CHAPTER 16 Tanzi
I wear a strapless vintage Alexander McQueen gown (that mom convinced the design house to pull out of their vault) to the reception.
My jewelry is just as stunning. Mom and dad paid a favorite jeweler vast amounts of money to create a diamond and ruby choker and earrings fit for a princess that match my engagement ring in time for the party.
The complimentary ruby and diamond tiara placed carefully amidst the gold and brown curls swept up in an elegant pile on my head is a gift from the king and Queen. And it”s not recently made.
According to Queen Therese, the tiara was favored by King Claudio”s third-great-grandmother.
”You look like a princess, even if you never expected to be one.” Rio”s eyes are hot with admiration.
I grin up at him while we wait at the bottom of the grand staircase of the cavernous ballroom with both our parents to greet the guests. ”Thank you. I like the prince togs too. Who knew epaulets could be so sexy?”
He laughs, looking amazing in the formal suit of Isole dei Re royalty.
One of the first guests is a tall man who could give my husband a run for his money in the whole too gorgeous for words category.
Only this guy”s eyes? Are cold like January in Upstate New York.
”Prince Vittorio, may I extend our most sincere congratulations on behalf of Volyarus and my family?” Hottie McHotterson extends his hand to shake Rio”s.
Rio introduced me, revealing the man is the Crown Prince of Volyarus. Goosebumps chased up my arm when the imposing man bends over my hand.
The Volyarussian prince moves on and I fan myself. ”Wow. Who was that guy?”
”I introduced you.” Rio”s jaw is taut.
”Yes, but he”s kind of intense, isn”t he?”
”He”s the perfect prince. My father only wishes I was as dutiful and committed to my country”s welfare.”
I don”t like the sound of that. To my knowledge, Rio and his father never talked about the accusation our fathers made during that first volatile meeting after the wedding.
”So, you were just in Palermo on vacation?” I ask a little loudly after greeting another guest.
”No. I was on business, I told you.”
”For Isole dei Re.” Again, I speak louder than normal so our parents can hear.
Am I rubbing his and my father”s noses in the message I”m trying to get across? Why, yes, yes I am.
”Yes, he was,” his father answers for Rio. ”We run many interests to support our island country”s economy and Rio has taken a key role in some of the hardest but most lucrative for the country.”
I”m perfectly happy to loop his dad into the conversation. ”Huh. So, Rio must have taken a long break after university before diving into the country”s business though, right? Travelled. Dated beautiful women. Played with the other young royals of the world.”
Rio does another introduction before laughing drily. ”Not a chance. I started working for the country”s interests long before I graduated with my MBA from Harvard.”
I give his father and mine a narrow-eyed glare before smiling up at my husband again. ”I”d say you”re pretty darn dutiful and committed to the best interests of your country then.”
Rio doesn”t reply, but he”s smiling when he performs the next introduction.
And his mood is buoyant for the rest of the night, which we spend dancing with each other and our families, but also important people that expect the privilege.
Just like it would have been at our wedding if we”d had one.
For the millionth time, I”m glad we didn”t.