LITMIR.BIZ

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around when you bought me a new one just like it and gave it to me before you left us at the school.” She felt her eyes smart. “That was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me.”

      “Then we’re even because Elena needed a constant friend like you and you were there for her in her darkest hours. You have no idea what that meant to me. I knew I could always count on you. I wish I could say the same for our parents. They’ve been so caught up in a lifestyle that has cost them the confidence of the people that they’ve neglected Elena, who needed a strong hand.”

      Christina sucked in her breath. “I needed her friendship too.”

      “Elena told me you had problems with your parents.”

      “Yes, but I don’t want to talk about them right now. We were talking about your sister. She’s so sweet. Elena cared about me when no one else did. She made me believe in myself.”

      “The two of you have an unbreakable bond. Otherwise you wouldn’t have stayed close over all these years. You don’t know how lucky you are. How rare that is.”

      “According to Elena, you have that kind of relationship with Zach.”

      He nodded. “But I didn’t have a friend like you while I was at boarding school and college. It wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco. If you want to know a secret, I envied you and Elena.”

      She heard a loneliness in his admission that went deep. “Because you’re the prince, it was probably hard for you to confide in someone else during those early years. With you being expected to rule one day, you had to watch every step.”

      Antonio stopped dancing and grasped her hands in both of his. “You understand so much about me, Christina.” His blue eyes had darkened with emotion. “But you paid a price by agreeing to get engaged to me.”

      Giddy with happiness she said, “What price is that when I’m having the wedding of my dreams?”

      Her thoughts flew back to their engagement. The king and queen had thrown the supposedly happy couple a huge, glossy engagement party, but it had been the worst night of Christina’s life. To have to be on show, self-consciously standing next to the most gorgeous man she’d ever known, she’d never felt so unglamorous in her life. Especially when she knew her parents considered her a failure.

      Yet they’d acted thrilled over the engagement and made such a fuss over her that it made her happy that they showed her that kind of attention. She’d been starved for it. But once she saw the photos, she’d been unable to bear the sight of herself looking so dull and plump. But that was a long time ago and she refused to dwell on it.

      The guests had been going through the buffet line before finding their seats at individual linen-covered tables with baskets of creamy roses and sunflowers. Christina had to admit the estate and grounds looked beautiful. A fountain modeled after the one in the courtyard of a draped nymph holding a shell formed the centerpiece. Everything looked right out of a dreamworld, including the beautifully dressed people.

      Antonio drew her even closer as they walked past the guests to get their food. He handed her a plate and they moved back and forth, choosing a delicious tidbit here and there. But she was too happy and stimulated to sit down to a big meal with him at a table reserved for them alone.

      Several of the guests had started to dance. Among them Louisa, who was being partnered by Nico. According to Louisa, the two of them weren’t on the best of terms, but the way he was looking at her right now, Christina got the feeling they had a strong attraction. Well, well. It appeared the festive party mood had infected everyone.

      Antonio finished what was on his plate. Since hers was empty, he put them both on the table. When he looked at her she was filled with strong emotion and said, “Today I’m so happy to be your wife, Antonio. I mean that with all my heart.”

      “Christina,” he said in a husky voice, squeezing her hand. “Because of your sacrifice for me—for the country—I trust you with my life.” He said it like a vow and kissed her fingers in a gesture so intimate in front of the wedding guests that she made up her mind to be the best wife possible.

      Just then Louisa happened to pass by her. “You look radiant,” she whispered.

      Christina was still reacting to Antonio’s gesture as well as his words. “So did you out there dancing with Nico.”

      “Who knew he could waltz?”

      Her comment made Christina chuckle. Antonio smiled at her. “I want to dance the whole evening away with you, but I think we need to say something to our parents.”

      They walked hand in hand toward the king and queen and they all chatted for a moment. Christina’s parents were seated by them. While Antonio was still talking with his parents for a minute, her mother, dressed in an oyster silk suit, got up from the table to greet Christina with a peck on the cheek.

      Though Christina had known this began as a publicity stunt, she’d tried to win her parents’ affection. Four years later she was still trying and had hopes that her marriage to the future king had softened their opinion of her.

      Her mother stared into her eyes. “You look lovely, Christina. I do believe that tint on your hair was the right shade.”

      A compliment from her mother meant everything. “I’m glad you like it.”

      “It’s a good thing Lindsay planned everything else, including your new royal wardrobe. You’ll always want to look perfect for Antonio.”

      “I plan to try.”

      “I know you will. Certainly today you’ve succeeded.” Her voice halted for a minute before she added, “You’ve never looked so attractive.”

      Christina’s eyes moistened. She couldn’t believe her mother was actually paying her another compliment. In fact, she sensed her mother wanted to say more but held back.

      “Grazie, Mama,” she said in a tremulous voice, and kissed her mother’s cheek.

      Marusha stood nearby. Christina hugged her. She’d flown in for the wedding. Her family would be coming for the coronation. For this ceremony, only their closest friends and relatives made up the intimate gathering.

      Next came Christina’s great-aunt Sofia. “You look enchanting.” The older woman embraced her. “Working in Africa has made all the difference in you,” she said quietly. “You have a queenly aura that comes naturally to you.”

      Christina craved her aunt’s warmth and hugged her extra hard. “I’m thrilled to be wearing the brooch.” She was glad Antonio had sneaked up to the bridal chamber to give it to her.

      “It suits you. I’m so proud of you I could burst.”

      “Don’t do that!” she said as they broke into gentle laughter.

      “I’ve been watching your handsome husband. He’s hardly taken his eyes off you since we came outside.” Her brown gaze conveyed her sincerity. “I can see why. You’re a vision, and you’re going to help Prince Antonio transform our country into its former glory. I feel it in these old bones. I have the suspicion that you didn’t need the brooch to bring you good luck. You and your prince are special, you know?”

      No, Christina didn’t know, but she loved her aunt for saying so. “I love you.”

      Her great-aunt kissed her on the cheek before Elena rushed in to hug her hard. “Ooh—you’re the most gorgeous bride I ever saw. I do believe you’ve knocked the socks off Tonio. All the time he’s been talking to the parents, he’s had his eye on you.”

      Sofia had said the same thing. From the mouths of two witnesses…

      “The two of you looked so happy out there it seemed like you were sharing some great secret. By the way, in passing I heard your mother tell your aunt Sofia that she’d never been so proud of you.”

      “Thank you for telling me. Things seem to be better with Mother,” she

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