“How sad that must have been for you. When the wild rabbit I found and nursed back to health eventually died, it took me a long time to get over it. I’m surprised you didn’t become a vet.”
Nico finished his wine. “There was another experience earlier in my life that influenced me to go into a different kind of medicine, but I’ll never regret my time on that farm.”
“I think you were lucky.”
“For many reasons I agree.” Right now I’m the luckiest man on the planet. “The family I lived with were good to me and cooked roast pig at least twice a week. We ate well, which was a blessing because I was always hungry. Whenever I get homesick for those days, I come here to eat.”
“I can see why. Do you ever go back to Biella?”
He was flattered and humbled by her interest in his life, as if she really wanted to know. “About every two months since I moved here. I enjoy the trip and visit friends, some of whom need medical help.”
“How fortunate for them to have you looking after them.” After she’d finished her meal, she swallowed the rest of her wine. “Where is your family?”
The inevitable question, reminding him of the separation between them. For a little while he’d forgotten. After sitting back, he studied her through narrowed lids. “I’ve been wanting to know the answer to that question since my first remembrance of life.”
She studied him. “I don’t understand.”
“Someone like you whose royal pedigree goes back thousands of years would have a hard time relating.”
“Please can’t you forget my background and just talk to me like I’m a normal woman?” she persisted. Her endearing sincerity got to him.
Nico slowly drank his hot coffee. “I’m here on a temporary visa that has to be renewed on a regular basis. I have no idea of my true nationality, which is why I couldn’t answer your question about citizenship.”
A slight frown marred her brow. “But your parents—”
He lowered his cup. “I think around five years of age I must have asked someone where my mamma was because there was a painting of the bambino Gesu with his mamma in the big room.
“Apparently I understood some Italian and remember a lady in black patting my head. ‘Only God knows, figlio mio. While you are here, we shall call you Nico.’ Later I learned I’d been placed there with the nuns at the age of two, but I have no memory of it. The orphanage is in a village near Biella.”
A look of compassion and other emotions less definable pooled in the celestial blue eyes of the princess.
“Now I’ve told you more than I’ve told anyone else in years. You have that rare quality of being a good listener. I’m not surprised you were hired as a volunteer. The sick children won’t mind being in the hospital with you there for comfort. Would you like dessert before we leave?”
“No, thank you,” she whispered, clearly moved by what he’d told her.
Already he’d learned she had a sensitive nature that made her even more desirable to him. It set off warnings that he’d be a fool to get any more involved, even if she were amenable, but it was too late. She’d already walked right into his heart. But even if he dared to imagine a future with her, how could there be one? She was the daughter of a king and queen. No matter what she’d claimed, he was convinced her future would be settled by them when the time was right.
“Then I’ll drive you back to the palace so your bodyguard seated near the entrance to the restaurant can go off duty and stop worrying that I’m going to whisk you away.”
An orphan.
To think she’d been complaining about waiting for her father’s attention growing up when Nico had been raised in an orphanage!
Already crazy about him, her heart went out to him. She wished the handsome, hard-muscled man who was so much more than a doctor would drive her to a place where they could be completely alone to talk some more.
Nico had stunned her by what he’d revealed of his life so far, but she’d only scratched the surface. After he’d taken her into his confidence, there were endless questions she wanted to ask.
Instead he’d reverted to treating her like a princess, which put distance between them when it was the last thing she wanted. Tonight had been magical. Having to go home was the part she hated.
After paying for their delicious meal, he said goodbye to the owner and walked her to his car, clinging to her hand. The small intimacy filled her with longing to get closer to him. Soon they would reach the palace and this glorious evening together would be over. She couldn’t bear it.
If she invited him in to her apartment so they could talk further, would he turn her down flat because he couldn’t allow himself to cross that line? She’d told him there was no other man in her life.
As they entered the estate, she guessed she’d find out because she didn’t want to say good-night. Already he’d become of vital importance to her in every way. He followed the road around the palace to the side entrance. Another minute and he pulled to a stop. “Home safe and sound.”
Fausta prayed he would want to stay in the car to talk with her for a little while, but no such luck. He got right out and walked around to her side to open the door. Their arms brushed as she alighted, sending darts of awareness through her body.
“Would you like to come inside, Nico?” Her heart was pounding so hard it had made her voice throb. Please say yes.
“Thank you, but I’m afraid I still have to return several calls after I get home.”
Don’t react, Fausta.
“I forgot about that. Thank you so much for the ride and a dinner I’ll never forget.”
“Neither will I, believe me. Before you go in, I wondered if you would like to go to a film with me Tuesday evening after work? We’ll grab a bite on the way.”
His question caught her off guard so completely, she almost fainted with happiness. “I can’t wait and haven’t been to a movie in ages.”
“Neither have I. We’ll leave after your shift. In case an emergency crops up, let’s exchange cell phone numbers.”
When that was accomplished, he said, “Buona notte, Fausta.”
She smiled. “Alla prossima, Nico.”
Fausta headed for the entrance where a palace guard opened the door for her. Without looking behind her, she went inside and dashed up the staircase to her apartment.
Her gambit to prolong their time together tonight had failed, but he wanted to see her again on Tuesday evening. When he’d first turned her down, she’d feared he’d decided she wasn’t that interesting after all. But his next question had sent her spirits soaring. He did want to be with her, hopefully as much as she craved to spend time with him.
She found herself dancing around as she got ready for bed. When she came out of the bathroom, her cell phone was ringing. She reached for it and checked the caller ID. It could be any one of her friends who worked on fund-raisers with her. Seeing who it was, she clicked on. “Mia!”
“Wow! Do you ever sound happy.”
“I am. Nico and I went to dinner tonight, and Tuesday night we’re going to see a film.”
“Wait. Tell me all that again. Go slowly.”
She clutched the phone tighter. For the next few minutes she explained how things had happened at the hospital, their meal in the cafeteria and Babbo’s, plus their subsequent