The Shock Cassano Baby. Andie Brock

stared at him, nonplussed. What did he mean by that? ‘I’m pregnant, Orlando. I haven’t developed super powers.’

      Orlando bit back the hint of a smile. ‘What I mean is, is there any reason for you not to accompany me to Le Marche?’

      Isobel could think of a hundred reasons, but none of them were to do with her being pregnant.

      ‘I have a private jet leaving this afternoon and I suggest you come with me—see the factory for yourself, sort out the problems face to face.’

      ‘I couldn’t possibly.’ Casting around, Isobel desperately tried to come up with a plausible reason to say no. She couldn’t go—not this afternoon, not just like that. Not with him. ‘I’m afraid I have far too much to do here.’

      ‘I’m sure something can be arranged.’

      Right on cue the office door opened and a smiling Daisy appeared, bearing Orlando’s espresso before her like a sacrificial offering.

      ‘I bet Daisy could keep things ticking over here if you went away for a couple of days—couldn’t you, Daisy?’

      ‘Of course.’ The smile turned into a beam of pleasure. ‘No problem at all. You can trust me to make sure that everything runs smoothly.’

      ‘That’s settled, then.’ Turning back to Isobel, Orlando let his gaze rake over Isobel’s flustered figure. When he spoke again his voice was as dark as bitter chocolate. ‘The flight is booked for four p.m. I’ll meet you here at three.’