Becoming The Prince's Wife. Rebecca Winters

      CHAPTER ONE

      AS CAROLENA BARETTI stepped out of the limousine, she could see her best friend, Abby, climbing the stairs of the royal jet. At the top she turned. “Oh, good! You’re here!” she called to her, but was struggling to keep her baby from squirming out of her arms.

      At eight months of age, little black-haired Prince Maximilliano, the image of his father, Crown Prince Vincenzo Di Laurentis of Arancia, was becoming big Max, fascinated by sights and sounds. Since he was teething, Carolena had brought him various colored toys in the shape of donuts to bite on. She’d give them to him after they’d boarded the jet for the flight to Gemelli.

      The steward brought Carolena’s suitcase on board while she entered the creamy interior of the jet. The baby’s carryall was strapped to one of the luxury leather chairs along the side. Max fought at leaving his mother’s arms, but she finally prevailed in getting him fastened down.

      Carolena pulled a blue donut from the sack in her large straw purse. “Maybe this will help.” She leaned over the baby and handed it to him. “What do you think, sweetheart?”

      Max grabbed for it immediately and put it in his mouth to test it, causing both women to laugh. Abby gave her a hug. “Thank you for the gift. Any distraction is a blessing! The only time he doesn’t move is when he’s asleep.”

      Carolena chuckled.

      “So you won’t get too bored, I brought a movie for you to watch while we fly down. Remember I told you how much I loved the French actor Louis Jourdan when I was growing up?”

      “He was in Gigi, right?”

      “Yes, well, I found a movie of his in my mother’s collection. You know me and my love for old films. This one is called Bird of Paradise. Since we’ll be passing Mount Etna, I think you’ll love it.”

      “I’ve never heard of that movie, but thank you for being so thoughtful. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”

      “Carolena—I know this is a hard time for you, but I’m so glad you decided to come. Vincenzo and Valentino need to discuss business on this short trip. It will give you and me some time to do whatever we want while Queen Bianca dotes on her grandson.”

      “When Max smiles, I see traces of Michelina. That must delight her.”

      “I know it does. These days it’s hard to believe Bianca was ever upset over the pregnancy. She’s much warmer to me now.”

      “Thank heaven for that, Abby.”

      “You’ll never know.”

      No, Carolena supposed she wouldn’t. Not really. Abby Loretto had offered to be a surrogate mother to carry Their Highnesses’ baby, but they’d both been through a trial by fire when Michelina was suddenly killed.

      Carolena was thrilled for the two of them who, since that time, had fallen deeply in love and weathered the storm before marrying. Now they had a beautiful baby boy to raise and she was glad to have been invited to join them for their brief holiday.

      Today was June fourth, a date she’d dreaded every June for the past seven years. It marked the death of her fiancé, Berto, and brought back horrendous guilt. She and Berto had shared a great love, but it had come to a tragic end too soon. All because of Carolena.

      She’d been too adventurous for her own good, as her own wonderful, deceased grandmother had always told her. You go where angels fear to tread without thinking of anyone but yourself. It’s probably because you lost your parents too soon and I’ve failed you. One day there’ll be a price to pay for being so headstrong.

      Tears stung her eyelids. How true were those words.

      Berto’s