Page 34 of Third Crime’s A Charm (Princes Take New York #3)
“I really can’t say,” he replied, holding up his hands. “But I knew that Matteo had to be the one to rescue it and return it to Austria,” he said and there were more gasps and sentimental groans.
“Then, it shall be done,” Leo said as he shook his head. “If you’re both sure it’s what you want. This star is priceless beyond the value of the gems. You could do a lot with this,” he said to Truman with a pointed look but he waved it off.
“It’s just a piece of jewelry to me. Matteo is priceless.”
“I think it’s incredibly romantic,” Jonathon declared, smiling warmly at Matteo. “I’m very happy for both of you and I’m so glad you’re all here,” he said as he looked around the table, then stated that it was time for him to get back to work.
Matteo, still restless from spending the morning in the car, suggested a trip into town. “How about it?” he asked Donna. “There are some gorgeous shops where we’ll find lots of goodies for Marie.”
“I’m in,” she said and Neville and Muriel agreed to join them.
“How about a walk around the garden?” Leo suggested to Truman as the others headed off.
“I’d like that.” Truman was hoping to have a one-on-one conversation with Leo as soon as possible and suspected the Margrave was anxious to talk as well.
“That was a hell of a gesture, Truman. I’m incredibly grateful, but it wasn’t necessary.” Leo said as he led the way down the terrace steps and set off, taking the path to the right.
“I know,” Truman replied, laughing softly. “I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that Matteo was priceless. It was important to him that the star was returned and I saw an opportunity to show your family and the Foundation that my intentions are honorable and to prove my loyalty to the von Hessens.”
Leo clapped Truman on the back and gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. “As I said, it’s a hell of a gesture and I’m glad you see what Matteo is worth. I’m also glad you came. I did have my reservations and wanted to see you for myself, but I feel better now.”
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that,” Truman said sincerely. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. I understand why Matteo is always so homesick.”
Leo hummed in agreement as he looked around them. “Our relationship with the von Hessens and the Foundation is complicated but we love our country,” he said and Truman whistled, nodding.
“I understand. My relationship with my mother is complicated as well but I wouldn’t be the man that I am if it weren’t for her. For better or for worse,” he added with a pained wince.
“For better or for worse…” Leo clasped his hands behind his back as he walked. “That is the question!” He glanced at Truman, raising a brow. “I am not as concerned about your past or your line of work as I am about the future. Who do you intend to be and where are you taking my brother?”
Truman nodded, eyeing Leo with renewed respect.
He was as shrewd as Truman expected but Leo was direct and took his responsibility as oldest brother very seriously.
His duty to his brothers came before his obligations to the margraviate and Austria.
And Truman could see that they were Leo’s pride and greatest achievements, not the title or the various foundations and initiatives he had established.
“I’ve thought about that a lot over the last several weeks.
Since the night I met Matteo,” Truman confided.
“I thought I knew exactly who I was and that I had everything I wanted, but I’ve never wanted anything as badly as I want your brother.
My priorities are different now: Matteo’s happiness is all that matters and I’ll never let any harm come to him. ”
“Good…” Leo nodded, thoughtful as he stared at the trail ahead of him. “My brother is beautiful and much smarter than he lets on, but he is headstrong and sensitive. He can be…challenging,” he warned, making Truman laugh.
“I’ve noticed but I like that about him.
And I understand what you’re implying and why but this isn’t a midlife crisis or a stunt to improve my image,” he reassured Leo, then cleared his throat.
“As a man of similar…experience, I’m sure you understand how difficult it is to find someone who sees beyond the power and the privilege.
Matteo doesn’t care about any of it and he brings out the better parts of me.
I like who I am when I’m with Matteo and I’m sure you appreciate how rare that is for men like us. ”
There were only a few years between them and both had a similar awareness of the wider world and how wealth and power affected every aspect of their lives. They enjoyed incredible privilege but it was almost impossible to form real and healthy relationships, even within your own family.
“I do,” Leo confirmed. “It would be hypocritical of me to complain about how fast things are moving between you, given how quickly things happened with Jonathon. But… ” he said and widened his eyes at Truman, making him laugh.
