The Irresistible Royal Read online

  Marco laughed. ‘Must you always argue?’

  ‘You can’t pretend you didn’t know what to expect. I am a lawyer after all.’ Her smile turned to a grimace of pain as she grabbed at her stomach. ‘Ah.’

  ‘Another Braxton Hicks contraction?’

  She’d been having a lot of the contractions, along with back and hip pain, since she’d hit thirty weeks.

  She groaned. ‘God, no. I need the hospital. My waters have broken.’

  ***

  Marco’s heart thudded both with excitement and anxiety. ‘Okay. Don’t panic.’ He wasn’t sure whether he said it to her or to himself. ‘We’re ten minutes away. I’ll get you there, no problem.’ He took her arm to guide her to the door.

  ‘Hang on, Marco. I need to get changed.’

  ‘Tesoro, please come as you are. I know first deliveries are supposed to be longer, but I’d rather not take any chances.’

  ‘This isn’t supposed to be happening. It’s too early.’ Her face contorted with pain and she doubled over again.

  ‘It’ll be fine,’ he rushed to reassure her, even while he was feeling the closest to panic he’d ever come as he watched his beautiful wife in so much pain. ‘We’ve passed the danger period and Rico’s lungs will cope now. Let me carry you to the car.’

  ‘No.’ She protested as he swung her into his arms. ‘God damn it, Marco, I’m like a slippery wet whale. Don’t drop me.’

  Marco made a sound of disdain. ‘There’s your faith issue again. Trust me, Chloe.’

  She groaned as he made his way through their apartment at the palace and to the car. ‘You forgot my bag.’

  ‘We have staff for that, cara. Tell me when you have another contraction, we were told we should time them.’

  ‘When I have another contraction, you’ll know about it.’

  The trip to the hospital seemed to take forever, even in the royal limousine with its escort of motorcycles. The security team had been on standby for weeks and the route to the hospital planned for expediency and safety, but for Marco the trip seemed endless.

  When a nurse met them at the front entrance of the hospital, settled Chloe into a wheelchair and set off at a rapid pace for the delivery suite, Marco felt useless trailing along behind them.

  Several hours later, every time Chloe gasped in pain it was like a blade slashing through him. He wished he could ease this agony for her. It was impossible to believe the female body was designed for this—impossible to believe she could withstand the hours of torturous labour.

  Despite having been encouraged to deliver by Caesarean section, Chloe had decided to try natural delivery and to only resort to the Caesarean if absolutely necessary. Marco had urged her to reconsider because he wanted to save her this exhaustion, but she was as strong-willed as ever and determined to deliver Rico naturally.

  All he could do was mop her brow, give her ice cubes to suck on and hold her hand to encourage her. Well, more accurately, he’d had his hand held in what was a vice-like grip at times, so that when the contraction had finally passed he could hardly feel his fingers.

  ‘One more push,’ the doctor finally announced.

  Marco seriously wondered whether Chloe had enough strength left to push again. ‘Cara, you can do this.’

  With a faint smile, she squeezed his hand tight and pushed again.

  Rico’s cry rent the air.

  ‘You did it, tesoro.’ Marco exclaimed in exaltation. He didn’t bother wiping at the tears stinging his eyes.

  ‘I did it,’ she sobbed.

  ‘Congratulations, Your Highnesses,’ the doctor said. ‘You have a baby son. A very healthy-looking baby son.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Chloe said to the staff through her tears of joy.

  Marco added his thanks, unable to contain his elation as he looked toward the doctor and midwife. The midwife fussed over the cleaning of the baby. All that was visible of their child was a head of dark hair. He looked back at Chloe and kissed her soundly. ‘Dio. We have our son.’ His joy at becoming a father and his admiration for his courageous wife was boundless.

  She beamed up at him through tears of happiness and he hugged her quickly before the midwife was at her side holding little Rico out to her. ‘Put him straight to your breast.’

