Strange, I don’t remember us having a set agenda other than we going to watch the new Persuasion.
“Yes, I was just mentioning to Nora how it might be a bit of fun to have one large cake shaped like a volcano and smaller cupcakes shaped as individual dinosaurs,” Lucas said in a low voice. “I have a mate who specializes in visual effects. He might be able to rig the cake to explode on demand.”
A vein in the queen’s face throbbed, yet her expression remained neutral. “I see.”
Nora sniggered and stepped into the hallway. “Lucas promised to occupy Mama for a few minutes.” She gently closed the door, leaving it open a crack.
“I can’t believe you two still haven’t ended the charade. You’ve got, what, nine months until the fake wedding is due to come to fruition? Won’t your parents and his be furious?” Sabrina crossed her arms.
“Leave that to Lucas and me to figure out. He’ll be permanently back in the UK in six weeks.” Nora brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Anyhow, I can’t stall much longer. Take the lift to the ground floor. Lorenzo is waiting for you.”
“Leonora,” her mother’s voice called.
“Coming, Mama.” Nora pushed Sabrina’s back gently. “Go.”
* * *
A chime rang as the doors to the lift opened to Lorenzo pacing the ground floor, muttering to himself.
“Sabrina.” He jumped and jogged over to the opening. “I hope Mama didn’t scare you off. She can be a fierce lioness when she gets a scent of anything to do with a wedding.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I should’ve spoken up when I realized what she was up to.”
Sabrina nuzzled her head against his arm. “Nora had everything timed perfectly.”
“Let’s go out into the rose garden. There is something I want to speak to you about.”
He held her hand and guided her out the back doors to a secluded area of the palace. Beads of perspiration ran down the side of his neck. Under the fabric of his shirt, Sabrina could feel his muscles tense.
Why is Lorenzo so nervous?
A horrible chill coursed through her body. Was he going to break up with her? Did he think that she wouldn’t be able to handle his mother? Royal life?
I’m going to fight for us with every fiber of my being.
A gentle breeze greeted her face. The pathway ended as a carpet of green grass began. On either side of the grass, five-foot-tall rose bushes were laden with bold red, orange, yellow, and pink flowers. Sabrina heard the buzzing of bees and spotted a few differing species of butterflies floating from flower to flower.
Lorenzo guided her deeper into the garden. They passed under an arbor arrangement of climbing roses and around a series of towering yew hedges. Climbing a series of twelve steps, they made their way to a white marble pavilion that overlooked the grounds. Water trickled out from a stone fountain topped with a mermaid.
It was among the most picturesque places Sabrina had ever been, yet she couldn’t bring herself to smile, dreading the news of whatever Lorenzo was about to discuss with her.
“Sabrina. We’ve been friends for over a year and boyfriend and girlfriend these last eleven months.” He dropped her hand and placed his hands atop his head. “Why is this so difficult?”
Her pulse raced. Her heart dropped.
He’s breaking up with me.
Her throat grew dry. With as much dignity as she could muster she said, “Lorenzo?.?.?. whatever you’re trying to tell me. I’m here to listen to it. As a friend—” She hesitated. “And a girlfriend.”
He turned his back to her and stared off into the distance, his pointer finger poking the thorns of a yellow-and-orange rose. “I’m not good at speeches. I spent hours rehearsing what I wanted to say and now I’ve mucked it up.”
Sabrina’s legs quaked. She closed her eyes. “If you want us to go our separate ways, I?.?.?. I?.?.?. I understand. I’m probably the complete opposite of what your family had in mind for you.”
He pivoted sharply. “No!” he exclaimed. His eyes flashed in anger. “You are exactly the type of woman I want. Forget my family. You’re perfect for me. That’s all that counts, and I want more than anything on this Earth for us to spend the rest of our lives together. I brought you here today to ask you to marry me.”
Sabrina gasped and took several steps backward, crashing against the pillar of the pavilion. She splayed her hand on her heart. “And here I thought you wanted to break up.” She slid down the pillar to the ground.
Lorenzo closed the distance between them and knelt down on one knee. “Sabrina Hill. I have loved you from the day we first met. We connected so quickly and so deeply in a way I’d never ever connected with another person before. I knew then and there you were special and that I had to find a way to hold on to you for all you were worth. Over the last year, you’ve not only opened my eyes, but you’ve opened my heart. You are un bellissimo angelo. A beautiful angel.”
Sabrina’s eyes grew moist. Salty tears leaked down her cheeks. “I love you, too, my prince.” She lunged forward. “Yes. Yes. Yes. A million times yes.”
