Italian Groom, Princess Bride. Rebecca Winters

an emptiness inside Dizo he couldn’t begin to describe.

      “You were right to come to me about this,” Lucca spoke at last. “I’m not unaware my sister has always done the chasing where you’re concerned. This was a lesson she’s been needing for a long, long time.”

      Dizo had gone numb.

      “My father often talked about his admiration for your family, for you. Before he died, Regina told him you passed at the head of your class. It made Papa very proud.”

      He couldn’t take much more of this. “Thank you. I felt the same way about him. He was a wonderful man. We’re all sorry for your loss.”

      Lucca nodded. “It’s been hard, but he’s out of his misery now for which our family is grateful.”

      “Of course.”

      He felt Lucca’s eyes on him. “You’re a fine man, too. There’s none better. If I know my sister, and I do, with her marriage to Nic soon to take place, she’ll never come near you or embarrass you again.”

      A shudder racked his body. Though Lucca had spoken the truth, Dizo already knew she’d keep her promise. He’d done the unforgivable to ensure she stayed away permanently. Now that she was out of his life for good, the feeling had left him beyond desolate.

      “Tell me your plans, Dottore Fornese.”

      Dizo took a steadying breath. “There are several veterinary practices in Sassari I can join, but I’m looking into other locales, too. In the meantime I’ll stay with my uncle and grandmother. When I’ve found the situation that seems right, I’ll get a place of my own.”

      Lucca extended his hand. “Congratulations on becoming a vet. Your father hides his feelings well, but he makes little comments here and there that let me know he’s bursting his seams with pride over your accomplishment.”

      “Thank you, Your Highness.”

      “I’m Lucca. Surely after all these years of reminding you, you can finally bring yourself to call me by my first name.”

      Dizo liked and respected Gina’s brother more than any man alive except his own father. “Grazie, Lucca.”

      “Prego, Dizo. I know that’s Regina’s name for you. It’s a good one. Clever, just like my incorrigible sister.” He stared directly into Dizo’s eyes. “You have my undying respect for the way you’ve handled her attention to you all these years. Any other man would have taken advantage long before now.”

      “I’ve hurt her by coming to you,” he muttered, “but I didn’t know any other way to protect her.”

      “I thank you for what you’ve done for her, Dizo. One day when she’s married with children of her own, she’ll thank you, too.”

      “No.” He shook his head. “Let’s not deceive ourselves about that.”

      Lucca put a hand on his shoulder. “If there’s anything I can do for you, all you have to do is ask.” The man’s sincerity resonated deep inside. “Castelmare needs more vets.”

      Not this one. When Gina married Nic and went to Pedrosa to live, there would still be too many memories of her for him to stay on in Castelmare. “I’ll think about it,” Dizo lied.

      “That’s good because there’s a new vacancy in Savono. As you know, my father was a great animal lover. One of his best friends ran the practice there, but he had to retire because of health problems. Another vet is temping until a permanent replacement can be found. Before father passed away, he asked me to tell you about it. Frankly he hoped you would take the position.

      “The animal clinic is on the main street across from the civic center. Before you leave Castelmare, will you look into it as a personal favor to him and me? I understand you specialize in small animals, the clinic’s specialty.”

      Under the circumstances Dizo couldn’t very well turn him down. “I appreciate the suggestion. I’ll drive up there in the morning.” Before I leave the country for good. “Thank you.”

      “Thank you. Ciao, Dizo.”

      Dizo went out to his rental car and took off for his father’s house, staggered by events that had plunged him from one inferno into another. No matter what decision he made, he was going to be scorched alive.

      If he were totally honest with himself, Sardinia held no attraction for him anymore. He’d found that out last night when it had taken a whole bottle to help him bear the thought of being back for good. Though he would always go there for family visits, his old roots didn’t tug at him. He’d made a life in Castlemare and had become entrenched ages ago.

      Tonight while he was driving along the coast road and saw the white renaissance palace in the distance, his heart burned within him…because he knew Gina was there. Sixteen years of memories couldn’t be torn out of his soul.

      Her brother didn’t know he’d opened up a new can of worms by mentioning the job opportunity in Savono. Dizo was touched by King Rudolfo’s interest in him. He could picture the town in his mind’s eye. It was only a mile above Capriccio to the west. Not far enough away from her at the moment, but then neither was Sardinia.

      After her avowal tonight, he knew she’d leave him alone. With her wedding imminent, there was nothing more to fear on that score. They’d be living in Pedrosa. If he never ventured on the palace grounds again, the chances of meeting up with her were one in a billion. She would function with Nic in their privileged world, sealed off and protected from the average citizen. That’s what was destroying him now.

      With emotions eating him alive, he found himself taking the hairpin turns up the steep mountain road past pink and ochre villas whose gardens hugged the cliffs. Soon he reached his destination and drove through Savono, one of the most charming locales on the Ligurian coast.

      Nighttime brought out the tourists. They strolled in and out of shops and ate on the café terraces while enjoying the view of the yachts in the bay far below. The jewelry stores with their displays of diamonds for which Castlemare was famous stayed open for business until late, drawing in the crowds.

      He slowed down in front of a cluster of buildings across from the civic center. The plaque on the middle door read Savono Veterinary Clinic And Boarding Kennel. Dizo pulled to a stop, drinking in the perfumed air.

      He could easily imagine himself living here, except that everything reminded him of her.

      If he lived in Sardinia, nothing would remind him of her, but that wouldn’t stop him from thinking and aching. His pain would probably be worse.

      There was no question where Guido would like him to settle. His father loved Castelmare. He’d stayed on after Dizo’s mother had died and his brothers weren’t going anywhere.

      Dizo stared at the clinic. A referral from Lucca and his father were as good as a guaranteed job offer. His dream to make something of his life was coming true, but without Gina, there would be no joy. This was worse than death. If she’d been the one to die, he would have been forced to accept it and go on living.

      Unfortunately his beautiful Giannina was very much alive and going to be married to someone else!

      Not unfortunately—

      Dio mio, he didn’t mean that. He didn’t know what he meant anymore. An abyss had swallowed him whole. Everywhere he turned he bumped into terrifying darkness.

      As soon as Regina reached her suite in the palace, she kicked off her shoes and phoned her secretary.

      “Will you please fax a note to Nicolas in the morning? Tell him I’m sorry it has taken me this long to respond to his invitation, but my father’s passing prevented me from doing so until now. Let him know I’d love to spend the weekend with him.”

      Regina didn’t care how it looked. She’d done all the mourning for two men there was to do in one life. Enough of that. If Nic