The Prince and the Wedding Planner Page 4

  Bianca looked at Gia, then at Enzo. “I’m leaving because all of this fighting isn’t good for us. It’s tearing us apart.”

  Gia crossed her arms and glared at her sister. “You’re bailing on us. And leaving me to fight it out with Enzo.”

  “That’s the reason I’m leaving. I don’t want to fight anymore. It’s exhausting. And it hurts too much.” Bianca placed her makeup bag in her suitcase and then crossed it off her packing list. At this point, she had three suitcases. And, according to her lists, everything she would need was packed. It might look like a lot, but she would be working for a prince and she had no idea what she’d need to wear.

  “I agree,” Gia said.

  Bianca closed her full suitcase and then turned to her sister. “You agree with what? That we shouldn’t argue anymore? Or that I should leave?”

  Gia sighed. “Really? You honestly think I want you to go?”

  Bianca shrugged. “I don’t know. So much has been said. And...and what if I’m not a real Bartolini. What happens then?”

  Gia pressed her hands to her hips. “What if I’m not a Bartolini?”

  Bianca didn’t know what words to say to her sister. She couldn’t think of any words that would make this situation any better for any of them. They just had to wait it out.

  “We’ll know soon.” Enzo started to pace.

  Her brother was referring to the DNA tests they’d submitted last week. But they’d been warned it would be a while until they heard back. Until then, they would have to find a way to deal with the unknown.

  “Not soon enough,” Bianca muttered.

  Gia stepped up next to her sister. “Don’t give up on being a part of this family.”

  “I won’t. You either.”

  “I won’t.” And then they hugged. When they pulled back, Gia asked, “Do you want help getting these suitcases downstairs?”

  “Sure—”

  “Hey.” Enzo stopped in front of the window. “There’s a car here.” His gaze moved to the luggage. “I guess it’s for you.”

  She was having the most trouble with him. Everything she said struck him the wrong way. She hoped the distance would help their relationship.

  “Enzo, don’t just stand there,” Gia said. “Grab a suitcase.” She gestured to the largest piece.

  He hesitated. Then with a sigh, he did as instructed. On the way downstairs, he said, “I don’t think you’re doing the right thing.”

  “You never do.” Bianca moved to the front door, stopped and turned to face her siblings.

  “I can’t believe you’re giving up on the estate,” Gia said.

  “She won’t have any worries,” Enzo said quickly. “She’s working for a prince. She’ll be paid a fortune.”

  Gia’s lips formed an O. “I didn’t think of that. This DNA stuff has me so distracted.”

  The thing they didn’t know was that she was being paid very little. She’d negotiated for something more important—a national marketing campaign for her destination wedding service.

  A heated discussion of the ramifications of Bianca’s actions on the contest ensued. Should the money she earned for the royal wedding be counted toward her total? Bianca settled the argument by voluntarily excluding the profit from the royal wedding.

  But that wasn’t enough to bring peace to the family. The heated debate segued to the subject of whether the sibling without Bartolini blood should inherit. Bianca’s stomach turned. She was certain they were talking about her.

  It all fit. The way she wasn’t like her siblings and taking part in the heritage laid out for them by their parents. She’d always felt like a square peg in a round hole—never measuring up in her parents’ eyes and always a mystery to her siblings.

  Not able to stand the pain in their eyes, she said, “I can’t do this! This fighting, it’s not us. We never used to fight.”

  Her brother and sister looked as though they’d been about to say something, but then lowered their gazes and nodded in agreement. It was then that she felt she had to say something—something important.

  “I’ve got to go,” Bianca said, “but before I do, I want you both to know that no matter how this contest turns out or what the DNA says, we’re family. We’re all the family we have left. And...” Her voice faltered. She wasn’t used to talking about her feelings to her siblings. “I love you both.”

  “Aww...” Gia’s eyes misted.

  And the next thing she knew Gia pulled both her and a reluctant Enzo into a group hug. The closeness didn’t last all that long, but it was enough to assure them that they could face these challenges and get through them together.

  When they pulled apart, Bianca regretted having to leave, but she’d already given her word and signed a contract. “I can’t miss my flight. But I’ll be back soon.”

  “Aren’t you flying on a private jet?” Enzo asked.

  “The prince’s jet?” Gia’s eyes were wide with amazement.

  A smiled pulled at Bianca’s lips as she nodded. And then she was out the door, promising to keep Gia informed about the upcoming royal wedding.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  HE’D AGREED.

  Inwardly, she squealed with delight.

  She’d asked for the moon and she’d been given not only it but the stars too.

  Bianca sat in the leather seat of the prince’s jet as they neared Patazonia. She couldn’t believe she was about to become the prince’s wedding planner. He’d still not told her the details of his upcoming nuptials. Since she’d boarded the plane, he’d been busy either on the phone or working with his assistant on what she surmised was a very big export deal.

  It gave her time to update her day planner as well as make phone calls. Even if she was out of town, it didn’t mean she couldn’t book weddings at the Tuscany estate. The truth of the matter was she didn’t have any other weddings booked, just a handful of people making inquiries.

