Their Christmas Royal Wedding Page 12

  Cesar nodded. ‘I have spoken with Luca and believe he would make an excellent advocate for you and your country.’

  ‘I know. But...’

  ‘But you will lose your brother and your best friend.’ Cesar could see the pain in her eyes, knew too that she wouldn’t have shown it to either Luca or Imogen.

  ‘Yes.’ Now she smiled, a smile that tugged at his heart strings with its bravery. ‘I am pleased for them but it has made me feel very alone.’

  ‘You don’t have to be alone,’ he said, the words falling from his lips instinctively, imbued with an emotional depth and a meaning that caused caution to rear its head. This was not about emotions; this was about practicality. She didn’t need to be alone; they could work together. He could offer the practical support that she needed. ‘You could marry me.’ Seeing her brown eyes meet his in question, he hurried on. ‘I am not trying to take advantage of a moment of weakness.’

  ‘Is that what you think this is? A moment of weakness?’ Now anger sparked her eyes and voice; she pulled her hands away and rose to her feet.

  The question stopped him in his tracks. Did he believe that—that to show emotion was weakness? It was a question he wasn’t sure he wanted to analyse. ‘That came out wrong. I simply wanted to say that as your husband I would be able to offer you support, make the task of ruling less lonely.’ The words stilted and he saw her expression change, close down to cool neutrality.

  ‘I’ll bear it in mind.’ Her tone was even. ‘And I’m sorry for letting emotion get the better of me. It’s foolish. I know it is better for Luca and Imogen to go. Just as I know whatever I do the press will find some angle to pillory me for. I guess I need to grow up and figure out how to be royal.’

  Again Cesar knew he should applaud the words, laud the mask he could see her layer on. Yet instead he felt like a first-class horse’s backside. Felt he’d lost something that he wanted back.

  Stupid.

  He needed to think practically—Gabriella was a woman on the edge and that was not good when right now her every action would be under scrutiny, when more articles were bound to spew forth the closer to her coronation it got. A plan began to form in the recesses of his mind.

  CHAPTER TEN

  GABI RESISTED THE urge to yawn, managed to swallow down the tiredness, focused on keeping her eyes wide open and an expression of interest on her face. In normal circumstances she would be interested; the official was explaining the tax system in Casavalle and how it impacted on the people. Whilst tax wasn’t exactly her hobby horse, she did want to get her head around the economics of normal people’s normal lives in this country, versus what she had known back home. Wanted a good standard of living for everyone.

  But today it all felt too much. She was surrounded by officials and courtiers and staff and even family and yet she felt more alone than ever. A loneliness she must conceal. No more moments of weakness. Instead she forced her tired brain to focus. Smiled at the official. ‘I truly appreciate your time and your patience. I will read all these documents and I am sure I will come back to you with further questions.’

  The grey-haired man positively beamed at her. ‘Thank you, ma’am, for listening so attentively and I look forward to further discussions.’

  Once the man had left, Gabi yawned discreetly, stretched and tried to recall what the next official engagement was. She turned to face the door at the sound of the turn of the handle, royal smile back in place.

  ‘Cesar?’ Her heart gave a little hop, skip and jump—it clearly hadn’t caught up with the fact that this man would deem such a reaction a physical weakness, no doubt. She frowned. Surely she wasn’t supposed to see him until an official dinner the following evening.

  ‘Surprise,’ he said.

  Gabi had no idea where he was going with this so contented herself with silence.

  ‘I’m whisking you away,’ he announced.

  Huh? ‘I don’t understand.’

  He entered the room and stood in front of her. ‘I have cleared your schedule and I am taking you away from it all,’ he announced with a theatrical flourish. ‘On a Christmas break. It is a week until Christmas. I would like you to visit my country and see some of the Christmas traditions of Aguilarez. You need a break. Some time out.’

  ‘But...’

  ‘No buts. I have cleared it all with the Queen.’

  ‘But... I haven’t even packed.’

