Chapter Eleven #2
The following weekend, Alessia walked out of the bathroom after her shower with the robe wrapped around her, and stepped into the dressing room, where Gabriel had made space for her clothes.
He was taking her out, something that thrilled her, just as it thrilled her to be back in his arms after five nights apart.
She’d arrived in Madrid late last night and they’d gone straight to bed, making love until the sun had come up.
Only when they’d finally woken at midday did he lazily announce that he would be taking her out that night.
She’d assumed his aversion to publicity meant she would spend her entire marriage without a single date with her husband.
She wished she dared hope that he would one day change his mind and be her prince as well as her husband, even if it was only for those important family occasions like Amadeo’s wedding.
She wished so hard he would come with her, a wish that no longer had anything to do with not wanting to be humiliated.
Alessia just wanted the man she was falling in love with to be a real part of her family, not the royal side of it but the human side, and to hold her hand and create the same memories of those special occasions together.
But it wasn’t going to happen and there was no point upsetting herself over it. Their time together was short and she didn’t want to waste it by moping.
Choosing a white, strapless jumpsuit, she happily dressed and set to work on her hair and face.
It felt strange to be doing her own beauty care for a night out.
Normally the castle beauty team would set to work and turn her into the princess the world expected to see.
Gabriel had offered to bring in Madrid’s top beautician and hair stylist for her but she’d wanted to try it herself.
Here, in Madrid, she could just be Alessia, and it was a novelty that showed no sign of abating.
The thought of returning to the castle without him again sent an even stronger pang through her than it had last weekend.
The five days without him had passed quickly and yet somehow with excruciating slowness.
She’d had a couple of engagements each day and one on Wednesday evening, so in that respect, the time had flown, and yet, every time she’d sneaked a peek at her watch, she’d found the time until seeing Gabriel again still very far away.
Never mind, she told herself brightly. She was here now. Make the most of the time with him while she had him, and as she thought that, he strolled into the bedroom.
She beamed, unable and unwilling to contain her delight even though it had been less than an hour since he’d crawled out of bed after making love to her again. ‘How’s your sister?’ she asked.
Gabriel, who’d just spent an hour on the phone to Mariella, tugged his T-shirt up.
‘She’s doing great. She’ll be back next week.
’ He whipped the T-shirt over his head. Mariella was currently doing a sightseeing tour of Japan with her on-off lover.
‘It’s her birthday next Saturday so I’ve invited her to join us for dinner to celebrate. ’
About to drop his shorts, he noticed Alessia’s falling face in her reflection at the dressing table.
‘What’s wrong?’ He’d thought Alessia liked his sister. Not that she knew her properly yet, but he wanted her to. Nothing would make him happier than for his wife and his sister to get along and enjoy each other’s company.
‘I don’t think I’ll be here next weekend,’ she said, reaching for her phone.
Swiping, she began to type, saying, ‘I’m sure I’ve got an engagement next Saturday night at the royal theatre.
It’s an annual variety night raising money for cancer research.
I’m just checking now, but I’m sure it’s next weekend. ’
‘If you’ve got an engagement then you’ve got an engagement,’ he said evenly, even though his heart had sunk at the news.
It meant he would have to spend the weekend at the castle, and without Alessia for a large chunk of it.
‘It can’t be helped.’ Striding over to her, he dropped a kiss into her neck.
‘I’m going to take a shower and have a shave. ’
‘Where are we going?’
‘Club Giroud.’
‘The private members’ club?’
‘You’ve been?’
‘Not to the one in Madrid, but some friends and I went to the one in Rome last year... You do know it’s owned by King Dominic’s brother-in-law?’
‘I’ve known Nathaniel Giroud for years.’
She blinked her shock. ‘You’ve never mentioned it.’
He shrugged. ‘We’re acquaintances. His clubs are a good place to do business.’
Her phone buzzed. She swiped again then lifted her stare back to him and shrugged apologetically. ‘Sorry. The theatre engagement is next Saturday.’
‘It can’t be helped. I’ll rearrange Mariella for another weekend.’
‘But it’s her birthday,’ she said, clearly upset about it. Then her face brightened. ‘I know! She can come and stay with us at the castle. If she wants, I can arrange a ticket to the show for her.’
‘I will ask her.’
