The Princess's New Year Wedding
Can a convenient marriage…
Lead to a happy-ever-after?
In this The Princess Brides story, Princess Lanza is determined to do her duty even if it means marrying a virtual stranger! She knows dashing Prince Stefano is honoring his late brother’s promise to unite their countries, and that she must steel her heart, but it’s not long before the captivating royal gets under her skin… Can their hastily arranged New Year wedding lead to a lifetime of wedded bliss?
REBECCA WINTERS lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. With canyons and high alpine meadows full of wildflowers, she never runs out of places to explore. They, plus her favourite vacation spots in Europe, often end up as backgrounds for her romance novels—because writing is her passion, along with her family and her church. Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to email her, please visit her website at cleanromances.net.
Also by Rebecca Winters
Holiday with a Billionaire miniseries
Captivated by the Brooding Billionaire
Falling for the Venetian Billionaire
Wedding the Greek Billionaire
The Princess Brides miniseries
The Princess’s New Year Wedding
And look out for the next book
Coming soon
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.
The Princess’s New Year Wedding
Rebecca Winters
www.millsandboon.co.uk
ISBN: 978-1-474-09065-0
THE PRINCESS’S NEW YEAR WEDDING
© 2019 Rebecca Winters
Published in Great Britain 2019
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk
Version date: 2018-12-14
Version: 2020-03-02
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How lucky was I to be born to my darling, talented
mother, who was beautiful inside and out?
She filled my life with joy
and made me so happy to be alive!
I love you, Mom.
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
About the Author
Booklist
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
Extract
About the Publisher
CHAPTER ONE
“MIO FIGLIO? I know it’s early, but there are things I must talk to you about. Come to the apartment.”
Thirty-year-old Stefano sat up in bed. It was a shock to get a phone call from his father at 5:30 a.m., but his father’s entreaty shocked him even more.
“You mean now?”
“Please.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Stefano realized his father’s broken heart wouldn’t allow him to sleep, but then Stefano doubted anyone in the palace had known a moment’s rest for the past week. Alberto, his adored younger brother—his parents’ beloved son and heir to the throne—had just been buried yesterday at the young age of twenty-eight. There was no antidote for sorrow.
Stefano’s twenty-seven-year-old sister, Carla, and her husband, Dino, and two children, were just as grief-stricken over the loss of a wonderful brother and uncle. She was now first in line to the throne and would be queen when their father died or could no longer rule. The rules of succession fell to the firstborn, then the second or the third, regardless of gender.
Stefano would never rule.
Since his eighteenth birthday when he’d prevailed on his parents to be exempt from royal duty for the rest of his life, Stefano had been granted that exemption by parliament. From that time forward, he was no longer a royal, but he loved his family and they loved him. They’d all come together for this unexpected tragedy.
With Alberto gone, his mother looked like she’d aged twenty years and had gone to bed after the interment of her second-born son. The funeral had been too much for her.
Stefano had struggled with his pain and was forced to face the fact that he was now the only son of King Basilio. Though his father would rely more and more on Carla, he needed Stefano, too, and would lean on him for comfort. Stefano guessed that was why his father had summoned him this early in the morning. Forcing himself to move, Stefano dragged himself out of bed to shower and dress.
Before long he entered his parents’ private lounge off their bedroom in the north wing of the palace. His bereaved father turned away from the fireplace to look at him. “Thank you for coming, Stefano. Your mother is still in bed, overcome with grief.”
“As you are, Papà.” Stefano gave him a soulful hug. It would be impossible to get over the reality that Alberto had been killed in a car crash a week ago.
Stefano, who’d graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in the US, had been in Canada at the time, inspecting one of the Casale gold mines. Casale being an old family name dating back to the founding of Italy. Nothing had seemed real until he’d returned home to the Kingdom of Umbriano, located in the Alps. His father had met him after the royal jet touched down and they went to identify Alberto’s body.
Yesterday’s state funeral in the basilica of Umbriano, presided over by the cardinal who had also delivered the eulogy, had been a great tribute to Alberto, a favorite son revered by the people. Dignitaries of many countries had attended, including of course the royal family of the Kingdom of Domodossola bordering France, Switzerland and Italy.
