Wedding Vows: Say I Do: Matrimony with His Majesty / Invitation to the Prince's Palace / The Prince's Outback Bride

Shifting around she headed toward the center staircase.

It seemed to take forever until she could hurry up the steps and down the hall to their apartment. Phillip followed her inside and shut the door.

She went on through to her bedroom. After slipping off her sandals, she lay down on the bed, curling up on her side.

Phillip sat next to her. “You don’t like Dad, huh.”

She threw her arm over her eyes. What he’d just said was better than hearing “You’re in love with him, huh.” But neither version was satisfactory.

“What makes you say that, sweetheart?”

“You never want to be around him. I know it’s because he hurt my real mother. But he didn’t try to hurt her.”

Darrell was his real mother, but she knew what he meant.

“I don’t dislike him, Phillip. I’ve come to realize he’s a wonderful man.”

“Then how come you’re mean to him?”

She raised her head to look at him. “Mean?”

“Yeah. He does all these neat things and you always want to stay in here.”

Good heavens.

“That’s so the two of you can have time together alone.”

“But he wants you to do everything with us.”

“He said that?”

“No. But I can tell. Remember at the house when he said he didn’t blame me for hating him?”

“Yes?”

“Well I think he thinks you still hate him.”

Phillip had it all wrong, but she couldn’t tell him the truth.

Another troubled sigh came out of him. “Even if you don’t like him, can’t you try to be nicer?”

If only Phillip knew the truth. Thank goodness he didn’t!

“Of course, sweetheart.”

“Thanks.” After a minute he asked, “Mom?”

“Yes?”

“I wish he wasn’t getting married. I wish—”

“I know what you wish,” she interrupted him. “You wish your real mother were still alive so the three of you could be a family.”

But even if Melissa were alive, nothing would be different. Alex would still be marrying Isabella. Phillip’s fantasy wasn’t written in the stars.

She sat up. “Do you know what I think?”

“What?”

“We need to go home tomorrow and let him get married.” I need to get as far away from him as possible. “After his honeymoon I’m sure he’ll want you to come and stay with him until school starts.”

“But you won’t be here.”

“No. My home is in Denver, but you have two homes now.”

“I don’t want two homes. Steve hates it.”

“You never told me that before,” she said and slid to the edge of the bed. “No matter what, you’ve finally been united with your father. Just remember that last week you didn’t even know him or know where he lived.”

“I know.”

She could hear the tears in his voice.

“Do you like it here, Phillip?”

“I love it. Do you?”

If ever she heard a searching question, that was it. “Who wouldn’t love Switzerland. It’s out of this world.”

“Dad’s so fun. I don’t want to leave, but I don’t want you to go.” Moisture bathed his cheeks. He burrowed his head in her shoulder.

“I have to go home, sweetheart.”

He sniffed. “Then I guess I’ll go with you. Isabella won’t want me around for all their wedding stuff.”

Such a gut-wrenching dilemma for a twelve-year-old. It thrilled her he loved Darrell that much, but her heart ached for him.

“Tell you what. I’m not feeling as nauseous as before. Let’s spend the rest of today with your father.”

“Honest?”

“Yes.”

Because Phillip had made a decision, she could get through a few more hours in Alex’s company knowing other people would be around.

“When he comes back with us to say good-night, then you can tell him we’re flying home the minute we can make reservations.”

“Okay.”

“Think of all the fun stuff you have to tell your friends. You can show them the pictures you’ve taken. They’ll love all the souvenirs you bought them the other day with the boys. Especially all that Swiss chocolate!”

“Yeah.”

With the matter settled for the time being, they both freshened up before leaving the castle. Phillip knew the way to the pale yellow palace located on the west end of the grounds. It lay nestled amidst a grove of giant trees like a hidden jewel.

“Hey, Mom—don’t you think this place looks like that house in Sound of Music?” They’d just entered the courtyard where water had pooled here and there because of the storm.

“A little, but this is much grander.”

“Vito said their grandparents live here with them.”

“How lucky the boys are to have Evelyn’s parents around now that their father is gone.”

