The Sheikh's Pregnant Bride

Jessica Gilmore

Литагент HarperCollins EUR

Sheikh, Husband, Father! Idris Delacour never expected to be king of Dalmaya, but his cousin's sudden death changes all that. And that's not all—there's a royal baby on the way, too!Being a surrogate mom should've given Saskia Harper and her little brother Jack a new start. Only, for her unborn child to inherit the throne she must now marry the new king—the man whose kisses she's never forgotten. Saskia wants to trust Idris—but can she ever find a way into her sheikh's guarded heart?

Sheikh, Husband, Father!

Idris Delacour never expected to be king of Dalmaya, but his cousin’s sudden death changes all that. And that’s not all—there’s a royal baby on the way, too!

Being a surrogate mom should’ve given Saskia Harper and her little brother Jack a new start. Only, for her unborn child to inherit the throne she must now marry the new king—the man whose kisses she’s never forgotten. Saskia wants to trust Idris—but can she ever find a way into her sheikh’s guarded heart?

A king’s life wasn’t his—he knew that all too well. His own needs, his own desires, his own likes would always be second to duty.

And Idris saw his duty all too clearly. All of it.

His mind raced as he ruthlessly ousted all emotions from his mind, concentrating on the cold, hard facts, looking for the path ahead. First, it was clearly in the baby’s best interests to have a mother’s care right from birth. Secondly, he—Idris—was the legal heir, whether he liked it or not. But, thirdly, at the same time the unborn baby was the rightful heir. Fourthly, he was said baby’s guardian.

The pieces began to fall into place one by one.

What had the lawyer said? That if a man was married to the mother when a child was born then he was automatically that child’s legal father, regardless of actual paternity?

He looked over at the other man. ‘Let me get this straight. If I marry Sayeda Saskia then the baby will be my child, my heir, both in law and in the eyes of the world?’

The lawyer’s answer was drowned out by Saskia’s indignant voice.

‘There is no way I would marry you, Idris Delacour, not if you were the last man alive!’

But Idris saw the lawyer’s nod and knew what he had to do. For Fayaz, for the country, for the baby.

He had to marry Saskia Harper.

The Sheikh’s Pregnant Bride

Jessica Gilmore

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

A former au pair, bookseller, marketing manager and seafront trader, JESSICA GILMORE now works for an environmental charity in York, England. Married with one daughter, one fluffy dog and two dog-loathing cats, she spends her time avoiding housework and can usually be found with her nose in a book. Jessica writes emotional romance with a hint of humour, a splash of sunshine and a great deal of delicious food—and equally delicious heroes!

To Rufus.

All these years I thought I was a cat person—turns out I’m all about the canine. Thank you for letting me talk plots through at you, for all those head-clearing walks and for keeping me company through long hours at my keyboard. xxx

Contents

Cover (#u87a43298-5b42-5ac2-8ae1-0f8a46e9f5c8)

Back Cover Text (#u048e922e-ead8-5e14-864c-cd0fd73f2794)

Introduction (#u33d1e235-27f6-593b-8cb4-c3d37360dee6)

Title Page (#u4a131c9d-9639-562d-9282-016d2d96fc57)

About the Author (#u4fb89c4b-d655-533d-b6a5-dc1477529d9d)

Dedication (#u5408cdde-9e0d-5807-bfc3-9a3b65da8010)

CHAPTER ONE (#u1ac5c263-a8b3-50bb-a6b8-c0a42fc719e3)

CHAPTER TWO (#ucdbb0594-0f86-5240-b507-3df845c5fb19)

CHAPTER THREE (#ua9c22f8d-c59d-5e65-bc0b-fa82e705d7c9)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u142abe7d-aa37-5d6b-a666-2966050a237c)

CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TH