  ‘All sorted. We are leaving now.’ Gabi tried to get her brain to assess the situation but it was simply too tiring. The idea of a break made her whole body tingle with relief. The idea of a break with Cesar made her whole body tingle. Full stop.

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘To a royal residence in Aguilarez. The car’s waiting outside.’

  Gabi felt a giddy sense of anticipation as she rose to her feet; this was really happening. ‘There are also photographers waiting outside,’ Cesar said and a tiny dart of disappointment quivered. Of course this was a publicity stunt, part of the romance illusion. No doubt Cesar had upped his game in response to the article of the previous day and she should be grateful for that. Or perhaps her moment of weakness had made him think it was expedient to whisk her away before she actually ran away. As her mother had.

  As if he read her mind his lips twisted in a grimace. ‘I have done a deal with them. In return for a few smiles now and the promise of a future story they will leave us be for a few days. I can’t guarantee utter press blackout but it will be easier.’

  ‘Thank you.’ God, how she wished she could read his mind, see underneath the diplomacy. Figure out if all of this was a cool, calculated attempt to persuade her to marry him or whether he cared. Whoa. Careful, Gabi. It was a pointless question and she shouldn’t care about the answer. Caring didn’t come into it, other than the basic respect and liking that Cesar had offered her.

  She followed him to the car, held his hand and smiled with what she hoped was a regal yet love-dazed expression on her face.

  Once the vehicle had set off at a smooth glide, Cesar glanced at her and said, ‘Why don’t you take the opportunity to sleep?’

  The idea was tempting but she knew she wouldn’t be able to do it—would be too worried she might snore or drool or say something mad in her sleep. Especially if Cesar Asturias should venture into her dreams. She glanced at his handsome face, the cool features, and decided instead to take this opportunity to try and find out something about him. Maybe even get some insight into who this man was. She’d caught glimpses but it was as if he guarded himself so well he had forgotten who he was.

  ‘I’m fine but I’d like to use this break to get to know each other better, so maybe we should start now. Perhaps you could tell me a bit about your job, about your life these past years.’

  His stance was relaxed but she sensed a hint of wariness. ‘I’m an ambassador. I promote Aguilarez. I make sure we play our part on the world stage. We may be small but we are still significant. Both our countries are. Our tourist trade is booming. We also export wines and olives and, of course, people are always interested in our royal family.’

  ‘Do you enjoy it? That first night you said that sometime it chafes to be what you have been preordained to be.’

  ‘I should not have said that. My job is one that I enjoy and am good at. It also brings all the perks of an enjoyable lifestyle.’

  Gabi frowned, sensed that what he said was true but that there was another stratum beneath the words. ‘There’s something you aren’t telling me.’

  Cesar looked as though he sincerely wished she had opted to take a nap. ‘Not at all,’ he said lightly. ‘It’s a great job, hard work but fun as well. Of course, there are some frustrations.’

  ‘Such as.’

  ‘Being royal has its disadvantages. People are always more interested in my latest relationship or which star-studded party I may attend next, or what my
family is up to. There is also the fact that I have to always remember I am a mouthpiece for the Asturias clan. But these are simply minor inconveniences.’

  No. It was more than that—she wasn’t sure how she knew, but she did. Could detect a bitter tinge to the flavour of the words. She regarded him thoughtfully. ‘More interested in your relationships than in what? And does that mean that sometimes you have different views from your family?’

  ‘I didn’t say that. I think you may be overanalysing here.’

  ‘That’s a polite way to tell me to mind my own beeswax.’ But suddenly she didn’t want to as frustration and a dollop of anger hit her. ‘Fine, but over these past days I have talked to you. About topics I care about. You have given me nothing but facts; I have no idea what you care about. Except your duty to your country.’

  ‘Maybe there is nothing else.’

  ‘I don’t believe that and I need to know something more...personal about you. How can I contemplate marriage to someone who sees life through a filter of detachment?’

  There was a silence.

