always found him more attractive and headstrong than Alberto, but she’d never told anyone her true feelings.
Her father shook his head. “His royal title has just been restored to him through an emergency act of that same parliament. Now he has officially proposed marriage to you.”
Lanza let out a cry, incredulous that Stefano wanted to marry her when he’d hardly noticed her growing up. “Is it so important that our two countries combine our money and resources to the point that Stefano has been sent in to salvage the situation? He’s the brother who wanted nothing to do with royal life!”
She knew she’d shocked her parents with an outburst that was totally unlike her. Never in her life had she dared speak her mind to them like this. But she felt frustrated and angry.
Her mother stood up and walked over to her. “We can understand your anger, darling, but please just listen. These have been dark days for all of us, but it’s true that Stefano wants to take his brother’s place and honor his commitment to you. It’s what both our families want.”
“But it’s not what I want and I’m over twenty-one!” Lanza stared at her parents in sheer disbelief. What they were asking went beyond rational thought. “You do know Stefano gave up the royal life years ago because he hated it.”
“That’s in the past,” her father murmured.
“Papà—he’s a gold-mining engineer and, according to Alberto, has had various love affairs with women where he’s lived around the world. You’re asking me to marry him? Are you serious?” she cried out.
Her mother’s eyes implored her. “We’re asking you to think about it and what it will mean for our two countries, for the future of both royal lines.”
“I’m getting older every day,” her father murmured. “Worse, I’m plagued by a fatigue that is growing more serious. I need a son-in-law to lean on who is fit to be king. Prince Stefano was raised like his brother, Alberto, and will make a splendid husband for you.”
“But he’s been a playboy!”
“No,” her father argued. “What he has done in his nonroyal past is what most men do before they find the right woman. There’s been no scandal about him in the media. He’s brought no shame of any kind. Quite the opposite. His brilliant business acumen is known around the world and has helped enrich his country. He’s Basilio’s son, after all.”
“But Father—”
“Hear me out, Lanza. His private life before now has no bearing on the future. That part is over.”
“How do you know he doesn’t have children somewhere? I’m not trying to be cruel by saying that, only practical.”
His expression hardened. “I’m going to forget you said that. He’s prepared to be a husband to you.”
Lanza was too stunned to talk. She studied her father, worried if it was true that he was ill. This was news no one had told her about. “Why haven’t I heard about your health before now, Papà?” She’d noticed he moved a little slower these days, but she attributed it to his growing older.
Her mother put a hand on her arm. “Because we didn’t want to burden you while you were preparing for your wedding day. We were assuming you wouldn’t have to worry about it, but with Alberto dying, everything has changed. Under the circumstances we’ll leave to give you time to think about everything.” She turned to Lanza’s father. “Come on, Victor.”
As Lanza watched them go, her two older sisters came in and shut the door. She sucked in her breath. “I take it you could hear us talking.”
They nodded.
“Is it true? Is Papà ill?”
“I only know what Mamà said.” Donetta spoke first. “Papà’s physician is concerned about his health and says he needs to slow down.”
Fausta nodded. “I have a feeling it’s his heart, but they won’t tell us.”
Lanza shivered and walked over to the fireplace. “Why didn’t you two tell me?”
Donetta drew closer. “We were ordered not to.”
“In other words, I’m the baby who can’t handle bad news.”
“No. They’ve been living for your wedding and didn’t want anything to mar it.”
She closed her eyes tightly. “What they’ve asked me now is impossible, but I shouldn’t have gotten so upset with them.”
“Yes, you should have!” Fausta blurted. “I’m proud of you. You haven’t seen Prince Stefano in years. Naturally, we’re all worried that something is wrong with Papà, but even so, you shouldn’t let this news make you do what you don’t want to do.”
Donetta nodded. “I hate to tell you this, Lanza, but you’ve always been a lot like Cinderella from your favorite fairy tale. She, too, was sweet and believed everything would turn out in the end. But you don’t have a fairy godmother to save you. Otherwise, Alberto wouldn’t have died. You need to wake up before it’s too late.”
“She’s right!” Fausta chimed once more, adding to Lanza’s turmoil. “Cinderella was a fool. She should have gone out into the world to find a man of the people, not some puppet prince, and enjoy a life away from a royal world. That’s what I’m planning to do.”
Lanza understood her sisters well. Twenty-five-year-old Donetta had no intention of getting married and her parents knew it. But the day would come when they would demand that she marry some prince they approved of.
She’d grown up wanting to be queen, with no man telling her what to do, but it would be impossible because of the succession law of their country that excluded women from ruling.
As for Fausta, their twenty-four-year-old sister, she’d dreamed of marrying a commoner and having a life like her close friends in the city. Fausta thought she was safe, but in the end their parents wouldn’t allow it and she’d end up marrying a prince they’d picked out for her.
That left Lanza as her parents’ hope for finding the perfect royal son-in-law. But Alberto’s death had rendered that null and void. Or so she’d thought!
“We know how upset you are. Would you rather be alone?”
Lanza turned to Fausta. “If you don’t mind, I’ve got a lot to think about.”
“We’ll eat dinner and then come back up to talk. We’re here if you need us.” Donetta gave her a peck on the cheek before they left the apartment.
Lanza turned toward the fire once more. What in the name of heaven was she going to do? She loved her father. The last thing she’d ever want would be to disappoint him or her mother, or do something that could make his condition worse.
But to be asked to marry Stefano, who’d turned his back on everything in order to be free…
She remembered one weekend in August when Alberto had come to see her and she’d asked him why he sometimes seemed sad. Lanza wanted to know the truth so she could
