LITMIR.BIZ

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driven to the palace, he swept her along to their home on the second floor. Again he gathered her in his arms and carried her through to their bedroom.

      After following her down onto the bed, he began kissing her. They were starving for each other. Christina couldn’t get enough of him fast enough. Everything that had kept them apart had been cleared away. She was able to give him all the love she’d stored up in her heart and body.

      The next morning she heard a sound of satisfaction as he pulled her on top of him. Their night of lovemaking had appeased them for a little while. She sat up and looked at their clothes strewn all over the floor.

      Antonio pulled her back down. “I’m in love with you, Christina. So terribly in love with my red-haired beauty I’ll never get over it. You believe me, don’t you?”

      There was a vulnerability about the question that touched her heart. “I feel your love in every atom of my body, my darling. Is there any doubt how I feel about you after last night? I need you desperately and want your baby.”

      “Anything to oblige the woman who has made me thankful I was born a man.”

      “I loved you from the time I was fifteen, but I never dared admit it to myself because—”

      Another kiss stifled any words. “We’re never going to talk about past sadness. When I called your father to find out what he said to you, he gave me the answer and I had a revelation of what it was like to grow up with him. All we can do is feel sorry for him. I believe your mother has always been afraid of him.”

      “I know you’re right.” Just when Christina didn’t think she could love him anymore, he said or did something that made her love for him burn hotter. “I can’t wait to thank your parents for Bora Bora.”

      “They’ve always lived their life over-the-top, but there’s one thing they did I’ll always be thankful for. They wanted us to find love.”

      “Yes, darling, and we found it there.”

      He kissed her neck and shoulders. “I’m the happiest man alive.”

      “Are you ready for a little more happy news?”

      “What?”

      “Enzio has asked Elena to marry him.”

      Antonio grinned. “He’s a brave man to want to take her on.”

      “She’s worth the risk. Guess what else? Marusha is expecting a baby.” Christina kissed every feature. “I can’t wait until we can announce we’re having our own baby.”

      “I’m going to do my best to make that happen. I know now the one thing missing in my life was you and the family we’re planning to have. We should have gotten married instead of engaged.”

      “I think about that too, all the time. But I don’t think we were destined to get together until the time was right. We both had work to do first.”

      Antonio rolled her over and looked down at her. “You’re the most beautiful sight this man has ever seen. I love you, tesoro mio. Never leave me.”

      “You know why I did.”

      A pained look entered his eyes. “The last three weeks have been the worst of my entire life.”

      “For me too. But as you said, no concentrating on past sorrows. We’re together now and I’m able to live every day and night with the prince of my heart.”

      While they were talking, the house phone rang. She eyed her husband. “That’s probably Guido wanting to know when you’re free to discuss royal business. You better put him out of his misery.”

      Antonio grinned and picked up. “Pronto.”

      “Your Highness, Princess Christina’s mother is asking if she can talk to her daughter in private.”

      He covered the mouthpiece. “Christina?” Curious, she looked at him. He stared into her eyes with concern. “Your mother wants to talk to you.”

      She swallowed nervously. “Is she on the phone?”

      “No. It’s Guido. What do you want to do?”

      “I’ll take the call.”

      He handed her the receiver. “Guido?”

      “Your mother asks if she can come to your apartment to talk to you.”

      She blinked. “Now?”

      “She’s says it’s of vital importance.”

      “Then have someone show her up.”

      “Very well.”

      Antonio had picked up on the conversation. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

      “Yes. My mother let me know she’s on our side. Why don’t you order breakfast while I talk to her in the living room? She won’t be here very long, no matter what is on her mind.”

      He pressed a swift kiss to her lips and did her bidding. As for herself, Christina could have changed into an outfit, but she decided the robe was perfectly presentable. Before long she heard a knock on the main door.

      Sucking in her breath, she opened it. Her mother always looked impeccably dressed and coiffed. But Christina knew right away something was wrong when she saw the tears in her eyes. “Come in.”

      But she just stood there.

      “Mother?”

      She shook her head. “I thought I could do this, but I can’t.” She started to turn away.

      “Can’t do what?” Christina asked, causing her mother to stop.

      “Ask your forgiveness, but I don’t have the right. I lost the right years ago. I knew your father must have had emotional problems when you were born. He wanted to give you up for adoption because you weren’t a boy. I purposely prevented any more pregnancies in case I had another girl.”

      Christina was aghast at what she was hearing, but it made sense when she considered what her great-aunt Sofia had told her about the Rose men.

      “I bargained with him that I wanted to keep you, and he wouldn’t be sorry. That’s why I kept you away. But you’ll never know my shame for what I’ve done.” She hung her head.

      “I may have given birth to you, and your father may have provided you with everything, but you didn’t have parents who showed you the love and devotion you deserved.”

      Christina stood there in shock as her mother broke down and sobbed.

      “I’ll never be forgiven for what I did to you. I don’t deserve forgiveness, but you’re my sweet, darling girl. I love you, Christina. My pride in you is fierce. Just know that I loved you from the moment you were born and I wanted you to hear it from me. I won’t bother you again.”

      “Mother? Don’t say that. I want us to have the relationship we never had. It’s never too late,” Christina said in a tremulous voice. “What you’ve told me about Papa changes everything.”

      Her mother turned to her with a face glistening in tears. “You mean you don’t hate me with every fiber of your being? I would, because I’m not the great person you are.”

      “Oh, Mama—”

      Christina reached for her and hugged her until her mother reciprocated. They clung for a long time. With every tear her mother shed, Christina felt herself healing. “We’ll invite you over for dinner in a few weeks. I’ll be cooking.” She kissed her mother on both cheeks. “Dry your tears and I’ll see you soon.”

      “Bless you, figlia mia.”

      * * *

      On Coronation Day bells rang out through the whole of Voti as Antonio and Christina left the cathedral and climbed into the open carriage. The massive throng roared, “Long live King Antonio and Queen

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