Diamonds are Forever. Кэрол Мортимер

as unfamiliar as the curved coastline bordering the plain of Nice. She was being whisked away to the home of the future king of Castelmare. In four weeks, she would be his wife.

      Like a leaf tossed in the wind, she was rootless, being swept along over high-perched villages and blue-green water by some unseen force so much greater than she could comprehend, she started to shiver and couldn’t stop.

      A hard-muscled arm slid around her shoulders. Lucca pulled her into his side as close as the straps would allow. “It’ll be all right,” he whispered into her hair. “You should have told me you don’t like helicopters. We could have driven the short distance instead. Just cling to me. We’ll be landing on the north grounds of the palace in two minutes. I swear it.”

      “I’m fine,” she croaked, too shaken by events to correct his erroneous assumption. He smelled divinely male and felt so solid she rested against him, needing his strength. She was probably creasing the expensive-looking tan suit adorning his striking male physique, but he didn’t seem to mind.

      By the time they landed on the helipad, her tremors had subsided. To her chagrin other sensations had taken over she didn’t want to feel or acknowledge. Fearing he could sense her emotional turmoil, she undid her seat belt and stood up, forcing him to relinquish his hold on her. At the same time she noticed the speculative glance Regina had given her and Lucca.

      One day Regina would observe too closely and learn the truth, that she and Lucca were only playacting. Though her brother was in love with another woman, he had to walk a fine line in order to convince everyone his marriage to Alex was built on solid ground. For the moment she had to respond like a woman in love, yet already she was worn-out with the strain of it and longed to be alone to think.

      When it came her turn to climb out of the helicopter with Lucca’s assistance, she noticed a swarm of staff from the palace descending on them. The crown prince and favorite son had come home at last.

      No sooner did that thought fill her mind than Regina put a hand on Alex’s arm. “Now that we’ve arrived, my brother’s life won’t be his own. Come on. I’ll show you to your suite. After a transatlantic flight I’m always exhausted, even if I’ve slept.” Regina understood a great deal.

      Lucca stood behind her and gave her waist a surreptitious squeeze, melting her insides. “Go with my sister,” he whispered before kissing her temple. “I’ll ring you later in the day when you’ve had a chance to rest.” It was clear there’d be no introductions to anyone until she’d been presented to his parents.

      Alex nodded without looking at him and followed Regina’s lead, but with each stride that took her away from him, she felt the keen loss of his presence.

      Better get used to it, Alex. Lucca is only a figurehead in your life. Concentrate on obtaining your goals, then you won’t be a pathetic creature who listens for his every footstep and hangs like a heavy millstone around his neck. Focus on your surroundings.

      Her surroundings …

      She paused midway to the north portico at the rear of the sprawling Renaissance palace. It was perched on the lower part of a steep hillside. In the late-morning sun the ornate, three-story structure gleamed like a dazzling white jewel against a backdrop of an impossibly blue sea and sky.

      Her gaze lifted to the stunning flag with a white cross on a red field designating the House of Savoy. Below it was a flag with a crown and shield of the reigning Vittorio family coat-of-arms. She’d seen the same insignia emblazoned on the jet’s exterior.

      Everywhere her eyes traveled she discovered fruit and palm trees. Flower gardens with too many varieties to name dotted the fluid carpet of velvety green. The marvelous scent of roses mixed with lemon and orange filled her lungs.

      Southern California had its share of fabulous estates, but nothing she’d ever seen came close to this. Regina walked back to her. “It’s breathtaking to me, too, and I’ve lived here all my life.”

      “No ordinary gardener created this paradise. It’s been done by a master planner. I’m staggered by so much beauty.”

      Regina’s heart-shaped mouth curved into a smile that lit her warm brown eyes. “I’ll tell Dizo what you said.”

      “Who’s that?”

      “His real name is Dinozzo. He’s the oldest son of Guido Fornese, the head gardener, but between you and me Dizo is the genius. I’d never say that to anyone else because I wouldn’t want to hurt Guido’s feelings.”

      “I’ll never tell,” Alex assured her.

      The younger woman stared at her. “You’re nice.”

      “So are you, Regina.” She had a sweetness in her. Though they were only a year apart in age, their life’s experience had been so different Alex felt much older.

      “Wait till you see the view of the front from your bedroom balcony.”

      Alex put a hand to her breast. “Do you think my heart can take it?” she teased to cover her emotions spilling all over the place.

      In that lovely face raised to her she saw traces of the charismatic man who’d cast a spell over her. Otherwise why would she be standing in this Garden of Eden instead of a cubicle on the studio lot in Culver City building a nose for Cyrano de Bergerac.

      Gentle laughter broke from Regina. “I’m still alive if that means anything.”

      “It means a lot.”

      “There’s another reason why Lucca wants you in the blue suite.”

      “What is that?” Alex asked quietly.

      “I’d better not tell. You’ll find out soon enough.” The comment made her feel giddy with curiosity. “Come on, before he gets after me for not taking the proper care of you.”

      The palace had a staff of a small army of people, two of whom opened the doors for her and Regina. Alex stepped onto a checkerboard floor of deep rose and white marble. Across the grand foyer rose an exquisitely carved marble staircase. The walls and niches were filled with statuary and gold-framed paintings of immense size.

      When Regina noticed Alex’s interest in everything, she said, “The core of the present palazzo dates from 1467 and was originally the town residence of an ambitious Capriccio banker. The ruling family of the House of Savoy liked the location and bought it in 1498. The families that came after began to build on to it, filling it with great treasures until it looks the way it does today.”

      “You’re surrounded by history,” Alex marveled. “The palace is absolutely beautiful inside and out.”

      “I think so, too. Some of the most precious items have been moved to the museum so visitors can see them.” They started up the stairs to the second floor.

      “Lucca told me the family jewels are kept there.”

      “Yes, including the Ligurian diamond. Did you happen to see it on display in New York?”

      “Only a glimpse, but during the flight here he let me hold it up to the light so I could see into its heart,” she explained as they curved around to the next story.

      Regina paused on the top step to study her for a moment. Alex had no way of deciphering the other woman’s thoughts before following her down the spacious corridor. Everywhere she looked the ceilings and walls were a masterpiece of frescoes and gilt cornices forming frames around them.

      When Regina opened the double doors halfway down the east wing, Alex let out a cry of delight. The large apartment with its ornate white woodwork was a vision of blue and white stripes against a smaller blue-and-white pattern on the walls.

      Through one set of double doors was a den with a computer and every possible accoutrement for her comfort.

      “Lucca will have ordered a lunch tray for you. He wants you to relax and enjoy yourself.”

      “Thank you for everything, Regina.”

      “You’re