Vincenzo’s mother gave her a Baldasseri family treasure which consisted of tiny pearls, diamonds and rubies. She fastened it around her neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “This belonged to my husband’s mother.” Francesca loved her already.

  Holding umbrellas, her parents helped her into the limo waiting in the courtyard of the Visconti two-story Swiss villa. Through the rain they drove to the lovely church in the old part of Bern. Built in the mid-eighteen hundreds, it was renowned for its painted ceiling and windows.

  Francesca’s heart jumped around thinking about Vincenzo waiting for her as they escorted her inside the foyer of the edifice. They brushed her off as sounds of the organ and choir permeated the church. Her father reached for her left hand and pressed an object into the palm.

  When she looked down, she saw it was a gold band with a blue diamond her dad had produced for her to give Vincenzo. He and her mother wanted Francesca to know how much they approved of her choice of husband.

  Francesca felt overcome as she reached out to hug him. “No one ever had a better father than you, Papa. I love you.” She put the ring on her least finger until the time came in the ceremony to exchange rings.

  Her mother handed her a bouquet of white roses. “The next time we see each other, you’ll be Vincenzo’s wife. Nothing could make me happier.”

  “Oh, Mom—I love you both so much.” They hugged before her mother slipped inside the doors. That left Francesca standing there with her father.

  They looked at each other as the “Wedding March” started. He reached for her hand. With a smile he said, “I don’t need to ask if you’re ready.”

  No. She was practically floating with happiness. Since meeting Vincenzo she’d been an open book.

  A church worker opened the doors into the nave filled to the brim with wedding guests and flowers near the altar. Her parents had made many friends over the years. Vincenzo’s grandparents sat in front. To Francesca’s joy, she saw Daniel and his wife! He beamed at her.

  She and her father continued down the center aisle, but her eyes had centered on Vincenzo wearing formal ceremonial Baldasseri dress blue with gold braid. Her Prince was so handsome she would have fainted right there if her father weren’t holding her up.

  Next to him looking splendid stood the Crown Prince of San Vitano, Rinieri Baldasseri, Vincenzo’s cousin. On his other side stood Francesca’s darling brother, Rolf. He looked tall and princely in his own right. The last man standing up for him was his attractive childhood friend Luca.

  The priest marrying them waited at the altar in ceremonial robes. On his other side stood Vincenzo’s lovely mother in purple chiffon. Francesca’s mother was gorgeous in lavender. Next to her stood stunning Bella gowned in light blue. At her side stood Princess Luna in pink. The magnificent sight would dazzle anyone, but it was Vincenzo who took Francesca’s breath.

  The priest smiled at them. “Dear friends and family of the bride and groom, we welcome and thank you for being part of this sacred occasion. We’re gathered here to witness the marriage of Francesca Giordano Visconti and Prince Vincenzo Rodicchio Baldasseri. Every human has the desire to love and be loved. Today we celebrate their love.

  “If the couple will clasp hands, please come before me while the others take their seats and we’ll begin with a prayer.”

  Francesca’s mother took the flowers from her and sat down with her father. Vincenzo’s mother followed. Rini claimed Luna. Rolf and Luca sat on another pew. During that whole time, Vincenzo squeezed Francesca’s hand, enthralling her.

  The priest gave a beautiful prayer, then nodded to the two of them. “Francesca, Vincenzo? Have you come here to enter into marriage freely and with whole hearts?”

  “Yes,” they said at the same time.

  “Are you prepared to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?”

  “Yes,” she declared.

  “And after,” Vincenzo added. It reminded her of their conversation in the meadow after Karl had died when she’d said Vincenzo would see his beloved dog again. It brought tears to her eyes.

  “Are you prepared to receive children from God and raise them according to the law of Jesus Christ and His church?”

  “Yes,” they both responded firmly. Vincenzo gave her hand another squeeze she felt through her entire body. The priest eyed both of them.

  “Because it’s your intention to join each other in Holy Matrimony, you will now declare your consent before God.” He nodded to Vincenzo who said, “I, Vincenzo Baldasseri, take you, Francesca Visconti, to be my wife. I promise to stay true to you in good times and bad, through sickness and health. I’ll love, honor and cherish you all the days of my life.”

  The priest turned to Francesca who made the same vow. She finished with, “I’ll love and honor you through life and throughout all eternity.”

  Vincenzo flashed her a smile meant for her alone before they kissed without the priest having to say anything. She couldn’t believe this was really happening. This magnificent man had just married her. Her joy was almost too much to contain. She didn’t want their kiss to end.

  “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. I now pronounce you man and wife. You may exchange rings.”

  With trembling hands Francesca pulled the ring off her little finger and reached for Vincenzo’s left hand. The blue of his eyes intensified as she slid the wedding band on his ring finger. The fire in those orbs rivaled the heart of the blue diamond.

  She heard an unexpected intake of breath before he produced a wedding ring and put it on the ring finger of her left hand. Further examination showed it to be a Baldasseri family heirloom with a ruby and diamonds. “My great-grandmother’s ring,” he whispered as he slid his arm around her waist. “It matches the necklace around your neck. You’re my wife, Francesca. No man can put us asunder now.”