  The reason she’d landed Camilla and Benito’s posh wedding had been a fluke. The original wedding planner was pregnant and when complications ensued, she was ordered on bedrest for the remainder of her pregnancy. And taking an immediate liking to Bianca when their paths had crossed in Venice, she’d recommended her services.

  Bianca was anxious to get to work on the royal wedding, but the prince kept putting her off. She’d already made an extensive list of questions for him.

  As she stared out the window at a passing white puffy cloud, she recalled their dance at the wedding. There had been some sort of connection between them. She’d felt it in his touch and the way his gaze had lingered on her longer than necessary.

  Was it wrong that she wanted the prince to notice her as a woman as well as a wedding planner? After all, she was here to plan his wedding—his wedding. Her shoulders sank. Here she was worrying over a man who was taken. What was wrong with her?

  Those moments on the dance floor, they must have all been in her imagination. After all, he was so invested in his wedding that he’d taken it upon himself to go out and find a wedding planner instead of leaving all the details up to the bride.

  Just then the pilot came over the intercom to let everyone know they would soon be on the ground of Patazonia. It was a small kingdom just off the French border.

  In the time since the prince had proposed the job to her, Bianca had been online researching customs and weddings within this foreign land. The problem was there wasn’t much detailed information about Patazonian matrimonial traditions.

  “See anything you like?”

  She turned to find prince Leo now in the seat next to hers. “I was thinking the land looks so lush. I’m hoping to have a chance to explore the area just a little.” And then realizing how that sounded, she rushed to say, “But not before I have all of the wedding preparations in place. Don’t worry. The wedding will be my top priority.”

  �
�I have no doubt or I would not have hired you. This wedding must go off without a hitch. I am counting on you.”

  “And the bride, she’ll be meeting with us when we land?” She pulled out her notebook. “I have a whole list of questions for her.”

  The hint of a smile played at his lips. “I doubt she’ll meet us at the airport, but she’ll be at the palace.”

  “Good. Good.” Nervous energy flooded Bianca’s system. She felt like an athlete preparing for their biggest event. She was ready to spring out of the gate and get as much done as fast as she could—all the while paying attention to the details. Because like it or not, as her mentor used to say, the devil is in the details.

  “You seem anxious to get started.”

  “I am.”

  “I didn’t anticipate you would want to start today after traveling.”

  “There’s no time to waste. The wedding will be here in no time.” And she’d never done a royal wedding. It would be daunting compared to the garden wedding where she’d met the prince.

  Her stomach churned with nerves. What if she had taken on too big of a task? She should have hired an assistant. Maybe she could hire one in Patazonia. In fact, that might work out better. This person would have a full working knowledge of the local traditions.

  “Bianca, is everything all right?” The prince’s deep, smooth voice drew her from her thoughts.

  “Yes. Why do you ask?”

  “You looked worried.”

  She bestowed upon him her brightest smile. “Not worried at all.”

  And if he believed that she had a Christmas elf to introduce him to. But she was a professional. She could do this. She kept telling herself that as the plane touched down on the tarmac.

  * * *

  Had he made a mistake?

  He didn’t care what Bianca said. She was worried.

  As a dark sedan moved them from the airport to the palace, Leo couldn’t tell what it was about this trip that bothered her. And he had yet to tell her about the tension between his mother and sister. Perhaps he should have, but he hadn’t wanted to scare her off. He’d already had all the qualified wedding planners in Patazonia turn him down when they realized the queen already had her own planner.

  He needed someone on his sister’s side. And Bianca was that person. He was pretty adept at reading people. She may be apprehensive now, but he’d seen her in action. He knew when she was in planner mode that nothing ruffled her.

  Maybe he should warn her about the exact details of this wedding. He didn’t want her totally blindsided—

  “I will need an assistant,” Bianca said.

  “Don’t you already have one?”

  Her gaze didn’t quite meet his. “I thought by hiring one here, they would be able to help with the local customs.”

  He had to admit it did make sense. “I’ll have my assistant provide you with a list for you to choose from.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced down at her list. “And I assume I’ll have an office. I mean I could work out of my room, but that would be crowded and awkward—”

  “Yes, I’ll see that you have a set of private offices.”

  Bianca rattled off a couple of other items on her list and he was able to appease her. Nothing she’d asked for had been outrageous or over-the-top and by the time she’d checked off everything on her list, they’d pulled up to the palace. His explanation of how things would work would have to wait.

  When he’d spoken to Giselle last, he’d told her he had a big surprise for her. He knew how much his sister loved surprises. Even though she was now in her twenties, she was still the first one up on Christmas morning, eager to find out what was in the garishly wrapped packages under the tree.

  When the car pulled to a stop, the doors were opened by the staff. Leo stepped out of the car into the late afternoon sun. It didn’t matter how many times he traveled, returning home always felt amazing. This place was in his blood—it was a part of him. He couldn’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else.

  He rounded the back of the car and stopped next to Bianca as she craned her neck, staring up at the palace. “What do you think?”