  Then he shrugged. ‘OK. You were right. There are times when I would like to speak out about things I do care about, that aren’t connected to Aguilarez. About humanitarian aid, about trying to make the world a better place, not just privileged countries like mine. I have travelled in my ambassadorial duties to places where I have cried at the plight of children and families. Seen sights I would not have believed possible in war-torn countries... And, yes, I would like my country to do more, give more humanitarian aid. I would like to be deployed more to those countries, perhaps in a different capacity. But my father decided I would serve Aguilarez better in my current role.’

  He said the words with almost clinical dispassion and she sensed he hadn’t wanted to say them at all. Yet it didn’t take away from the undercurrent of sincere, palpable feeling underneath the layer of civility and she wondered exactly how bitter his disappointment had been.

  ‘That must have been hard—it sounds as though it meant a lot to you.’

  ‘It did. But I see my father’s viewpoint and I see little point in defiance—that would not help my cause. Instead I did persuade him to agree to some increased foreign aid, and I do what I can in a different way. I influence decisions and sometimes I go on anonymous trips funded by myself in an unofficial capacity.’

  Gabi felt a warmth swell over her, and her mind whirled with the information. It hadn’t occurred to her that Cesar would have a charitable side, such a serious side, and there was no doubt that he was serious. There was a set to his lips she hadn’t seen before and it gave her a sudden thrill to know that he had such a depth to his character.

  But she could also tell he regretted the confidence, had given more than he’d meant.

  ‘Not many people are aware of what I have told you and I would appreciate it if it goes no further.’

  ‘Of course. Thank you for telling me.’

  ‘Also—’ he frowned now ‘—please do not get this out of perspective. I have no complaints. My role is Aguilarez ambassador, not a humanitarian. I do what I can but it is not a life mission for me.’

  Gabriella frowned, could almost hear the sound of the diplomatic back-pedalling. Wondered if in truth he preferred to keep that caring side of himself locked down and hidden away even from himself. Whatever it was she smiled now, reached across and brushed a kiss on his cheek. ‘I think the fact that you care is incredible, something to be proud of.’

  Big mistake. Not the words but the action. The feel of his skin against her lips, the closeness of him, the desire to ‘miss’ her aim and target his lips nigh on impossible to resist. But somehow resist it she did. Scooted across the seat and looked out of the window, realised the car had started a steep ascent up a rocky, mountainous path.

  ‘Nearly there,’ Cesar stated with a slightly over-the-top breeziness and she figured he would be as relieved as she was to arrive. ‘Keep looking. That way you get the full effect.’

  The car continued to climb, curved round a bend in the narrow road and Gabi gave a gasp as their destination appeared. The mini castle was incredible; it loomed into view with a magnificent beauty. It looked as though it had been carved into the mountain, a fortress-like creation that called to mind the force of nature combined with the power of man.

  ‘It’s like a smaller version of the main palace,’ Cesar said.

  As the car drew up Gabi’s eyes widened at the sight of the gardens. Exotic green shrubs, immense trees weighted with a layer of snow and ornate gilded water fountains that rocketed streams of water into the air where they glistened in the late morning sun. Made the whole into a magical winter’s spectacle.

  The driver opened the door and she climbed out with a murmur of, ‘Thank You, Lorenzo.’ Then followed Cesar through the arched splendour of the door and into a cavernous hallway, the stone walls hung with tapestries that glowed with a lustre that made the scenes seem to come alive as she studied them. Battles, everyday life, people and actions from centuries before.

  Next he led her into a huge oak-panelled room. A roaring fire sent out swathes of welcome heat; the flames flickered and danced in a glow of red and orange and yellow. The whole scene was so welcoming and cosy her whole being basked in the warmth of it all.

  There was a huge sofa scattered with cushions; a fluffy rug of enormous proportions covered the hearth. The whole room was redolent of polished woods and varnished history to be seen in the portraits and landscapes on the walls, and she loved it. Then she saw a basket of books by the sofa, some from her keeper shelf, others brand new.

  She turned to Cesar in question.

