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For it was here in the lush, rolling hills of Tuscany that she intended to establish a destination wedding-planning service. And she was off to a mighty fine start.
Bianca glanced around at the mingling guests. And there was her brother, all dressed up in his finest suit and tie. He definitely didn’t look like he spent his days out in the fields tending to the grape vines. In actuality, he cleaned up really well.
After the reading of their parents’ will, tensions between the normally civil siblings was running high. It took a bit but the siblings all agreed that they would go with their strengths. Gia would run the boutique hotel, aka their family’s sprawling villa. Enzo would oversee the vineyard with its world-renowned Chianti wine. And Bianca had agreed to coordinate weddings at the villa—talk about a romantic backdrop.
An outside accounting firm would be hired to tally their net incomes. Everything was to be aboveboard. And the family’s attorney would oversee the contest. Nothing would be left to question. Everything would be certified and final. It seemed so cold—so final.
Enzo smiled at the beautiful young woman next to him. It was then that Bianca realized it was the first time she’d seen Enzo smile since the journal with their parents’ devastating secret had been discovered. It had rocked the very foundation of this family—leaving their relationships vulnerable and strained.
Her gaze moved across the garden area, searching for her sister. Gia hadn’t wanted to attend the wedding even though she managed the hotel. Bianca had pushed until she’d agreed. Bianca wanted the Bartolini estate well represented to the influential guest list. She was hoping for new clients—for all of them.
All her life she’d felt as though she didn’t fit in. She was different than her siblings. While her brother and sister had enjoyed horses and grapes, she enjoyed the finer things in life. Her father used to get aggravated with her reluctance to get dirty.
And when she was pushed out of the nest, just like her siblings, so they could go off and seek their own path in life, she’d ended up in the UK where she’d worked her way through school. Once her education was completed, she moved to Venice. It was there that she followed her passion with a career in wedding planning. And when she landed a prestigious position as assistant to a world-renowned wedding planner, she thought her wishes had come true.
At first, that had been the case. Things went amazingly well. It was later, when Bianca was ready to put what she’d learned into practice that she realized she was terrible at following directions exactly as they’d been told to her.
She had a penchant for embellishing and taking the bride’s ideas into consideration instead of convincing the bride that the wedding planner’s methods were the best. Her mentor couldn’t deny that Bianca had a flair for wedding planning, even if it wasn’t quite the way she’d been instructed.
But now as the bride and groom were surrounded by their guests enjoying the afterglow of the ceremony, Bianca was able to take her first easy breath. Striking out on her own had been the right decision. Things were looking up—
“Bianca, there you are.” Benito rushed up to her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Immediately she assumed her wedding planner persona. She stood a little taller and straightened her shoulders, prepared to deal with the latest developments. “What’s wrong? Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”
Benito shook his head and smiled. “Nothing is wrong. In fact, something is right. Come with me.”
He motioned for her to follow and then began walking away without any further explanation. She fell in step behind him, wondering what the normally quiet groom had on his mind.
When he stopped, she stepped up next to him. Her gaze met that of the man standing across from them, Prince Leopold. His eyes were a warm golden-brown that made her empty stomach suddenly feel as though a swarm of butterflies had invaded it.
She didn’t know how long she stood there, caught up in his gaze. But when Benito cleared his throat, breaking the connection, heat swirled in her chest, rushing up her neck and setting her cheeks ablaze.
“Bianca Bartolini, I’d like to introduce you to His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Leopold of Patazonia.”
Once again, Bianca curtsied. She willed her face to cool down, but it only succeeded in making her warmer. Goodness. What was he going to think of her? First, she was openly staring at him. And now her face must look like a roasted beet—all red and steamy. Not good. Not good at all.
“You’ve put on a splendid wedding,” the prince said. “I’ve quite enjoyed it.”
“Th...thank you, Your Highness.”
“The prince is searching for a wedding planner,” Benito said. “And I was telling him what a great job you did with our wedding.”
“You did?” Then catching herself, she said, “I mean, thank you.” She’d wondered after the wristwatch delay if Benito would still be happy with her services. “I’m sorry for the slight delay.”
“Don’t worry about it. Camilla told me what happened. Thank you for helping her and calming her down.”
Bianca’s eyes widened. “She told you all of that?”
“She did. I told her that she just wanted to keep me guessing for as long as she could.”
Bianca wasn’t used to brides standing up for her. Usually she took the blame, even for something that she had no control over. And when something stunning happened, the bride would take the credit. But every once in a while there were brides that were considerate and kind. Camilla was both of those.
“Anyway, Prince Leopold might be in need of your services. I’ll let you two talk.” And with that Benito made his way toward his bride.
Bianca’s gaze moved to the prince. Her mouth suddenly went dry and she wasn’t sure what to say.
What does one say to royalty? Hi? How are you? Beautiful day?
