Rebecca Winters: Becoming The Prince's Wife

Torn between love and royal obligation …

by Rebecca Winters

Vincenzo and Valentino are determined to fulfil their duty to their beloved kingdoms by taking royal wives, but they haven’t counted on the revolutions taking place in their hearts caused by two captivating commoners.

When these two charming princes risk everything to win the trust of the women they love, they soon find the true meaning of commitment and honour, proving that sometimes fairytales do come true—and in the most unexpected ways!

EXPECTING THE PRINCE’S BABYAvailable May 2014

and

BECOMING THE PRINCE’S WIFEAvailable June 2014

Becoming the

Prince’s Wife

Rebecca Winters

www.millsandboon.co.uk

REBECCA WINTERS, whose family of four children has now swelled to include five beautiful grandchildren, lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the land of the Rocky Mountains. 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 church.

Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to e-mail her, please visit her website: www.cleanromances.com.

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To my four wonderful, outstanding children: Bill, John, Dominique and Max.

They’ve had to put up with a mother whose mind is constantly dreaming up new fairytales like the one I’ve just written.

Their unqualified love and constant support has been the greatest blessing in my life.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

EXTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

AS CAROLENA BARETTI stepped out of the limousine, she could see her best friend, Abby, climbing the stairs of the royal jet. At the top she turned. “Oh, good! You’re here!” she called to her, but was struggling to keep her baby from squirming out of her arms.

At eight months of age, little black-haired Prince Maximilliano, the image of his father, Crown Prince Vincenzo Di Laurentis of Arancia, was becoming big Max, fascinated by sights and sounds. Since he was teething, Carolena had brought him various colored toys in the shape of donuts to bite on. She’d give them to him after they’d boarded the jet for the flight to Gemelli.

The steward brought Carolena’s suitcase on board while she entered the creamy interior of the jet. The baby’s carryall was strapped to one of the luxury leather chairs along the side. Max fought at leaving his mother’s arms, but she finally prevailed in getting him fastened down.

Carolena pulled a blue donut from the sack in her large straw purse. “Maybe this will help.” She leaned over the baby and handed it to him. “What do you think, sweetheart?”

Max grabbed for it immediately and put it in his mouth to test it, causing both women to laugh. Abby gave her a hug. “Thank you for the gift. Any distraction is a blessing! The only time he doesn’t move is when he’s asleep.”

Carolena chuckled.

“So you won’t get too bored, I brought a movie for you to watch while we fly down. Remember I told you how much I loved the French actor Louis Jourdan when I was growing up?”

“He was in Gigi, right?”

“Yes, well, I found a movie of his in my mother’s collection. You know me and my love for old films. This one is called Bird of Paradise. Since we’ll be passing Mount Etna, I think you’ll love it.”

“I’ve never heard of that movie, but thank you for being so thoughtful. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”

“Carolena—I know this is a hard time for you, but I’m so glad you decided to come. Vincenzo and Valentino need to discuss business on this short trip. It will give you and me some time to do whatever we want while Queen Bianca dotes on her grandson.”

“When Max smiles, I see traces of Michelina. That must delight her.”

“I know it does. These days it’s hard to believe Bianca was ever upset over the pregnancy. She’s much warmer to me now.”

“Thank heaven for that, Abby.”

“You’ll never know.”

No, Carolena supposed she wouldn’t. Not really. Abby Loretto had offered to be a surrogate mother to carry Their Highnesses’ baby, but they’d both been through a trial by fire when Michelina was suddenly killed.

Carolena was thrilled for the two of them who, since that time, had fallen deeply in love and weathered the storm before marrying. Now they had a beautiful baby boy to raise and she was glad to have been invited to join them for their brief holiday.

Today was June fourth, a date she’d dreaded every June for the past seven years. It marked the death of her fiancé, Berto, and brought back horrendous guilt. She and Berto had shared a great love, but it had come to a tragic end too soon. All because of Carolena.

She’d been too adventurous for her own good, as her own wonderful, deceased grandmother had always told her. You go where angels fear to tread without thinking of anyone but yourself. It’s probably because you lost your parents too soon and I’ve failed you. One day there’ll be a price to pay for being so headstrong.

Tears stung her eyelids. How true were those words.

Berto’s death had brought about a permanent change in Carolena. Outside of her professional work as an attorney, she never wanted to be responsible for another human life again. Though she’d dated a lot of men, her relationships were of short duration and superficial. After seven years, her pattern of noncommitment had become her way of life. No one depended on her. Her actions could affect no one or hurt anyone. That was the way she liked it.

Dear sweet Abby had known the date was coming up. Out of the goodness of her heart she’d insisted Carolena come with them on this trip so she wouldn’t brood. Carolena loved her blonde friend for so many reasons, especially her thoughtfulness because she knew this time was always difficult for her.

As she strapped herself in, several bodyguards entered the body of the jet followed by black-haired Vincenzo. He stopped to give his wife and son a kiss before hugging Carolena. “It’s good to see you. Gemelli is a beautiful country. You’re going to love it.”

“I’m sure I will. Thank you for inviting me, Vincenzo.”

“Our pleasure, believe me. If you’re ready, then we’ll take off. I told Valentino we’d be there midafternoon.”

Once he’d fastened himself in and turned to Abby with an eagerness Carolena could see and feel, the jet taxied to the runway. When it took off into a blue sky, it left the Principality of Arancia behind, a country nestled along the Riviera between France and Italy.

Before heading south, she could see the coastal waters of the Mediterranean receding, but it was obvious Abby and Vincenzo only had eyes for each other. Theirs was a true love story. Watching them was painful. There were moments like now when twenty-seven-year-old Carolena felt old before her time.