He knew that Grace Phillips was poorly and that Nathan and his little sister Tia had spent their childhood as her carers rather than having the freedom to be children; and he’d promised Nathan silently by the side of his coffin that he’d keep an eye on Grace and Tia.
But he’d been called away almost immediately on another mission, so he hadn’t even been able to attend Nathan’s memorial service. He’d written a personal note and asked Miles to post it for him—but he knew that a note wasn’t the same as actually being there. It had felt horribly like a weak excuse.
And then the fallout from his own father’s death had kept him on special leave from the army. For the last four months, Antonio Valenti had been kept busy supporting Luca as his brother took over the reins of ruling Casavalle. He’d also been helping with the preparations for both the coronation and Luca’s upcoming wedding to Princess Meribel, the oldest daughter of King Jorge of the house of Asturias in the neighbouring kingdom of Aguilarez. He’d barely had a minute to himself since returning to Casavalle, so he’d let his unspoken promise to Nathan slide.
Though Antonio knew he should’ve made the time. Especially as he knew how bad Nathan had felt, leaving his sister to care for their mother while he’d joined the army at the age of sixteen so he could send money home to help them financially. He should’ve done more to help support his best friend’s family. Been there for them, because he knew they had nobody else.
Tia had glanced back at him before going out on the balcony with an empty tray, presumably to collect glasses, but he had no idea whether or not she’d recognised him.
Then again, she was clearly working and her boss wouldn’t be happy if she stood around chatting to guests at the charity gala when she was supposed to be clearing up. Given her family’s circumstances, Antonio knew that Tia needed her job. It wouldn’t be fair to risk her losing the job and having that added financial pressure, just to salve his own guilty conscience.
But he couldn’t just leave things. Not now he’d seen her again. Surely she could spare him two minutes?
‘Please excuse me. I’m expected to mingle,’ he said to the guests he was with. As the patron of the charity, he was supposed to talk to every guest and thank them for their support; but he was pretty sure he’d already done that. So his conscience was clear as he headed towards the balcony where Tia had gone.
She was standing on the other side of the door as he opened it, and almost dropped her tray.
‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘Tia. It’s good to see you.’
‘Thank you, Your Royal Highness,’ she said coolly. ‘I would curtsey, but I’d rather avoid the risk of dropping my tray.’
He winced, knowing he deserved the rebuke. ‘You don’t need to curtsey, and it’s Antonio to you. Your brother was my friend.’
‘Yes, Your Royal Highness.’
Which put him very much in his place. He’d been a stranger and he deserved to be treated like one, despite his current attempt to be friendly with her. Given how he’d behaved, the last time they’d met, maybe it wasn’t so surprising that she preferred to keep a barrier of formality against him. OK. He’d stick to formality.
‘Ms Phillips,’ he said. ‘I appreciate that you’re working right now, but perhaps we could talk when you’ve finished?’
‘I really shouldn’t be taking up guests’ time, Your Royal Highness,’ she said.
Which was a polite way of telling him he shouldn’t be taking up her time, either. Another deserved rebuke, he thought. ‘After your shift,’ he said, glancing quickly at his watch. ‘The gala finishes in five minutes.’
When it looked as if she was going to think up an excuse, he said softly, ‘Please. It’d be so good to talk to someone who knew Nathan.’
For a moment, his brown eyes were filled with pain, before his expression returned to its former careful neutrality. So maybe the Prince wasn’t quite as cold and uncaring as he’d seemed. That glimpse of pain just now told her that the Prince really had cared about her brother. Maybe she should cut the man some slack. Be kind to her brother’s friend. Even though part of her still felt he should’ve made more of an effort, for her mum’s sake.
‘All right,’ she said. ‘I’ll meet you when I’m done here. But I’m working tomorrow. I can’t stay long.’
‘Just a few minutes. Thank you.’ He paused. ‘I’m staying in the penthouse suite. I can of course arrange for a chaperone, if you prefer.’
‘That won’t be necessary, Your Royal Highness.’ Like her brother, Prince Antonio was a man of honour. Tia knew without having to ask that his behaviour towards her would be respectful. ‘The penthouse suite,’ she echoed.
‘My security team will let you in,’ he said. ‘Forgive me for being rude, but I’d better go back to the guests. I’m the patron of the charity.’
Meaning that he was here on official duties? Though the Prince had been so cold and starchy when he’d come to tell Tia and her mum the news about Nathan, she wasn’t convinced he really cared about bereaved children, the way the patron would normally have a personal interest in the cause they supported. Though maybe losing his friend had taught him a little more empathy.
To her surprise, he held the door for her so she didn’t have to struggle with her tray of glasses.
This was surreal.
She’d just made an assignation with a prince. In his penthouse suite.
A prince who’d been her brother’s best friend, though because Nathan had kept his work and his family separate this was only the second time she’d ever met Prince Antonio. They didn’t really know each other. The only thing they had in common was Nathan and the hole his death had left in their lives.
But maybe she should hear what he had to say. Maybe he’d give her some crumb of comfort she could give to her mum. That would be worth her feeling even more tired tomorrow morning.
The next few minutes passed in a blur of clearing tables and attending to the last-minute needs of guests, but finally she was done.
Sadie hugged her. ‘Thanks so much for helping tonight, Tia. I owe you.’
‘That’s what friends are for,’ Tia said with a smile. ‘And you know it’s a cause close to my heart.’ She’d been in exactly the same position as the children that the charity helped.
‘Get a taxi home. I’ll pick up the bill,’ Sadie said.
Tia shook her head. ‘It’s fine. I’ll get the night tube. The walk will give me a chance to wind down.’ After she’d met Prince Antonio. Not that she planned to tell her friend about that.
‘Then I’m buying you dinner, some time this week. No arguments,’ Sadie said.
‘That would be good. Depending on how Mum is,’ Tia added swiftly. No way was she going out if her mum was having a tough health day. Family came first.
‘Or maybe I could bring dinner round for the three of us,’ Sadie
