should Google him again.”

“Rafael?” Brenna asked.

Mia walked to the desk and sat in the large chair across from Brenna’s. “Yeah. I did it once and I was overwhelmed by pictures of him with beautiful young women. It got depressing.”

“Mia, you’re gorgeous and smart and a lot more interesting than any high-society rich bitch he might meet at some charity event.”

“You don’t actually know that.”

“Of course I do. He fell for you years ago and now he wants to marry you. Doesn’t that mean you win?”

Mia rubbed her temples. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. I can’t believe Danny is a prince.”

“It’s a little too late to take back Rafael as his father. You should have thought of that before you did the wild thing.”

“Who knew it would come to this?” She sighed. “Who knew Diego was really Crown Prince Rafael in disguise? My life is a soap opera.”

Mia looked at her sister and drew in a breath. “I said yes.”

Brenna stared at her. “To his proposal?”

Mia nodded. “Last night. I can’t face anything huge or ceremonial right now. We’re going to Las Vegas after Danny’s birthday.”

Brenna stood and clapped her hands together. “I don’t know what to say. My baby sister, the queen.”

Mia stood and they hugged. When Brenna released her, Mia asked, “Am I crazy to do this?”

“I don’t know. Does it feel right? Are you happy?”

“I was until the pony.”

Brenna laughed. “What is it about that damned horse that has you so freaked?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’s that he didn’t discuss it with me. He made his own decision.”

“I can understand that, but how many of your decisions have you discussed with him? Mia, it’s been five years since you were last together. It’s going to take a little time to figure out how this all fits.”

“You’re right. Which means running off to marry him isn’t what I should be doing.”

“I don’t want to respond to that,” Brenna admitted. “You have to do what feels right. Rafael is Danny’s father. Whether or not you marry him, you’re going to have to deal with him for the rest of your life.”

“I’ve been thinking about that. How exactly does one work out a custody agreement with a prince?”

“Tell me that’s not why you’re marrying him. To make a custody agreement easier.”

“It’s not.” Mia sank back into her chair. “I haven’t been with anyone since him. I…Katie said I had never fallen out of love with him, which I violently disagreed with at the time, but I’ve been thinking maybe she was right. I have feelings for him. Strong feelings. And he’s a really great guy. I like how he is with Danny and me. He’s open and honest and I still get tingles.”

“So what’s not to like?” Brenna asked.

“That’s what I keep thinking. So I said I’d marry him.”

“You can change your mind. Or put it off. There’s a lot to be said for getting to know the guy you’re going to rule with.”

Mia groaned. “When I think about being with Rafael I get butterflies, but when I think about actually ruling a country, I want to vomit. I look at what Darcy has to go through and I know I’d hate it. She’s just the president’s daughter.”

Brenna sat on the edge of her desk. “If you’re this unsure, then put things off for a while. No one is saying you have to marry him.”

Mia smiled. “But I want to. Isn’t that dumb? I want to marry him. I want to know that for the rest of our lives, we’ll be together.”

“So if Rafael were just a regular guy, you wouldn’t have a problem with this.”

Mia considered the statement. “Apparently not.”

“In this case, the crown comes with the guy. Can you handle that?”

“I sort of have to. Otherwise, I let Rafael go, and I can’t imagine doing that. When I thought he died, I didn’t want to live myself. I ached for months. Being pregnant was the only thing that got me through. I can’t imagine ever surviving that pain again. But the man I loved before was different.”

“In good ways or bad ways?”

“Both. I liked that Diego wasn’t a world-renowned sex object. Plus I have such lousy taste in men. Seriously, Brenna, do you know how badly I could be screwing this up?”

“He’s a prince, Mia. How bad could it be?”

“That’s what I keep telling myself.” She winced. “I don’t want to move away.”

“I’m thinking you’re going to have to live in Calandria. But there’s good news. You could be on a stamp.”

“I was hoping for money, but a stamp works. My God, I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. I guess if I do marry him we’ll move to Calandria fairly quickly. We haven’t talked about it, but it makes sense. I’m sure Rafael has responsibilities, and Danny and I need to start learning to be royal.”

Mia stood and plucked at her T-shirt. “Who am I kidding? I bought this for five dollars at Wal-Mart. The only designer clothes I own are my mother’s hand-me-downs. I don’t do jewelry or know how to waltz.”

Brenna stood and moved close. “You speak about four hundred languages, you’re smart, you’re capable, and you’re in love. Are you ever going to meet another guy like Rafael? Because if you aren’t sure there’s another handsome prince waiting for you, I would say learning to waltz might be the way to go.”

Mia smiled. “Kelly could probably teach me.”

“I’m sure she’d be delighted to. Follow your heart, Mia. That’s the best advice I can give you. If I’d followed mine, I would have married Nic when I was eighteen instead of wasting nearly a decade of our lives.”

“Do you regret that?”

“I try not to, but sometimes, when I’m up late with the twins, I wonder what our lives would have been like if I hadn’t been afraid to take the plunge.”

“Don’t you hate regrets?” Mia asked.

“More than anything. Follow your heart,” Brenna said again. “Don’t look back and think ‘if only.’ If you can’t imagine life without him, then go for it. If you can, then don’t. He’s Danny’s father and that’s never going to change. The bottom line is you don’t have to decide today.”

“I know. I have two days until Danny’s birthday.”

“You don’t have to elope. You can tell him you need more time.”

Mia considered that. “I want to be with him,” she said at last. “I love him.”

“Then there’s your answer.”

The two women hugged again; then Mia headed back to the house. She was going to do it. She was going to elope with Rafael and then figure out what she’d gotten herself into.

As she walked across the lawn, she noticed the pony tethered under a tree. “I wonder what pony poop does to grass,” she murmured as she climbed the steps and entered the house.

“It’s me,” she yelled as she walked into the empty kitchen.

A quick glance at the clock told her the Grands were probably resting before they started dinner. She stuck her head in the family room and saw Danny curled up on the sofa, watching a cartoon video.

“Doing okay?” she asked.

Danny smiled at her and nodded.

So if her son was occupied and the Grands were sleeping, that sort of left her at loose ends. Maybe she and Rafael had time for a quickie.

Anticipation propelled her upstairs. She walked down the hallway toward his room. The door stood open and she could hear him talking on the phone.

At first the words didn’t register. She wasn’t trying to listen in. She caught a word or two in Italian and paused. Was he talking business? Should she wait?

As she considered her options, she took another step and the floorboards creaked. Instantly Rafael went silent. When he continued the conversation, he spoke Portuguese.

Mia froze. Why on earth would he change languages like that? The most obvious explanation was that he didn’t want to be understood. Which made no sense.

Even so, she crept forward to listen.

“Not to worry,” he said, his voice low. “Yes, all is well. As I told you, Mia has agreed to marry me. We are to fly to Las Vegas in a few days. No, she knows nothing. We will go after Danny’s birthday. I have the paperwork all ready.”

He was silent for a moment. “We will return to Calandria as soon as possible. I know. Once we are there, Calandrian laws apply. No, Mia would never think to study such a thing. She has no idea that once the heir arrives in Calandria, he can never be taken away without permission from the throne. Of course. I will have my son and heir.”

He was silent again. “Yes. A divorce. I have those papers as well. It is unfortunate she is not more suitable, but I understand my responsibilities. I will keep Daniel with me and send Mia way.”