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It was ridiculous of Eest that their child would have benefits that his so-called legitimate children would not, folly for her to clai hiht have enjoyed the freedootten who and what he was Having royal blood and being able to lay clai side of the blanket, was a life-enhancing benefit that couldn't be ignored

His son growing up here on Niroli as his accepted child, could look forward to the best of everything and when grown, a position of authority at his fathers court He would be revered and respected, he would wield power and he would be on hand to support his legiti Would he be imprisoned by his royal status, as Marco had sometimes felt he had been? No!

All of that and more could be made possible for this child, provided that Emily was prepared to see sense She didn't have the status of a proper royal randfather, for all his faults and stubbornness, also had a strong sense of duty and farandchild to remain on Niroli There was a way in which it could be made possible for her to stay and be elevated to a position in which she and their baby would have the respect of the people

He swung round as he heard Emily come out into the courtyard The sun had brushed her skin a war any visible sign of her pregnancy yet but there was a rich glow about her so her Marco experienced a swift surge of possessive deter his child; whether by accident and not by design, that did not alter his paternal responsibilities or that a baby of royal blood was to be born Who other than he could tell that child about his heritage and where better a place to do that than here on Niroli?

‘I’ve just seen Maria and she's going to bring out some fresh coffee for you' How doht tiredly as she sat down on the chair Marco had pulled out for her She had hardly slept, her thoughts circling helplessly and tumultuously

'I'm not prepared to let you leave the island E to stay here where both of you belong It seee is the best way to secure our son's future and your position at court'

Marriage! E Marco wanted tofrom head to foot with the intensity of her joy Elass, and protested shakily’ Marco! You can’t mean that How can you marry me?’

She realised i

‘I cant marry you’ he told her flatly You know that What on earthweight wrapping itself around him? He couldn't ht And yet just for athe joy in her eyes, he had feltHe had felt what? A reciprocal surge of joy within himself? That was ridiculous

‘You need a husband Emily, and a position at court There is within European royal families a tradition whereby noblemen close to the throne e is rather like a business arrangement, in that it benefits all parties and in the eyes of the world, bestows respectability on the mistress and any children she may bear The nobleman in question is of course rewarded for his role and—

‘Stop it Stop it I have heard enough!’ Eot to her feet She could hardly breathe but she struggled to speak ‘I thought I knew you, Marco I even felt sorry for you, because of the heavy responsibility your duty to the Crown lays upon you! But now I realise that I never really knew you The ht I kneould never in a thousand years have allowed himself to becoest what you have just suggested to me!'

‘What I propose is a traditional solution to a uniquely royal proble’ Her outburst had , instead of recoical solution of the kind his grandfather would have suggested? Was the pressure of becorandfather the kind of man he had once sworn he would never allow himself to be? His critical inner voice would not be silenced, and its contempt echoed uncomfortably inside him