“Alberto told us he hoped to have a family.” His mother stared at him with longing. “I’m sure Princess Lanza was planning on children, too. That dream is gone, but you could make a whole new dream begin. I’ve had that dream for you, too, Stefano.
“On all your travels for business and pleasure, you’ve never brought a woman home for us to meet, let alone marry. We were prepared that you’d eventually want marriage and have a family, but it has never come to pass. If there’s a special woman, you haven’t said anything.”
Stefano sucked in his breath. This whole conversation was unreal, including a discussion of a woman in his life he couldn’t do without. He’d met several and had enjoyed some intimate relationships, but the thought of settling down with one of them hadn’t entered his mind. As Alberto had said, he liked his freedom too much.
“Have you even considered Princess Lanza’s feelings?” he asked them in a grating voice, struggling to make sense of this situation.
His father nodded. “King Victor and I talked about it before the funeral. He’s as anxious as I for this to happen and has probably discussed this with her already. Victor assures me it’s in her nature to do what is good for both countries.”
No normal woman worth her salt would agree to such a loveless marriage, but a royal princess was a different matter if she believed it was her duty. Over the phone a few months ago, Alberto had told him in private that Princess Lanza had a sweet, biddable disposition.
Maybe she did. But the many royal princesses he’d met in his early teens were very spoiled, full of themselves, impossible to please, moody and felt entitled to the point of absurdity.
His vague memory of Lanza was that she was nice, but that was years ago and she’d been so young. His brother was a kind, decent human being. Alberto always tried to find the best in everyone and had probably made up his mind to like her.
After hearing what his parents had just told him about the sacrifice he’d made for Stefano, it was possible Alberto hadn’t liked Princess Lanza at all. But he would have pretended otherwise to fulfill his obligations after making the incredible bargain with their parents. It was Alberto’s way.
Stefano shook his head. He wasn’t born with that kind of greatness in his soul. Humbled by what he’d learned, tortured by the decision his parents were asking him to make, he started for the door. “I need to be alone to think and will be back later.”
Once outside in the chilling air, he drove his Lancia into the city to talk to his best friend, Enzo Perino, who managed his own father’s banking interests. Stefano found him in his office on the phone.
The second Enzo saw him in the doorway, he waved him inside. After he hung up, he lunged from the chair to hug him. “I’m so sorry about Alberto.”
“So am I, Enzo.”
“Chiara and I couldn’t get near you at the funeral. There were too many people.” Stefano nodded. “Come to our house tonight for dinner so we can really talk.”
He stared at his best friend who’d recently married. They’d been friends throughout childhood and had done everything together, including military service. Stefano had been the best man at their wedding three months ago.
“I need help.”
Enzo chuckled. “Since when have you ever needed a loan?”
Stefano sat down in one of the leather chairs. “I wish money were the problem, but it isn’t.”
As Stefano’s father had emphasized, this suggested marriage had a lot more riding on it than financial considerations.
“You sound serious.”
“More serious than you’ll ever know.”
“Go ahead. I’m listening.”
“My father woke me up at the crack of dawn to have a talk.” In the next few minutes he told Enzo the thrust of the conversation with his parents, including the necessary part about being reinstated by parliament.
“Our marriage will make me heir apparent to the throne of Domodossola since King Victor has no sons. He doesn’t have any married daughters yet. According to their rules of succession, a woman can’t become queen in their country. He’ll have to rely on a son-in-law.”
His friend whistled and sank down in the chair behind his desk. “I know this used to happen in the Middle Ages, but not today.” He looked gutted. “Who will take over Umbriano when your father can no longer rule?”
“My sister, but I imagine that’s many years away. Our country doesn’t run by the same laws. You know that. Since I was granted my freedom, she’s been raised to be second in line should anything happen to Alberto. Which it did,” he said in a mournful tone.
“But if you’re reinstated—”
“No—” He interrupted him. “My destiny lies with the throne of Domodossola, the only reason for reinstating me.”
Enzo slapped his hands on the desk. “There goes the end of our friendship.”
“Don’t you ever say that!”
He smiled sadly. “How can I not? With you living in Domodossola, you’ll be a prisoner running the affairs of government, hardly ever free to leave the country or have time for me. What will you do with all your mining companies?”
“I still plan to run them, of course.”
“Then you’ll be carrying a double load. I thought it was too good to be true when your father released you from your princely duties on your eighteenth birthday. We should have known it would all come to an early end.”
Stefano closed his eyes for a minute, never imagining he’d lose his brother so young. “I haven’t told my parents what I’m going to do. Not yet.”
While he’d driven into town, he’d considered the huge decision his parents had made to give Stefano his freedom. In searching his soul, one thing became clear. He could solve his parents’ dilemma about the marriage situation by unselfishly taking Alberto’s place. How could he not when his brother had willingly done his double royal duty to make up for Stefano’s absence?
“It’ll happen,” Enzo muttered. “I know how much you loved Alberto. You’ll never let your parents down now that you know of your brother’s sacrifice. As for Princess Lanza, she’ll agree to marry you. After all, you are Alberto’s brother and she knew you when your families got together as children.”
“That’s true, but I was hoping for some much-needed advice from you.”
They stared at each other for a long time. “All right—there’s only one way I can see this working. You need your freedom, so do her the biggest favor of her life and yours. You’ve got a year before the wedding. Let her know before you’re married that you plan to be your own person and continue doing the mining work you love while you help her father govern. It’ll mean you’ll be apart from her for long periods. Give her time to adjust to that fact, know what I mean?”
* * *
Pain wasn’t
