a mentor of sorts to Aletta after he and Aletta had become engaged, offering guidance on the challenges of living life in the public eye.
Eduardo smiled at the memory of Fabrizia and Aletta sitting together at the San Rimini Grand Prix. While he and Carlo had watched the drivers pick up speed along the straightaway where the royal box was located, the two queens sat with their heads together, trying to hold a conversation in spite of the noise from the engines and the crowd. It was shortly after Aletta had given birth to Antony, their eldest child, and it was the first time she’d left him to attend a public event.
Fabrizia had been the perfect person to accompany his wife that day.
Eduardo tore his gaze from the windows, then knelt to lay the white roses he carried atop the stone that honored his wife.
Ten minutes later, he stood just inside the cathedral’s massive front doors, waiting for Chiara’s signal that his car was waiting outside and all was secure. At her nod, he exited to a cacophony of cameras and reporters. He maintained a sober expression, as was befitting the occasion, and mentally tamped down his irritation at having to speak.
Ignoring the shouted questions, he said, “Thank you for coming. Queen Aletta would have been deeply touched by the love that the citizens of San Rimini—the citizens of the whole world—still hold for her in their hearts.”
He paused, waiting for the media to quiet, then continued, “Queen Aletta is deeply missed by her friends and family because she made the world a better place. Today, rather than mourn her death, she would have preferred we honor her legacy by taking a moment to do as she would do. To that end, this morning I visited one of her favorite places, the Royal Memorial Hospital, and spent time speaking with both staff and patients. I also made donations on behalf of the royal family to several of her favorite charities so their positive work may continue. I urge those of you who wish to honor her to do the same. Donate your time, your money, or your voice to these great causes. Again, thank you. My family and I are appreciative.”
Eduardo’s feet moved the instant the final word left his lips. He was in the car and away from the Duomo less than a minute later.
Oh, Aletta, he thought. Next time I visit, I’ll do it without the cameras. And I promise that it’ll be more meaningful.
Chapter 6
It looked like a date.
Eduardo tried to ignore the subtle glances of Samuel Barden’s staff as they busied themselves readying his apartment for the ambassador’s arrival. Though Luisa had informed him that multiple palace venues were available tonight, he’d decided to stick to his original plan and host the dinner for Claire Peyton in his residence. Wind could be a factor if they dined on the rear patio, the family dining room was subject to interruptions on the weekend, and even Sergio agreed that the state dining room was too formal for a one-on-one dinner.
He’d hosted numerous small dinners here before. When guests were expected, certain staff members had permission to move in and out with little more than a cursory knock, which made the residence feel more public than private. This evening’s setup felt different, however, and even the staff seemed attuned to it. He couldn’t put a finger on the reason. Perhaps the selection of linens and floral arrangements brightened the room more than usual.
He took a seat and typed a few notes into his phone in order to tune out the goings on around him.
“Your Highness?”
Luisa’s approach startled him, even though she’d called less than five minutes earlier to ask if she could stop by the residence. He gestured for her to take a seat in the chair adjacent to the sofa and accepted the sheaf of papers she offered him. “Coverage of last night’s speech for Our Place?”
“Yes, sir.” She waited as he flipped through the pages. When he neared the end, she said, “It seems to have gone well. There was a lot of positive press for the program’s five-year anniversary.”
“Well, it’s about time they got off the Queen Aletta anniversary.”
He heard how it sounded the instant the words left his mouth and was horrified. He blew out a hard breath. “I’m sorry, Luisa. I never should have said that. It doesn’t in any way reflect my feelings.”
“It does, but not your feelings about the queen,” she said