She hesitated before quietly saying, ‘And you can come too, if you’d like? You wouldn’t have to sit with me. I can get you tickets to sit with your sister.’
‘You already know the answer to that,’ he said evenly. Then, placing another kiss to her neck, Gabriel went into the bathroom and stood under the shower, turning the heat up as high as he could endure.
Away from Alessia’s alert eyes he took some deep breaths and willed the bilious resentment out of him.
This was the life he’d signed up for. Alessia’s job was a princess. He shouldn’t resent that it took her away from him on the few nights they had together.
The seductive glamour of Madrid’s Club Giroud was everything Alessia had expected and more. Situated in an ordinary street with an ordinary facade, having shaken their tail of paparazzi off they entered through an unobtrusive, ultra-discreet yet heavily guarded underground car park.
An elevator took them up to the club proper and then the night began.
First they had a meal in the swish restaurant, dining on the kind of food served up at the castle when honoured guests of state were in attendance, then they explored the rooms, each with its own vibe.
In some, business-suited men and women were clearly discussing business but everyone else was there to dance or gamble or sip cocktails with other members of the ultra-rich and powerful, confident that whatever took place within the club’s walls stayed there.
Having been in existence for almost two decades, the press still hadn’t got wind of it and it remained one of the few places a man like Gabriel could let his hair down and relax.
There were many faces Alessia recognised and, as she sipped a glass of fizzy grape juice in the poker room—no alcohol for her during the pregnancy—an elegant figure caught her eye and she elbowed Gabriel. ‘Look,’ she hissed. ‘It’s Princess Catalina and her husband.’
Gabriel, about to lay a card down, followed her stare.
As if they could feel their eyes on them, Nathaniel and Catalina Giroud turned their heads in unison. In an instant, smiles of recognition lit their faces and they weaved through the crowds to them.
Rising to his feet, Gabriel shook Nathaniel’s hand and, after being introduced, exchanged kisses with Catalina, who then turned her attention to Alessia and smiled widely.
‘Little Alessia Berruti! Look at you all grown up...’ A flare of mischief crossed her face.
‘Although not much taller than I remember.’
‘You two have met?’ Gabriel asked.
Alessia shrugged sheepishly. ‘The royal world is a small world. But it’s been a long time,’ she added to Catalina. ‘I think I was ten when we last met.’
Almost a decade older than Alessia, Catalina took her hand. ‘Yes, I remember. It was at your parents’ anniversary party. I remember being sorry for you when you were sent to bed. You tried so hard to keep a brave smile on your face and not show your disappointment.’
‘I guess I didn’t try hard enough if you noticed it,’ she laughed.
‘I only noticed because I’d once been in your shoes. You carried it off far more successfully than I ever did.’
Agreeing to join them for a drink, Gabriel finished his game and then they set off to the piano room, where a session musician was playing in the corner.
After a fresh round of drinks were served, the conversation soon turned to the one subject he would prefer not to speak of.
Amadeo’s wedding. Catalina was cousin to the bride.
Though it was doubtful she would know of Gabriel’s involvement in the setting up of the marriage, his chest still tightened.
‘I’m looking forward to it,’ Catalina surprised them by saying.
‘You’re going?’ Alessia asked.
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
‘But Dominic will be there.’
It was no secret in their circle that Dominic used to hit and tyrannise his sister and that he was the principal reason she’d fled Monte Cleure with Nathaniel.
‘Forgive me, but I was under the impression you wouldn’t step foot in the same country as Dominic.’
Catalina’s face clouded. ‘I won’t ever return to Monte Cleure, not while Dominic’s on the throne.
’ Then she brightened and looked adoringly at her husband, who gave her a meaningful look that only Catalina could understand.
‘But I want to see Elspeth married and safely away from him with my own eyes. She was always a sweet little thing, and the wedding’s in Ceres and Dominic can’t touch me there. If he tried, Nathaniel would kill him.’
Alessia had no doubt Catalina spoke the truth. The love this couple had for each other was as strong as the love she felt emanating from Marcelo and Clara, and she couldn’t help herself from glancing at Gabriel, whose hand was wrapped tightly around hers.
Her heart sighed.
Would Gabriel ever feel such a deep-rooted, protective, possessive devotion to her?