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Was it possible the self-proclaimed bachelor was more excited to be a father than he was willing to admit? If so, it would be the first sign that Luca was letting his guard down. Was it possible? Or was she only seeing what she wanted to see?
Elena rushed around her bedroom in her parents’ home. Tonight was a dinner and dance that would wrap up the weeklong celebration. This morning Annabelle had phoned to check on her and make sure that Elena would be in attendance for the evening’s festivities.
Knock. Knock.
“Dear, are you almost ready?” Her mother’s voice echoed through the closed door.
“Almost.”
“I just don’t want you to be late. And the car is here—”
“What car?” Elena rushed to the window.
Was Luca out there waiting for her? Her stomach quivered with nerves. They’d left things in such an awkward spot that she wasn’t sure what to say to him. She had no answers, just more questions.
“I assume Annabelle sent it for you.”
Not Luca. Okay. “I’ll be down in a jiff.”
“Do you need any help?”
“No. Thanks. I’ve got it.” She rushed back to the full-length mirror.
Tonight she was wearing another one of her own creations. It was a light blue material. The shade was similar to her eyes, or so she’d been told. It had a strapless beaded bustier and attached to it was a long chiffon skirt in the same shade. It wasn’t one of her more daring designs, but this was, after all, an appearance at the palace. Traditional trumped experimental in this particular scenario.
She wondered if Luca would like it. He had no idea that she was going to wear an Elena Ricci original. But on second thought, her clothes would probably be the last thing on his mind tonight. She’d hoped that he would have calmed down enough to call her by now, but there was still no word from him.
She slipped on white sandals that strapped over her pink-painted toes and wrapped around her ankles. She pulled up the zipper in the back of each shoe. When she grabbed her clutch purse from the bed, it was time to put on a show.
With each step, her nerves became more taut. She had no idea what to say to Luca, and there was no avoiding him this evening. She truly wanted to make things better between them. Their marriage had barely made it twenty-four hours before they’d had their first major fight. If she believed in omens, this would be a worrisome one.
The clap of hands had her gazing at the bottom of the steps. There stood not only her mother but also her father.
“Father, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with the king?”
“Your mother told me you were getting all dressed up tonight and I couldn’t miss it.”
She rushed over and gave him a kiss on the cheek and a hug. She loved her father. He might not have been around as much as she’d wanted, but when he was there, he was alert and attentive.
And then she turned to her mother, who now had tears in her eyes. They hugged. Her mother might be difficult, but her heart was always in the right place.
As Elena made her way out the door, she realized her child deserved a loving home just like that, not a home filled with heated words or, worse, stony silence because the parents were frustrated with having to give up their dreams. If she couldn’t find a way to build a genuine marriage with Luca, she knew she’d have to end things. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair to any of them.
This acknowledgment hit her in the chest, knocking the air from her lungs. What would happen to Luca if she walked away? In the end, would he be relieved?
She halted the disturbing thoughts. She was jumping too far ahead. First, they had to get through this evening, and considering where they’d left things, it would be a challenge.
The car ride to the palace was short, and in no time she was being ushered inside. The grand dining room was set for the party. The table was the longest Elena had ever seen in her life—it would easily accommodate fifty.
Elena had only been in this room once. She had been quite small, and she and Luca had been sneaking around the palace. The room had been opened up for cleaning, and she had been floored by its vastness. She knew instantly that she didn’t belong there, but it didn’t stop her from having a quick look around. She had been a curious kid, anxious to find out what she’d been missing out on.
Now as an adult, she was still awed by the room and its elegance. The room was decorated in red brocade wallpaper. On each wall were portraits of family ancestors. Crystal chandeliers lined the long table.
And once again, she didn’t feel as though she belonged in this room with royalty, statesmen and dignitaries. Even if she had known them when they would play in the flower gardens and swim in the sea, she wasn’t one of them. Even with her secret marriage to Luca, she didn’t feel like a member of this prestigious group.
It looked like everyone had arrived. They were all standing off to the side of the table in small groups, enjoying wine and appetizers served by the staff. They were done reliving some of the highlights of their childhood. Tonight they were all elegantly dressed adults, here to honor Annabelle and her soon-to-be husband.
Elena was so relieved that she and Luca had kept the scandal, the elopement and the baby all under wraps. After tonight, they wouldn’t have to keep choking down the truth. They could be themselves, and maybe once the pressure was off they could figure out what the future held for them.
