The Irresistible Royal Page 22

  ‘I want this procedure, Marco.’

  ‘Then you’ll have the best surgeon the world has to offer.’ He lowered his head and his lips lingered over hers. They comforted. They soothed. They supported. ‘I need to set things in motion. Would you like to rest while I make a few calls?’

  ‘Yes. But I think I’ll need you to help me with something else, too.’ If anyone could help her, Marco could.

  ‘Whatever you need, bella.’

  The whole shocking truth of Lidia’s deception about Luis being her father came pouring out. ‘So you see, I don’t know who my father is. When Dad confirmed what Lidia had told me, he said there may come a time when I decided to track my biological father down. He suggested that at the very least, it might be worth making contact to work out whether there’s any medical history I should know about. I know the doctor said this tumour doesn’t have any genetic link, but it’s made me think I should know my medical history.’

  ‘You want me to find your biological father?’

  ‘If you can.’ She nodded slowly. ‘It might be important for our child.’

  ‘I’ll get my investigators to make contact with Lidia.’

  ‘That’s okay, as long as I don’t have to make contact with her.’

  ‘Be assured, everything possible will be done to track him down.’ His kiss was reassuring. ‘Now, go and rest, tesoro.’

  ‘Can I...? Would it be okay if I stay here with you again tonight? If we just sleep together? I... I want to be with you. I want to be held by you all night.’

  He took her in his arms again, smoothing his hands over her hair, across her shoulders and down her spine as he placed kisses across her forehead and against her temples. ‘Of course. I want to be with you too.’

  Letting out a deep breath of relief, Chloe raised her arms up around his neck and snuggled against him. Their baby’s health was at risk—its very life was at stake. It was only natural they turned to each other for comfort, because nobody else could feel as worried about this as they did.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chloe’s decision to spend the night at his place without the need for sex was a turning point in their relationship, from Marco’s point of view. It was the first time she’d turned her back on the security she drew from her father and her friends in favour of sharing her troubles with him. As stressful as it was to have to come to terms with their baby’s need for surgery, he was certain the crisis would establish them as a couple more effectively than the ring he’d placed on her finger. It was extremely satisfying to him that she’d unofficially acknowledged his right to be the one who provided for and protected her.

  He couldn’t help but think the need for the surgery would also demonstrate to her how beneficial it was that he was wealthy and titled, because the surgeon who would perform the procedure was internationally renowned and in high demand.

  Just off the phone from him, Marco realised the timing couldn’t be better. The specialist would be taking holiday leave in a month. Marco had pledged a sizeable donation to the surgeon’s research fund, and to the foetal medicine department at the London hospital where he was based, in order to have him perform the surgery. Another deal sweetener had been Marco’s pledge that as soon as the surgery was completed and Chloe was recovering well, the surgeon would be flown from LA in Marco’s private jet to meet up with his wife and friends for their planned holiday in Majorca, ensuring his holiday plans weren’t disrupted.

  Now to tell Chloe the good news.

  He entered the room quietly in case she was asleep, but she was sitting back against the pillows and she sent him a somewhat watery smile.

  ‘Everything’s arranged. He’ll liaise with our obstetrician and fly to LA in four weeks to perform the surgery.’

  ‘You’ll have to call him back. I’ve changed my mind.’

  ‘You don’t want the surgery?’ He’d held his breath, surprised at the flip in her attitude when she’d been so adamant to go ahead with it.

  ‘I still want the surgery, but not in Los Angeles. Could he possibly perform the procedure at a hospital in Ralvinia?’

  ‘You mean... You’re prepared to come to Ralvinia?’

  She nodded. ‘The doctors might think it’s okay, but I believe that once I have the surgery, it’s better if I don’t fly again. I know how travel sick I’ve been, and the doctor did say that after the surgery there’s a risk of premature delivery. I think it would be prudent to spend the remainder of my pregnancy in Ralvinia in case our son comes early.’ She moved restively against the pillows and looked at where her hands were clasped together. ‘Our son deserves his birthright.’

  Marco waited for her next words because he could see the conflict she waged within herself. It was in the tightness of her shoulders and the shallowness of her breathing.

  Finally, she looked up at him. ‘I’ll marry you, Marco and I’ll have our baby in Ralvinia.’

  Relief swept through him. ‘Thank you, bella. This means more than I can express.’

  ‘I’m the one who needs to thank you, Marco—for all you’re doing for our baby and for me.’

  She shifted over so there was more room on the side of the bed where he stood. He accepted the unspoken invitation and sat down next to her.

  ‘I promise you, cara, I’ll do everything I can so you’ll never regret your decision. I’ll spend every day doing whatever it takes to make our marriage a happy one.’

  Reaching out, she took one of his hands in hers. ‘There’ll be two of us in this marriage, Marco. Two capable, intelligent adults. The success of it doesn’t all rest on your shoulders. It’ll be up to both of us, equally, to make some compromises and make sure this is a decision neither of us regrets. While it isn’t the marriage either of us visualised, we have to make it work for our sakes and for our son’s sake.’

  It isn’t the marriage that either of us visualised...