  She continued to take in the enormity of the very old structure with its detailed stonework and its soaring turrets. He stared up at the palace, trying to see it as she did. The gray stone with the ivy climbing up it against the blue sky with the sun’s rays peeking out was portrait worthy. Along the border were flowering shrubs. The fuchsia pink blooms added softness to the hard stone. The grounds were perfectly manicured in distinct designs. This place looked the same as it had when his father was alive. Leo couldn’t decide if the lack of change was good or bad.

  The enormous wooden doors to the palace swung open. The rest of the staff, in black-and-white formal attire, rushed out to greet them.

  Leo stopped just outside the doorway next to one of the maids. “Bianca, this is Zola. She will see to anything you need during your visit.”

  The young woman briefly curtsied.

  “Thank you.”

  Just then his sister came rushing to the doorway. Her long golden-brown hair fell over her shoulders. Her face lit up at the sight of him. He didn’t know whether to be flattered that he was missed or concerned that yet again, something was amiss with the wedding.

  “You’re home.” Giselle hugged him, as was her nature.

  When they pulled apart, Leo said, “I wasn’t gone that long.”

  “Long enough.” His sister frowned. “You should hear what they want to do for the wedding now—”

  “Not now, Giselle.” Leo’s voice was low but firm. “We have a guest.”

  It was only then that Giselle’s blue gaze met Bianca’s. The friendly smile returned to his sister’s face. She moved to stand in front of Bianca. “Welcome. Leo didn’t say he was bringing home company. He can be forgetful that way.”

  Forgetful? He took exception to that comment. He had a lot on his mind at the moment. And he didn’t want his mother to know about Bianca until he’d had a chance to speak with her.

  “It’s so nice to meet you.” Bianca curtsied. “I can’t believe I’m here. This place, it’s amazing.”

  Giselle’s smile broadened as she moved next to Leo. “She’s marvelous. Where did you find her?”

  “At a wedding.”

  Giselle’s brows rose. “Really? And you went there voluntarily?”

  Leo shrugged off the question. “I’ve hired Miss Bartolini to plan the wedding.”

  “And I’m quite honored,” Bianca said, punctuating her words with a smile. “But we don’t have much time so if you two could sit down with me and tell me what you have in mind for your big day, we can get started.”

  “We?” Giselle’s fingers moved between her and Leo. Her eyes glittered with amusement. “You think we are getting married?”

  When Bianca turned a questioning gaze in his direction, Leo cleared his throat. “I suppose I was rather light on the details. My apologies. You will not be planning my wedding. You are here to plan my sister, Giselle’s, wedding.”

  Bianca’s gaze moved back and forth between the two siblings. “I... I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” Giselle said. “It’s like my brother to leave out the most important bits of information.” Then she turned to Leo. “I can’t believe you hired a wedding planner. Mother is going to have a fit.”

  “If you’ll let me, I can be a big help to you with planning your big day,” Bianca uttered. “I have a lot of experience with big weddings, famous weddings and difficult weddings.”

  That bit of spunk was why he’d hired her. He just hoped Bianca didn’t back down when it came to dealing with his mother. Only time would tell.

  Giselle’s wary gaze turned to Bianca. “How well do you cope with difficult people?”

  “Giselle,” Leo said, “let’s not scare her
off before she’s even started.”

  His sister shrugged. “Fair enough. Bianca, once you’re settled, we can go over the plans that have been made so far.”

  Bianca smiled. “I’ll be ready.”

  “I’ll show you to your room,” Leo said.

  “That’s okay. I’ve got this.” Giselle moved to Bianca’s side. “It’ll give us a chance to get acquainted while you go speak to Mother.”

  Leo had been looking forward to spending more time with Bianca, but arguing with his sister would only arouse his sister’s suspicions about his intentions with Bianca. And that was the very last thing he needed at this point.

  He nodded. “I’ll see you both at dinner.”

  His gaze briefly connected with Bianca’s. It was long enough for his heart to pick up its pace. They’d been together for hours on the trip here and yet they’d barely had a chance to say more than a few words to each other. He deeply regretted it. And now he had to walk away. Why did dinner have to be so far off?

  * * *

  Disappointment shrouded her in its murky grayness. She really had been hoping to talk to him—to get to know him better. There was an air of mystery that surrounded him.

  Prince Leopold was different. And it wasn’t just that he was royalty, though that was definitely enough to set him apart from anyone else she’d ever known. But there was this invisible yet impenetrable wall that he kept himself cloaked in at all times, much like a body of armor.

  As she watched him walk away, she noticed his broad shoulders were pulled back in a straight line. He held his head high as he took long, sure steps. She couldn’t help but wonder about the man behind the facade. He might have all the physical things one could want, plus some, but what had happened to him to keep him segregated from the rest of the world?

  Once he was out of sight, it gave her a chance to look around. She wasn’t sure what she expected to find inside. It wasn’t like she’d ever been in a palace before, but this place, it was enormous. The foyer was larger than the flat she’d had in Venice.

  From the gleaming marble floors to the sparkling crystal chandelier, she realized this place was ripped out of the pages of a fairy tale. In that very moment, the enormity of the task before her became crystal clear. Not even the biggest, most star-studded wedding could compare to this affair. Her stomach knotted with nervous tension. This wedding would come with challenges, which she couldn’t even comprehend at this point.