Rebecca Winters - The Prince's Forbidden Bride

“ I find Arnaud very handsome and know he’s successful,” her mother continued reciting his virtues, breaking into Donetta’s tortured thoughts. “We all know how well thought of he is in his country and what a wonderful husband he will make you. Your Zia Ottavia thinks he’s perfect for you.”

Her aunt’s opinion held a lot of sway with her mother.

Suddenly her father sat forward. “It’s past time you got married, Donetta.” His no-nonsense voice shook as he said it. With his heart condition, Donetta worried when he got this upset. “To think our youngest is already married, yet our oldest is still single. It isn’t right. This silliness about you not being ready for marriage has gone too far and has to stop.”

“Please consider what we’re saying.” Her mother got up from the chair and put a hand on her shoulder. “Arnaud will be coming to Domodossola tomorrow. He says it’s on business, but we all know the real reason. He’s so eager to see you. Will you allow him to call on you tomorrow evening? I’ll plan a special dinner.”

Her mother never knew when to give up. She took a deep breath. “Do you really like him, Papà?”

He stared at her without blinking. “Of course I do! I’ve been planning on your marriage for a long time. We’ve known and liked his parents for many years, too. I’m very impressed with his sincerity. You’ve had many suitors, but I honestly believe he’ll make you a wonderful companion you can love and trust.”

Her mother hugged her. “All we ask is that you give him the chance to spend more time with you.”

“Amen,” her father asserted.

Resigned that her parents weren’t going to stop pressuring her, Donetta got up from the table. “Since it’s so important to you, go ahead and invite him to dinner, but I can’t promise anything.”

“I believe something wonderful will come of it,” her father reminded her.

She decided to change the subject. “While we’re all still here, I wanted to give you some good news. The Carrera charity raised enough funds to pay the work crew’s final bill for renovating the Santa Duomo Maria Church that was damaged during the last earthquake. Piero e Figli have done a remarkable job.”

“Their work has always been excellent,” her mother murmured. “That’s my favorite church in the city.”

“Mine, too, Mamma . The frescoes are priceless. I just hope more funds keep coming in to start work on some of the other buildings since we can’t dip into the treasury.”

“Absolutely not.” So spoke her father whose voice sounded stronger since her capitulation.

“Then I’ll see all of you at dinner tonight.”

Fausta shook her head. “I’ll be eating in town with Mia.”

Her best friend, Mia, a nurse at the Hospital of the Three Crosses, was on Fausta’s fund-raising committee. But Fausta was spending more and more time in town with her. Donetta figured there was a compelling reason why she hadn’t been around much lately. Fausta continued to meet new men along with Mia, and Donetta had promised to keep it a secret from their parents.

In turmoil over Enrico’s disappearance from her life and now her parents’ insistence that she marry Arnaud, Donetta gave her parents a kiss and left the dining room.

Dispirited, she headed to the south wing of the fifteenth-century palace, where all the offices were located. She had her own office next to the room where their legislature met. But she was often away from the palace doing fund-raising and goodwill tours.

When she was gone, she relied on her secretary, Talia, to run the daily business, bring in the mail and do odd jobs in her absence. Talia, a married brunette in her thirties with two children, nodded to her as she entered the room.

“You’ve received something important in the mail this morning. It’s stamped top priority and it’s from the country of Vallefiore, Your Highness.”

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