The Di Sione Secret Baby

Author:Maya Blake [Blake, Maya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781488001048
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-07-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Two months later

ALLEGRA HEARD THE slow footsteps and the added click of the walking stick and summoned a smile as her grandfather walked into the sunroom.

Situated on the east wing of the Long Island villa, the shaded coolness of the room was what Giovanni favoured these days, although he spent an hour on his favourite terrace in the mornings, before the mid-July heat became too unbearable.

She turned in her seat as the footsteps halted. ‘Ragazza, I didn’t hear you come in.’

‘I didn’t want to disturb you. Alma said you were resting.’

He waved an impatient hand. ‘She’s very liberal with her guard dog duties, that one. I was merely cataloguing a few things in my study after lunch. She could’ve let me know you were here at any time,’ he grumbled.

Allegra knew it was more than just cataloguing. Ever since she’d returned the Fabergé box to her grandfather, he’d kept it in his study, alongside a necklace whose origin was unknown to her. She knew from the housekeeper that Giovanni had been spending hours in his study with the two pieces lately. ‘It doesn’t matter. You’re here now. It’s good to see you up.’

‘I have my good days and bad days. Today is a good day.’ Her grandfather walked forward, his stride a little slow, but his colour much better than it’d been back in May.

Before he’d sent her to Dar-Aman.

Before her life had changed forever.

The mingled feelings of awe, fear and dread that spiralled through her every time she thought of the secret she carried ate away at her smile. Dragging it back, she met her grandfather halfway and kissed him on both cheeks.

When she drew back, she met his frank gaze, praying he wouldn’t comment on her sallow complexion or the weight she’d lost.

‘Something’s wrong, Allegra mia,’ he said, dashing her hopes. When she opened her mouth, he shook his head. ‘Don’t bother denying it. You’re good at hiding things but you forget that you are my blood, my first granddaughter. Ever since you were a child you cared for everyone else around you. That special trait is why I chose you to head my foundation. You care—a little too much, some might say—but you don’t care enough about yourself.’

Allegra couldn’t help the bitterness in her voice. ‘I disagree. I don’t think my caring was enough.’

Giovanni shuffled to the wide armchair and sank heavily into it. After propping his cane next to the chair, he turned his frown on her. ‘Being exceptionally hard on yourself has always been your problem.’

‘One of many, I’m sure.’

His frown deepened. ‘My dear, what’s happened to resurrect these self-doubting ghosts? I thought you’d put them behind you years ago? Did something happen during your little trip?’

Allegra started in surprise, then shook her head. ‘I... It’s nothing I can’t handle.’

‘So there is something?’ her grandfather probed.

Allegra had to ball her fist to keep from sliding her hand over her stomach. She’d caught herself making that unconscious gesture a lot lately, once she’d finished the book that tracked the growth of her baby in minute detail.

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