Expecting the Prince's Baby (Harlequin Romance\Princes of Europe) (8 page)

“It has already been picked, whether it’s a boy or a girl. Actually, I was thinking about your plans after the baby’s born,” he said on a more serious note.

So had she... Since that terrible morning with the queen, she’d decided that living anywhere in Arancia wouldn’t be a good idea after all. “You’re giving me a complex, you know.”

A frown marred his handsome features. “In what way?”

“You worry too much about everything, so maybe what I tell you will help. The other night my father came over and we had a long talk. Before Christmas, in fact, before I even knew you were looking for a surrogate, Dad was planning to resign his position here and move back to the States. He says his assistant, Ernesto, is more than ready to take over.”

Stillness enveloped Vincenzo for an overly long moment. “Does my father know about this?”

“Not yet. He plans to tell him soon. We have extended family in Rhode Island, where I was born.”

“But your father has family here in Arancia, too.”

“That’s true, but he’s been offered a position at a private firm there I know he will enjoy. He won’t leave until after I have the baby. Though I had thoughts of living in Arancia and working at the firm with Carolena, I can’t abide the idea of him being so far away. Therefore I’ll be moving back with him and plan to study for the Rhode Island and New York bar exams. So you see? That’s one worry you can cross off your long list.”

During the quiet that followed, she heard a knock on the door. He moved before she did to answer it. Angelina had arrived with their dinner. Vincenzo thanked her and pushed the cart to the terrace, where they could sit to enjoy their meal while they looked out over the view.

Once they started eating, he focused his attention on her. “Are you close with family there?”

“We’ve all kept in touch. Mom took me for visits several times a year.”

“I remember. The grounds seemed emptier then.”

Abby wished he hadn’t said that. Though it was nice to see family, she lived to get back to Vincenzo.

“After she died, Dad always sent me to stay with my mother’s sister and her husband at Easter. I have a couple of fun cousins close to my age. It will be wonderful to live around all of them again. My aunt’s a lot like my mom, so nice and kindhearted.”

That part was the truth, as far as it went. These years in Arancia were a dream that had to end, but she wouldn’t allow herself to think about leaving the country, about leaving
him.
Not yet.

“If you’ve finished,” he said all of a sudden, “shall we go inside and start the movie?”

“Marvelous idea. I can’t wait to see what you picked out. Something American and silly, I presume, like
Back to the Beach.
”

A mysterious smile appeared to chase away his earlier somber look. She got up from the chair before he could help her and walked in the living room to turn it on.

CHAPTER SIX

A
BBY
’
S
REVELATION
HAD
put Vincenzo off the last of his dinner. He’d meant it when he’d told her he missed her presence during her vacations out of the country. Because of their situation, Abby had always been natural with him and treated him like a friend. No artifice. Though he’d been six years older, she’d been there in the background of his life for years. But when she went away next time, she wouldn’t be returning.

The sense of loss was already hitting him. He was staggered by the depth of his feelings. When she’d opened the door to him awhile ago, he’d discovered her in yet another new maternity outfit. This time she wore flattering casual attire. Yet no matter how she played down her assets, nothing could disguise the fact that she was a very desirable woman.

Now that she was carrying his child, how could he not notice her or stop certain thoughts from creeping into his mind without his volition? Abby had become as precious to him as the little life growing inside of her.

Earlier, once he’d entered the church and scanned the guests, he’d spotted the hat and the face beneath it. For the rest of the ceremony he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She’d lit up the interior like an exotic orchid among the greenery.

“My Little Chickadee?”
The excitement in her voice was all he could have hoped for. She swung around to face him with a brilliant smile. “Trust you to manage getting hold of a copy of it. This was Mom’s favorite Mae West film. W.C. Fields is in it, too. This movie is hilarious.”

“While you stretch out on the couch and put your legs up, I’ll sit in the chair with the ottoman.”

“Vincenzo—I didn’t literally mean I needed to do that. My feet aren’t swollen yet!”

He took his place in the chair anyway. “From what I saw as you got in the limo, I couldn’t detect any problem in that department, either, but as you reminded me a week ago, I’m only a man and don’t have a clue about a woman.”

While the film got underway, she curled up on the end of the couch. He saw her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. “You’ll never let me live that down. Apparently you have a photographic memory. I bet Gianna could tell me what a maddening brother you were at times.”

He grinned at her. “It’s a good thing she’s not here to reveal my secrets.”

Abby flicked him a narrowed gaze. “Oh, I heard a few.”

“Like what, for instance?”

“Like the time you and your friends brought some girls to the palace and sneaked them into the pool at three in the morning to go skinny-dipping. I know it’s true because I heard about it from my father later. He’d been awakened in the middle of the night by some of the security men.”

He spread his hands. “What can I say? My life has been an open book in more ways than one. Were you scandalized?”

“I was only fifteen at the time and wondered how any girl could be so daring.”