  There was steel in his tone as glorious choral music accompanied by the organ filled the interior. It was a surreal moment for Francesca as they walked slowly down the aisle with Vincenzo’s arm around her waist. Once they reached the foyer, they embraced their loved ones before walking out to the waiting limo.

  Francesca saw news reporters taking pictures and videos. It wouldn’t be long before people watching the news would wonder what was going on. Everyone would ask how Prince Vincenzo could be engaged to one Visconti woman, yet married to another within a matter of days.

  But she couldn’t worry about that right now. Before Vincenzo helped her in the limo, he folded her in his arms. When he lowered his head to give her a husband’s kiss, she was so on fire for him, she forgot everything else. That kiss would be splashed all over the news, but it didn’t matter because she’d become Vincenzo’s wife.

  The rain had turned to drizzle. An indoor reception at the Visconti villa awaited them. Francesca’s father stood at the table where she and Vincenzo sat with her mother, Rolf and Gina. Vincenzo’s grandparents and mother sat with Prince Rinieri and Princess Luna. Valentina and her fiancé Alessandro had been put at another table also looking blissfully happy. All their friends had gathered round at other tables laden with flowers.

  “Welcome everyone on this joyous day of days. There’ll be time for all the toasts you want after we eat, but right now I want to make one to my new son-in-law. I’ve learned things about him that you don’t know and never will. But they make me humbled and proud that he has become a member of our family.” He raised his champagne glass to Vincenzo.

  “Here’s to the groom, a man better than other men, who kept his head even while he lost his heart to my precious daughter. These two were meant for each other. To that I can attest and give my blessing. May your joy last through the eternities.”

  Francesca knew her father’s heartfelt words had touched Vincenzo so deeply, he grasped her hand beneath the table and clung to it. She knew the tribute acted like a healing balm after what Stefano had put them all through.

  The rest of the party passed in a kind of heavenly blur as they ate and laughed and enjoyed all the many tributes. Perhaps her favorite toast at the end of the reception came from Vincenzo’s best friend Luca.

  He got to his feet and raised a glass to him. “Dante once wrote that a great flame follows a little spark. Apparently there was more than a little spark the day Vince took his sick dog Karl to the vet. One look at the gorgeous Dr. Linard and he was lit by the brightest light in the firmament. May your happiness last forever.”

  Vincenzo squeezed her hand tighter.

  “Thank you, Luca,” she mouthed the words to him.

  Francesca’s mother smiled at her. “It’s time for you to change and get you to the airport for your honeymoon.”

  Honeymoon—

  She shivered in excitement. Francesca had never gone to bed with a man. Now she was a married woman and couldn’t wait to be loved by her husband who kissed her cheek. “Hurry,” he whispered. “I’ll be waiting for you in the foyer.”

  A thrill of desire darted through her as he helped her up from the table. She left the room with her mother and went upstairs to change into a new summer suit in spring green.

  Her mom helped her out of her wedding dress. After they hugged she went down to the foyer where Vincenzo was waiting for her. Everyone had gathered round while she got ready to throw the bouquet.

  She knew where she wanted it to land, but it accidentally ended up in Bella’s hands rather than Gina’s. Vincenzo’s sister turned crimson.

  He put his arm around Francesca’s shoulders. Nuzzling her neck, he said, “I’m glad your aim was off. Gina has already found her happiness with your brother. Now it’s Bella’s turn. Shall we go, Signora Baldasseri? Our chariot is waiting.”

  It was late afternoon. There were more photographers outside the villa, but she ignored them. The limo drove them to the airport where they boarded the helicopter. They’d fly to the major airport in Innsbruck, then home. “It’s been a perfect day,” she murmured against his lips after they climbed inside.

  “That’s true, but it’s only the beginning. I’ve arranged for my security staff to have my car waiting for us at the airport in Zernez.”

  “Am I horrible to be this impatient to get back to the apartment?”

  “You mean our apartment, and yes. It thrills me that you’re as horrible as I am to want to go to bed. I’m not sure I’ll ever let you go again, so be warned.”

  Their flight lasted too long, but finally they landed and hurriedly got in his car and he drove them to the apartment.

  He shut off the engine and turned to her. “As of this moment everything is under control and we are now on our honeymoon. Nothing or no one is going to interfere with what I’ve been looking forward to since the moment I laid eyes on my Christmas angel.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That’s what you looked like to me. One of those adorable angels hanging on the Christmas tree full of light and sparkle and so damn beautiful I wanted to steal you away immediately. It took all my self-control not to kidnap you from the clinic and hide you where no one could find you but me.”

  “Vincenzo—” She laughed.

  “It’s the truth, my love. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re here, mio amore.”

  Her apartment was a sight for sore eyes. It was a glorious evening, warm and beautiful. “Stay in the car. I want to take everything inside first, then come back for you. I’ll need your key.”

  Francesca handed it to him. He hurried up the stairs with the food they stopped for plus their bags. Her heart pounded wildly while she waited for his return. Little could she have guessed that when she’d picked this apartment on the internet in July, Prince Vincenzo would become her husband and race up the stairs into their new home. A fairy tale beyond fairy tales, one she’d cherish forever.

