Page 50 of Stranded with His Runaway Bride

She was doing what she claimed she’d wanted, being a leader. Being a grand duchess.

Perhaps he had a bigger job for her than this single relief centre.

The woman taking a new box from Violetta’s hands suddenly dropped into a curtsy. Leo stood beside her. He took Violetta’s elbow and ushered her to a quiet corner.

‘The next village needs our help,’ he said. ‘We’re going up there with the helicopter to help in the evacuation. Would you mind if I send you back by road? It’s safe from here back to the city.’

‘Of course,’ she told him.

His smile was all relief. ‘Then can I impose on you further? In his country’s hour of need my cousin, and illustrious heir, has taken to his rooms and is refusing to come out. Will you represent me at the relief efforts at the castle instead?’

She blinked up at him, moved by this mark of trust in her.

‘Of course,’ she said, a little unevenly. ‘It’s what I’ve been trained to do after all.’

‘Thank you.’ He squeezed her hands. ‘Before you go, I’d like you to meet Tomasz and Pierre.’ He beckoned two men over. ‘They’re your bodyguards until you can appoint your own. Tomasz you almost know. He’s fond of basking.’ Leo sent her that crooked smile of his. The kind that could make a girl agree to almost anything.

‘Do I really need—?’

‘This one’s non-negotiable, I’m afraid, Grand Duchessa. You’re our guest and I’ll have you protected accordingly. These men will guard you with their lives. I would not put someone so precious in their care if I didn’t know that for a certainty.’

She wanted to keep Leo at her side for longer. She wanted to feel his strength and certainty as she took her first faltering steps into being a monarch. What a surprise to discover that having him in her life wasn’t stifling at all, but freeing.

He was already moving away, taking his own entourage of security with him. She felt better seeing the muscled figures flanking their prince.

‘Ma’am?’ Basking Tomasz held a side door open for her and outside waited three cars and more security. Leo had already disappeared or she might have challenged him on that.

When she arrived at the castle that newfound confidence faltered as a member of the castle staff approached her.

She was grateful to have Luisa and Tomasz at her side, and Pierre at her back, as the woman arrived.

‘Your Serene Highness,’ she said on a quick curtsy, ‘I’m Helene. Head of the Household. The prince called ahead. We will be grateful to have your help.’

Violetta stiffened her spine. She wouldn’t let Leo down, or the people of Grimentz. Not in their hour of need.

This was what she’d been trained to do: to support.

She did it now.

‘The press are here, I’m assuming?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘Then I’d like to speak to them.’

CHAPTER TEN

THIRTYMINUTESAFTERher press conference the people of San Nicolo began arriving. It was a trickle at first but soon it was hundreds, who gathered up supplies as they went and packed into boats to make the short, but perilous trip across a lake swollen with flood water and storm debris. Answering the call of their new grand duchess and coming to the aid of their stricken neighbours regardless.

Doctors and emergency personnel of course, but so too had come the teachers, the pastry chefs, the vintners, and every able-bodied person in between. The castle courtyard was filled with them.

Her head of exports was soon organising the relief effort coming from the duchy and liaising with his opposite number in the principality. Helping bedraggled and shocked Grimentzians who’d fled their homes and sought shelter in the capital. Her finance minister was coordinating the supplies coming up from the lake. The mayor and his team were ferrying Grimentzians across the lake to stay in the hotels, guest houses and even private homes, and countless ordinary citizens were pitching in. Some even just handing out hot drinks from flasks they’d brought with them.

Violetta couldn’t have been more proud or more moved when they saw her and fell on her in delight. No recriminations for having run away, just relieved to find her safe and well.

She liaised with the wider relief efforts and the teams out in the countryside, expediting decisions that normally would have required Leo’s approval. She acted as spokesperson for the press. She buoyed up exhausted volunteers. Even scooped up small children from weary parents, giving the adults a moment to catch their breath while she entertained their little ones.

From some there were odd looks at finding themselves greeted by the grand duchess of San Nicolo, but this was what she’d been trained to do. Create order for the staff and charm the populace. And she did it well.

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