  The doctor excused himself to attend another birth and the midwife helped Rico to Chloe’s breast. Marco was overwhelmed by the magic of the moment. Seeing his son for the first time—the tiny bundle with the shock of dark hair—was the most incredible experience of his life. Watching as his son latched onto Chloe’s nipple and the nurturing relationship began moved him profoundly. ‘Dio, Chloe.’ he exclaimed quietly. ‘He’s perfect. A little tiny scar right at the base of his back that will fade with time, but no sign of the tumour.’

  ‘That’s what the ultrasounds have been telling us,’ she teased.

  ‘He’s attaching well,’ the midwife proclaimed, before she left the bedside and busied herself with some charts.

  With their baby nestled to her breast and supported with one arm, Chloe reached out to Marco with her other hand. ‘Thank you for being here.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be anywhere else, tesoro,’ he said as he took her hand in his. ‘This is by far the most special moment in my life.’

  ‘Mine too.’

  He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned forward to press his lips against her forehead. ‘You did so well.’

  ‘It was wonderful to have you by my side.’

  ‘You’ll find it impossible to budge me from this spot,’ he warned. This was where he belonged—with his wife and his child. ‘I don’t want to miss a second of it.’ He reached out to Rico with one finger and marvelled as his newborn son grasped the finger with his tiny, tenacious hands. ‘He’s so tiny.’

  ‘He didn’t feel tiny as he made his way into this world.’ She smiled and added, ‘Despite not wanting to miss a second, will you phone Dad and your parents and tell them our news while Rico is feeding?’

  ‘Of course.’ Hopefully he’d restrain himself from shouting it from the rooftop. ‘Then, I’ll be back to hold our son.’

  Chapter Twenty-One

  ‘I can’t believe it. You actually change nappies, Marco?’ India asked.

  Chloe looked at the beautiful Queen of Santaliana who entered the room holding King Gabriel’s hand.

  ‘Gabriel, you have something to live up to, my darling.’ India teased as her hand rested over her baby bump.

  ‘Dio, it’s good to see you two.’ There was no mistaking the love and affection in Marco’s greeting as he scooped Rico up gently in one arm and hugged his friends with the other. ‘I get to play proud father again and show Rico off.’

  ‘Congratulations.’ India said. ‘What a handsome son.’

  ‘Uh-oh.’ Marco said as Rico’s nappy started falling down. ‘I’m still a learner. Let me secure this last tab properly on Rico’s diaper and you can hold him.’ He went back to the change table and placed Rico back down with great care so he could finish his task.

  ‘Are you feeling a little recovered?’ India asked Chloe. ‘Marco told me you had a terrible labour.’

  Chloe couldn’t prevent her chuckle. ‘He exaggerated. The doctor and midwife were really pleased with how things went.’

  ‘Considering the female form is designed to deliver babies, I can’t believe how much pain and hardship a woman endures in giving birth,’ Marco declared as he passed Rico to India.

  ‘Obviously a body designed by a man,’ Chloe laughed.

  ‘Ah, but I’m sure holding your little son makes it all worthwhile,’ India said.

  Chloe couldn’t agree more. ‘Definitely.’

  ‘I’m not looking forward to seeing you in pain, darling,’ Gabe told India.

  They chatted for a little while together before Marco and Gabriel excused themselves to go to the hospital coffee shop—probably more for a man-to-man catch-up than for the coffee.

  ‘Marco’s so happy. A proud dad and so very much in love
with you.’

  India had evidently misread the familiarity between them. Wanting to be close to her, Chloe confided, ‘It’s true we’ve grown close, but he certainly doesn’t love me.’

  ‘Rubbish.’ India said with an unladylike snort of disdain. ‘Strong mutual attraction compelled you to be together to the point where,’ she looked down at Rico and cooed, ‘you are the wonderful result of it, my sweet boy.’ Looking directly at Chloe again, India’s voice and manner shifted back to that of a woman who wanted to make her case. ‘He’s completely committed to you and you’re his wife because he adores you.’

  Chloe shook her head. ‘I don’t think—’

  ‘You’re a very bright woman, Chloe. So why are you being foolish?’

  ‘I’m sorry, India, but you’re wrong. Marco’s never told me he loves me. He—’

  ‘That I believe.’ She looked down again briefly at Rico and bestowed another loving smile on him. ‘It’s alright, my darling, your Aunty India is here now and I’m going to sort your parents out.’

