Page 33 of Third Crime’s A Charm (Princes Take New York #3)
S chonbühel, Austria. One month later…
Being a lifelong city boy, Truman was taken by Austria’s picturesque mountains and fairytale castles. Despite being raised around the most impressive skyscrapers in the world, Truman was dazzled by the architecture and the history as he traveled through the country with Matteo, Donna, and Neville.
They flew from New York to Paris and spent a week there sightseeing with Donna.
It was her first trip to France so Truman and Matteo had fun indulging her.
Both Truman and Matteo had spent a lot of time in Paris but had enjoyed seeing the city through fresh eyes.
From Paris, they flew to Salzburg and took their time driving to Vienna, with Matteo at the wheel and Donna and Neville in the backseat.
Truman was tickled by how familial the trip felt and was glad he had listened when Matteo insisted they take Donna and that Neville was the only “security” they would need.
It was easier for the four of them to blend in when they stopped to visit a museum or tour a castle and Neville was happy to look after Donna so Truman was free to hold Matteo’s hand.
In Vienna, they stayed at one of the townhouses that Leo used when he was in the city on business and when they attended balls.
Again, Truman was in awe of the grandeur of Vienna with its Baroque and Gothic architecture and romantic history.
It was his first visit to Austria but Truman would be back to explore the numerous palaces, museums, cathedrals, and extravagant royal gardens.
Matteo was also working on a list of things for them to do in Austria when they had more time and Truman was already looking forward to their next trip.
He had several good reasons to return and the perfect guide.
But before Truman could make Austria his second home, he had to impress a certain margrave and was mindful of how important Leo’s approval was.
Truman finally had Matteo’s heart but their lives would be a lot happier if they had his brothers’ blessings.
They were visiting Oslo (New York) in a few weeks if all went well at Schonbühel.
Truman just had to make his case with Leo and the other two would follow, he hoped.
For the first time in as long as Truman could remember, he was genuinely intimidated when Matteo steered their rented Range Rover around a mountain bend and into the courtyard of an enchanting, yet cozy castle.
Schonbühel was small, compared to the grand palaces in Salzburg and Vienna, but Truman was transported back in time as he took in the castle’s turrets and ivy and rose-covered towers.
Surrounded by mountains and overlooking the Danube, Truman understood why Leo had chosen Schonbühel over a grander palace or the stately townhouse in Vienna.
Thankfully, Truman had a moment to prepare himself as they got out of the car.
Neville helped Donna out of the backseat as the castle’s front doors opened and a strikingly handsome, yet severe, older version of Matteo stepped out.
On his arm was a beautiful, beaming younger man with short blond hair.
Muriel Hormsby was with them, dressed in opulent aubergine and holding the leash of an apricot poodle.
“Dah bist du ja!” the older von Hessen declared, opening his arms as he hurried down the stairs, no longer stern and aloof.
“Leo!” Matteo hadn’t even closed his door, he turned and raced up the steps and was crying as he was pulled into a tight embrace.
“Mein Bruderherz!” Leo cradled the back of Matteo’s head as he rocked them. Truman had to look away, he was so moved by their bond and Leo’s obvious concern for his younger brother.
Matteo clasped Leo’s face as he leaned back. “Mir geht’s gut!” he insisted and laughed as he kissed Leo and they hugged again. They made their way down and Matteo made the introductions. “Leo, this is Truman Tennyson. Truman, I give you the Margrave of Hessen.”
“Please, just call me Leo,” he said as he held out his hand, smiling as he assessed Truman. He appeared happy and relaxed but Truman sensed Leo’s wariness and that judgement had been reserved.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person,” Truman said, smiling as he clasped Leo’s hand firmly.
Instead of employing his courtroom confidence and boardroom swagger, Truman was open and sincere.
“I’m sorry if we gave you a scare before.
I’d like to apologize and see if I can make a better impression. ”
“I appreciate that,” Leo replied with a slight smile. “I still have a few questions, but we’ll have time to discuss that later. Who is this?” he asked Matteo and reached for Donna’s hand.
“Leo, this is Donna MacKenzie. She raised Truman and has adopted me,” Matteo said warmly, making Leo gasp.
“Then you are very welcome here,” he said and she blushed and tittered when he kissed her hand.
“Thank you for having us, sir!” She started to bow but Leo stopped her.
“Please don’t and you must call me Leo,” he said as his gaze rose to Neville.
