The Sicilian's Wife. Kate Walker

      “If that was all I ever wanted I could have asked a dozen women—more—to marry me over the years, but I did not.”

      “Why didn’t you ask them?” she managed, knowing that it was what he wanted her to say. Cesare’s smile was slow, almost benign, but there was something in his eyes that stopped it from being the tender response it appeared.

      “They didn’t offer me what I wanted,” he said with a deliberate softness.

      “And that was…?” she whispered, and watched his smile grow into a wicked grin.

      “This…”

      She barely had time to catch her breath before his mouth came down on hers, but it was with an unexpected gentleness that seemed to draw out her soul, take it away from her and hold it captive. And in that moment she knew that she was lost. Knew that no matter how hard she tried to convince herself, there was no way in the world that she was over Cesare Santorino.

      Mama Mia!

      Harlequin Presents^®

      They’re tall, dark…and ready to marry!

      If you love marriage-of-convenience stories that

       ignite into marriages of passion, then look no further. We have the heroes you love to read about and the women who tame them.

      Watch for more exciting tales of romance,

       Italian-style, coming soon!

      The Italian’s Demand

       by Sara Wood

      On sale in October, #2354

      The Sicilian’s Wife

      Kate Walker

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Contents

       Cover

       Title Page

       CHAPTER ONE

       CHAPTER TWO

       CHAPTER THREE

       CHAPTER FOUR

       CHAPTER FIVE

       CHAPTER SIX

       CHAPTER SEVEN

       CHAPTER EIGHT

       CHAPTER NINE

       CHAPTER TEN

       CHAPTER ELEVEN

       CHAPTER TWELVE

       CHAPTER THIRTEEN

       Copyright

       CHAPTER ONE

      TONIGHT he was going to ask her.

      The words were clear and definite inside Cesare’s head, voicing the resolve he had held to for years now.

      He had been waiting for this day for ever it seemed. Six long years. Too long. It had been a wait that had tried all his patience, straining it to breaking point at times. But tonight the waiting had come to an end. Tonight Megan was going to be his.

      The sound of the doorbell ringing through the house jolted him slightly, making him grimace wryly as he snatched his finger off hastily. He was risking sounding more like the police arriving with a warrant for someone’s arrest rather than a would-be lover who had waited longer then he could bear for the woman he wanted more than any other.

      ‘Mr Santorino!’

      The housekeeper sounded flustered and confused as well she might, Cesare reflected ruefully. Normally his visits were well prepared for, notice given of his arrival long in advance. He was an honoured guest in this house, welcomed as a friend as well as a business colleague, so his arrival like this was not only out of the blue, it was also totally out of character.

      ‘We weren’t expecting you. Mr Ellis didn’t say…’

      ‘No…’

      One lean brown hand came up to cut off her words, brushing aside her nervously apologetic explanation.

      ‘He would not have said, because he didn’t know. I didn’t tell him I was coming to England, or that I was likely to call.’

      ‘But…’

      Mrs Moore took a small step backwards, obviously feeling that she should invite him in, then hesitated again.

      ‘I’m afraid Mr Ellis isn’t here. He’s visiting relatives in Scotland. There’s only Miss Megan…’

      ‘Ah, so Megan is home, is she?’

      He was pleased with the tone he managed to use; glad to hear that he sounded both disinterested and faintly surprised. Hearing him, no one would have thought that his visit here tonight had been calculated for just this effect. That he had come to England knowing that Tom was away, and that his only daughter was in the house on her own.

      ‘I take it she’s back from university now then is she?’

      ‘That’s right. Finished her degree and everything. She got back at the weekend—on her own, surprisingly.’

      ‘On her own?’

      No. That question had been too sharp, betraying too much of an interest and a degree of shock than was wise.

      ‘Yes, I thought she’d bring the boyfriend with her.’

      Belatedly, the housekeeper realised that keeping her employer’s friend standing on the doorstep was not the most polite approach. Mrs Moore moved further back into the wide, tiled hallway.

      ‘Won’t you come inside, sir? I’m sure Miss Megan would be delighted to see you.’

      Privately, Cesare took the liberty of doubting that she would be any such thing. The way he and Megan had