The Prince and the Wedding Planner Read online

  An outside accounting firm would be hired to tally their net incomes. Everything was to be aboveboard. And the family’s attorney would oversee the contest. Nothing would be left to question. Everything would be certified and final. It seemed so cold—so final.

  Enzo smiled at the beautiful young woman next to him. It was then that Bianca realized it was the first time she’d seen Enzo smile since the journal with their parents’ devastating secret had been discovered. It had rocked the very foundation of this family—leaving their relationships vulnerable and strained.

  Her gaze moved across the garden area, searching for her sister. Gia hadn’t wanted to attend the wedding even though she managed the hotel. Bianca had pushed until she’d agreed. Bianca wanted the Bartolini estate well represented to the influential guest list. She was hoping for new clients—for all of them.

  All her life she’d felt as though she didn’t fit in. She was different than her siblings. While her brother and sister had enjoyed horses and grapes, she enjoyed the finer things in life. Her father used to get aggravated with her reluctance to get dirty.

  And when she was pushed out of the nest, just like her siblings, so they could go off and seek their own path in life, she’d ended up in the UK where she’d worked her way through school. Once her education was completed, she moved to Venice. It was there that she followed her passion with a career in wedding planning. And when she landed a prestigious position as assistant to a world-renowned wedding planner, she thought her wishes had come true.

  At first, that had been the case. Things went amazingly well. It was later, when Bianca was ready to put what she’d learned into practice that she realized she was terrible at following directions exactly as they’d been told to her.

  She had a penchant for embellishing and taking the bride’s ideas into consideration instead of convincing the bride that the wedding planner’s methods were the best. Her mentor couldn’t deny that Bianca had a flair for wedding planning, even if it wasn’t quite the way she’d been instructed.

  But now as the bride and groom were surrounded by their guests enjoying the afterglow of the ceremony, Bianca was able to take her first easy breath. Striking out on her own had been the right decision. Things were looking up—

  “Bianca, there you are.” Benito rushed up to her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  Immediately she assumed her wedding planner persona. She stood a little taller and straightened her shoulders, prepared to deal with the latest developments. “What’s wrong? Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”

  Benito shook his head and smiled. “Nothing is wrong. In fact, something is right. Come with me.”

  He motioned for her to follow and then began walking away without any further explanation. She fell in step behind him, wondering what the normally quiet groom had on his mind.

  When he stopped, she stepped up next to him. Her gaze met that of the man standing across from them, Prince Leopold. His eyes were a warm golden-brown that made her empty stomach suddenly feel as though a swarm of butterflies had invaded it.

  She didn’t know how long she stood there, caught up in his gaze. But when Benito cleared his throat, breaking the connection, heat swirled in her chest, rushing up her neck and setting her cheeks ablaze.

  “Bianca Bartolini, I’d like to introduce you to His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Leopold of Patazonia.”

  Once again, Bianca curtsied. She willed her face to cool down, but it only succeeded in making her warmer. Goodness. What was he going to think of her? First, she was openly staring at him. And now her face must look like a roasted beet—all red and steamy. Not good. Not good at all.

  “You’ve put on a splendid wedding,” the prince said. “I’ve quite enjoyed it.”

  “Th...thank you, Your Highness.”

  “The prince is searching for a wedding planner,” Benito said. “And I was telling him what a great job you did with our wedding.”

  “You did?” Then catching herself, she said, “I mean, thank you.” She’d wondered after the wristwatch delay if Benito would still be happy with her services. “I’m sorry for the slight delay.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Camilla told me what happened. Thank you for helping her and calming her down.”

  Bianca’s eyes widened. “She told you all of that?”

  “She did. I told her that she just wanted to keep me guessing for as long as she could.”

  Bianca wasn’t used to brides standing up for her. Usually she took the blame, even for something that she had no control over. And when something stunning happened, the bride would take the credit. But every once in a while there were brides that were considerate and kind. Camilla was both of those.

  “Anyway, Prince Leopold might be in need of your services. I’ll let you two talk.” And with that Benito made his way toward his bride.

  Bianca’s gaze moved to the prince. Her mouth suddenly went dry and she wasn’t sure what to say.

  What does one say to royalty? Hi? How are you? Beautiful day?

  A nervous giggle welled up within her. She stifled it. What was wrong with her? She wasn’t the nervous type. She’d worked with the very rich and the very famous. In the end, they were all just people. As her mother used to say, they put their pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else.

  But this man standing before her was most definitely not just another person. When he stared at her, like he was doing now, her pulse raced. Her insides shivered with a nervous energy. Her whole body reacted in the most unnerving ways.

  She attempted to compartmentalize all these new and exciting sensations.

  Focus on business.