  ‘I brought them from the place and some new ones Imogen said you may like. I thought maybe what you’d like is some time to curl up by a fire and read.’

  Gabi turned to him, felt a sudden glisten of tears.

  ‘How did you know that?’

  ‘Lucky guess.’ Only it wasn’t. It was because he’d listened to her over the past days, really listened. And now her gaze went to the tree in the corner—a Christmas tree, huge, luxuriant, and as yet undecorated.

  Cesar looked a little embarrassed. ‘This is just an idea. You said that you missed decorating a tree this year so I thought, well, maybe we could decorate this one. Obviously you don’t have to.’

  ‘I’d love to.’ Gabi eyed the tree. ‘But we’ll need a lot of decorations.’

  ‘I thought we could go and buy some. The nearest town has a Christmas market. If we go this afternoon and we wrap up so we look inconspicuous I doubt anyone will recognise us. Because no one will have figured out where we are yet. We have the place to ourselves. My housekeeper will pop in with supplies but otherwise we are going to fend for ourselves.’

  Without the trappings of royalty, not even a skeleton staff. Just them. Her heart skipped a little. ‘Then let’s go. Show me to my room and I will get myself disguised in the twinkle of an eye.’

  ‘Hold on. To complete the disguise.’

  She grinned as she saw what he held out. A pot of bright red nail polish. ‘Perfect. I’ll see if I can think of any more royal protocols to break.’

  To her own surprise her tiredness had melted away, replaced by an anticipatory buzz of...happiness. Careful, Gabi. No, for this break she didn’t want to be careful. It was OK to be happy—for a few days she would be free of royal rules and duties. She wanted, needed, to make the most of it.

  * * *

  Cesar glanced down at Gabi as they walked through the medieval town, over the ancient cobbled streets, thronged now with Christmas crowds. Chatter and laughter hummed on the air, redolent with the scent of spiced wine and Christmas delicacies.

  ‘This is magical,’ Gabi breathed, gesturing upwards at the glittering, sparkling illumination of the Christmas lights that looped and twinkled overhead in an array of stars. A reflection of the sky itself.

 
‘Yes,’ he agreed, and realised he didn’t mean the setting, beautiful though it was. He meant her—she looked relaxed and happy, her lips curved up in a generous smile, her eyes sparkling as she enjoyed the atmosphere and bit into the enormous pretzel he’d bought for her.

  The fluffy red hood completely hid her chestnut hair and also shielded her face from passers-by, and, dressed simply, she blended into the crowds. Cesar wore a woollen hat and had also wrapped a scarf round the lower half of his face. They looked, in fact, like any other couple out to do some Christmas shopping and the security detail were discreet enough to be virtually indistinguishable from the crowds.

  They approached the cluster of stalls that made up the market, each one displaying goods and wares that caught the senses. Bright woollen garments, delicacies and pastries, glühwein and marshmallows and hot chocolate. And Christmas decorations.

  Gabi lingered over the choice and Cesar took the chance to watch her, the care with which she examined each trinket, the concentration on her face as she debated colour schemes. ‘We could go for a blaze of colour or we could keep it simple. What do you think?’

  ‘I really don’t mind. What do you normally do?’

  ‘Normally I try to do a theme around a book. Christmas books mostly, though I did do a wizard theme one year.’

  ‘That sounds hard.’

  ‘It was a bit. But I enjoyed it—I really did. It was worth it to see the kids’ faces when they came in. And I’d always hang little wrapped chocolates on there as well. Because kids deserve to have a magical Christmas.’ Her eyes fell on a young couple with a family nearby, absorbed in the study of a nativity scene. ‘Like them. You can see the love there and the magic of Christmas.’ The dark-haired woman leant down to listen to what her daughter said, dropped a kiss on her head, and the father lifted his son up to show the toddler something and beamed as the little boy pointed in excitement.

  Seeing the sadness in her eyes, Cesar knew that she was thinking of the loss of her mother. ‘And adults deserve the same. So this next two days will be devoted to Christmas magic.’