Page 15 of Marrying a Prince

Never, in all of her life, had kissing a guy felt like that. It must be his Italian heritage because it was exciting and spicy at the same time.

"What did you do?" a harsh whisper broke into her thoughts.

Marianna jumped back and turned to see Mrs. DeLuca standing behind them. She had on a sweet smile and was nodding toward the cameras, but the tone of her voice told Marianna she was angry.

Leo put on his best confused expression. "What do you mean?"

Her eyes widened as she whipped her gaze from Marianna to Leo. "You proposed to the wrong girl."

Leo coughed and sputtered. Man, he was good. "I did what?"

Mrs. DeLuca waved to a few of the reporters. It amazed Marianna that she could look so sweet but sound so upset. "Was this a joke?"

Leo rubbed his temples. Marianna wondered if she should try to help. But that might throw Leo off his game, so she just remained quiet. "Mom, I don't know what you are talking about. I proposed. That was what I was supposed to do."

Marianna felt Mrs. DeLuca’s hand on her arm and a gentle tug, indicating that she should follow. "We are going to clear this up."

Fifteen minutes later, Mr. DeLuca, Mrs. DeLuca, Leo, Filippo, a few more people Marianna didn't know, Gisella, and Marianna all sat in the living room of Leo's suite. Some were talking in hushed tones. Others—Gisella, primarily—were sobbing.

Marianna was beginning to feel bad. Was it so terrible that he had proposed to her? From everyone's reaction, it was.

"I just don't understand why he would do this," Mrs. DeLuca said, her voice rising up over the other chatter. Everyone fell silent and turned to see her pace back and forth.

A man in a dark suit with glasses was standing a few feet away from her. He had an iPad in his hand and kept scrolling on the screen. "Your Highness, it's blown up. Every magazine is covering this. The YouTube video already has over a million hits."

Mrs. DeLuca's face paled. "What are we going to do, Horace? How do we fix this?"

Horace shook his head. "I'm not sure we can."

Mr. DeLuca, who was standing in the back, straightened and joined the conversation. "Can't we just say that it was a mistake?"

Horace sucked in his breath through his teeth. "Then we would have to admit that the prince is currently not in his right mind since the accident. That might have more political repercussions then allowing the engagement to continue until his memory of Gisella comes back. Perhaps, it's best to go along with the prince's assumptions and allow time to pass."

Mrs. DeLuca whimpered and fanned herself with her hand.

Marianna let her gaze slip over to Gisella, who was watching them talk. She looked as angry as a cat in water.

"Ms. Marasco, you understand, right?" Mrs. DeLuca made her way over to the couch and sat next to Gisella. She grabbed the young woman’s hand and rested it in her own.

Gisella widened her eyes. "Understand?" Her voice came out forced, as if she were trying to tamp down her anger. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she looked calmer. "Of course, Your Highness. Anything to help Leo heal." Her smile turned sweet. Too sweet.

Mrs. DeLuca patted her hand and then turned to the other inhabitants. "Perhaps it is best if we get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, things will look different. We did what we came here to do. We let potential tourists to Caro know of the impending wedding. Hopefully, things will pick up." She stood and made her way to the door.

Everyone began to follow her out. Marianna stood and joined the procession.

"Can you wait, Marianna? I would like to talk to you." Leo's voice was followed by his hand wrapping around hers, halting her.

Butterflies erupted in her stomach. Why did it feel so right when he touched her? Had she gone mad? His kiss must have some powerful magic because one minute, she was strong and could defend herself against him, but now that they had kissed, her emotions were all out of sorts.

Thankfully, Mrs. DeLuca was talking to Gisella, and everyone else was too busy talking to each other to notice that Marianna hung back. Soon the room was cleared of everyone but Filippo.

Leo glanced over to him. "Privacy?" he asked.

Filippo hesitated but then nodded. "Of course. I'll be in my room."

Leo smiled as Filippo disappeared behind his door.

Marianna became very aware of how alone they were. Anything could happen. Heat permeated her cheeks at that thought.

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