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She nodded. They ended up on the couch in her sitting room. “What I’m about to tell you can’t go beyond these walls.”
Lanza’s brows lifted. “It’s that bad?”
“It is for me.”
“Fausta—don’t keep me in suspense.”
“All right. Here it is. Nico was put in an orphanage at the age of two and was never adopted, though he’d had two opportunities. The point is, a little more than a week ago he found out where he came from and who his parents are.”
By now she had Lanza’s complete attention. “Was his mother a single mom who couldn’t take care of him?”
“No.” Fausta twisted her fingers together. “She was a young nurse in Mesecino, La Valazzura, who took care of a man in the hospital with a virus. They fell in love and had an affair. It turns out Nico’s real name is Massimo Carlo Umberto Fernando, the only son of King Carlo di Savoia.”
Lanza’s eyes widened. “King Carlo who died recently?”
“The very one.”
“Dr. Barsotti is his son?”
“The illegitimate son. King Carlo and his wife, Queen Liliane, couldn’t have children. Nedda Corelli was Nico’s mother and the king’s mistress, but she died during the war over there when Nico was only two.”
Too late Lanza tried to cover a gasp with her hand.
For the next few minutes Fausta told her his history, the reason he’d been put in an orphanage, everything. She included the fact that the prime minister and the head of the secret service wanted him to go before the parliament as the heir apparent.
“They’re convinced he’ll be voted in and crowned king in his father’s stead. But he’ll only agree with the queen’s approval because he recognizes her deep pain.”
“Good heavens, Fausta!” Her sister got to her feet. “This is all unbelievable! So, if she can get past her pain, Dr. Barsotti will be the next king of La Valazzura.”
Fausta looked up at her through the tears. “Yes. Here I thought I’d found the man I’d been wishing for all my life. Instead he has turned out to be the one thing I never wanted.”
Her sister eyed her intently. “Has he asked you to marry him?”
“Yes, but only after he found out he was the son of King Carlo.”
“Come on, Fausta. You know why. That’s because he didn’t dare ask you to marry him believing you’re destined to marry some prince. The media has talked nonstop about your royal future.”
Her jaw hardened. “Do you have any idea how angry that makes me feel? I told him I couldn’t marry him and refused the diamond ring he tried to give me. He said he bought it after our first trip to Biella, but he didn’t propose then.”
“What? You mean he bought you a ring before he knew about his heritage? Are you crazy to turn down such a courageous act when you’re madly in love with him?”
“I don’t want to marry royalty. You more than anyone in this world besides Donetta know how I feel about that.”
Her sister frowned. “I’m afraid I do. But this particular king happens to be the man you adore.”
Fausta swallowed hard. “I know. I was an idiot.”
“I think it’s destiny. The parents will be overjoyed when they find out. I know for a fact they’ll give you their blessing. Papa holds Nico’s father in high esteem. He talked about him at breakfast.”
“I remember, but that doesn’t help my situation. I’ll be sitting in a palace for the rest of my born days while Nico runs the country and manages to eke out a little time for me.” Fausta got to her feet. “No, thank you. I’d rather remain single.”
“Don’t forget there’ll be children.”
“Don’t forget that Stefano lets you travel with him when he has to go to the gold mines. I envy you that.”
Lanza reached for her hand. “Come and sit down with me again.” Fausta did her bidding. “Tell me something. When you found out that Nico was an orphan, did that make you love him less or more?”
“I—I don’t know how to answer that.” Her voice faltered. “I admit that I admired him for making such a success of his life, but I fell in love with him at the very beginning and didn’t care about anything else.”