“Leo, this is Truman’s Markus,” Matteo explained, making Leo grin as he offered Neville his hand.
“Ach so! Welcome to Schonbühel. I hope you can have a true holiday while you’re here with us. This place is very secure,” Leo informed him, then turned to introduce everyone to his beloved Jonathon.
Truman had thought himself captivated and infatuated, but Leo was thoroughly besotted with Jonathon and held onto his hand as he introduced Muriel to Donna and Neville.
“It’s so nice to finally have someone sensible to talk to,” Muriel said to Donna, then raised her lorgnette and humphed as she studied Truman. “You’ve surprised me, Tennyson, but I haven’t decided if you’re good enough for Matteo yet,” she informed him and Truman shook his head.
“While I have every intention of earning your approval, madam, I doubt that any man could be worthy of Matteo.”
She dropped the lorgnette and scoffed. “There was never any doubt that you were smart, but I’m glad you’re wise enough to see what he’s worth.”
“Be nice, Muriel,” Jonathon scolded and invited them inside and gave them an abbreviated tour of the castle.
Afterwards, the guests were shown to their rooms to rest for an hour before lunch was served on the back terrace, overlooking the castle’s garden.
The meal was casual and the food was served “family style” at the table, but Donna and Neville were still charmingly flustered to be dining with a prince in his castle.
For Matteo and Leo, it was as if the world stopped at the terrace’s edge and they were boys again.
Of course, Leo was still the serious older brother and Matteo the cheeky rascal, but they were no longer minor royals with the Foundation and the tabloids looking over their shoulders.
They laughed and cried and even argued a little, as brothers often do.
When the meal was over and the plates had been cleared, Matteo gave Truman’s hand a firm squeeze and cleared his throat, signaling that it was time.
“If I might have a moment,” Truman began and removed a velvet jewelry box from the pocket inside his coat.
“You’ve all been very kind and welcomed me, despite having understandable concerns.
As a token of our appreciation and as a symbol of my commitment to Matteo and the entire von Hessen family, we’d like you to have this,” he said and slid the box across the table to Leo.
Leo set his hand on it, raising a curious brow at Truman. “I’m not sure if you’re asking for permission to marry Matteo, but I believe it would be customary to give this to him.”
“Matteo and I would like to marry, in time, and I would like your approval. But this is a gift from us, to thank you for overlooking the rocky first impression we made and your concerns about my suitability,” Truman explained.
“I see…” Leo was still uncertain as he flipped the lid open but his eyes widened and swung to Truman before he picked up the box to get a closer look. “Zum Donnerwetter! Ist das…?” He looked at Truman, then at Matteo in disbelief.
“Na klar!” Matteo answered, beaming at Truman.
Leo closed the box and slid it to Muriel. She opened it and gasped. “It can’t be!” she said as she whipped out her lorgnette and gasped again as she inspected it. “My God, it looks like it might be real.”
“Of course, it’s real,” Matteo said, rolling his eyes. “It would be tacky to give him a fake star as a gift,” he muttered and Leo cleared his throat.
“ How did you two come by this?” he asked, his gaze pinging between Matteo and Truman.
Matteo shook his head. “Truman had an opportunity to acquire it through one of his clients. That’s as much as he can share with us, I’m afraid.”
“A client?” Muriel asked, her lips pursing suspiciously. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Martin Lonsdale’s passing, would it? I heard he was about to cut a deal,” she said to Truman but he shook his head.
“I truly couldn’t say.”
“You probably shouldn’t,” Leo said and pushed out a hard breath. “What do you two propose we do with it?” he asked them as Muriel passed the box back to Leo.
Matteo stared at Truman as if he’d hung the moon, making him feel like he had.
“We were hoping you could facilitate its return to the people of Austria and donate it to the Sisi Museum in the Hofburg Palace. In honor of our engagement,” Matteo added proudly, earning an incredulous look from Leo as Muriel spluttered.
“In honor of your engagement? We’ll put an announcement in the paper, child. This will be all over the news! Everywhere!” she exclaimed and Matteo’s smile widened.
“Exactly.”
Donna raised a hand. “It’s a gorgeous piece but what’s the big deal?” she asked as Neville silently chuckled. He had figured it out but Muriel gave Donna a quick history lesson and described the star’s famous theft. Donna looked dizzy as she blinked at Truman. “How the hell did you get it?”