  ‘He’s still in love with Eden. He may care about me because I’m Rico’s mother, but he’ll never love me like he loved Eden.’

  India stood up and shifted Rico a little in her arms before she smiled kindly at Chloe. ‘Eden was my closest friend,’ she said. ‘Everybody loved her. Gabriel told me Marco fell in love with her in his early twenties—when Eden was still a teenager.’

  ‘There you are then,’ she acknowledged with resignation. ‘She’s the love of his lifetime.’

  ‘I don’t doubt he loved her, but for so many years he loved her from afar and they didn’t have the chance to build on their affection.’

  ‘India, he had a vasectomy for heaven’s sake, just so she’d finally agree to marry him. That’s pretty serious stuff.’

  ‘Yes, he had the vasectomy. I remember she called me and told me what he’d done. She was horrified he’d go to such lengths, but it was also the turning point because she finally agreed to marry him.’

  ‘And they’d still be together if she hadn’t been murdered.’

  ‘She’d only agreed to marry him the day before she was killed. Think on that, Chloe. They hadn’t even been lovers until the day before she died.’

  Chloe shook her head sadly. ‘It’s such a tragic story.’

  ‘Yes, it was a tragedy,’ India said, ‘but you’re missing my point. Their relationship hadn’t had a real chance to grow. He loved her from afar with the love of a twenty-year-old. Those feelings were shoots that never had a chance to grow and blossom in the way your relationship has.’ She looked at Rico. ‘You already share far more with Marco than Eden ever did.’

  ‘I... I don’t know what to say. I... It’s physical attraction between us, nothing more.’

  India pulled a face. ‘Well, obviously it’s a physical thing too, or I wouldn’t be standing here cuddling your baby right now. But,’ her voice was gentler, ‘Marco does love you.’

  Chloe wasn’t sure what to say.

  ‘Marco told Gabriel you looked at him as being good enough for no-strings-attached sex but as not the kind of guy you’d want to take home to your father. He says you’re uncomfortable with his wealth and his title because you don’t want to come across in any way as being like your mother.’

  ‘I admit that was true, but I’ve adjusted to it now.’

  ‘He also says he thinks you’re afraid he’ll fail you and walk away.’

  ‘Perhaps I am.’

  The gentler tone had disappeared and the no-nonsense strength was back. ‘Don’t deny yourself and him your chance at complete happiness. Life’s about chance, Chloe. You have to seize your opportunities and make them work.’

  ‘You don’t hold back, do you?’

  India laughed, but then grew serious again. ‘Perhaps the reason Marco hasn’t told you he loves you is partly because he’s afraid that if he says the words, he might lose you like he lost Eden—as though part of him believes speaking the words aloud will be tempting fate and inviting catastrophe.’

  ‘Seriously? I never would’ve taken him for being superstitious.’

  ‘I’m guessing, but it’s amazing how illogical an intelligent person can become when the heart’s involved. I’ve spoken frankly with you because I’m your friend.’ She gave a little shrug. ‘Marco may never tell you he loves you, but I believe his regard for you and all his actions will demonstrate all the feelings he has but is afraid to express. Remember it takes two, and think about why you haven’t told him you love him.’

  Rico gave a little cry and Chloe was grateful for his interruption.

  ‘Is it feed time?’ India asked.

  ‘It’s always feed time,’ she said with an indulgent smile.

  Their conversation moved to general topics about babies, the delivery and how India was coping through the early stages of her pregnancy. Chloe sensed India was conscious of keeping everything light and friendly after her initial ‘take no prisoners’ talk. But she admired India and her strong advocacy on Marco’s behalf.

  ‘The queue was ridiculous,’ Marco informed them as he and Gabriel entered the room with their hot beverages.

  India winked at Chloe. ‘I bet there were only a couple of people ahead of him. It’s just that he’s got an army of servants to do everything for him and he’s not used to having to wait in line for anything.’

  ‘Not true,’ Marco replied. Chloe watched as Marco handed India a coffee, then her heart did a little tap dance when he looked at her and his regard grew warmer. ‘A hot chocolate for you, tesoro.’ He put it on the bedside table. ‘Let me take Rico while you drink it, then he can have his feed.’

