Love Islands…The Collection. Jane Porter

      ‘Not stupid ones. I know my own strength.’

      ‘And you must also know that my security detail is watching every centimetre of this island’s perimeter. No one arrives. Or leaves.’

      ‘That’s a threat?’

      ‘No, that’s just the way it is.’ He shrugged.

      ‘Always?’ Were his moments always so closely monitored? Even when he was on ‘holiday’?

      ‘Yes.’ His frown deepened as he watched her struggle to regulate her breathing. ‘It can’t be healthy for the baby for you to be working out to such an extreme level.’

      ‘This isn’t extreme.’ She stiffened defensively. ‘Get your doctor back if you don’t believe me.’ She needed to see that doctor again, to talk through her history properly. Privately.

      ‘I will. You might not obey orders from me, but you will listen to him. Agreed?’

      ‘Of course.’ She climbed to the top of the stairs and stood directly in front of him, but he didn’t move to let her pass.

      He brushed the side of her face with the back of his fingers. ‘Did you sleep at all?’

      The bed had been enormous, clad in luxury linen, soft and decadent—nothing like the narrow, hard beds at the barracks. It hadn’t been built for one person to sleep in.

      ‘I can’t think why I didn’t,’ she answered acerbically, fighting the way she was drawn to him. ‘Maybe it was the life-changing revelations of yesterday that had me all antsy.’

      ‘Maybe,’ he murmured. ‘But maybe it was something else altogether.’

      She glared up at him, provoked. ‘You think you’re irresistible?’

      ‘Past form would indicate that you like what I do to you.’ He was charming again. Impulsive. Teasing. But he didn’t touch her again. Instead he glanced at the platinum watch on his wrist. ‘You had better run now—so you can get ready for our wedding.’

      ‘I’m not the kind of woman who takes two hours to get dressed.’ She folded her arms and sent him a surly look. ‘Why is the ceremony so early?’

      ‘So our wedding night can last as long as possible.’ He laughed wickedly. ‘Why did you think?’

      ‘You’re impossible.’ And alarmingly irresistible.

      ‘Actually, I think you’ll find I’m very easy to please.’ He nodded over her shoulder and she turned to see that the sea and sky were painted rose-gold as the sun started its slow ascent. ‘It’s a beautiful day to get married,’ he said softly.

      It was a beautiful day. Yet suddenly she was terrified. She was out of her depth.

      ‘Say yes.’ That brightness in his eyes hardened.

      He knew. He’d said it last night...more than he’d bargained for. Not the baby, but the maelstrom of emotion he aroused in her. Even now lust curled through her unruly body, tightening her muscles with anticipation.

      ‘I won’t obey your every dictate.’ Somehow she needed to keep this desire within her control.

      His smile lit up.

      ‘That wasn’t a challenge,’ she added, far too late. Flames of anticipation licked.

      ‘We both know it was.’ But he stepped back and turned towards the palace. ‘I’ll see you when the sun has fully risen.’

      When she got to her room Giulia was waiting there, beautifully dressed in a soft blue suit.

      ‘You’re back,’ she said crisply. ‘I have the dress finished and pressed. And Prince Eduardo has sent this.’

      Stella walked towards the velvet envelope Giulia had placed on the dresser. Pulse skidding, she opened it and drew a soft breath. It wasn’t the blinding, million diamonds showpiece she’d expected. This was a huge single sapphire pendant, simply set on a beautiful platinum twist. There was stunning fire in its depths.

      ‘Oh...’

      Stella turned at the whisper. Giulia was staring at the stone. ‘You know it?’ Stella asked.

      ‘Midnight’s Passion.’ Giulia nodded. ‘One of the most famous in the royal collection. It has a very romantic history attached to it.’ Giulia glanced at her speculatively. ‘Perfect for an elopement.’

      This didn’t seem like much of an elopement when he had everything planned to perfection—palace, dress, make-up, jewellery, prenup.

      ‘You must get ready,’ Giulia reminded her quietly.

      An hour later Stella stood still while Giulia finished smoothing her dress and assessed her.

      ‘Si.’ She nodded. ‘You look nice.’

      Part of Stella had been hoping for a little more than ‘nice’, but then she had refused Giulia’s offer of a manicure. He’d have to take her as she was. She wasn’t going to change for him. This wedding was only about the baby.

      But Giulia had a sly look in her eye. ‘I will do your hair.’

      She took the brush before Stella could reply.

      ‘You refused a tiara?’

      ‘It didn’t seem right.’ Stella sat in the chair Giulia had set for her.

      ‘Of course.’ Giulia nodded. ‘I have something else.’

      She had a selection of tiny tight rosebuds that mirrored the delicate detail on the edge of Stella’s dress. With nimble fingers Giulia braided Stella’s hair, weaving flowers into it and then leaving part of it loose at the back. Then she carefully settled the veil on her head.

      ‘You must miss your mother today,’ Giulia said softly.

      ‘She died a long time ago.’ Stella hardly ever let herself think about her. And she refused to now. She also refused to think of her father.

      ‘You and the Prince have much in common,’ Giulia said.

      No, they really didn’t.

      Giulia placed a beautiful linen cloth over Stella’s dress, then came towards her with a make-up brush. ‘Close your eyes.’

      ‘I don’t usually wear much make-up,’ Stella protested weakly.

      ‘You don’t need much.’ Giulia nodded. ‘I will only accentuate here and there.’

      Instinctively Stella knew she could trust Giulia, and also knew that part of her wanted to surprise Eduardo. He probably expected that she’d stomp up the aisle wearing jeans and a frown. Maybe she could startle him into submission.

      ‘You’re smiling.’ Giulia sounded pleased as she worked. ‘It suits you.’

      Ten minutes later Stella scarcely recognised herself in the mirror. What had Giulia done to make her skin glow like that? And her eyes sparkle?

      Giulia handed her a bouquet of roses. ‘I gathered these from the garden this morning.’

      Stella breathed in the delicate scent. ‘They’re beautiful. Thank you.’

      ‘Wishing you health, fertility, happiness.’

      A gleam in the older woman’s eye made Stella suspect she knew the truth.

      ‘Put your shoes on—he’ll be waiting.’

      ‘Where is he?’ Stella asked as she followed Giulia outside and down a pathway through the intricate formal garden.

      ‘The family chapel.’

      They were having a church wedding? Somehow she’d imagined a quick service with a celebrant in that enormous library, or something.

      She