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although the doctor had, with a smile and a wink, given them the all-clear.

      ‘There’s no reason,’ he’d said, looking at them both, ‘why you can’t have a normal pregnancy from now until your delivery...and a normal sex life.’

      Allegra had blushed and stared down at her lap. Rafael had said nothing. She had no idea what to expect from him, from anything, and it made her feel uncertain. Vulnerable. Which was a feeling she hated.

      ‘Please prepare for landing.’

      Allegra put her seat up as the steward went through the cabin and the plane began its descent. Below she could see Sicily spread out in a living map: dusty, rocky hills and towns with red-roofed buildings that looked as if they were clinging to the mountainside. It was unfamiliar and yet it struck a chord, reminded her suddenly and sweetly of her childhood in Italy. A soft sigh escaped her and Rafael gave her a sharp look.

      ‘Are you all right?’

      ‘Yes, I was just thinking about when I lived here. That is, in Italy.’ She gave him a small smile. ‘It feels like a lifetime ago.’

      ‘You lived in Rome?’

      ‘I lived in Rome during the school year,’ she answered, ‘and spent summers at our estate in Abruzzi. I loved it there.’ The land had been harsh and rugged and unrelentingly beautiful, snow-capped mountains piercing a brilliantly blue sky. She’d loved the quiet, the sense of solitude and stillness and peace. It had spoken to her shy, solitary spirit.

      ‘You missed it?’ Rafael asked after a moment.

      ‘Yes, especially because my first year in New York was so awful.’ She shook her head at the memory, her mouth twisting.

      ‘What was so awful about it?’

      ‘Everything. My English was terrible, and the school was big and rough—I felt lost. I was teased too, but it helped when I kept myself to myself. Then I was just invisible.’

      Rafael frowned. ‘That doesn’t sound like much fun.’

      ‘No, but I’ve always liked my own company.’ She paused. ‘It’s easier, isn’t it, not to depend on anyone? Not to care.’

      Rafael didn’t respond, merely frowned and looked out the window. Allegra wondered what he was thinking and decided not to ask. Better not to share any more feelings than she already had.

      The plane touched down with a bump, and for the next hour they were kept busy clearing Immigration and collecting their luggage.

      By the time Allegra slid into the limo she felt exhausted, and although she’d meant to take in the scenery on the drive to Rafael’s estate, she ended up falling asleep as the limo climbed narrow, twisting roads, making the steep ascent into the mountains.

      When Rafael nudged her gently awake she discovered she was lying on the seat, her head in his lap, her cheek resting on his powerful thigh. Rafael’s hand rested lightly on her hair. It felt wonderful and alarming at the same time, and she scrambled up to a sitting position as quickly as she could. ‘Sorry,’ she mumbled as she pushed tangled hair away from her eyes. She felt thick-headed, her body clock completely out of synch, and she had a feeling she looked like a disaster. ‘I didn’t even realise I’d fallen asleep.’

      ‘You were tired. We’re here now, and after the doctor checks you out you can have a proper rest.’

      Allegra looked at him in confusion. ‘The doctor?’

      ‘I’ve put a doctor on retainer for the duration of your pregnancy. He’s living in one of the estate’s cottages. It seemed sensible, considering the remoteness of our location. Of course, Palermo’s emergency medical facilities are less than an hour away, and I have a helicopter on the estate.’

      She stared at him in surprise. ‘But the doctor in New York said my pregnancy was normal, Rafael. This seems a bit excessive.’ Which was massive understatement. She didn’t need a doctor on call, surely. And yet Rafael looked obdurate.

      Rafael flicked a glance at her. ‘There is no harm in taking precautions. You want what’s best for our son, don’t you?’

      Once again he was playing that trump card. Allegra decided not to argue. She was too tired, and she supposed there was no reason to mind having a doctor around.

      Rafael opened the door to the limo and ushered her out, one hand resting on her elbow as he guided her towards the villa. Allegra paused on the portico, breathing in the warm, fir-scented air as she took in the curving drive that snaked through dense trees, the rolling, rocky hills visible beyond.

      She turned to the house, a sprawling and imposing villa of weathered stone, its double doors of ancient, scarred wood now flung open. A smiling, red-cheeked woman, her greying hair piled on top of her head in a round bun, gave them both a wide smile while next to her a tall, lanky man nodded and bowed.

      ‘This is Maria and Salvatore, my housekeeper and groundsman,’ Rafael explained to Allegra. He spoke in Italian, which he hadn’t done with her all the time they’d been in New York, and even though it was her native language, after so many years in America it took Allegra a moment to make the adjustment.

      Maria came forward, exclaiming about her bump, and then kissed her soundly on both cheeks. Salvatore bowed again. The exchange heartened Allegra, and made her feel a little less alone.

      ‘Now is not the time for a tour,’ Rafael said. ‘Since you are tired. I’ll show you your room and then summon the doctor.’

      ‘I’m fine...’ Allegra protested, because now that she was here she wanted to explore. From the soaring foyer she could see a comfortable-looking lounge with huge sofas in cream linen and French doors overlooking a terrace. On the other side she saw the cheerful yellow walls of a large kitchen, and another set of French doors leading to what looked like a large vegetable garden. All of it made her want to see and know more. She felt the stirrings of excitement, which was a welcome change from all the apprehension.

      ‘You need to rest,’ Rafael said, clearly brooking no argument, and with his hand on her elbow he guided her up the curving stairs to a large bedroom. While he went to fetch the doctor, Allegra explored the room—it was every bit as luxurious as the one she’d enjoyed in the hotel back in New York.

      There was a huge king-sized bed on its own dais, a massive fireplace that would make the room cosy in winter, and wide windows whose shutters were open to the tumbling gardens below. She rested her elbows on the stone sill as she took in the infinity pool sparkling under the sunlight, and the tangle of bougainvillea and hibiscus that covered the steep hillsides. The air was warm and dusty, scented with rosemary and pine. She felt as if she’d stumbled into paradise.

      ‘The doctor will examine you now.’

      Allegra turned to see a stern-looking, white-haired man with an old-fashioned black bag standing in the doorway, and her heart sank. Determined to be as accommodating as possible, she submitted to a battery of routine checks while Rafael watched.

      ‘I really am fine,’ she said as the doctor tucked his stethoscope away. ‘Everything’s fine.’

      ‘Well?’ Rafael turned to the doctor for his verdict, and Allegra gritted her teeth. Since when had she become incapable of speaking for herself?

      ‘She’s a little dehydrated,’ the man said. ‘And she needs some rest.’

      Rafael nodded. ‘Thank you.’ He turned to Allegra once the man had thankfully left. ‘I’ll have Maria bring up some water. You should drink at least two glasses.’

      Allegra folded her arms. ‘I’m capable of making my own decisions, Rafael.’

      His mouth thinned as he arched one dark eyebrow. ‘You are fighting me on this small matter?’

      ‘Yes, because you’re treating me like an idiot. I don’t need to be fussed over by a doctor every moment.’

      ‘I simply wanted you to be checked

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