“Not her parents, Mom. They live in Bavaria. I’m talking about dad’s aunt and uncle, but they’re away on a trip right now. Jules says his Grandpa Vittorio is mean.”

“Is that description yours or his?”

“His. He says Vito’s afraid of him.”

That didn’t sound good.

Phillip knocked on the door, breaking her train of thought. Soon a maid answered followed by the boys.

Once inside the elegant foyer flanked by various rooms, Darrell marveled over the twin staircases on either side rising like a swan’s neck to the second floor.

The beauty and symmetry of the architecture was stunning.

“I’ve always loved this palace.” Alex’s deep voice came from somewhere behind her.

She swung around and discovered him standing next to a very pretty brunette woman. She appeared to be in her early thirties.

“Evelyn and Darrell? It’s time you two met.”

“Hello,” Darrell said first and extended her hand. “Thank you for inviting us to your home. I’ve been anxious to meet you. Your boys are charming.”

Evelyn flashed her a friendly smile. “So is Phillip. I don’t believe this family has ever had so much excitement.”

“I’m sure you haven’t,” Darrell said.

Thankfully the other woman didn’t sound judgmental, which was more than Darrell could have hoped for.

“Come in and sit down.”

The room they entered was surprisingly comfortable and modern in its decor. Darrell found the nearest chair. Alex remained standing while Evelyn took a place on one of the couches opposite her.

“We’re expecting Aunt Katerina any minute. I was so wishing you would recover enough to make it.”

Alex’s mother was coming, too? Darrell had hoped to avoid meeting her this trip, but maybe it was better to get it over with. After all, she was Phillip’s grandmother.

“I’m feeling better, thank you. It will be an honor to meet her.”

Evelyn cocked her head. “I can’t believe Alex talked you into going down under the castle. Charles could never get me near it.”

“I’m afraid Phillip wouldn’t have let me live it down if I hadn’t joined in.”

“Jules was very impressed with you. It was the boys’ first time ghost hunting. He told me I had to go next time.”

Alex chuckled. “If you two will excuse me, I believe mother has arrived.”

After he left the room Evelyn confided, “Another Valleder in the family has already transformed my boys’ lives. What’s amazing is how much they look alike. All three could be brothers.”

Darrell nodded. “That’s what I was thinking earlier. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought they were all Alex’s children.”

“Vito reminds me of Alex’s father, very serious and steady. Jules on the other hand has a happy-go-lucky temperament, more like my husband’s.”

Darrell’s glance darted to a credenza against the wall. “Is that a picture of your husband?”

“Yes, that’s Charles.”

“I’m so sorry about his accident.”

“So am I…” Her voice trailed.

“May I look at it?”

“Of course.” She got up and handed it to Darrell. “It’s a family portrait of the four of us taken a few months before his plane crashed.”

“I don’t know how you lived through it,” Darrell murmured, fighting tears.

“I’m afraid I’ll never get over losing him.”

As Darrell studied it, she was astonished to discover that Alex’s cousin looked enough like him to be his brother. In fact the more she looked at the picture, the more she noticed striking similarities between the boys’ father and Phillip. If he was as wonderful as Alex, she couldn’t imagine how Evelyn was functioning.

“Darrell?”

At the sound of Alex’s voice she glanced over at the entry, almost dropping the picture.

“I’d like you to meet my mother, Katerina Valleder.”

The lovely brown-haired woman possessed all the style and grace of a former queen. At a glance Darrell could see she’d bequeathed her good looks to her son who was devastatingly attractive in a formal, dark blue suit. The pristine white shirt and specially monogrammed tie with the Valleder crest proclaimed him the royal head of their centuries-old dynasty.

She got up from the chair. “How do you do, Mrs. Valleder.” They both shook hands. Darrell knew that wasn’t the way his mother was normally addressed. No doubt people said “Your Highness.” Yet Alex had made it easy for Darrell.

He made everything easy. She trembled to realize she’d never be able to banish his image from her mind, or heart.

His mother’s gray eyes studying Darrell so intently reminded her of the man who haunted her dreams. “It’s a pleasure to meet the mother of my grandson.”