  Every word sat heavily in his chest. Ever honest, Chloe was telling him straight out that he wasn’t the husband she’d have chosen.

  Inferno. Why did the declaration disappoint him?

  She’d told him all along she hadn’t wanted to marry him. Now it seemed she was agreeing to the marriage not only because she wanted to give their son access to his birthright, but because she was grateful for all he was doing for her.

  He wasn’t the man of her dreams. He’d never fulfil her expectation of a quiet life in suburbia in the Napa Valley, but didn’t she realise there was more to life than she’d hoped for—far more to life than she’d experienced? He couldn’t believe such an intelligent woman could have such a small-town mentality.

  His disappointment turned to frustration. It didn’t matter how much he did for her, or how compatible they were physically. Chloe had already made up her mind that he didn’t measure up to the ideal man she’d formed in her head. Helplessness bit deep. Damn Chloe and her prejudices. He didn’t know how to get past them—didn’t know how he could ever hope to win her love.

  He stood abruptly and tried to control the tone of his voice so he didn’t allow his emotions to show. ‘I’ll phone the surgeon and make the changes, and I’ll let the palace know to start planning the wedding.’ He had to get out of here before she picked up on how much he resented the fact that she was becoming his wife for practical reasons alone. ‘You might like to notify your father.'

  ‘Marco?’ Her expression was troubled as she regarded him. ‘You still want us to be married, don’t you?’

  Damn it all, he still wanted them to marry. He’d prefer it if that was what she really wanted as well.

  ‘Si, bella. Forgive me. There’s a lot to set in motion. I expect the palace will want the marriage to take place before the surgery, and that means we have very little time.’

  She continued to frown at him. ‘Don’t go. I feel like you just erected a huge wall between us. Did I say something to upset you?’

  He tried to soften his expression and his voice. ‘I simply wish you didn’t feel forced into th
is marriage. I would’ve liked you to have made the decision to marry me under less duress.’

  If anything, she seemed to grow more perplexed as the faint furrow between her eyebrows deepened. ‘I’m sorry. I can’t pretend it’s going to be easy for me to pull up all my roots, leave my job and family and move to a place that’s completely foreign to me, but I can tell you it’s definitely easier to contemplate knowing you’ll be by my side.’

  And, at the moment, he supposed it was the best he could hope for.

  At what moment Chloe had written her name into his heart, he wasn’t sure. He suspected the letters had been etched in one at a time, with every laugh, worry, conversation, argument and kiss they’d shared.

  There was still a corner of his heart that belonged to Eden, but there was one thing he knew for certain. The letters C-H-L-O-E had been carved so deeply across his heart they were permanent.

  He was tempted to tell her, but stopped himself from doing so. She was a strong woman, but she still might feel threatened to know he loved her if she didn’t believe she could ever reciprocate his love. It was probably better to take more time and ensure each of his actions communicated his feelings to her, so that when he did tell her, she believed him—so that when he did confess his love, she might tell him she loved him too.

  Chapter Twenty

  ‘Buongiorno, Principessa.’

  ‘Marco. You’re back.’ She turned from the magnificent view she’d been admiring from the balcony outside their bedroom at the palace and moved into his outstretched arms as quickly as her thirty-four-week pregnant body would allow. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you.’

  ‘I’ve missed you, bella.’

  His words warmed her through. Although he’d needed to make business trips for face-to-face meetings several times since they’d married, and his family had made certain she was never left to feel lonely, Chloe yearned for Marco’s return from the second her husband said goodbye.

  He cradled her to him and she nestled against his chest. ‘I told my deputy CEO this was the last trip I was prepared to make until well after Rico is born,’ he told her. They’d decided to name their son Rico Luis—Rico being a shorter version of his father’s name, Ricardo, and of course, Luis after her dad. ‘Any meetings will have to take place via teleconferencing from now on.’

  ‘Sono molto lieto di sentirlo,’ she told him haltingly. I’m very pleased to hear it.

  ‘You’ve been busy in my absence.’

  ‘The lessons are going well. Thanks for organising them for me.’ She’d started learning Italian almost immediately after the foetal surgeon had removed Rico’s tumour. The tutor came to her bedside and it kept Chloe’s mind busy. It also kept her mind occupied as they waited the two weeks for the pathology results, which had thankfully given the result they’d hoped for—that the tumour was benign.

  Benign. She breathed out a long, contented breath. She’d decided the word benign was her favourite word in the dictionary.

  The soft pressure of Marco’s lips at her temple had her lifting her head because she wanted his lips on her own.

  ‘Now I see your eyes again with the backdrop of the Mediterranean, I know I was right when I compared the two shades,’ he told her.

  Lifting her arms up to his shoulders, she absorbed every one of his handsome features, and revelled in the feel of his strong shoulders under her hands and the heat of his body against hers. ‘The surgeon called me again first thing this morning to check on how everything’s going.’ She stood on her tiptoes and kissed her wonderful husband. ‘I’ll always be so grateful to you for organising the surgeon. He really is a miracle worker.’

  ‘I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve thanked me. You don’t need to thank me, cara. This is my son too, and I’ll do whatever needs to be done to take care of you both.’

