Page 34 of Awakened On Her Royal Wedding Night
They caught up on her mother’s condition. Thanks to the clinic’s doting doctors, her pain had already receded to manageable levels. She was eating and sleeping well, which always helped calm her symptoms, but she was still suffering vision loss and had begun using a walker as a precaution against stumbling. Aside from worrying about her daughter, her mental health was positive, though.
“It’s very expensive,” Ann-Marie whispered to Claudine when Felipe excused himself to take a call. “How are you paying for this? Are you really marrying him? Or is this a publicity stunt for the pageant? Have you read what they say about him? And what they’re saying about you?”
“I know, Mom. Try to ignore all that. And yes, it’s real. I know it’s rushed, but...” Her mother would never accept that her daughter was marrying for her benefit. Or that Claudine was allowing herself to be used as a pawn, no matter how terrible Francois was or that a kingdom hung in the balance. “But this is something I feel is the right thing to do.”
A better word might have beeninevitable. She was still shaken by the things Felipe had said in Paris. They hadn’t so much as held hands since. They’d been tied up with staff and travel and other things, but there was a force field of electricity that seemed to contain them inside a shared bubble, making her prickle with discomfort while he was out of the room, then softening to a delicious tingle when he returned.
“Forgive me, Ann-Marie. I have a punishing schedule while we’re here, but I wanted Claudine to have this time with you to reassure you both.” His energy rushed in to swirl like autumn leaves around the room. When he took the empty armchair, he didn’t so much settle as coil with readiness in it. “Has she explained that I’d like to hire you a private nurse, to help stave off these flare-ups and manage them when they happen? There are also clinics in Europe that are closer to us in Nazarine, which you might prefer so Claudine can see you more readily. She tells me that rest helps, so I was thinking that, after the wedding, I could make my yacht available to you. Or you could visit any of my residences if you’d like to stay on dry land. Perhaps invite a friend and simply enjoy quiet time to recuperate?”
“Oh my goodness. That’s not necessary. I like my life here in New York,” her mother said with a polite but firm smile.
“Then I’ll arrange security to ensure you’re not bothered too badly, but please let me do these things, Ann-Marie. Claudine’s agreement to marry me has implications for you that I want to mitigate as much as possible. The paparazzi can be a nuisance, as I’m sure your neighbors are already aware.”
“I—” She looked again to Claudine. “When exactly is the wedding?”
“We haven’t set—”
“June twenty-second,” Felipe said.
“What?” Claudine snapped her head around. It was already the fourth. “When did you decide that?”
“My father’s team has just confirmed the twenty-second will work.”
Claudine was speechless while her mother’s wide-eyed stare asked her if she had parted ways with every single one of her marbles.
“Time is a finite resource in my world, I’m afraid.” Felipe rose. “I know you both have a lot to talk about and plan, but Claudine and I have a number of engagements this week. We’re already running late. I’ll have a car take you back to your home tonight, though. You can meet with Claudine tomorrow to discuss all your options and make a plan for your travel to Nazarine for the wedding.”
There was nothing heartening in seeing her mother blink the way Claudine did, breathless at the pace Felipe set. Claudine could feel her mother’s concern as they hugged goodbye. She promised a proper chat tomorrow, but her stomach churned with misgivings as she reboarded the helicopter that had brought them from the private airfield after they’d landed in the royal jet.
The helicopter’s cabin was small, holding only four luxurious leather armchairs.Onlyfour. The other two were occupied by Vinicio and a guard, both of whom offered to serve them from the selection of beverages, chocolate, and nuts that were within Claudine’s reach.
She wanted to speak privately to Felipe, but had to wait until they had landed on the rooftop helipad of what seemed to be a residential skyscraper. Staff awaited them as they came out of the elevator into an ultramodern penthouse suite where huge windows showcased the fading sunset.
“Welcome back, Your Highness.”
Felipe introduced Claudine to everyone, then Ippolita whisked her away to an opulent bedroom where a stylist had a selection of gowns for Claudine to choose from.
It was her first formal evening with Felipe, a black-tie welcome dinner ahead of an international trade forum that Felipe would attend tomorrow. Then they had a gala on Friday night and an opera on Saturday.
Claudine nervously selected a dramatic, off-the-shoulder gown in midnight blue with a straight cut and a slit that would flash its silver lining when she walked.
The scrape on her shin would be visible, as would the one on her arm, but they were healing quickly, thanks to an ointment that Ippolita had provided. With a bit of spray tan applied atop them, they were fairly inconspicuous.
She removed the gown for some final alterations and had a quick shower to freshen up after their travel, keeping her hair dry.
She slipped on the silk kimono that Ippolita offered, but was too restless to sit for hair and makeup just yet. June twenty-second?Really?
Tightening the belt on her kimono, she left her room and went through the lounge, across to the other closed door.
Vinicio glanced up from his tablet with surprise, but nodded when she pointed at the door, silently asking if Felipe was in there.
She knocked and heard,“Entrare.”
Felipe’s room was a mirror of hers, with a huge bed footed by a comfortable bench, a sitting area in the corner, a walk-through closet to a sumptuous bathroom and French doors to a balcony.
He stood near a side table wearing only a towel and a sheen of dampness on his swarthy skin. His musculature was sheer perfection, accentuated by the pattern of hair across his chest and down his sculpted abs. He held a drink half raised to his lips, seemingly arrested by the fact she wasn’t Vinicio.
“Um...” She was disconcerted to find him nearly naked. She pressed the door shut to protect his privacy.