  If he had a job for her, it must be something big, something important. And it might be what she needed to launch a successful wedding business.

  Coming to her senses, Bianca said, “If I may be of service to you, Your Highness, please let me know.”

  “There’s going to be a wedding. And I think you might be just the right person to help plan it.”

  He wants me to plan his wedding? Me...planning a prince’s wedding?

  The honor of such a position was quite apparent to her. To plan such a wedding would mean she would have her choice of weddings going forward. She wouldn’t have to search for prestigious clients, they would seek her out.

  It would be sad that such a handsome and intriguing man would soon be off the market—not that she was in any position to be courted by anyone—most especially not a prince. With her heredity in question, it was best to keep to herself. But it didn’t hurt to daydream.

  “Um...thank you, Your Highness. I’m honored to be considered for such a role. Please let me know what I can do to help you.”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment. “Do you have references?”

  She nodded. “I can forward them to you.”

  “I will need to know more about you before I hire you for this very important position.”

  “Understood.”

  His expression gave nothing away. “How old are you?”

  “Twenty-nine.” What did that have to do with anything? But she didn’t know the ways of the royals so she kept her questions to herself.

  His dark brows drew together as he studied her. “Do you have much experience?”

  “I’ve been working in the wedding industry since I was eighteen.”

  A brief flicker of skepticism showed in his eyes but in a blink, it was gone. “That’s mighty young.”

  She nodded. “I started interning with a wedding planner when I was at university. My parents didn’t believe in coddling their children. When my siblings and I became adults, we were expected to find our own way.”

  “But this estate is your family’s, is it not?”

  “It is. But our parents wanted us to rely on ourselves and not our birthright. Even now...” She stopped
herself. The wound of her parents’ deaths was still too new—too raw—to discuss, not even to gain the wedding of a lifetime.

  “Interesting.” He held out his hand. “May I have your phone.”

  She pulled it from the hidden pocket in the folds of her blue satin skirt. When she handed it over, their fingers touched. A tingly sensation raced up her arm and settled in her chest, setting her heart aflutter.

  He took her phone and ran his finger over the touch screen. “I have given you my contact information. I trust that you will not share it with anyone.”

  “You have my word.”

  He nodded and then returned the phone to her. “Very good. Forward me your references as soon as possible.”

  She took her phone and moved her fingers over the same touch screen where his long, lean fingers had just been. And in no time, she had completed her task.

  His phone chimed and he withdrew it from his pocket. She subdued a smile when his eyes widened as he read his phone. “You have forwarded me the information already?”

  She nodded. “I like to be prepared. I keep relevant information on a cloud account.”

  “Thank you. I will be in touch.” And then he turned and walked away.

  She wanted to rush after him and ask when he would be in touch. This week? This month? This year? How was she supposed to plan anything when there was a real possibility of working for the Prince of Patazonia?

  Or was it nothing more than a fantasy? Would a prince who could hire the best of the best want to hire a no-name like herself? Sure, she’d worked on the biggest and best weddings, but it hadn’t been her name associated with those weddings, it had been her boss’s. Bianca was still working to make her name known in the wedding world. So thinking a prince would hire her, well, it was nothing more than a fairy tale.

  CHAPTER THREE

  HE LIKED HER.

  He liked her style. He liked her lack of pushiness. He liked her confidence.

  And most of all, he liked the thought of her bringing peace to his home.

  As the wedding reception wound down, Leo decided to make his move. His assistant had run a preliminary background check on Miss Bianca Bartolini and as for the references, each and every person had nothing but glowing compliments for Bianca and her capabilities.

  He’d been observing Bianca. She was not a loud woman, not by any stretch. When the buffet table had run out of pastries, she’d quietly reminded the young woman to refill the tray. No matter what came up, she was on top of it. And had he not been keenly observing her, he wouldn’t have noticed that she was constantly working to make the event seamless.

  And now he was armed with the information he needed to put his plan into action. He approached Bianca, who currently had her back to him. It gave him a moment to notice the gentle curls of her dark hair with its half up and half down hairdo. The curls settled on the exposed nape of her neck before falling partway down her back. Her narrow waist was accentuated by the sash of her dress.

  He followed the dress down over the curve of her hips to where the hemline stopped just a couple inches above her knees. He shouldn’t be checking her out, especially not when he was about to hire her. Still, his gaze did its own thing, continuing to the end, where he found she wore a pair of silver stiletto heels.

  She was a knockout. So much different from the very prim, very proper wedding planner that his mother preferred to work with. But if he was about to become king, then it was time everyone in the kingdom, including his mother, learned that traditions have their time and place but the future of their nation relied upon their ability to stay current and evolve with the times in order to remain relevant. And Miss Bartolini was going to be his first statement to his mother and the staff.

