Diamonds are Forever: The Royal Marriage Arrangement / The Diamond Bride / The Diamond Dad

She flashed him an anxious glance. “You don’t show it, but are you scared? Just a little bit?”

He took a steadying breath. “I was a lot scared until you opened your door just now.” If she hadn’t been there … If she’d run away because she couldn’t go through with it after all …

“You always say and do the right thing, Lucca. Thank you for sending the manicurist and hair dresser. My nails needed help, but I’m afraid my hair is hopeless.”

“I like your hair exactly the way it is. As for your nails, I’ve never noticed. Mama saw to those details this morning.”

“Then I’ll have to thank her later. Has your father forgiven me for the other night?”

“Since I’m not exactly the poster boy of perfection, either, he said your escapade convinced him we’re made for each other.”

“That’s not very reassuring.”

Lucca chuckled before giving in to the urge to kiss her neck. “All in all, we’re off to a better start than I would have imagined.” Just getting her to Castelmare had been a feat.

Once they reached the main floor, he caught hold of her upper arms. “You’ll see a lot of government officials in there. Don’t let it bother you. Their presence will help keep the news conference civilized. Remember you’re half Carlisle, half Grigory, a unique combination unlike any other.”

She gave a meek nod.

He cupped her chin and raised it a trifle. “One more thing. Keep your eyes on me.”

“I already planned on doing that,” came her quiet response.

Their mouths were only centimeters apart. Unable to help himself, he gave a quick kiss to those pliant lips, uncaring that some of her lipstick stayed on his … a little part of her he could savor until the day came when he would taste all of her.

Carlo cleared his throat behind them. “Everyone’s waiting.”

“Ready?” Lucca asked her. They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment. Hers were guarded. Then she surprised him by lifting her hand to wipe the lipstick off his mouth with her fingers.

“Now I am.”

It reminded him of the things his mother did for his father before an important dinner or conference so he would look his best. Alexandra could have no idea how the small gesture moved him.

Binding her hand to his once more, he drew her toward the west end of the palace where the double doors of the conference room were opened wide. The buzz of voices filtered down the hall.

The president of the cabinet was officiating today. He stood at the lectern placed on a raised platform in the center of the room. Everyone was seated below him. Regina sat to the side of the lectern representing Lucca’s immediate family. As soon as the statesman saw Lucca, he struck a staff to the floor several times.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, members of the cabinet, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Lucca Umberto Schiaparelli Vittorio the Fifth of Castelmare and the Princess Alexandra Carlisle Grigory.”

Everyone rose to their feet and began clapping. Amidst the cheers came the inevitable shower of flashbulbs going off.

For Lucca it was a source of intense personal pride that Alexandra handled it as though she’d been born to it. All his life he’d dreaded this day coming, but that was before Alex. …

CHAPTER SEVEN

KEEP your eyes on Lucca. Like a mantra Alex repeated his advice.

The huge room, as ornate and splendid as the rest of the palace, had to be filled with several hundred people if you included all the security assembled. Regina, looking beautiful in a dusky-rose suit, gloves and a broad-brimmed hat with a cluster of real roses at the side of the crown, sent her a private smile.

Alex reciprocated before ascending the platform with Lucca. A dozen microphones had been set up to carry the broadcast. It was the middle of the night in Los Angeles. By morning Alex’s friends would see all this on TV at work and go into shock. Before the end of the day she would have to make phone calls of explanation to them and Mr. Watkins.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t tell anyone the truth in case it ended up hurting Lucca. All she could say was that Lucca was responsible for helping her unite with her family and in the process he’d swept her off her feet.

Any woman seeing Lucca would understand how that could happen. Anyone catching sight of the green diamond fastened to her dress would agree that Alex was as greedy as her mother.

Yet strangely enough, none of it stung, because she had Lucca on her side. They’d entered into a pact to help each other. With him championing her, she had nothing to fear except an inability to get into medical school. But she wouldn’t think in defeatist terms. Right now her only job was to play Lucca’s adoring fiancée in front of the camcorders, a role she found came as naturally to her as breathing.

After the head of the cabinet sat down, Lucca moved to the lectern taking Alex with him. Together they faced the sea of faces.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, translators, members of the cabinet and their assistants,” he began in English, “I’ve called this news conference to announce my ascendancy to the throne on the twenty-eighth of this month. My father’s health demands that he step down.” Lucca’s voice broke, revealing the depth of his concern for his parent. In the stillness following his news, Alex slid her hand into his. He gripped it so hard, he had no idea of his strength.

“As all of you can see, I picked up something precious while I was in New York. Alexandra has consented to become my wife. Regretfully, her father, Prince Oleg Grigory, and her mother, Kathryn Carlisle, are both deceased. But it’s most fortunate that her great-uncle Yuri Grigory is still alive and will walk her down the aisle.

“My parents have declared the twenty-eighth of this month a state holiday in honor of the coronation and my wedding to this wonderful woman.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. The barrage of flashes almost blinded her.

“Before the cabinet meeting starts, Alexandra and I will entertain a few questions now.”

Too many voices called out at once. “One at a time please,” Lucca said with enviable calm.

“Princess Alexandra, how does it feel to be wearing the Ligurian teardrop diamond?”

Lucca darted her an amused glance, obviously curious to know what she was going to say.

“Like I’m carrying a monument around.” Her comment set off an explosion of laughter in the room that included Lucca’s own deep, attractive brand. It took a minute for the noise to subside.

“Princess Alexandra?” came another voice. “How did you manage to keep your involvement with the prince a secret all this time?”

“I have my ways.” Taking a risk she added, “My mother was always in the news. I learned certain tricks to remain invisible.”

“Over here, Princess Alexandra—” This from a burly journalist in the corner. “Rumor has it your father had ties to the mafia in Las Vegas. Can you confirm that?”

Lucca stiffened. She could tell he was ready to intervene but she preempted him.

“Yes,” she spoke clearly. “It was rumor. My father was an excellent businessman who used his own money to be successful. Sadly, his life was cut short in an airplane crash. I would give anything if he were still alive.” Her voice shook.

A strong arm slipped around her waist, pulling her closer, then Lucca said, “One last question.”

“Princess Alexandra?” This from an older woman journalist. “It’s obvious that like your mother you could have your choice of many men, be they sheiks, royals or film stars.” That was news to Alex. “What was it about Prince Lucca you couldn’t resist?”

Alex needed to put on a convincing act, but it wasn’t hard. She slowly smiled at him. “We met while I was in a shop. At first I mistook him for a security guard. I was in a very anxious state at the time and I’m afraid I unfairly took it out on one of the employees.

“When Lucca intervened, I assumed he’d been watching and had decided to take charge. We exchanged words. Actually I flung insults at him and demanded to know if he was going to have me arrested. In his maddeningly reasonable way he assured me nothing could be further from the truth and suggested I sit down. Now when I look back on the incident, I realize he’d used his monarch voice on me.”

Laughter burst from the audience. Lucca eyed her with a devilish gleam.

“The man had so much charm that before long I discovered I was having the time of my life. When he finally admitted who he was, I’m afraid I was hooked.” At this point she fought to keep her voice steady.

“I say afraid because I didn’t want him to be a prince, but once the heart feels that pull, you have no choice in the matter. He more or less took me away, but not to prison, thank heaven. Of course, the fact that he was easily the most attractive man I’d ever met didn’t hurt the situation any.”