Dante's Unexpected Legacy(86)

                ‘You have a buyer for the house?’

                ‘No, something far more important than that.’ She propped herself on one elbow to look into his face. ‘We’re going to have another baby, Dante. It must have happened the night you came back after our quarrel...’ Her voice trailed away as he shot upright, eyes narrowed as they speared hers. He gazed at her in silence for so long Rose felt cold. ‘Say something, Dante, please!’

                ‘So,’ he said heavily, ‘this is why you agree to marry me. You had many doubts about giving up your independence and your home and job here in England, then suddenly you say yes and I do not question it. I thought you had changed your mind because, like a fool, I believed you wanted me.’ His mouth twisted. ‘But it was only because you were incinta again.’

                ‘No, Dante, that’s not true, or at least not totally. I’ll admit that it was the final, deciding factor.’ She flushed miserably. ‘I already had one fatherless child. It was a shock to find I was about to produce another.’

                ‘Neither child is fatherless,’ he snapped. ‘They are both mine. But why did you not tell me until now? Were you afraid I would cancel the wedding? You think I could do such a thing to Bea?’ Dante flung out of bed to make for the bathroom.

                Just once, thought Rose bitterly, it would have been good for Dante to think of her first, before Bea. Petty it might be, but on this particular night it would have been the perfect wedding gift.

                Her nudity suddenly embarrassing, Rose opened the suitcase sitting at the foot of the bed and got into the ivory silk nightgown Charlotte had given her. She wrapped herself in the matching dressing gown and tied the sash tightly, wincing as her headache suddenly returned in full force. She should have kept her secret to herself, at least for tonight. With a sigh, she perched on the edge of the bed to wait. When Dante finally came out wearing one of the hotel bath robes, he sat beside her, leaving a space between them, she noted with a sinking heart.

                ‘So, Rose,’ he demanded, his voice stern, ‘I ask again. Why did you not tell me sooner?’

                Suddenly furious, she shot him a flaying look. ‘Because I was naïve enough to keep the news as a wedding present to you—a sort of consolation prize to make up for your previous wedding night. So if anyone’s a fool, Dante, it’s me!’ She jumped up and marched into the bathroom, then slammed the bolt home on the door.

                ‘Rose!’ ordered Dante hotly. ‘Come back to me. Now!’

                Rose gulped, feeling first hot then icy cold as she dropped to her knees and parted with what little wedding breakfast she’d eaten. Tears poured down her face as she cursed the fate which scheduled her first bout of morning sickness for tonight of all nights. Shivering and miserable, she ignored the banging on the door until Dante threatened to break it down.

                ‘Dio, Rose!’ he exclaimed when she staggered to her feet to let him in. He stared in horror at her ashen, sweating face. ‘What is wrong?’

                ‘What could possibly be wrong?’ she flung at him. ‘I’ve been sick, I’m pregnant again and, just like the first time, I don’t want to be. Go away!’ she spat in desperation, but Dante ignored her. He mopped her gently with a damp facecloth and picked her up to carry her back to bed.

                He laid her down gently. ‘Lie very still, Rose.’ He took her hand. ‘What can I do for you? Would you like water, or I can ring for tea—’

                ‘You don’t have to.’

                ‘Of course I have to,’ he said roughly, his grasp tightening.