The Italian's Baby

The Italian's Baby
Lucy Gordon

He's come to find her–because he wants a baby…The man Becky Hanley nearly married has just walked back into her life! It's been years, but Italian Luca Montese is just as desirable as ever…. The attraction is overwhelming and she can't resist him–the love is still there. Then she discovers that all Luca really wants from her is a baby–and shockingly, she's already pregnant….

“I want a child, Becky. Your child.”

“And that was in your mind when you searched for me?” she asked slowly.

“Yes. It’s important.”

“I can imagine it would be. And now of course, I realize why you didn’t tell me at once.”

“I could hardly do that,” he said, misled by her reasonable tone.

“Of course not,” she agreed. “It wouldn’t be so easy to say, would it? ‘Good evening, Rebecca, nice to see you after fifteen years, and will you be my brood mare?’”

“It’s not like that. You’re determined to misunderstand everything I say.”

“On the contrary, I’ve understood only too well. You want a son—”

“I want your son. Yours. Nobody else’s. No other woman’s child would mean the same to me.”

What happens when you suddenly discover your happy twosome is about to be turned into a…family?

Do you panic?

Do you laugh?

Do you cry?

Or…do you get married?

The answer is all of the above—and plenty more!

Share the laughter and the tears as these unsuspecting couples are plunged into parenthood! Whether it’s a baby on the way or the creation of a brand-new instant family, these men and women have no choice but to be

When parenthood takes you by surprise!

The Italian’s Baby

Lucy Gordon

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Contents

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

PROLOGUE

SHE was seventeen, as pretty as a doll, and as lifeless, sitting in the window, staring out, unseeing, over the Italian countryside.

She didn’t turn when the door opened and a nurse came in, with a middle-aged man. He had an air of joviality that sat oddly with his cold eyes.

‘How’s my best girl?’ he greeted the doll by the window.

She neither replied nor looked at him.

‘I’ve got someone to see you, precious.’ He turned to a young man standing behind him and said curtly, ‘Make it quick.’

He was twenty, little more than a boy. His hair was shaggy, he looked as though he hadn’t shaved for days, and his eyes were wild with pain and anger. He went quickly to the girl and dropped on his knees beside her, speaking in an imploring voice.

‘Becky, mia piccina—it is I, Luca. Look at me, I beg you. Forgive me for everything—they say our child is dead and that it is my fault—I never meant to hurt you—can you hear me?’

She turned her head and seemed to look at him, but there was no recognition in her eyes. They were lifeless.

‘Listen to me,’ the boy implored. ‘I am sorry, piccina, I am so sorry. Becky, for pity’s sake, say that you understand.’

She was silent. He reached up a hand to brush her light brown hair aside. She did not move.

‘I did not see our baby,’ he said huskily. ‘Was she pretty like you? Did you hold her? Speak to me. Tell me that you know me, that you love me still. I shall love you all my life. Only say that you forgive me for all the pain I have brought you. I meant only to make you happy. In God’s name, speak to me.’

But she said nothing, merely stared out of the window. He dropped his head into her lap, and the only sound in the room was his sobs.

CHAPTER ONE