Stefano would never forget the vacant look on the face of Alberto’s betrothed, Princess Lanza Rossiano of Domodossola, beneath her black, gauzy veil. He’d met war victims after serving a required year in the military in the Middle East who’d had that same lost, bewildered expression, their whole world wiped out.
The twenty-two-year-old daughter of King Victor Emmanuel of Domodossola had been betrothed to Alberto twelve months ago. Their marriage was supposed to take place a year from now on New Year’s Day, and her family had clearly been devastated.
Stefano, who was rarely in the country because of business, hadn’t met with King Victor’s family since his childhood when both families got together on occasion. Meeting them again at the funeral, he was shocked to see all three of the king’s daughters grown up. Not until he witnessed their bereavement did Stefano realize how terrible the news must have been for them. Stefano still couldn’t believe Alberto was gone.
“Sit down. We have something vital to discuss.”
By vital, his father must mean he wanted Stefano to stay around for a while, but that would be impossible because of Stefano’s latest gold mining project in Kenya. He needed to fly there the day after tomorrow to oversee a whole new gold processing invention that could bring in a great deal more money. Hopefully, it would serve as a prototype for all his other gold mines throughout the world. He imagined he’d be gone six weeks at least.
With his hands clasped between his legs, Stefano closed his eyes, knowing his father was in so much pain at the moment that he needed all their support, but he was curious as to what his father wanted to talk about.
“The wedding to Princess Lanza must go on as planned. Since losing Alberto, your mother and I have talked of nothing else. It’s imperative that you take your brother’s place.”
Stefano’s head jerked up. “Surely, I didn’t hear you correctly.”
“I know this comes as a shock to you.”
Stefano shot to his feet, incredulous. “Shock doesn’t describe it, Papà.”
“Hear me out.”
Stefano groaned and walked over to the mullioned windows looking out on the palatial estate with the snow-covered peaks of the Alps in the distance. An icy shiver passed through his taut body.
“Our two countries need to solidify in order to build the resources of both our kingdoms. This necessary merger can only happen by your marrying Princess Lanza.”
Stefano wheeled around, gritting his teeth. “Years ago you gave me my freedom by parliamentary decree. I’m no longer a royal.”
“That decree can be reversed by an emergency parliamentary edict.”
“What?”
His father nodded. “I’ve already been investigating behind the scenes. Because of the enormity of this tragedy and their eagerness to see a marriage between our two countries happen, my advisors have informed me the parliament will reinstate you immediately.”
Stefano couldn’t believe it. “Even if it were possible, you’re not seriously asking me to marry Princess Lanza, are you? I haven’t been around her since she was a young girl. And I’m seven years older than she is.”
“That’s not a great age difference.”
Stefano tried to calm down. “Alberto was the one who was attracted to her. I can’t do this, Papà. Right now I’m doing everything in my power to develop more lucrative gold mines and invest the revenues to help our country grow richer. We don’t need the timber from Domodossola!”
His father shook his head. “What I’m asking goes a great deal deeper than cementing fortunes. Victor and I have had this dream of uniting our two families in marriage since the moment we both became parents of future kings and queens.”
“But it’s not my dream, Papà, and never could be,” Stefano said, attempting to control his anger. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do what you ask.”
“Not even to honor your brother?”
He hadn’t realized his mother had come into the lounge wearing her dressing gown. The edge in her tone caught him off guard. “What do you mean, Mamà?”
“This has to do with keeping faith with a sacred pledge your brother made to Princess Lanza a year ago. She’s been groomed to become Alberto’s bride. For the past year her life has been put on hold because she wears our family betrothal ring. All this time she’s been faithful to their pledge, preparing for their wedding day.”
Stefano shook his head. “No one could have imagined this crisis. It changes all the rules.”
“Except for one thing your father and I have never told you about because we didn’t think we would have to.”
Fearing what he’d hear, Stefano’s heart jolted in his chest. “What do you mean?”
“On the morning you turned eighteen, your brother came to us in secret. He wanted to give you a gift he knew you wanted more than anything on earth.”
His brows furrowed. “What was that?”
“What else? Your freedom.”
“I don’t understand, Mamà.”