“But not the guys?”

“No. It’s in your nature, which has been written into your Roman mythology. Wasn’t it the goddess Diana, Jupiter’s favorite daughter, to whom he swore he wouldn’t make her marry and allowed her to hunt by the light of the moon? She loved skinny-dipping, and naturally all the young men came to watch.”

The laughter rolled out of Vincenzo. He couldn’t help it.

Abby kept a straight face. “But sadly for them, when she caught them, she turned them into stags. Of course, that was centuries ago. Today it’s the other way around. The teenaged girls are scandalized by prudes like me.”

When he could find his voice, he said, “You mean I couldn’t have talked you into it?”

“Not on your life!”

She could always make him laugh, and the film
was
hilarious. He’d been waiting for the famous line she’d impersonated. When it came, he realized Abby had sounded just like the legendary actress.

After the film ended, she got up and turned off the machine. “I wish I’d had an older brother. You and Gianna were lucky to grow up together. One day when you marry again, hopefully you’ll be able to have another baby so your first one won’t grow up to be an only child.”

The thought of taking another wife sent a chill through him. He knew when his father had insisted Vincenzo accompany him on this next trip it had been motivated by an agenda that had little to do with the need for a vacation.

“Were you ever lonely, Abby?”

“Not in the sense you mean, because being the brightest light on my parents’ horizon was my only reality. I knew nothing else. But when I think of you and Gianna, especially the two of you growing up in a royal household, I can see how great that would have been for you. She told me she went to bat for you when you got into trouble with your father. There’s nothing like the power of sibling love.”

With pure grace she curled her leg underneath her again and sat down. “Did you ever have to help her out of a spot?”

“Many times. She wanted money. When I didn’t feel like carrying out some official function, I’d bribe her to do it for me.”

Abby laughed. “At what cost?”

“Pocket money. Our parents kept us both on a strict allowance.”

“Good for them! I always liked them, but that admission puts them on an even higher level in—”

Vincenzo’s cell phone rang, breaking in on her. “Sorry.” He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the caller ID. “Excuse me for a moment, Abby. I have to take this.”

“Of course.”

He moved to the terrace, out of earshot.
“Pronto?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but the queen was insistent you call her back immediately.”

“Do you have any idea why, Marcello?”

“No, except that she’d been talking to the king first.”

He had an idea what this might be about. Something told him he needed to put out another fire, but first he needed to talk to his father. “I’ll take care of it.
Grazie.
”

When he walked back inside, Abby was waiting for him near the front door. “Duty calls, right?” She’d given him no choice but to leave. “Thank you for this lovely and unexpected evening.”

“I enjoyed it, too. Keep the DVD as a reminder of your mother,” he said when she was about to hand it him.

“You’re too generous, but I’ll treasure it.”

“That’s the idea,” he murmured.

She put a hand to her throat. “As soon as you came in from the terrace, I could tell by your face something was wrong. I hope it’s nothing too serious.”

If his hunch was right, then it
was
serious. But for once, this had nothing to do with Abby. He could thank the Roman gods for that, at least.

Too bad he couldn’t get rid of a certain dangerous vision in his mind of joining Abby the Huntress in that forest pool and making love to her before her father discovered them and
he
turned Vincenzo into a stag.

He ground his teeth absently. “So do I, Abby. I’ll see you at the clinic for your next appointment. Though I know you’ll follow the doctor’s orders, I have to say this anyway. Take meticulous care of yourself.” June sounded an eternity away.

Her eyes had gone a smoky blue. “You, too, Your Highness. Your baby’s going to need you.”

Vincenzo turned from her before he couldn’t and took off for the other region of the palace at a fast clip.

When he reached his apartment, he decided it wouldn’t do any good to call his father first. Without hesitation he phoned Michelina’s mother to get this over with.

“Thank you for returning my call, Vincenzo.”

“Of course. How are you getting along, Bianca?”

“How do you think? My world has fallen apart. I didn’t believe it could get worse until I talked with your father. He informed me you’re going on vacation tomorrow to stay with the
duc de Chambery.
If you hadn’t chosen Michelina, you would have married his granddaughter Odile, who’s still single. That would be a humiliation for our family if you choose her now. I’m telling you I won’t—”

“Bianca?” he broke in on her. He had it in his heart to feel sorry for this woman who was grieving over her daughter. “You don’t need to say another word. I know exactly how Michelina felt about her. I never considered marriage to Odile and I’ll make you a solemn vow now that I never will. Does that answer your question?”

Her weeping finally stopped and all he heard was sniffing. “But you’ll take another bride.”

He’d braced his back against the door to his den and closed his eyes. “To be frank with you, I don’t plan on marrying again. When Father is no longer alive, I may step down so Gianna can take over the business of ruling Arancia. My first duty is going to be to Michelina’s and my child.”

Her gasp came over the phone loud and clear. “I don’t believe you.”