  ‘I feel ashamed it took such a dire situation to show me I should be humble and grateful for the prestige of your title, and incredibly thankful you have the wealth to have been able to secure the services of the most acclaimed foetal surgeon in the world.’

  ‘I hope that doesn’t mean you married me because of my money and my title,’ he said with exaggerated gravity. ‘Because after the size of the donation I made to the hospital and research fund, I believe I’ve probably dropped one notch on the rung of Europe’s wealthiest men.’

  Chloe laughed. ‘I doubt it, but it wouldn’t surprise me if you’d dropped several notches after the extravagance of our wedding.’

  ‘You told me you enjoyed our wedding,’ he admonished. ‘If that’s true, it was worth every euro.’

  She nodded. ‘I can’t believe how much I enjoyed it. I would’ve thought I’d hate having so much attention focused upon me, but your mother put me completely at ease leading up to the day. Between her, your sisters-in-law, and your friends’ wives, it became a lot of fun. Even the parade through the streets on the way to and from the cathedral was fun. It was impossible not to become caught up in all the enthusiasm and well wishes from the people who lined the streets. I’ve never felt so loved.’

  ‘Never, cara?’ he asked with raised eyebrows. ‘It that’s so, I am sadly lacking in my husbandly devotion.’

  ‘You’ve been very devoted.’ But even as she made the assurance, a little of her happiness slipped.

  They hadn’t made love since the surgery, but the lovemaking they’d shared after their wedding in the weeks prior to the successful operation had been utterly sensational. Even so, she was very aware that while they definitely shared something far more meaningful than the physical act of sex, Marco had never told her—even in the heat of passion—that he loved her.

  He treated every inch of her like the princess she now was in reality, and while he’d been extremely tender and caring—and considerate of her every need—a sadness still echoed through her soul as she ached for his love.

  Instantly, she chastised herself. If she spent the rest of their days together hankering after the impossible, she was doomed for disappointment. Seriously. What was there to be disappointed about when he was committed to their relationship, and to their son?

  ‘I’m happy here, Marco,’ she told him truthfully.

  ‘Royal life is different than you thought?’

  ‘Well, it is and it isn’t,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being fussed over by servants and being shadowed by security personnel, but I admit I adore your family and I have to acknowledge that they’re very down-to-earth.’ She ran the tips of her fingers over his cheek and thought how wonderful it was to be part of such a loving family who’d all welcomed her, her father and even Maria and Pedro, with open arms. ‘I had no idea how tirelessly your family and royal friends work for their kingdoms and for charity. Your parents have been so busy since you’ve been away this trip, but they’ve still made sure they’ve been up to see me.’

  ‘There’s both privilege and responsibility that comes with the title,’ he agreed as he rested his cheek against the top of his head, ‘but family will always come first for Mum and Dad.’

  ‘I’ve had calls from India, Mackenzie and Sabihah since you’ve been gone too.’

  ‘I’m very pleased you’ve become such good friends with them.’

  His royal friends, Khalid, Gabriel and Devereaux, were fabulous and Chloe had felt an instant connection with their wives. ‘India suggested I might like to do some legal work eventually for the charity she’s set up. She told me when I first met her that Mackenzie is already doing the charity’s publicity work and she said she thought the three of us would make an excellent team.’

  ‘Can you see yourself in the role, or would you rather be in the courtroom?’

  ‘Perhaps one day I’ll go back to trial work, but I do want to focus on our son. The way India outlined things to me, I’d be able to finish my MBA and fit in some legal work around Rico’s care.’

  ‘And the care of your husband, tesoro.’

  ‘I think you might factor in there, too.�
� She hugged him tight.

  ‘Are you missing California?’

  ‘I haven’t really had time to miss Dad.’ Her father had stayed on after the wedding to be around as Chloe recovered from the surgery. He’d wanted to wait until they had the news of the biopsy results as well. Then he’d gone back to Napa for two weeks, and journeyed back again to Ralvinia for another fortnight. ‘I know you’re happy to fly him out whenever one of us is ready for a visit.’

  ‘I like your father.’

  ‘Has there been any lead on my Irish father?’

  ‘Not yet. I’ll tell you as soon as I hear anything.’

  She wondered whether it was too cold a trail to follow. Apparently Lidia had been extremely vague with her recollection of the barman and had only agreed to cooperate when she’d been promised an invitation to the wedding. Chloe hadn’t had to deal with her there because Marco had ensured Lidia was escorted into the cathedral by security and seated in the back pew, right in the middle of a security team who’d been posing as guests. He’d allowed her to attend the ceremony but had drawn the line at having her at the reception.

  Chloe trailed her fingertips down from Marco’s shoulders, over his chest and then pressed her palms over where his heart beat strongly. ‘Being here in Ralvinia, I can appreciate why you wanted our son to experience his heritage and to be fully part of your wonderful family.’

  Rico chose the moment to make his presence felt, kicking so hard Marco felt it too. ‘He has quite a kick.’ He placed his hand over her tummy and the baby kicked again. ‘Our little Rico is definitely a soccer player.’

  ‘How do you know it was Rico’s foot?’ she argued. ‘I think it was his arm and he was practising his swing for Little League.’