“Then let me explain. You never wanted to be a royal. You made it clear from the time you were old enough to express your feelings. Alberto adored and worshipped you. By the time you turned eighteen, he was afraid you’d never be happy. He literally begged us to let you live a life free of royal duty.
“He loved you so much, he promised that he would fulfill all the things we would have asked of you as a royal prince who would rule one day so you could have the freedom to live life without the royal trappings. That was the bargain he made with us.”
“A bargain? That’s why you suddenly gave in to me?”
His father nodded solemnly. “The only reason, figlio mio. You two were so close, he put you before his own wants or desires. He convinced us you had to be able to go out in the world free to be your own person. Otherwise you’d die like an animal kept in a cage.”
Alberto had actually told them that?
“All he asked was that we agree. Then he would do everything and more than we expected of him as a crown prince, and…he consented to become betrothed to Princess Lanza on whatever date we chose. He knew how much we loved her growing up. She was always a delight. In truth, he wanted his elder brother’s happiness above all else, and made that request of us out of pure love.”
Stefano stood there rigid as a piece of petrified wood. His parents had never lied to him. He had to believe them now. Because of his brother’s love and intervention—and not because of his parents’ understanding—Stefano had been able to escape the world he’d been born into all this time.
His mother walked over to him and put her hands on his shoulders. It pained him to see the lines of grief carved in her features.
“His only desire was that you never know how he pled for you. He worried that if you ever found out the truth, you would always feel beholden to him. That request was his unselfish gift to you.”
Unselfish didn’t begin to describe what Alberto had done to ensure his happiness.
In Stefano’s mind and heart, it was an unheard-of gift. He’d always loved his younger brother, his buddy in childhood. Alberto’s noble character made him beloved and elevated him above the ranks of ordinary people. Many times he’d heard people say that the good ones died young. His brother was the best of the best, and death had snatched him away prematurely.
Overcome with emotions assailing him, Stefano wrapped his arms around his mother until he could get a grip on them, then he let her go. He was amazed his parents had so much love for their sons that they’d gone along with both his and Alberto’s wishes at the time. It was humbling and gave him new perspective.
Her eyes clung to his. “Would you be willing to do what Alberto can’t do now? Take on the royal duty you were born to and marry Princess Lanza?”
He inhaled sharply. “Do you think she would consent when she’d planned to marry Alberto?”
“King Victor says his daughter will agree. You and Lanza knew each other in your youth and you have a whole year to get reacquainted.”
“But that will be close to impossible, Papà. My schedule has been laid out with back-to-back visits of all the mines through the next eighteen months. There’s no time when so many managers are depending on me, especially with the new mining process I’ve developed.”
His father cocked his head. “After we inform her and her parents of your official proposal of marriage, surely you could find a way to visit her once and stay in touch with her the rest of the time? Both King Victor and I have already talked to the cardinal, who has given this marriage his blessing.”
Stefano could see the die had been cast.
His mother eyed him through drenched eyes. “Our two countries have been looking forward to this day since you were all children. The citizens know that your business interests throughout the world have contributed to our country’s economy. Umbriano will cheer your reinstatement and honor your name for stepping into your brother’s shoes, believe me.”
Stefano found all this difficult to fathom. There wasn’t time for him to get reacquainted with Princess Lanza. Even if parliament voted to reinstate him as a royal, he had crucial business issues around the globe.
His father walked over to them. “I’ve never asked anything of you before, Stefano. I’ve allowed you to be your own person, free of all royal responsibilities, but fate stepped in and took Alberto away too early. Now is the time when your parents and Lanza’s are asking this for the good of both our countries.”
“Alberto told us he hoped to have a family.” His mother stared at him with longing. “I’m sure Princess Lanza was planning on children, too. That dream is gone, but you could make a whole new dream begin. I’ve had that dream for you, too, Stefano.
“On all your travels for business and pleasure, you’ve never brought a woman home for us to meet, let alone marry. We were prepared that you’d eventually want marriage and have a family, but it has never come to pass. If there’s a special woman, you haven’t said anything.”
Stefano sucked in his breath. This whole conversation was unreal, including a discussion of a woman in his life he couldn’t do without. He’d met several and had enjoyed some intimate relationships, but the thought of settling down with one of them hadn’t entered his mind. As Alberto had said, he liked his freedom too much.
