“We’ve got the rest of the afternoon.” She sank onto her knees in the lush grass facing the water where an abundance of waterfowl bobbed around. “Humor me. Last night I was up until one o’clock looking at video clips of Etna and other volcanoes. They were incredible. I really want to know what drove you to become so interested.”
He got down on the grass next to her. “My father had a sibling, my uncle Stefano. He was the elder son and the crown prince, but he never wanted to be king. He fought with my grandfather who was then King of Gemelli.
“Uncle Stefano hated the idea of being betrothed and having to marry a woman picked out for him. Our country has never had a sovereign who wasn’t married by the time he ascended the throne. It’s the law. But Stefano didn’t ever want to be king and left home at eighteen to travel the world. I knew he had various girlfriends, so he didn’t lead a celibate life, but he never married.
“In time, volcanoes fascinated him and he decided he wanted to study them. To appease my grandparents, he came home occasionally to touch base. I was young and loved him because he was so intelligent and a wonderful teacher. He used to take me up on Etna.
“The day came when I decided I wanted to follow in his footsteps and announced I was going to attend the university to become a geologist. My parents could see my mind was made up.
“While I was at school, the family got word he’d been killed on the Galeras volcano in the Colombian Andes.”
“Valentino—” she gasped. “I read about it on the website last night. One of the people killed was your uncle?”
Pain marred his striking male features. “He got too close. The ash and gas overpowered him and he died.”
She shuddered. “That’s horrible. I should have thought it would have put you off wanting anything more to do with your studies.”
“You might think it, but I loved what I was doing. Statistics prove that on average only one volcanologist dies on the job each year or so.”
“That’s one too many!”
“For our family it was traumatic because of the consequences that followed. His body was shipped home for the funeral. A few weeks later my grandfather suffered a fatal heart attack, no doubt from the shock. His death meant my father took over as king with my mother at his side.
“While we were still grieving, they called me into their bedroom and told me they were all right with my desire to be a volcanologist. But they prayed I wouldn’t disappoint them the way my uncle had disappointed my grandfather. They said my uncle Stefano had disgraced the family by not taking up his royal duties and marrying.
“I was torn apart because I’d loved him and knew he’d suffered because he’d turned his back on his royal heritage. But when I heard my parents’ sorrow, I promised I would fulfill my princely obligation to the crown and marry when the time was right. They wouldn’t have to worry about me. Michelina and I made a pact that we’d always do our duty.”
“You mean that if she’d wanted to marry someone else other than Vincenzo, she would still have done her duty.”
He nodded. “I asked her about that, knowing Vincenzo didn’t love her in the way she loved him. She said it didn’t matter. She was committed and was hoping he’d fall in love with her one day.”
“Did you resent him for not being able to love your sister?”
“How could I do that when I don’t love Alexandra? When I saw how hard he tried to make Michelina happy by agreeing to go through the surrogacy process, my affection for him grew. He was willing to do anything to make their marriage better. Vincenzo is one of the finest men I’ve ever known. When he ended up marrying Abby, I was happy for him.”
“You’re a remarkable person. So was your sister.”
“I loved her. She could have told our parents she refused to enter into a loveless marriage, but she didn’t. Uncle Stefano’s death had affected all of us, including our brother, Vito. One day after his military service is over, he, too, will have to marry royalty because he’s second in line to the throne.”
“The public has no idea of the anguish that goes on behind locked royal doors.”
“We’re just people who’ve been born to a strange destiny. I didn’t want to disappoint my parents or be haunted with regrets like my uncle. Fortunately, Mother is still capable of ruling, and my time to fulfill my obligation hasn’t come yet.”
“But it will one day.”
“Yes.”
“It’s hard to comprehend a life like yours. May I be blunt and ask you if you have a girlfriend right now?”
“I’ve been seeing someone in town.”
She had to suppress a moan. Did you hear that, Carolena? “And she’s all right with the situation?”
“Probably not, but from the beginning she’s known we couldn’t possibly have a future. In case you’re wondering, I haven’t slept with her.”
Carolena shook her head. “You don’t owe me any explanation.”
“Nevertheless, I can see the next question in your eyes and so I’ll answer it. Contrary to what the media says about me, there have been only a few women with whom I’ve had an intimate relationship, but they live outside the country.”
“Yet knowing you are betrothed has never stopped any of them from wanting to spend time with you?”
“No. The women I’ve known haven’t been looking for permanency, either.” He smiled. “We’re like those ships passing in the night.”
It sounded awful. Yet, since Berto, she hadn’t been looking for permanency, either, and could relate more than he knew.
“I’ve warned my latest girlfriend our relationship could end at any time. You’re within your rights to condemn me, Carolena.”
“I could never condemn you,” she whispered, too consumed by guilt over how she’d accidentally brought out Berto’s death to find fault with anyone. “You’ve had every right to live your life like any ordinary man. But like your uncle, it must have been brutal for you to have grown up knowing your bride was already chosen for you.”
“I’ve tried not to think about it.”
Her mind reeled from the revelations. “Does your betrothed know and understand?”
“I’m quite sure Princess Alexandra has had relationships, too. It’s possible she’s involved with someone she cares about right now. Her parents’ expectations for her haven’t spared her anguish, either.”
“No,” she murmured, but it was hard to understand. How could any man measure up to Valentino? If Princess Alexandra was like his sister, she’d been in love with Valentino for years. “Does she support your work as a volcanologist?”
“I haven’t asked her.”
“Why not?”
“Up to now we’ve been living our own lives apart as much as possible.”
“But this is an integral part of your life!”
He sat up, chewing on the end of a blade of grass. “Our two families have spent occasional time together over the years. But the last time my brother was home on leave and went to Cyprus with me and my mother, he told me that Alexandra admitted she never liked the idea that I was a volcanologist.”
“And that doesn’t worry you?”
He studied her for a long moment. “It’s an issue we’ll have to deal with one day after we’re married.”
“By then it will be too late to work things out between you,” she cried. “How often do you fly to Catania?”
“Four