  There was no doubt he was considerate.

  There was no doubt of the ever-present attraction and physical awareness between them.

  If he did love her, would that love endure?

  ‘I hate to drag you back to the coffee shop when you’ve only got back up here, but I’m starting to get hungry, Gabe,’ India said.

  Gabe grinned at her and, with his free arm, he encircled her waist and drew her against him. ‘Why doesn’t that surprise me? If there were no such thing as scans, I’d think she was eating for six.’ As they all laughed, he said,’ I guess we’ll be back up again soon—maybe in time to see you do better at the next diaper change, Marco.’

  When they left, Chloe looked at Marco and the love that was evident in his expression as he held Rico to his chest.

  It didn’t matter if he still loved Eden. Chloe wanted a little of his love for herself. After her chat with India, she knew she was prepared to try to win his heart.

  Smiling, she held out her hand to him and said decisively, ‘When we leave the hospital, I don’t want to spend too much time in Ralvinia. I’m ready to move to London with you and start our family life together.’

  ‘Si. I want that too, Chloe.’ He moved to the edge of the bed and sat down carefully. ‘You hear that, Rico? We’re going to London.’

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  ‘Chloe, how kind of you to come.’ But there was no gratitude in Lidia’s eyes—only cold malice.

  A courier had arrived two hours ago, at Marco’s home at Kensington Palace Gardens in London, with a message for Chloe. Unaware it was Lidia who’d sent the message, Chloe had opened it. She’d deliberated at some length whether to heed her mother’s summons to meet with her at a private suite at the Savoy Hotel, but eventually curiosity had won.

  ‘You said you have information about my Irish father.’ It was the reason she’d left Rico with the housekeeper.

  ‘All in good time, darling.’ Lidia didn’t simply sit on the couch, she arranged herself on it.

  ‘This isn’t a social call.’ Chloe was anxious to get the information and get back to Rico before he was due his next feed. Even though she was only half an hour away, it was the first time she’d been separated from her son.

  ‘Look at you. Who would’ve guessed you’d be married to a prince? How clever you were to rip that condom with y
our fingernails and fall pregnant by Marco. It was quite a stroke of genius on your behalf.’

  Anger pulsed through Chloe as strongly as an electric current. She wouldn’t dignify Lidia’s claims with a denial. ‘Do you have any information or was this simply a ruse to get me here?’

  ‘As it happens, I do. I know exactly who your father is and where to locate him. What’s it worth to you, Chloe?’

  Irritation coiled in the pit of her stomach. ‘Why don’t you do something decent for once in your life and tell me the identity of the man you slept with rather than trying to get money out of me? You’re staying here at the Savoy, for heaven’s sake. You can’t be broke.’

  Lidia laughed, ‘You never can tell when the next meal ticket will be along.’ She stood up from where she’d been half reclined on the sofa, and walked elegantly over to a side cabinet to pour herself a glass of champagne. ‘I must say it’s so wonderful to be the mother of a princess. I made sure I had a photographer standing by when I entered the cathedral for your wedding and my popularity has soared since those photos were sold to magazines.’

  Chloe was well aware of the lies Lidia had been spreading about how close she was to her daughter—the newest princess of Ralvinia. In one interview Lidia told the magazine the Queen of Ralvinia was now one of her closest friends. Chloe had been absolutely mortified, but her very dignified mother-in-law had dismissed the story as being inconsequential and nothing to worry about.

  ‘Of course, you’ve been photographed coming here today to have tea with me. Shame you didn’t bring the brat with you. I’ve told everyone how much I adore your new baby.’

  ‘At the moment, Marco’s parents are tolerating you, but they’re not going to put up with this forever,’ she warned. ‘I’m sure Marco will—’

  ‘What will Marco do?’ Lidia demanded. ‘Let’s talk about your royal husband. Do you know how dangerous he is if he’s crossed, Chloe? He put Barry in jail. He set him up by having false documents planted in Barry’s offices.’

  ‘Oh don’t be so ridiculous.’ She threw her hands up and shook her head. ‘I’m leaving.’