  * * *

  The interior felt like heaven to Vincenzo. He took the bags to her bedroom. Their bedroom now. After returning to the kitchen to put away the groceries in the fridge, he went back out, leaving the door open.

  Francesca had gotten out of her car and lounged against it. Their gazes locked as he came closer and picked her up in his arms like the bride she was. Miraculously she fit there like she’d been made for him. Without effort he carried her slowly along the walk and up the stairs. His eyes studied every feature, still trying to believe this remarkable woman now bore his last name.

  “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to carry me over the threshold. I’d harbored an irrational jealousy knowing the cousin I’d never met was your fiancée. It seemed cruel that I was being tempted like this when I knew you were as far from me as the planets and forbidden to me in every way. That’s what made my longing for you harder to bear. That first night I cried my eyes out.”

  “Francesca...” He kissed her fervently. “I didn’t know that. The beautiful Dr. Linard kept her secrets. The last thing I wanted to do was leave the clinic.”

  She traced the line of his mouth with her finger. “I never intended for you to know how attracted I was. You can’t imagine my shock when you told me your engagement had been broken off. I was so happy I was giddy.”

  “You never let on, squisita!”

  He closed the door with his foot and carried her through the apartment to the bedroom. Following her down on the bed, he began kissing her. This was different than all the other times they’d been together. They were man and wife and alone for the first time since the wedding.

  “When I took those wedding vows, I promised to worship you with my body, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

  “I love you,” she cried from her soul, “more than life itself!”

  “Amore.” He helped remove her suit, then took off his trousers and shirt. Before long they lay entwined on the bed, enraptured as they poured out their love for each other. To Vincenzo it seemed like after meeting Francesca, he’d been waiting years for this moment.

  She was the personification of his every dream, loving and giving. His desire had reached its zenith. For hours they were swept away by needs and longings that no longer had to be held back. Francesca had taken him to a place of pure enchantment.

  At one point they both slept with his arm around her hips. When he awakened, he discovered her leaning over him while she smoothed some hair off his forehead. “Do you know you’re the most beautiful man I ever saw in my life?”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “I can’t wait until we have children. Everyone will rave that they look like you.”

  “Our girls will inherit your beauty and I’ll have to beat off the suitors.”

  She chuckled.

  Vincenzo found certain places to kiss her that he knew drove her crazy with longing. “Do you want a baby right away?”

  “The mention of Valentina’s pregnancy has made me think hard about us. Are you anxious to start a family? Tell me the truth.”

  “I can’t imagine anything more wonderful.”

  “Neither can I.”

  “I’m glad you said that because I’m afraid I didn’t take precautions.”

  She gave him that fetching smile. “I noticed, and I’m ecstatic because I’m hoping we’re pregnant right now. Artur needs competition so he won’t get too spoiled.”

  Deep male laughter poured out of Vincenzo. “He’s already hopeless in that department. So am I. Love me again, mia moglie.” He rolled her gorgeous body against him. “I need you more than I need food right now.”

  “That tells me more than you know. Kiss me again, and again, and again.”

  EPILOGUE

  The Baldasseri Palace,

  two and a half months later

  VINCENZO HELPED FRANCESCA out of his car. She clung to him.

  “What’s wrong, darling?”

  “I was just remembering the first time you brought me to the palace so I could meet your mother.”

  He hugged her waist. “Since then a lot of water has passed under that bridge, and now we’re her guests. Mamma has been dying to have a party. She’s back to her old self which pleases me more than you will ever know. It’s a good sign she’s gotten past that grieving stage for my father. Our marriage has brought new joy to her life.”

  “You’re right. The person I’m concerned about now is Bella. She’s marvelous, but I sense she’s unhappy. You never talk about it.”

  “Heartache came to Bella’s life in high school.”

  “I presume you’re talking a boyfriend.”

  “Afraid so.”

  “Is it a secret?”

  “It has been. When we get home tonight, I’ll tell you what happened.”

  They walked past the guards and up the back stairway of the palace to the drawing room.

  Francesca almost fainted at the room full of people. Gorgeous Bella sat with her mother on one of the love seats. The older woman got up immediately and walked toward Francesca, holding out her arms. “I’m so excited my newest daughter is here.”

  Vincenzo let go of her hand so she could run to her. “We’re thrilled to be here, Princess Baldasseri.”

  “Call me Maria, please.” Her tear-filled voice got to Francesca’s heart. They hugged for a long time. “Can you forgive a foolish woman who refused to let go of her selfish dreams when we first met?”

  Francesca stared into blue eyes so much like Vincenzo’s. “There’s nothing to forgive. The son you brought into this world and raised is the love of my life. I’m so thankful you’re his mother. No man can match him, and that has everything to do with you.”

  She patted Francesca’s cheek. “I’m the one who’s grateful my son had the wisdom to choose an angel from heaven to be his wife. That’s what he calls you. I’ve learned a great deal about you over the last few months. Words can’t express my sorrow that it took me so long to come to my senses. If Vincenzo’s father were alive, he’d sing your praises. Welcome home. It’s your home.”