“Like you, I don’t hesitate when I see something I want and I know when it’s worth holding onto. I was drawn to Matteo because of his beauty, but I had to make him mine because he’s a genius and I’ve never been happier than I am when I’m with him.”
“A genius?” Leo wrinkled his nose and shook his head slowly.
“I don’t know if I’d go that far… Matteo is extremely clever and he’s always been a charmer, even when he was a child.
I have all of his reports from school in my study if you’d like to see his marks,” he said as he guided them back towards the terrace.
“You have all of his reports?”
“Ja! Natürlich!” Leo said with a snort. “I don’t know if I would have had children of my own if things had been different, but I did my best to be present for every moment I could with Matteo and Elio. Thank goodness for Theo because I couldn’t be there as much as I wished.”
“I’m very sorry. I lost my father when I was young,” Truman said and Leo sighed and put an arm around him as they headed up the steps.
“Then you understand a great deal about what it’s like to become a man without a father to guide you.
It’s silly and I don’t know why, but for a long time, I kept everything for my parents.
Then, I kept it all because I was so proud of the three of them, even if they didn’t always apply themselves in school or behave particularly well.
For the scientist in me, it was fascinating to track their progress and to be able to look back and see when their abilities and interests began to develop. ”
“That isn’t silly at all,” Truman said, his voice catching with emotion. “Your parents would be proud of you, Leo. Your brothers have grown up to be extraordinary people.”
“Thank you,” Leo said hoarsely and coughed.
“It makes me happy that you think so highly of Matteo, but you’re being very generous towards all of us .
Let’s go this way, it’s quicker and the hall door has been sticking lately,” he explained as he led Truman around the terrace and they entered Leo’s study through a set of open French doors.
“I sent for a repairman but they can’t send just anyone.
The brass fittings and mechanisms are all original and were made to fit.
There are no replacements and the door can’t be removed so it has to be repaired in situ. ”
“Yikes!” Truman remarked as Leo waved him into the elegantly appointed study with a massive, ornate mahogany desk and classic leather seating.
Thankfully, Truman had been warned about all of the portraits of Jonathon covering the walls and that Leo had hung them out of obsession and as penance.
“I thought it was challenging owning an old home in Long Island… This is incredible, though,” Truman said as he turned in the middle of the room and admired the painted ceiling and the ornate molding and crystal and stained glass fixtures.
The furnishings and the art really weren’t Truman’s style either, but he was still blown away and in awe, knowing that nearly everything was original to the castle and priceless.
“I prefer Scandinavian minimalism myself. This is like living in a museum,” Leo said and gestured at the sideboard. “A drink?”
“Please,” Truman said as he sat in a leather armchair and nodded when Leo held up a decanter of amber liquor.
He selected two crystal tumblers, then turned and craned his neck. “Did you hear something?” he asked but Truman shook his head.
“All I hear is the breeze and birds chirping.”
Leo gave himself a shake, chuckling softly. “A disturbance in the force, I suppose,” he said as he took the stopper off the decanter and started to pour but paused when they heard something slam in the distance.
“I did hear that,” Truman confirmed as he sat forward.
There was a louder thud at the door and a muffled swear before it was hit harder.
“Excuse me?” Leo shouted, then ducked when there was a tremendous Boom! and the door cracked, sending Truman into fight mode.
He jumped to his feet and swiped the poker from the fireplace, raising it like a baseball bat.
There was another Boom! before the head of a marble bust crashed through the door, sending splinters flying.
The bust disappeared before the entire thing was thrown through the opening and landed a few feet in front of Leo.
“Was zur Holle?” Leo demanded and covered his head as a black combat boot kicked off a large chunk of the door before a body crashed into the study. “Mist! Eli!” Leo shouted with a disgusted wave at the demolished door.
“Holy…fuck!” Truman mouthed as he took in the broken door and shattered bust and the lanky, young menace.
He was clearly a von Hessen and had Matteo’s soft brown eyes and dimples. But it had taken Truman a moment to see the resemblance.