Their Christmas Royal Wedding by Nina Milne

Author:Nina Milne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-09-09T18:10:29+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

TWO DAYS LATER Cesar gave his reflection a perfunctory check, made sure there was no spot on his tie, no dust on his suit because, despite the fact that Antonio and Tia’s wedding was to be private, there would still be photographers covering the arrival and departure of guests—a fact he had every intention of using to his advantage.

His and Gabriella’s.

He rolled his eyes as he caught the small goofy smile on his lips, brought about by the thought of Casavalle’s Queen-in-waiting.

Enough. There was no need for goofiness, rather the smile should be one of satisfaction, that his courtship was going well, that there was a certainty of a union less cold than that of his parents. The kisses they had shared had shown him that—his body still tied in knots.

Turning away from his reflection, he headed for the door and the chauffeur-driven car that would take him to Casavalle, where he’d arranged to meet Gabriella prior to the ceremony, so they could make the walk to the chapel together.

Forty-five minutes later he alighted in the courtyard, raised a hand in acknowledgement as the photographers clicked, made sure that the small package was just visible in the pocket of his suit as he entered the palace and made his way to the reception room.

He pushed open the door, and felt his lungs constrict slightly. The dress she wore was perfect for the occasion, navy blue, simple in its structural cut and demure neckline, but made that little bit different by the statement flared sleeves. Her chestnut hair fell free to her shoulders. ‘You look stunning,’ he said simply.

Gabriella looked down at herself. ‘I have to admit I am having doubts. Fashion was never my thing.’

‘It’s beautiful,’ he assured her.

‘You’ve scrubbed up pretty well yourself.’

‘Apart from the shadows under my eyes,’ he said, with a smile. ‘I stayed up late reading.’

‘You did?’

‘I did.’ In truth it had started as a homework exercise—he wanted to be able to show Gabriella that he had tried. Had decided to read a chapter. But to his astonishment the book had gripped him, and it had only been the chime of the clock at an advanced hour that had forced him to turn the light out. ‘It was a good choice.’

‘I’m glad.’

‘Now I have brought you this.’ He handed her a slim box, watched as she opened it to reveal a posy of flowers designed so that they could be pinned to her dress.

‘From the Aguilarean palace gardens.’

Her brown eyes surveyed him. ‘So if I wear it, it will send out a subtle romantic message for the press to pick up on. And it could also be seen as a symbol of our countries’ friendship.’

‘Yes.’

‘An excellent prop,’ she said coolly. ‘For our double act.’

‘That is what I thought. I also hoped you would like them; I did pick them myself.’ He hesitated. ‘Is something wrong?’

Her expression relaxed. ‘Yes...no... It’s just hard for me to get my head round a political alliance and fake romance. Our last two “dates” were different, more private—the press were hardly there.

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