“And Father Janos?”
“Si.” With a poker face, he added, “In case you can’t tell them apart, Vincenzo is the tall guy wearing the gray suit and white rose. The short, portly father is wearing...well...let’s just say he’s dressed in splendid robes for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of your marriage.”
Her eyes smarted. “Thank you for being his dear friends. Your friendship saved him at the darkest moment of his life.”
Takis cocked his head. “Someday we’ll tell you just how dark our lives were when we arrived in the States. Meeting Vincenzo was the best thing that ever happened to us. Isn’t that right, Cesare?”
The Sicilian nodded and lent her his arm. “It’s four o’clock. Time to begin.”
Takis opened the doors and walked Filippa down the aisle. Gemma followed with Cesare. For such a small chapel, the interior was breathtaking, with wall and ceiling frescoes still vibrant with color.
This was where she’d seen Vincenzo’s grandfather worship. Now Emanuele’s two grandsons stood on either side of Father Janos, waiting for Gemma. She feared her heartbeat could be heard throughout the incense-sweet interior. With each step that took her closer to Vincenzo, it seemed to grow louder.
Except for the absence of the father she’d never known, Gemma couldn’t imagine a more perfect setting for their intimate wedding. The most important people in the world were here in attendance.
Cesare walked her to the front, where Vincenzo reached for her hands. Beneath his black wavy hair, the bronzed features of his striking face stood out against the frescoes. The candles beneath the shrine cast flickering shadows, revealing to Gemma the impossibility of his male beauty.
They both whispered, “Ti amo...” at the same time.
Father Janos bestowed a thoughtful smile on them. “I understand this moment has been in the making for many years.”
She nodded. Vincenzo must have told him everything.
“That is a good long time for you to have loved each other and should give you the faith that your union will be blessed by the Almighty. Vincenzo? Take her right hand in your left and repeat after me. ‘I, Vincenzo Nistri Gagliardi, Duca di Lombardi, take Gemma Bonucci Rizzo for my beloved wife. I will love her, cherish her, protect her for the rest of my life.’”
Gemma heard him repeat the words in that deep, thrilling voice of his.
“Now, Gemma. Repeat these words.”
She looked into Vincenzo’s eyes. Between the dark lashes they gleamed pure silver. “I, Gemma Bonucci Rizzo, take Vincenzo Nistri Gagliardi, Duca de Lombardi, for my beloved husband, who has always been beloved to me.” The last part of the sentence was her own addition. It brought a smile to Vincenzo’s lips.
“I will love him, cherish him, support him and honor him for the rest of my life.” The honor part was another deviation from the script, but she wanted him to know how complete was her commitment to him.
“Because you have taken these vows, I pronounce you man and wife. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Vincenzo? Do you have a ring?”
“I do.”
“You may present it to your wife.
She was his wife!
His fingers were sure as he pushed home a diamond in a gold band on her ring finger.
“Do you have a ring, Gemma?”
“She does,” Dimi said and came forward. He handed her the gold band she’d picked out for Vincenzo during their shopping spree with her mother.
“You may present it to your husband.”
Vincenzo helped her put it on, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It went on for a long, long time. Gemma forgot everything and everyone. Somehow she’d been given her heart’s desire, and nothing mattered but to pledge her heart and soul to him in the most intimate way she knew how.
“I love you, Gemma. You just don’t know how much.”
“But I do, amore mio.”
They kissed each other once more. When he finally lifted his mouth from hers, she realized they were the only ones left in the chapel. “Oh, no—even the priest has gone.”
He gave her that white smile to die for. “Father Janos was a man before he wore the robes. That should answer your question.”
“There’s no one like you. It was a perfect wedding.”
Vincenzo wrapped his arms around her. “There’s more. Much as I want to take you upstairs, our friends are waiting in my grandfather’s small dining room to celebrate with us. I’m excited, because Cesare’s contribution has been to make the meal for us. He learned to cook from his mother, just the way you did. It’ll be an all-Sicilian menu tonight.”
She put her arms around his neck. “I love your friends. I adore Dimi, and I love my dear friend Filippa. I’ve decided her timing in coming back to Italy was meant to be, as was Mamma’s. Now I guess we’d better not keep them all waiting.”
He kissed her eyes, nose and mouth. “They understand and will enjoy the vintage Sicilian wine until we get there. One more kiss, sposa mia.”
Twenty minutes later they walked arm in arm to the second floor. When they entered the dining room, Gemma could smell the beef fillet in brandy before she saw the paintings of wood nymphs, all in a serious state of undress. Her face turned scarlet.
Everyone clapped. Vincenzo walked her to the table and sat down next to her, putting his hand on her thigh beneath the table. Heat coursed through her body.
Dimi raised his glass. “To my cousin and his wife. To Mirella. None of you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to say that. I don’t know when I’ve ever been this happy.” His eyes were smiling. So were Filippa’s.
Cosimo waited on them, bringing one delicious dish after another. Caponata...arancini...pasta with urchin sauce.
When the meal concluded, Gemma got to her feet. “This is joy beyond measure to be surrounded by our friends and my beloved mother. What can I say about our bridal feast? The six-star award goes to Cesare for the best meal I’ve ever eaten in my life. Grazie with all my heart.”
Cesare beamed. “Di niente.”
Vincenzo stood up and put his arm around Gemma’s waist. “I can’t improve on anything my bride said. And now I must tell you we have a pressing engagement elsewhere and ask to be excused, but we know you will understand.”
The men’s deep laughter filled the room while Filippa and Gemma exchanged a secret smile. With her friend planning to stay at the pensione for a few more days, everything was working out perfectly. On a whim, Gemma removed her garland of roses and tossed it to Filippa, then tossed her mother a kiss. She would be staying in the tower room of the principessa until after the hotel’s grand opening. Vincenzo couldn’t do enough for her.
“Come
