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“Your father was a remarkable king who had to rule under the very difficult circumstances of war. I would have attended his funeral if I’d been physically able.”
Her mother had put a hand over her heart. “You never got to meet your mother either. I’m so sorry.”
“So am I. Where the queen is concerned, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Fausta and I wanted to be married before I have to make a decision, but we just don’t know what that decision will be until she reaches out to me.”
Fausta felt her father’s eyes on her. They were smiling. “You always knew your own mind. Are you still angry with me that I sent Dego and his sister to school in Italy years ago?”
“Funny you would ask me that, Papa. Last night as I was getting our dinner ready at the apartment, I found myself thanking you for preserving me for Nico. He’s my life.” Her voice shook.
“That’s the way it should be, figlia mia.”
“I truly did want both of you at the ceremony, but the fuss of a royal wedding isn’t for me. I know a worthy cause where we could donate the money.”
Her father nodded. “I’m grateful for Enzo and Pippa.”
“So are we!” she cried. “They were wonderful to help arrange for the priest to marry us.”
Nico nodded. “They’ve been like parents to me. I owe them so much I can never repay them. Perhaps the day will come when you’ll forgive us for ge
tting married in private.”
“That was my fault,” Fausta blurted. “Nico wanted to tell you, but—”
“But you wanted to do it your own way,” her mother said with a smile. “You always did, and now you’ve married the man who has set you on fire. We couldn’t be happier. Welcome to the family, Nico. Whether doctor or king, you’ve made our daughter happier than we’ve ever seen her.”
“I’m the one who’s happy. Fausta is a gift, one I’ll treasure all the days of my life.”
Fausta got to her feet. “I wish we could talk longer, but Nico has to get to the hospital.”
Her parents stood up and walked over to Nico to give him a hug. It thrilled Fausta’s heart to watch the three of them embrace.
“Walk me out,” Nico whispered a minute later against her neck. When they reached the foyer, he gripped her upper arms tightly. “I never met such gracious people in my life.”
“I told you it would be all right.”
“No wonder you’re the way you are. Thank heaven your father got rid of Dego. Thank heaven for Angelo. Thank heaven for Enzo and Pippa. Thank heaven for Lorenzo, who got me a position at the hospital. The day I met you was the beginning of my life, Fausta.”
“And mine. What time can I expect you home?”
“I promised Felipe I’d go out for a beer with him after work. He wants to tell me about their wedding plans. Expect me by seven.”
“After you tell him we’re married, maybe you might make it by eight?” she teased and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I won’t be able to breathe till you get home.”
* * *
Later that evening Felipe came in to Nico’s office at quarter to six. They left in their cars for a favorite pub that served sandwiches and local beer. After ordering from the bar, they found a booth. Sports reviews were on the TV closest to them.
They talked about Felipe’s wedding set for August 5. There would be a rehearsal dinner the night before.
Nico was about to tell Felipe everything when there was a news flash that interrupted the latest scores of soccer matches.
“We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news from the royal palace. In a secret wedding ceremony, twenty-five-year-old Princess Fausta Rossiano, middle daughter of King Victor and Queen Ginata, was recently married to commoner Dr. Nico Barsotti. More details will be forthcoming on the ten o’clock news. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.”
Felipe let out a whoop everyone in the pub could hear. A grin broke out on his face. “You sly fox. I knew something’s been going on. How come I had to hear it on the news?”
Nico lowered his beer glass. “You would have been the first person I told, but Fausta and I still hadn’t talked to her parents and that didn’t happen until this morning at the palace. I’m positive they didn’t release this news to the press, so of course there’s been a leak.” Which meant Basil and Queen Liliane had heard about it too.
“Where did you get married? When?”
