from him.
Â
Giselle was pleased and relieved when she discovered that they would be on their own in the car which Saul had been provided with, and that he would be driving it.
âThey did want to supply us with a driver, but I know the country from the long holidays I spent here in my teens,â Saul told her in response to her comment that she was glad they were able to go out without any undue pomp or formality, adding, âIâve already made it clear to the ministers that I have no intention of hiding myself away behind layers of court procedure and protocol. One of the first things I want to set in motion is the establishment of a democratic voting system, so that ultimately the people can elect their own government, with the right to make its own laws. The royal role will be modernised to that of hereditary Head of State.â
âDemocracy and high-speed internet access? You arenât taking on much, then.â Giselle couldnât resist teasing him as they got into the four-wheel-drive vehicle parked waiting for them with the keys in it.
The breadth of his vision and his determination to achieve the goals he set for himself were aspects of Saulâs character that Giselle really admired. Saul didnât just talk about things needing to be done, he actually got them done. She always felt when she listened to Saul talking about his plans that there was so much she could learn from himâespecially about not accepting limitations.
His laughter reminded her of the fun they had always had together, and the way their minds thought alike. It wasnât just her husband and her lover she was goingto lose. It was her best friend and her mentor as well. And as for not accepting limitations⦠There were some limitations that even Saul could not overcome, Giselle reminded herself bleakly.
Once they were in the car, as though he had picked up on something of her thoughts, Saul turned to her and told her, âItâs good to see you smile again. I was beginning to think Iâd lost my best friend and the only person who truly understands how I feel about things. I never want to lose that aspect of our relationship, Giselle. In fact I never want to lose anything from our relationship.â
Nor did sheâbut they were going to lose one another. They would have to. When he heard what she had to say, what she had previously concealed from him, Saul would turn away from her. He would have to now that he had agreed to rule Arezzio. She wasnât going to think about that now, though, Giselle told herself fiercely. She was going to try to concentrate on the here and now, on being here with Saul, and on him being excited and enthused about his plans.
She had no idea what he wanted to show her and she knew better than to ask. Saul had his own way of working.
Once they were out of the city, and heading south across the agricultural plain of the wide river that flowed ultimately into the Adriatic, Giselle couldnât help commenting. âIâm surprised that more isnât made of the potential of this land to grow crops that could be sold abroad, given the countryâs climate.â
âI agree. In fact that was something that I had already mentioned to Aldo as a potential means of increasing thecountryâs financial viabilityâespecially with regard to the potential for exportâbut he felt that the cost of upgrading machinery and educating landowners was more than the exchequer could bear. It is something we should look into, though. The valley enjoys a fairly temperate climate, and with the kind of modern greenhouses the Dutch are using we could easily become a major player in exporting salad and fruit crops, even flowers. With so many new tourist destinations coming into being in Croatia and Montenegro weâd have an easily accessible market there, for a start.â
As he finished speaking Saul reached for Giselleâs hand and lifted it to his lips,
Â
Giselle was pleased and relieved when she discovered that they would be on their own in the car which Saul had been provided with, and that he would be driving it.
âThey did want to supply us with a driver, but I know the country from the long holidays I spent here in my teens,â Saul told her in response to her comment that she was glad they were able to go out without any undue pomp or formality, adding, âIâve already made it clear to the ministers that I have no intention of hiding myself away behind layers of court procedure and protocol. One of the first things I want to set in motion is the establishment of a democratic voting system, so that ultimately the people can elect their own government, with the right to make its own laws. The royal role will be modernised to that of hereditary Head of State.â
âDemocracy and high-speed internet access? You arenât taking on much, then.â Giselle couldnât resist teasing him as they got into the four-wheel-drive vehicle parked waiting for them with the keys in it.
The breadth of his vision and his determination to achieve the goals he set for himself were aspects of Saulâs character that Giselle really admired. Saul didnât just talk about things needing to be done, he actually got them done. She always felt when she listened to Saul talking about his plans that there was so much she could learn from himâespecially about not accepting limitations.
His laughter reminded her of the fun they had always had together, and the way their minds thought alike. It wasnât just her husband and her lover she was goingto lose. It was her best friend and her mentor as well. And as for not accepting limitations⦠There were some limitations that even Saul could not overcome, Giselle reminded herself bleakly.
Once they were in the car, as though he had picked up on something of her thoughts, Saul turned to her and told her, âItâs good to see you smile again. I was beginning to think Iâd lost my best friend and the only person who truly understands how I feel about things. I never want to lose that aspect of our relationship, Giselle. In fact I never want to lose anything from our relationship.â
Nor did sheâbut they were going to lose one another. They would have to. When he heard what she had to say, what she had previously concealed from him, Saul would turn away from her. He would have to now that he had agreed to rule Arezzio. She wasnât going to think about that now, though, Giselle told herself fiercely. She was going to try to concentrate on the here and now, on being here with Saul, and on him being excited and enthused about his plans.
She had no idea what he wanted to show her and she knew better than to ask. Saul had his own way of working.
Once they were out of the city, and heading south across the agricultural plain of the wide river that flowed ultimately into the Adriatic, Giselle couldnât help commenting. âIâm surprised that more isnât made of the potential of this land to grow crops that could be sold abroad, given the countryâs climate.â
âI agree. In fact that was something that I had already mentioned to Aldo as a potential means of increasing thecountryâs financial viabilityâespecially with regard to the potential for exportâbut he felt that the cost of upgrading machinery and educating landowners was more than the exchequer could bear. It is something we should look into, though. The valley enjoys a fairly temperate climate, and with the kind of modern greenhouses the Dutch are using we could easily become a major player in exporting salad and fruit crops, even flowers. With so many new tourist destinations coming into being in Croatia and Montenegro weâd have an easily accessible market there, for a start.â
As he finished speaking Saul reached for Giselleâs hand and lifted it to his lips,
Similar Books