“Have you even considered Princess Lanza’s feelings?” he asked them in a grating voice, struggling to make sense of this situation.
His father nodded. “King Victor and I talked about it before the funeral. He’s as anxious as I for this to happen and has probably discussed this with her already. Victor assures me it’s in her nature to do what is good for both countries.”
No normal woman worth her salt would agree to such a loveless marriage, but a royal princess was a different matter if she believed it was her duty. Over the phone a few months ago, Alberto had told him in private that Princess Lanza had a sweet, biddable disposition.
Maybe she did. But the many royal princesses he’d met in his early teens were very spoiled, full of themselves, impossible to please, moody and felt entitled to the point of absurdity.
His vague memory of Lanza was that she was nice, but that was years ago and she’d been so young. His brother was a kind, decent human being. Alberto always tried to find the best in everyone and had probably made up his mind to like her.
After hearing what his parents had just told him about the sacrifice he’d made for Stefano, it was possible Alberto hadn’t liked Princess Lanza at all. But he would have pretended otherwise to fulfill his obligations after making the incredible bargain with their parents. It was Alberto’s way.
Stefano shook his head. He wasn’t born with that kind of greatness in his soul. Humbled by what he’d learned, tortured by the decision his parents were asking him to make, he started for the door. “I need to be alone to think and will be back later.”
Once outside in the chilling air, he drove his Lancia into the city to talk to his best friend, Enzo Perino, who managed his own father’s banking interests. Stefano found him in his office on the phone.
The second Enzo saw him in the doorway, he waved him inside. After he hung up, he lunged from the chair to hug him. “I’m so sorry about Alberto.”
“So am I, Enzo.”
“Chiara and I couldn’t get near you at the funeral. There were too many people.” Stefano nodded. “Come to our house tonight for dinner so we can really talk.”
He stared at his best friend who’d recently married. They’d been friends throughout childhood and had done everything together, including military service. Stefano had been the best man at their wedding three months ago.
“I need help.”
Enzo chuckled. “Since when have you ever needed a loan?”
Stefano sat down in one of the leather chairs. “I wish money were the problem, but it isn’t.”
As Stefano’s father had emphasized, this suggested marriage had a lot more riding on it than financial considerations.
“You sound serious.”
“More serious than you’ll ever know.”
“Go ahead. I’m listening.”
“My father woke me up at the crack of dawn to have a talk.” In the next few minutes he told Enzo the thrust of the conversation with his parents, including the necessary part about being reinstated by parliament.
“Our marriage will make me heir apparent to the throne of Domodossola since King Victor has no sons. He doesn’t have any married daughters yet. According to their rules of succession, a woman can’t become queen in their country. He’ll have to rely on a son-in-law.”
His friend whistled and sank down in the chair behind his desk. “I know this used to happen in the Middle Ages, but not today.” He looked gutted. “Who will take over Umbriano when your father can no longer rule?”
“My sister, but I imagine that’s many years away. Our country doesn’t run by the same laws. You know that. Since I was granted my freedom, she’s been raised to be second in line should anything happen to Alberto. Which it did,” he said in a mournful tone.
“But if you’re reinstated—”
“No—” He interrupted him. “My destiny lies with the throne of Domodossola, the only reason for reinstating me.”
Enzo slapped his hands on the desk. “There goes the end of our friendship.”
“Don’t you ever say that!”
He smiled sadly. “How can I not? With you living in Domodossola, you’ll be a prisoner running the affairs of government, hardly ever free to leave the country or have time for me. What will you do with all your mining companies?”
“I still plan to run them, of course.”
“Then you’ll be carrying a double load. I thought it was too good to be true when your father released you from your princely duties on your eighteenth birthday. We should have known it would all come to an early end.”
Stefano closed his eyes for a minute, never imagining he’d lose his brother so young. “I haven’t told my parents what I’m going to do. Not yet.”
While he’d driven into town, he’d considered the huge decision his parents had made to give Stefano his freedom. In searching his soul, one thing became clear. He could solve his parents’ dilemma about the marriage situation by unselfishly taking Alberto’s place. How could he not when his brother had willingly done his double royal duty to make up for Stefano’s absence?