Page 72 of Stranded with His Runaway Bride

‘I thought you’d appreciate something familiar as you’re dancing in public.’ He drew her close, pressed his mouth to her ear. ‘I have you safe,il mio diletto principessa, so set free your dancing heart.’

In his arms, happier than she could ever express, his beloved princess did...

On the castle forecourt, decked out with streamers and a handwritten ‘Just Married’ sign, waited a red Ferrari. Seb stood beside it, the keys dangling from his fingers.

‘Please don’t drive it into a ditch this time,’ he said.

Leo took the keys with a glare. ‘It was not a ditch. It was an unavoidable pothole.’

‘Don’t worry, Seb,’ Violetta said, climbing into the passenger seat. ‘I’m with him now. I’ll make sure your Ferrari is safe.’

Leo drove them out of the city. Their security following at a discreet distance.

‘I have a surprise of my own,’ he said. ‘I did what you suggested. I’ve reopened Chateau Elisabetha. I haven’t been there much yet, but I thought we could start our honeymoon there.’

The roads had been repaired, any storm damage cleared away and the track up to the house re-Tarmacked. Seb’s car was spared any misfortunes.

As they passed the treeline and saw the chateau in all its glory, Violetta gasped. The steps up to the front door were lined with storm lanterns, filled with candles. Inside the stairs were similarly lined, candles lighting their way upstairs to the master suite. Where a bottle of champagne on ice awaited them.

‘Oh, Leo. It’s absolutely perfect. Who knew you were an old romantic under that gruff exterior?’

‘Only with you,’ he said, backing her towards the bed and finding the zip on her dress at the same time.

Later, as Violetta slept in his arms—making contented little snuffling noises that utterly delighted him—Leo scrolled through pictures already circulating from the wedding. One in particular caught his attention.

They were standing on a terrace edge, acknowledging the crowds gathered below. His hand was flung high in an unrestrained wave, the other was wrapped around Violetta’s waist. He was looking at the crowd below, but she was gazing up at him. And the expression in her eyes?

It was complete devotion.

Love.

Leo’s hand came up to his mouth.

‘What is it? What’s wrong?’

Violetta had stirred in his arms.

‘Nothing.’ He pressed his lips to her brow. ‘It’s nothing.’

‘Oh, no. We’re not doing that.’ She reached over him to throw on the bedside light. ‘Tell me.’

She was studying him anxiously, but he took her left hand and held it up so he could admire the emerald ring on her finger. ‘So, you like this, then?’

‘You’re changing the subject.’

He let out a shaky breath. ‘Humour me? Just for a moment. Please.’

Her face softened. ‘Okay. Yes, of course. I love it.’

‘I knew you would. You have such a fondness for emeralds.’

She rolled her eyes at him.

‘This one comes from the same collection your tiara did.’

‘It was inspired by the plucky Elisabetha?’

‘Yes, but I didn’t tell you her whole story.’

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