  Next, he’d have to announce his choice for a bride. And he didn’t have much time to make this monumental decision. By the end of the year, he would be married. The happily part was doubtful.

  The ridiculous requirement in the country’s charter about him being married in order to become ruler—talk about your archaic notions. Try as he might to get around that sticking point, it was law. One of his ancestors had written it into the country’s charter and now he must abide by it, if he were to step up and be the king that people needed. It was something he intended to change once he was king.

  Though he’d dragged his feet about taking on the position, he’d grown a lot in recent years. He’d gotten involved in politics and government, finding that he had a real head for these things. And then he’d gone out in disguise amongst his people and seen how the decisions made by government affected everyday citizens. And he wanted to be a part of that—he wanted to help the people of Patazonia.

  But first, he had to see to his sister’s happiness.

  As though Bianca sensed his presence behind her, she turned. “Your Highness.” She dipped her chin. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  Just then the orchestra started to play a new song. It’d been a while since he’d danced and from what he’d observed, Bianca hadn’t let up on her duties long enough to enjoy the evening. It was wrong for her to miss out on such a marvelous evening.

  With the lanterns sending a warm cast over the patio area, he asked, “Would you care to dance?”

  Her expressive eyes widened before she resumed her neutral expression. “Thank you. But I shouldn’t be seen dancing. I have work to do.”

  He was surprised by her refusal. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been rebuffed. This just made him all the more determined to get her out on the dance floor.

  “You’ve worked so hard to make this the perfect evening for my friend and his bride. You should take a moment to enjoy the fruits of your labor.”

  She smiled but didn’t say anything.

  “Why are you smiling?”

  Immediately the smile slipped from her lips. “It’s just the way you say some things. It’s different.”

  “Ah, I see. I was taught by older scholars who believed formal speech is befitting a king. Or a king in the making.”

  “And what do you believe?”

  “I believe a good king can speak any way he wants. It’s what’s in his heart that matters most. And now that I’ve indulged your curiosity, it’s time you indulge mine as well.” He held his arm out to her. “Shall we?”

  She glanced around as though checking to see if she was needed. And when there was no one around clamoring for her attention, she placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Lead the way.”

  That’s exactly what he did. Once among the other couples, he clasped her one hand with his own and wrapped his other arm around her waist. Leaving a modest distance between them, they began dancing.

  “It was so nice of you to attend the wedding,” Bianca said. “Benito must be a really good friend.”

  “He’s a very old friend. I’m happy he found his soul mate.”

  Her finely plucked brows lifted, but again she didn’t say anything.

  He couldn’t help but be curious about her reaction. “Are you surprised that I’m happy for the couple?”

  She shook her head. “I’m just surprised you believe in soul mates.”

  Perhaps he should watch his wording with her going forward. He didn’t like explaining himself, especially about such a sensitive subject. “I do believe in love and soul mates. I just don’t believe everyone has one.” He noticed the frown on her face. “Has your heart been broken?”

  The thought of it didn’t sit well with him. He didn’t know how a man lucky enough to win her heart could turn around and break it. If it was him—

  He halted his thoughts. He didn’t even know where that thought had come from. He wasn’t looking for love. He was looking for a princess. They were two mutually exclusive things.

  “No, it wasn’t my heart. Not directly.”

  Talk about your cryptic answers. But before h
e could delve further into the subject, the music ended and a round of applause filled the air.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” Bianca said, “I have things to attend to.”

  His phone chimed. He didn’t have to look at it to know his car was out front, waiting to escort him to his hotel room in Florence. But he had one more thing to do.

  “Bianca, I would like to offer you the job.”

  Her lush lips gaped. It took her a second to regain her composure. “Really? I mean, that was so fast. Are you sure?”

  He smiled at her shocked reaction. “Would you like that I change my mind?”

  She shook her head as she smiled. “No, I wouldn’t.”

  “I have some business in Florence. Will you be ready to go in two days’ time?”

  “Two days? Boy, you don’t give a girl much warning, do you?”

  He hadn’t considered that she might have another wedding. “I could definitely make this worth your time?”

  Her eyes were like windows to the wheels turning in her mind. If her request for her services was within reason, he would grant it. And then the wedding planner would be all his for the next seven weeks.

  * * *

  “Where are you going? You can’t just leave now.”

  Bianca stopped packing and turned to her sister who was standing in the doorway. She didn’t know why Gia cared if she left. All they’d been doing was fighting. And that broke Bianca’s heart. She was starting to worry that they’d never be a real family again.

  “I have to go. It’s for the best,” Bianca said, calmly and emotionless. Tensions were so high that she didn’t know what would set off one of her siblings.

  “So that’s it,” her brother chimed in. “What about the estate?”