Playing the Royal Game

‘I hate what you do to me.’

‘You won’t tomorrow,’ Alex said. ‘If you come to the church, then know that you will be my wife in every sense of the word. It’s up to you. Know that I will be a good husband, a wonderful provider, that your family will be taken care of and you will be too.’

‘You need to know something too. The people of Santina have been unhappy for a long time.’

‘I do not need your opinion on my people.’

‘You can dismiss what I say if you want, but you will do me the courtesy of at least listening. The people want me, because I am ordinary, because I cry and I laugh, even in public, because of—not in spite of—my family’s mistakes. You marry me, or you can find another wife to wear the nightdresses laid out for her, perhaps one with quieter shoes, and she can be as miserable as your mother is.’

‘Don’t...’

‘Don’t what?’ Allegra said. ‘Don’t speak of such things? Why not?’ Allegra demanded. ‘Why can’t you have an honest conversation with the woman who tomorrow might be your wife? And know this too—my family will come and visit me in the palace and I shall fly home and visit them. I will be close with my brothers and sisters. If you want to marry me, know who you’re committing to.’

‘I do,’ Alessandro said, and he surprised her with a smile, the smile he gave her on the first day, the smile that always melted her so. And then he did the impossible, at least the impossible for a prince in Santina—he made a joke. ‘I’m just getting in practice for tomorrow. I do, Allegra.’

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

‘HOW is she?’ Matteo, Ash and Hassan were waiting when he returned to the palace.

‘She’s okay,’ Alex said.

‘Bobby asked if you could ring him and let him know,’ Matteo said, and Alex nodded. ‘He wants to have a word with you.’

‘There’s no need.’ The king huffed. ‘He’s probably there now—he can see her for himself.’

Alex ignored him. ‘I need his number.’

‘Don’t you have it?’ Zoe asked. ‘Didn’t you ring him first when you went to ask for his daughter’s hand? What about when you were in London?’

There were so many things he had done wrong, so many, many things. As Matteo gave him the necessary number Alex moved into the library to talk with his soon-to-be father-in-law in private, closing his eyes in shame as he spoke to him.

‘Right,’ the king said as Alessandro came out. ‘Let’s have a drink—we’ll have guests arriving shortly.’ They did, dignitaries that had to be entertained on the eve of the wedding, essential duty to be taken care of, but Alex halted the procession making their way to the drawing room.

‘Actually there’s been a change of plan. I’m going out with Bobby tonight.’ He saw Matteo smother a smile, saw Hassan raise an eyebrow. ‘And with Allegra’s brothers, my friends too.’ He nodded to Ash, who had married his sister, and Hassan, who had married Allegra’s sister. ‘With family.’

‘Out?’

‘It’s tradition.’

‘For the Jacksons perhaps...’

‘I’m marrying a Jackson, in case you hadn’t noticed.’ He glanced to his brother and friends. ‘Come on.’

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

SHE awoke surprisingly calm, and smiled at the room service attendant who brought her coffee. She then sat up in bed and flicked the remote to turn the television on, finding it hard to believe that the chatter and excitement and the images playing out on the television screen were for her wedding.

The streets were filling already, the people of Santina eager to get the best viewpoint of the guests making their way to the church, and though logic told her that she should be nervous, sad even, Allegra was not. She refused to be the martyr bride.

She was marrying the man she loved today.

And that was something to celebrate.

She sat, eyes closed, as her make-up was done and the final touches were put to her hair, but opened them when the door knocked. In came her bridesmaids—Angel and Izzy looking stunning, and two little cousin princesses from Alex’s side.