“Thank you. He has yearned for a grandmother since he was old enough to ask why he didn’t have one like his friends.”

Alex took that moment to tell his mother what Phillip had said on the jet about the queen-size bed. The older woman actually laughed and Evelyn joined in. When it subsided she said, “I see you’re holding a picture of Evelyn’s family.”

“Yes. We were just remarking on the dominance of the Valleder genes.”

Katerina nodded. “After spending a few hours with the boys, I’ve decided Phillip is a composite of all the men in our family.”

Emotion welled up in Darrell to realize her son came from a great heritage. Whatever their true feelings, these women were great to be kind and gracious to her and Phillip. Their impeccable breeding could be a model for others.

Melissa had gravitated to Alex, instinctively recognizing without knowing that he was a man hewn from clay reserved for those with a special destiny.

“I wish you could have seen the boys’ eyes once we started down that spooky staircase with Alex today. They’re all so cute—”

“Aren’t they?” Evelyn’s eyes had grown moist.

Darrell handed the picture back to her. She set it on the table, then smiled.

“Now that everyone’s here, shall we go in to dinner? It’s ready.”

Alex escorted his mother across the foyer to the charming dining room. Jules took over and helped her to her seat at one end of the table. Vito assisted his mother to the chair next to her.

Not to be outdone, Phillip—a quick study—came around and guided Darrell to her place opposite Evelyn. It was a first for him. Judging by the mirthful glance Alex flashed Darrell, he knew it, too.

Enjoying the moment too much, she averted her eyes while he sat down at the head of the candlelit table. It was resplendent with royal Valleder china and silverware placed on the cutwork lace linen.

He patted the chair on his right side for Phillip to join him. Once he was seated, Alex looked at his nephews. They weren’t really his nephews, but as he’d told her and Phillip, he felt like their uncle. “Who wants to say grace?”

Darrell fought not to laugh at the dismay on their faces.

“Maybe Phillip would like to say it,” his mother suggested.

“Sure, Grandma.”

He folded his arms, closed his eyes and gave the usual prayer Darrell had taught him to say over the food.

After a collective “amen,” Alex thanked him, then two of the staff began serving dinner.

Darrell was so proud of Phillip right then she could have burst. Though he was like an unpolished diamond and always would be, he had his shining moments and this had been one of them.

She saw the tender look Alex gave his son. It dissolved Darrell’s bones.

No sooner had they started to eat than his cell phone rang. She noticed him glance at the caller ID, then get up from the table. “Excuse me for a moment.”

The moment turned into twenty minutes. By the time he came back in the dining room, they were finishing their strudel dessert.

“I’m sorry, but something important has come up and I have to leave.”

“Are you going to San Ravino to see Isabella?” Phillip asked the question no one else dared.

“Yes.”

“When will you be back?”

“Tomorrow.”

A crestfallen look crossed over Phillip’s face, one everyone could see.

“Thank you for dinner, Evelyn.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Darrell knew everyone at the table was thinking how out-spoken Phillip had been. It was something they would have to get used to because he’d been born with that trait. She couldn’t look at Alex right then.

“I’ll take Darrell and Phillip home when I go,” Katerina spoke up.

“Thank you, Mother. I’ll see you tomorrow, Phillip.”

“Sure, Dad.”

Alex flashed Darrell a hooded glance she couldn’t decipher before he departed. It left her shaken. Did he kiss Isabella with the same passion he’d kissed her? Was he counting the minutes until they were together? Darrell couldn’t take much more of this.

Ten minutes after he’d left the palace she heard the helicopter taking off. Phillip’s expression mirrored her spirits, which had plummeted to a new low.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen.”

Alex looked around the oval conference table in his office where his executive staff and ministers were assembled. Leo exchanged a private nod with him.

“I can only recall two times since I became king that I’ve had to call for an emergency session. Both times were due to the threat of a student uprising. This time the situation is different.

“I just flew back from San Ravino. After a great deal of soul searching over the past few days, Isabella and I have decided to call off our wedding.”

The silence that filled the room was deafening.

“I’ve prepared a statement for the press, which I’ve given to Carl. Regardless of what you might hear, the princess and I parted on amicable terms.”

