The Baby Gambit Part 19

She suspected the marchesa was right-that Matteo would not be pleased that she was pregnant again. Even though having Beniamino had been comparatively easy, he still insisted that once was enough. But accidents happened, even in the best of circles, and Grace was sure her husband was unaware of what he'd done. Which meant she would have to tell him that his methods weren't always foolproof, after all.

Matteo appeared at that moment, carrying their baby son, giving a defensive smile when Grace pulled a face at him. 'He was awake,' he insisted. 'And it is his birthday, when all's said and done. Why shouldn't he enjoy his party?' He listened to the sound of the children for a moment. 'Every one else seemed to be doing so.'

Grace held out her arms and Matteo handed the baby to her as the marchesa got to her feet. 'I think I'l take a rest, after all,' she said, giving Grace a speaking look. 'Let me know when the others get back.'

'We will,' said Matteo, subsiding into the chair she'd vacated.

He tipped his head in Grace's direction as she fussed with Beniamino, who was clutching the gold neck lace she was wearing. 'I get the feeling Nonna's departure was pre-arranged.'

Grace caught her breath. 'Why should you think that?' she exclaimed, her hand sliding over the baby's silky head. 'No, you're not getting down,' she told the little boy, who was wriggling impatiently. 'You have to keep clean today. It's your birthday.'

'Let him get down,' Matteo advised her lazily. Antonia can change him if he gets into a mess.' Antonia was Beniamino's nanny, and Grace conceded that the girl would be only too happy to take charge of him. It was her happy choice that she spent so much time looking after him her self.

'All right.'

She set Beniamino on his feet, and he toddled away across the tiled floor. Antonia appeared at once, ever vigi lant, from her position at the end of the loggia, and Grace relaxed as the nanny took the baby's hand.

'Now.' Matteo leant towards her with warm indulgence. 'Are you going to tell me why my grandmother decided we needed to be alone?' His eyes searched her face. 'It couldn't have anything to do with that box I found in the waste bin in our bathroom, could it?'

Grace's face flamed. 'Since when do you go looking in waste bins?'

'Since I dropped a blade from my razor and it fell into the bin,'

replied her husband, without hesitation. 'It was a pregnancy testing kit, I believe. Which is why you've been avoiding being alone with me, isn't it?'

Grace gasped. 'I haven't been avoiding being alone with you,'

she protested. 'We sleep together-alone-every night.'

Matteo's brows arched. 'But you have been significantly non-communicative. You've pretended to be asleep every night when I've come to bed.'

'Only because you've been staying up late with Giles and David'

'Late?' Matteo pulled a wry face 'Mall past ten is not late, cara, and you know it. And I'd rather be with you. as you're aware.'

Grace expelled a breath. 'All right. All right I'm pregnant.' She hunched her shoulders. 'I was afraid to tell you, that's all. I know you didn't want another baby. I didn't arrange it to happen, if that's what you think.'

Matteo left his chair to put both hands on the arms of hers, leaning over her, his eyes dark and pa.s.sionate 'You have no need to be afraid of me,' he told her huskily. Did, Grace, I realised there was always a chance it could happen again. I have had to come to terms with this possibility. But know this: it is not that I don't want another baby; it is only that I cannot bear the thought of losing you.'

'I know. And you won't.' Grace reached up to stroke his face with gentle fingers. 'Oh, Matteo, I want this baby- our baby-so much.'

'Do you think I don't?' Matteo breathed a little unevenly at the thought. 'But afterwards we will have some time alone together.

I love my children, but I love my wife so very much...'

He kissed her then, supporting himself with his hands until Grace arched up to him, then he collapsed beside her on the lounger with a helpless groan. 'Have a care, cara,' he said. 'Our guests will be arriving for the party very shortly. Not least, your mother and your sisters. You would not wish for them to find us making love right here.'

Grace chuckled. 'I will if you will,' she said mischie vously, and Matteo buried his face against her throat.

'Perhaps tonight I will not entertain your brothers-in- law,' he told her in a strangled voice. 'Tonight there will be no "headaches", eh, cara'

Their daughter, Anna Maria, was born a little under eight months later, and once again Grace had had a fairly easy confinement. So much so that when Matteo brought the baby to her she was already antic.i.p.ating the trip he had promised months before.

They went to the Caribbean for their second honeymoon six months later, leaving the marchesa and Grace's mother in charge in their absence. It had been Matteo's idea that Mrs Horton should winter in Valle di Falco, and for the last two years she had occupied her own suite on the south side of the villa.

Perhaps not surprisingly, she and the marchesa had be come good friends, and there was no doubt that the warmer climate was a boon to Mrs Horton's arthritis. But she still spent the summer in England, catching up with her other daughters and their families, and checking on the house in Islington Crescent where Giles and Pauline still lived.

The trip to the Caribbean was heavenly. As well as Matteo's satisfaction at having his wife all to himself, Grace appreciated having her husband's undivided atten tion. At home, there was always some problem to be dealt with. In Barbados, there was just sun and sea and love.

'By the way, Mum told me she'd heard from Pauline that Julia got married last week,' Grace murmured sleepily, relaxing in the aftermath of an afternoon making love. 'It was apparently announced in the paper. Some businessman or other, I believe.'

'Who cares?' groaned Matteo, grasping her hand when it would have roamed down over his stomach. 'I'm grateful to her for bringing us together, but nothing else.'

'Isn't it enough?' whispered Grace, finding it in her heart to be charitable. She hoped Julia was happy. But no one could be happier than she was herself...

end.