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Ashley groaned 'You're right… but just for a ot about the baby-'

'It is not wise for a wo a child,' Priya persisted 'Calm and care at all times are most advisable When I saw you, I was so afraid you would fall'

'I won't do it again' Ashley was annoyed with herself for having let teht that, she stiffened and tensed in dismay as Vito filled the doorway Priya bowed out at speed

'What do you want?' she de in horror if he could have overheard thenancy, but there was no shade of any sudden coh his appraisal was intense 'To say goodnight?' he queried teasingly 'Goodnight!'

'Interesting as your ical history no doubt is, Mrs di Cavalieri-' Mr Beckett began 'Brown!' Ashley re foolish when he raised his eyes heavenward in silent suffering 'I require complete confidentiality I don't want anyone to know that I' fro Mr Beckett abandoned na, your ination Frankly, I'm more concerned about your state of nancy checks out exactly as it should for the first tri the Pill for a couple of weeks won't have done the slightest harht Hopefully that problem will take care of itself as the sickness recedes Would you like to sit down?'

Stiff-backed and tense, she took a seat 'What's wrong?'

He sighed heavily 'Nothing is wrong If you'd looked at the scan as I suggested-'

'I don't want to get too attached to the baby'

'If you intend to be my patient, I absolutely refuse to listen to anyanyone to know that you're pregnant – I'm afraid that will be rather difficult in a shorter ti not one baby but two- Nurse!'

Ashley had almost fallen off the chair, faint with shock, and had to endure having her head pushed down between her knees Twins – she couldn't believe it! Twins! As she started to tabulate all the extra risks involved in carrying twins, she felt even iddy

Josh aiting outside on the street for her She tottered down the steps, as pale and drawn as an accident victi here?'

'Is that any way to greet an old friend?' He pressed her into the taxi he had waiting 'You were so secretive on the phone when you asked me to recommend someone, I was concerned'

'I'ratulations, luv!' the cab driver said

'Twins,' she hissed tragically at Josh 'And there's none in my family!' 'They run in Vito's'

'They won't run with '

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'You really are upset,' he finally registered

He took her to a fashionable restaurant and she poured out her heart, a handkerchief in one hand, a glass of unadulterated spring water in the other 'Why aren't you sharing these terrors with Vito?'

It was a reasonable question But how could she be honest with ato take her baby away from her? On all sides she felt constrained by secrecy, and the awareness that she would not be able to conceal her condition for er tortured her She would have to leave Vito far sooner than she had planned 'I can't tell you'

'Is he treating you badly?' Josh breathed furiously, and clasped her hand

She gulped bravely behind her handkerchief Actually he was treating her very well, but not like a wife, more like a maiden aunt Any sex appeal she had ever had had clearly vanished virtually overnight in Sri Lanka They had been back in London for ten days and she had her own bedrooo and he hadn't even suggested that she uence had prevailed over his animal instincts, for the best he could seely polite conversation and horrifically considerate behaviour Yes, on her ter her very badly

'No, he's very kind' Herurees with everything I say All the passion has died'

'Sonancy a little hard to adjust to-' 'My, my, my, what have we here?'

Josh relanced up at the s by their table 'Hello, Pietro,' he said drily

'Tell me, Auntie, do I mention this to my uncle or do we keep it our little secret?' Pietro sneered

'Go away, you little creep,' Ashley snapped in a raw undertone 'Or I'll knock your teeth down your throat' Taken by surprise, Pietro's cool front was cracked With burning cheeks, he threw her a look of hatred and said, 'You haven't heard the last of this'

'And every word a cliché, too,' she murmured with contempt

'Was that wise? This situation could be misunderstood,' Josh pointed out uneasily