Page 129 of Duty and Desire

Claudia had turned to stare at me inquiringly. “What did he just say?”

My throat tightened. “He said, I love your grandson with all my heart, and I promise I will make him happy for the rest of our days.”

I’d teased him about his accent, but I loved him for going to the trouble of learning it.

There was a knock at the door, and suddenly I was tugged into the present.

My wedding day.

“It’s time,” I declared.

Time to join myself to the man I loved.

Nick

My heart pounded. My mouth was so dry, I had a feeling my vows would come out as a croak.

Claudia handed me a glass. “It’s only water—I figured you wanted to keep a clear head, at least until after it’s all legal—but you might need a sip right now.”

I took it gratefully, drinking half its contents. I handed it back with a smile. “You’ve been the cause of a few raised eyebrows today.”

She chuckled. “Let me guess. The fact that the best man was actually a best woman?” She glanced at the guests standing around the fountain. “It’s going to be a short service, isn’t it? Seeing as there isn’t enough room for chairs.” She smiled. “Apart from the one for Gio’s grandmother. I think you have a fan there.” Claudia stared at the fountain. “A pity this isn’t working. Then again, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it run.”

“Before your time,” I informed her. “But the sound was heavenly.” It was a round structure constructed from stone, with a stone open flower at the center. Water had spouted into the air, pouring through the spaces between the petals, trickling into the base, creating ripples that used to catch the light.

As I looked at it, a rumble came from somewhere close, and a moment later, a jet of water rose into the air. I blinked. “How?” For a second, I had thoughts of a ghostly intervention—my mother’s.

Franz joined us. He looked at the fountain and beamed. “Great. It works.”

I gaped at him. “What do you know about this?”

He smiled. “I had someone come in and fix it—the day you went shopping for your wedding suit, actually. I wanted it to be a surprise.” Warm eyes met mine. “Think of it as my wedding present.”

I seized him in a tight hug. “Thank you.”

Franz made a noise that was a mixture of surprise and pleasure.” Well, that’s a first around here,” he muttered when Ireleased him. The guests seemed to enjoy the spectacle, gazing at us with wide eyes and open mouths.

I stifled a snort. “What? Kings don’t hug? They’d better get used to it, becausethisking does.” I drew him to one side. “I have a gift for you too. And now I’ve seen this, I realize it was the perfect choice.”

He frowned. “Why would you get me a gift?”

I placed my hand on his shoulder. “In gratitude for keeping my secret, for not telling anyone about Gio. And for everything you’ve done since then. You may have started out as my bodyguard, but you’re more than that.” I smiled. “You’ve become a friend.”

Franz’s cheeks were flushed. “Nick…”

I reached into my pocket and brought out a small velvet box. “This was my mother’s.” I opened it to reveal the gold ring into which was set a single diamond. “I thought you might find some use for it.”

His lips parted as he stared at the ring. “I don’t believe this.” He jerked his head up. “I’d planned to propose to her, after the coronation next week.”

I grinned. “I don’t see why you have to wait that long. Unfortunately there isn’t time to exchange your invitation to the coronation for one that reads Mr. & Mrs. Gantner.” I bit my lip. “The legal wheels grind slowly around here. And assuming Claudia would take your name. She’s an emancipated woman, you know.”

Franz smiled. “Yeah, I know, and I wouldn’t have her any other way.” He lowered his gaze to the ring box. “I can’t accept this, not if it was your mother’s.”

I placed the box in his hand and closed his fingers around it. “Yes, you can. Because she would want you to have this too.”

Franz wiped his eyes. “Okay, I’ll shut up now. Thank you, Nick. It’s beautiful.” He glanced over my shoulder. “Don’t look now, but the groom—theothergroom—has arrived.”

I straightened.

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