“Which part?” he bit out.

“You don’t fool me. We both know the only reason why you’d give up the throne...”

Her insinuation was perfectly clear. She’d all but accused Abby of going after Vincenzo. He’d been waiting for her to start in on him. This was just the first volley.

He heard the click, severing their connection.

* * *

“Congratulations, Signorina
Loretto. You show no problems so far. It means you’ve been following directions to the letter.” Abby could thank Vincenzo for that. “How is the nausea?”

“I hardly ever notice it anymore.”

“Good. Your measurements are fine. Be sure to keep your feet up for a little each day after work.”

“I will. How big is the baby by now?”

“Um, three inches. You’re growing.”

“I know. I already prefer lying on my side.”

The doctor smiled. “I’ll let the prince know that at your sixteen-weeks’ checkup we’ll do an ultrasound, which should reveal the gender of that special baby.”

Abby didn’t know if Vincenzo wanted to be surprised and wait until after the baby was delivered, or if he was anxious to know right away. But it was his business, not hers.

“You can get dressed now and I’ll see you in another month. Be sure you keep coming in on a weekly basis for your blood pressure check. I’ll give Vincenzo the full report when he’s back. He’ll be delighted. As for Dr. Greco, he said for you to call him when the two of you can come in.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

Abby put on her white sundress with the brown-trimmed white bolero top and left for the office. Her father had told her the king had returned to the palace three days ago. That meant Vincenzo was still in France.

With a woman who might possibly take Michelina’s place one day?

Abby was used to him honoring every commitment to her. The fact that he hadn’t come today shouldn’t have mattered, but it did. She missed him and would be lying if she didn’t admit that to herself.

The show-cause hearing at the court yesterday had persuaded the judge to hear the Giordano case in August. Abby was thrilled with the outcome and knew his decision had frustrated Signor Masala’s attorney. She wanted to share the good news with Vincenzo and thank him, but it would have to wait.

She was starting to get a taste of what it would be like when he wasn’t in her life anymore. Not liking that he’d become the focal point of her thoughts, she phoned her father after she got in the limo and invited him to a home-cooked dinner at her apartment that evening. She planned to fry chicken and make scones, the kind her mom always made. He loved them. But to her disappointment, he couldn’t come until the following night.

Once she got to work, she invited Carolena to the palace to have dinner with her at the pool. Abby would lend her one of the bikinis she hadn’t worn yet. Thankfully her friend was thrilled to be invited and they rode home together in the limo at the end of the day.

“Am I in heaven or what?”

They’d finished eating and had spent time in the pool. Now they were treading water. Abby laughed at her friend. “I’ve been asking myself that same question since we moved here years ago.” She was tempted to tell Carolena her future plans, but thought the better of it until closer to the delivery date. “I think I’ll do one more lap and then I’ll be done for the night.”

She pushed off, doing the backstroke. When she reached the other side and turned to hold on to the side, she saw blood and let out a small cry.

“What’s wrong?” Carolena swam over to her. “Oh—you’ve got a nosebleed.”

“I don’t know why.” She pinched her nose with her thumb and index finger.

“I’ll get a towel.”

Abby followed her to the steps and got out.

“Sit on the chair.” She handed Abby her beach towel.

After a minute she said, “It’s not stopping.”

“Keep holding while I call your doctor. Is his number programmed in your cell phone?”

“Yes. Press three.”

Angelina came out on the patio to clear the table, but let out an alarmed sound the second she saw the blood on the towel and hurried away.

By now Carolena was off the phone. “The doctor wants you to lean forward on the chair and keep pressing your nostrils together for ten or fifteen minutes. Breathe through your mouth. It should stop. Apparently pregnant women get nosebleeds, so not to worry. If it doesn’t stop soon, we’ll call him back.”

“Okay.” Before another minute passed, Vincenzo came running toward her. He was back!

“Abby—”
Without hesitation he hunkered down next to her. The fear in his eyes was a revelation to her.

“I’m all right, Vincenzo. My nose started to bleed, but I think it has stopped now.”

He reached for his cell phone. “I’m calling Dr. DeLuca.”

“Carolena already contacted him for me. I’m fine, honestly!”

She removed the towel to show him the episode was over. Already she felt like a fraud.

“Don’t move.” He got up to get her beach robe and put it around her shoulders. His touch sent fingers of delight through her body. “It’s cooler out here now.”

“Thank you. I don’t believe you’ve been introduced to my friend, Carolena Baretti. Carolena, this is His Royal Highness Prince Vincenzo.”

“Thank heaven you were here for her, Signorina Baretti. I’m very pleased to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, Your Highness. Dr. DeLuca said the increased blood flow with pregnancy sometimes produces nosebleeds. She’s supposed to stay put for a few minutes so she won’t get light-headed when she stands. He’ll be relieved to know the bleeding has stopped.”