Antonio finished what was on his plate. Since hers was empty, he put them both on the table. When he looked at her she was filled with strong emotion and said, “Today I’m so happy to be your wife, Antonio. I mean that with all my heart.”
“Christina,” he said in a husky voice, squeezing her hand. “Because of your sacrifice for me—for the country—I trust you with my life.” He said it like a vow and kissed her fingers in a gesture so intimate in front of the wedding guests that she made up her mind to be the best wife possible.
Just then Louisa happened to pass by her. “You look radiant,” she whispered.
Christina was still reacting to Antonio’s gesture as well as his words. “So did you out there dancing with Nico.”
“Who knew he could waltz?”
Her comment made Christina chuckle. Antonio smiled at her. “I want to dance the whole evening away with you, but I think we need to say something to our parents.”
They walked hand in hand toward the king and queen and they all chatted for a moment. Christina’s parents were seated by them. While Antonio was still talking with his parents for a minute, her mother, dressed in an oyster silk suit, got up from the table to greet Christina with a peck on the cheek.
Though Christina had known this began as a publicity stunt, she’d tried to win her parents’ affection. Four years later she was still trying and had hopes that her marriage to the future king had softened their opinion of her.
Her mother stared into her eyes. “You look lovely, Christina. I do believe that tint on your hair was the right shade.”
A compliment from her mother meant everything. “I’m glad you like it.”
“It’s a good thing Lindsay planned everything else, including your new royal wardrobe. You’ll always want to look perfect for Antonio.”
“I plan to try.”
“I know you will. Certainly today you’ve succeeded.” Her voice halted for a minute before she added, “You’ve never looked so attractive.”
Christina’s eyes moistened. She couldn’t believe her mother was actually paying her another compliment. In fact, she sensed her mother wanted to say more but held back.
“Grazie, Mama,” she said in a tremulous voice, and kissed her mother’s cheek.
Marusha stood nearby. Christina hugged her. She’d flown in for the wedding. Her family would be coming for the coronation. For this ceremony, only their closest friends and relatives made up the intimate gathering.
Next came Christina’s great-aunt Sofia. “You look enchanting.” The older woman embraced her. “Working in Africa has made all the difference in you,” she said quietly. “You have a queenly aura that comes naturally to you.”
Christina craved her aunt’s warmth and hugged her extra hard. “I’m thrilled to be wearing the brooch.” She was glad Antonio had sneaked up to the bridal chamber to give it to her.
“It suits you. I’m so proud of you I could burst.”
“Don’t do that!” she said as they broke into gentle laughter.
“I’ve been watching your handsome husband. He’s hardly taken his eyes off you since we came outside.” Her brown gaze conveyed her sincerity. “I can see why. You’re a vision, and you’re going to help Prince Antonio transform our country into its former glory. I feel it in these old bones. I have the suspicion that you didn’t need the brooch to bring you good luck. You and your prince are special, you know?”
No, Christina didn’t know, but she loved her aunt for saying so. “I love you.”
Her great-aunt kissed her on the cheek before Elena rushed in to hug her hard. “Ooh—you’re the most gorgeous bride I ever saw. I do believe you’ve knocked the socks off Tonio. All the time he’s been talking to the parents, he’s had his eye on you.”
Sofia had said the same thing. From the mouths of two witnesses...
“The two of you looked so happy out there it seemed like you were sharing some great secret. By the way, in passing I heard your mother tell your aunt Sofia that she’d never been so proud of you.”
“Thank you for telling me. Things seem to be better with Mother,” she whispered. “It is a beautiful wedding, isn’t it?”
“It’s fabulous, and you know why? Because you’re Tonio’s wife and will make him a better man than he already is. Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. He’s going to feel the same way once he gets to really know you the way I do.”
Tears glistened on Christina’s eyelashes. She hugged her again. “We’re true sisters now,” she whispered.
“YOUR HIGHNESS, THE photographer is waiting for you and your bride to cut the wedding cake.”
Antonio switched his gaze to Zach, but his mind and thoughts had been concentrated on Christina and it took a moment for him to get back to the present. “Thanks, Zach. We’re coming.”
“I hope you love wedding cake,” she whispered as they made their way to the round table holding the fabulous three-tiered cake.
He flashed her a quick smile. “Is this the moment you’re going to get your revenge on me for past misdeeds?”
“If you’re referring to the chocolate you fed me full of cherry cordial that dripped down my blouse on one of our outings, I wouldn’t be surprised.” The impish look in her beautiful gray eyes was so unexpected that his heart skipped a beat.
“Be gentle,” he begged, putting his arms around her from behind to help her make the first cut with the knife. Another chuckle escaped her lips. With great care she picked up the first piece and turned to him, waving it in the air as if trying to decide how to feed it to him. This produced laughter from the guests.
“Just take your best shot, whatever you have in mind.”
“So I do have you a little bit worried.”
“Please, Christina.”
“I tell you what. I’ll have a napkin ready.” She plucked one off the table. “Now open sesame.”
He closed his eyes and obeyed her command.
“You have to keep your eyes open, coward,” she said in a low teasing voice.
“I can’t do both,” he teased back.
“Then I’ll eat it instead.”
Shocked by her response, he opened his eyes only to be fed the cake, part of which fell onto his chin into the napkin she held for him. The wedding guests laughed and clapped their hands. Of course everything had been caught by the videographer.
Christina cleaned him up nicely, then kissed his chin. “Thanks for being a good sport, Your Highness.”
“Don’t call me that.”
She looked surprised. “No?”
“Not ever.”
She flashed him a smile. “Are we having our first fight?”
Her question caught him off guard. Before he could respond, Lindsay came up to Christina with her bridal bouquet. “When you’re ready to leave the party, you can toss it behind you.”
“Thank you, Lindsay. All your planning has made this the most beautiful wedding party in the world. I’ve never been happier.”
“You look radiant, Christina.”