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This story is partly set in an English hospital. To aid your enjoyment, here is a guide to some of the terms and expressions used:
A&E (Accident & Emergency)—Emergency Room
Community midwife—a registered general nurse with specialist training in midwifery, or the delivery of infants.
Health visitor—a nurse trained in preventative medicine and midwifery, who educates people caring for dependents, e.g., babies or the elderly.
House officer—a hospital-based trainee doctor; also known as an intern or resident.
ITU—Intensive Therapy Unit; a hospital department where intensive care is given to those patients in a critical condition or after major operations.
Locum—a doctor who temporarily stands in for another, due to absence or illness.
NHS—National Health Service; the U.K. public health system, which offers medical and surgical care, and is funded by taxpayers.
Obstetrician—a medical professional specializing in the care of women during pregnancy, labor and the period immediately after the birth.
Consultant—a senior medical professional specializing in an area of medicine.
Senior registrar—a specialist surgeon or doctor who is subordinate to a consultant, but senior to the house officers.
SHO—senior house officer; after registration, a doctor who continues working in a hospital can be appointed to this full-time training position.
They’re guaranteed to raise your pulse!
Meet the most eligible medical men in the world, in our ongoing series of stories by popular authors that will make your heart race!
Whether they’re saving lives or dealing with desire, our doctors have bedside manners that send temperatures soaring….
Available only from Harlequin Presents®
The Italian’s Passionate Proposal
Sarah Morgan
MILLS & BOON
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER ONE
THE freezing air was thick with softly falling snowflakes and the darkened streets of the East End of London were totally deserted. With less than a week to go until Christmas, most people were at home, decorating trees and wrapping presents.
Carlo Santini was barely aware of the inhospitable nature of his surroundings. He was restless and on edge, frustrated beyond belief by recent developments in his life. A frown on his handsome face, he paced rhythmically along the icy pavement, his footsteps muffled by the thick covering of snow, the collar of his black coat turned up against the cold.
He’d been warned to keep to his apartment and the hospital but he was totally fed up with the warnings.
In fact, he was so disillusioned with his life that when things had finally come to a head and he’d been ordered to leave Italy for a short time, he’d been only too happy to comply.
His old life was starting to feel like a prison.
Having enormous wealth was a fantasy for most people but for Carlo the reality had become an increasing burden over the years and he embraced the chance to pretend that it didn’t exist, even for a few precious weeks. Being forced to come to London and work under an assumed name was a gift that he was determined to grab with both hands.
For the first time in his whole life, no one would know who he was.
People would respond to his medical and personal skills rather than his reputation as a billionaire playboy or his impressive connections.
Suddenly aware of just how quiet the streets were, Carlo narrowed his eyes and took a brief look around. He’d always refused to have a personal bodyguard and the recent threats to his life hadn’t changed that. He preferred to look out for himself.
He gave a slight smile. Matteo Parini, his father’s chief of security, was probably in their London apartment biting his nails at this very moment, wondering where he was.
And Carlo was under no illusions about his safety. Even hidden in the East End of London under an assumed name, he wasn’t safe. Not until they caught the men who were threatening his life. But at least for a few hours he could pretend that nothing was wrong.
Suddenly aware that two men had appeared in the street ahead of him, he tensed his broad shoulders slightly. They were walking slowly and Carlo’s eyes narrowed suspiciously as he watched them.
Why would they be dawdling when it was below freezing? It was hardly the night for a winter stroll.
Then he saw one of them glance across the street and for the first time noticed a young boy, slight in build, hurrying along the pavement, clutching a stuffed bin bag, his eyes down as he struggled against the snow.
Guessing their intention before they’d even acted, Carlo removed his hands from his pockets, his lean features suddenly showing a strength of purpose. Without drawing attention to himself, he increased his pace, every sense on alert as he closed the distance between them.
With no warning they suddenly turned and sprinted across the snowy street, attacking the young boy viciously, grabbing the bin bag that he was carrying and pushing him roughly to the ground.
Carlo’s eyes gleamed and adrenaline rushed through his veins, but before he could reach them the young boy was back on his feet, lithe and agile. He grabbed one of the men in a classic judo hold and threw him heavily onto the pavement.
Carlo winced at the sickening thud and gave a surprised smile.
Maybe the lad didn’t need his help after all. He seemed to be doing pretty well by himself.
Or maybe not…
As the man lay groaning on the ground, his accomplice grabbed the boy round the throat and Carlo saw a flash of steel.
His blood heating, he moved swiftly, using the element of surprise to his advantage, attacking the man from behind and enclosing his wrist in a deadly grip until the knife fell to the ground.
‘Let