More silence, the kind produced by shock reverberated throughout his office.

“As all of you have heard by now, very recently I discovered I have a twelve-year-old son who was born and raised in Colorado in the United States without my knowledge.

“The king could have ignored the revelation, but the man could not. Phillip Collier is my flesh and blood. I love him and have claimed him.

“Because of this action I’m fully aware that public sentiment will go against me. If I think it’s for the good of the country, I’ll step down.”

At this point many heads had lowered, but not Leo’s. The other man’s eyes remained suspiciously bright.

“I recall a conversation I once had with father. He told me he didn’t have any friends. His comment hurt me. When I asked him why, he said, ‘That’s the definition of a king.’

“I didn’t understand what he meant, but I do now. No matter what decision you make as sovereign, you’re going to hurt someone.

“By recognizing my son, I dare say I don’t have a friend left, starting with the great men I’ve let down assembled in this historic conference room.

“But when I met Phillip for the first time and he said, ‘You’re my dad,’ something went through me I can’t describe. All I know is, I wanted to be all the things I could see in his eyes.”

He cleared his throat. “Thank you for coming, gentlemen. That’s everything.”

On his way to his inner office to phone Darrell, Carl intercepted him. “Your Majesty? While you were in conference, Ms. Collier phoned to say that in case you were wondering, she and your son have gone into town to do some shopping for a few hours.”

Disappointed they weren’t immediately available, he thanked Carl before ringing Rudy. “How long ago did Ms. Collier leave the castle?”

“The car just pulled away.”

“Alert the guard at the outer gate to prevent them from leaving the grounds.”

Without conscious thought Alex left his office via a private staircase. Summoning his driver, he climbed in the back of his limo and told him to head for the north gate. He didn’t expel a breath until he saw the limo between the security men’s cars stopped at the gate.

Alex jumped out of the car before it had pulled to a stop.

“Hey, Mom? There’s Dad!”

Darrell’s hands clutched the armrests. What a fool she was to think she and Phillip could slip away from him, even for a few hours. At this point she was afraid to spend any more time with him.

When he suddenly climbed in the limo and sat across from her next to Phillip, the blood pounded in her ears.

His gaze narrowed on her face. “I got your message, but you can’t go shopping yet or you’ll spoil my surprise.”

The car started to move, but instead of going to the castle, it appeared to be headed toward another part of the grounds.

Darrell’s body trembled. She couldn’t take another one of his surprises, let alone handle being in his presence a second longer.

“Will I like it?” Phillip teased.

“It’s guaranteed.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out.”

Eventually the limo pulled up to one end of the stable.

Phillip darted her an excited glance. Darrell had an idea Alex was going to give him his own horse. The boys each had a pony.

Alex turned to his son. “Go inside that door. It leads to the vet’s office. He’s waiting for you.”

“The vet?”

“Yes. I’ll be along in a minute.”

On a new burst of energy, Phillip climbed out of the limo and sprinted inside.

“Alex—I’m glad we’re alone because there’s something important I have to tell you, and—”

“Isabella has called off the wedding,” he broke in on her.

“Permanently.”

“Oh, no—”

The stabbing pain of guilt drove Darrell from the car. She headed blindly for the castle, running faster than she’d ever run in her life. But she couldn’t outrun the limo. It drove alongside her until she slowed down and Alex urged her to climb back in.

Embarrassed to have caused a scene, she did his bidding. He didn’t say anything until they’d arrived at the castle and he’d escorted her to the apartment she and Phillip had barely vacated. Once he’d opened the door for her, he followed her inside.

She whirled around, wet-faced. “Let me talk to Isabella in person. I can fix this.”

He shook his handsome head. “This can’t be fixed.”

“Of course it can! She’s in pain and frightened. Any woman would be. I don’t care if she was raised a princess. She’s never been married, and she wants it to work! I need to reassure her she has nothing to fear from Phillip.”

He studied her through veiled eyes. “It’s not Phillip she’s worried about.”

“Then what?” She kept wiping her eyes.

“I’m afraid it is I she doesn’t trust.”

