As the strong thrust of him slid deeply inside her, she pretended she wasn’t damaged goods and that they really could be conceiving a child. She opened her eyes and was immediately hypnotized by the compelling intensity of his eyes blazing into hers. Later. She’d worry about it later.
She prayed later never came.
The next morningDante rose early and went into Florence to make all the travel arrangements. Once again she found it difficult to face food. She left the breakfast Rachele had prepared for her untouched. Withholding a life-altering secret sure did make her feel sick. Her stomach churned with a mixture of fear and guilt.
Katarina and Nana arrived at her room before she’d even showered. They shooed her into the bathroom, telling her to shower while they decided what to pack. She told them not to pack too much as she’d selected the Maldives for their honeymoon. She didn’t intend to be wearing much more than a bikini.
Half an hour later, Abby emerged from the bathroom dressed for her trip to Paris. When she saw the clothes laid out on her bed, she laughed out loud. Well, clothes was a very loose term. The two older women seemed to be having fun selecting the most scandalous nightwear they could find among her clothes.
“I will be let out of bed occasionally, Katarina. Perhaps you could allow me a few pairs of shorts and T-shirts, too.”
“I’ve been on a honeymoon, and withDante’s father we never left the bedroom.” Katarina gave a wicked smile. “With my son, it will be the same. You’ll see. I expect a grandchild in nine months’ time.”
Abby’s inner excitement shriveled and died. With a jolt, she realized it wasn’t only Dante she was withholding information from. It was his family, too.
“Are you all right, Abby?” Her grandmother stopped folding a sundress, concern marring her face.
“What? Yes, I’m fine, Nana. I’ve just remembered I have to make a phone call.”
Abby left them to it and slipped out of the room. She flipped open her mobile phone and called Dr. Molinari. She was put through to his nurse, Roberta.
“Please apologize to Dr. Molinari for me, Roberta. I’m going to have to reschedule my appointment for tomorrow. My husband has planned a surprise second honeymoon. We leave today. I’ll pay for any inconvenience.”
“How lovely, Contessa, a surprise second honeymoon. No payment will be necessary. Did you need to talk with Dr. Molinari before you leave?”
“I don’t think so. Everything can wait until I get back.”
“True. Don’t you worry about anything. Go and enjoy. Would you like to reschedule now or wait until you return?”
“I’ll reschedule on my return, grazie.” She hung up.
“Reschedule what?” her grandmother asked quietly from the door. “What’s going on?”
Abby took a hesitant step. For a split second, she wanted to race into her grandmother’s arms and confess all. She longed for Nana to tell her everything would be all right.
“Nothing. It’s not important.” Nana stood looking at her, waiting. Abby crossed her fingers behind her back. “I changed a hair appointment, Nana, that’s all.”
Her grandmother’s face broke into a smile. “I was worried for a moment. When you collapsed my first night in hospital, I thought the worst.”
She hugged her grandmother. “I was worried about you, too.”
“I know. Besides, that was over five weeks ago and you’ve not had a repeat of the pain. I’m sorry, your abdominal seizure must have been caused by all the stress of my operation.” She hugged Abby back. “I promise not to scare you again.” Nana disentangled herself from Abby’s hold and turned to leave, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll go and ensure Katarina has packed a few clothes that actually cover you.”
Just as well Nana had her back to her, for as soon as she’d turned to leave, Abby immediately collapsed onto a chair, her legs giving out from under her. She was late, she realized. And she was never late.
Her period was overdue.
Her hand fluttered above her stomach. Her whole body drumming with leashed excitement. No. She would not get her hopes up. She needed to get hold of a pregnancy test. And fast. If she was pregnant, this was going to be the best honeymoon ever.
Chapter 15
They’d been in Maldives, paradise as she called it, three days and yet Abby still stared dry-mouthed at her husband’s bronzed, muscular torso as he walked out of the water. His stomach was flat, his shoulders wide, and his chest shadowed with dark hair that only added to his ruggedly masculinity. He was incredibly handsome, and a familiar warmth developed low in her pelvis, immediately followed by the gut-wrenching persistent sorrow churning in her stomach. She’d been nauseous since the pregnancy result, which had been negative. Worse, during their two nights in Paris, she’d experienced some spotting.
She wasn’t pregnant.
Even with a view like this, virgin white sand so fine it seemed almost translucent, turquoise blue water almost as stunning as Dante’s pale blue eyes, and a man who was a real-life fantasy, she could barely contain her sorrow. It was hard hiding it from him. It was draining trying to be happy.
She watched Dante shake the water from his hair and swipe the black curls off his face. Guilt ate at her soul. He was still oblivious to the news that would devastate his world.