“Of course she does. Otherwise she would have broken her betrothal to you long ago. Please let me try to appeal to her. I’ll be happy to fly there right now if she wants.”

“That would be like pouring acid on an open wound.”

“Why?” she cried out aghast.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “You really need me to spell it out?”

“Yes!”

His gaze played over her features. “She says I’m different since coming back from Denver. She senses something she’s never felt before.”

“That’s because you just found out you’re a father. Of course you’re different. Your entire world has been turned upside down.”

“True, but this is something apart from Phillip.”

She feared what was coming but she faced him without averting her eyes. “What exactly?”

“Contrary to what you overheard the desk clerk tell that tourist the day you were checking out of the Hotel Otter, Isabella and I were never a love match. But both of us were willing to fulfill our royal duty in the hope that love would grow.”

She swallowed hard. “Didn’t you ever sleep together?”

“No.”

“Because of rules?”

“No.”

“Didn’t she ever want to?”

“Yes.”

Darrell reeled from his blunt honesty. His admission brought her indescribable joy, but she could never let him know that.

“When I told her I had a son, it changed how Isabella feels about me.”

“But that was thirteen years ago when you were only what? Twenty? Did you tell her Melissa died so she doesn’t need to feel threatened?”

He didn’t answer right away.

Her eyes widened. “She still thinks I’m that woman doesn’t she!” Darrell’s body started to shake. “How could you do that to her? To me?” She thumped her chest.

“I need to tell you a story first.”

“I don’t want to hear it!” she raged while he stood there as calm as a summer morning.

“You’ll want to hear this one. The whole good of the monarchy hangs in the balance.”

Put like that in such a solemn tone, he’d left her little choice but to listen.

“Let’s go out to the balcony.”

She didn’t want to go anywhere with him, but he left her alone in the drawing room, expecting her to come to him. She could either comply with his wishes or string this out until she had a heart attack.

Defeated, she chose the former and found him staring out over the placid water that had formed whitecaps in yesterday’s storm.

He must have sensed her presence. “I wish you could have met my cousin, Chaz. It’s the name I made up for him because he didn’t like the name Charles.”

Darrell blinked in surprise.

“We were the same age. He could be a hellion. That’s what made him so fascinating to me. Growing up I suppose you could say he was my alter ego.

“When I was old enough to read, my father put a little sign at the top of my bathroom mirror. It said, “One day you’ll be king. Remember.”

A moan escaped her throat.

He turned to her. “I agree it was a terrible thing to do to a child. Uncle Vittorio was no different. If anything happened to father or me, the line of succession would go to him and eventually Chaz.

“At times he could be cruel, even abusive. He was a man who believed in corporal punishment to curb any rebellion in his son. When Chaz started drinking too much, I understood. He came to me when things got bad with my uncle. I often covered for him. That’s why he gave me that ring.”

Darrell’s stomach lurched remembering what Phillip had said about the boys’grandfather being mean. How awful they had to live in such close proximity to him.

“My uncle was very ambitious, and still is. He would do most anything to be king, and has resented the fact that Chaz died instead of me.”

“That’s horrible,” she whispered.

“In order to honor my promise to Father to marry Isabella, I’d hoped she could get past this and agree to go ahead with the wedding while believing you are his birth mother.”

“I still don’t understand why you haven’t told her the truth.”

He eyed her balefully. “Because up to now it’s been less complicated this way. The truth wouldn’t change the fact that I fathered a son with a woman from my past. That’s what has hurt Isabella.

“However once my uncle learns of Phillip’s existence and discovers you didn’t give birth to him, he’ll enjoy humiliating you and the memory of your sister. It could bring up a lot of unnecessary pain which could end up hurting Phillip. As it is, I fully expect my uncle to rally the cabinet to repudiate me and my bastard son, forcing me to step down so he can be king.”

The air got trapped in her lungs. “Your own uncle would do that?”

Lines of strain bracketed his mouth. His expression haunted her. He unexpectedly moved toward her and cupped her face in his hands. “The new millenium hasn’t changed the nature of some men,” his voice grated.

“Does your mother know the wedding is off?”

“Yes.”

“Does she know about Melissa?”