Mum's The Word!. Cat Schield

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СКАЧАТЬ you are going to meet many new people,” she told them. “I know you might be scared, but you don’t need to be.”

      “A party?”

      “Sort of.” If that was what it took to keep the twins from being afraid, then so be it.

      “A birthday party?”

      “No.”

      “Mommy said.”

      Bethany’s mention of their mother reminded the girls that she was dead. Olivia saw Karina’s lip quiver and rushed to distract them.

      “Are you this old?” She held up two fingers and was rewarded with head shakes.

      “We’re this old.” Bethany held up one finger.

      “But you’re too big to be one. I’ll bet you have a birthday coming up soon.”

      “Get pony,” Bethany said with a definitive nod.

      Olivia rather doubted that, but clever of her to try to sound convincing. “I’m not sure you’re old enough for a pony.”

      Karina spoke for the first time. “Puppy.”

      That seemed more doable.

      “Pony,” Bethany repeated. “Mommy said.”

      “There might be a pony in the stables,” Olivia said, aware she was already caving to their demands. She hadn’t pictured herself the sort of mother to give in to her child’s every whim.

      Bethany nodded in satisfaction. “Let’s go.”

      “No.” Karina shook her head. “Puppy.”

      “Oh, no. It’s too early to go to the stables. We have to get dressed and have breakfast. Then we have to get you settled in your own room.”

      “No.” Karina’s large green eyes brimmed with anxiety.

      Immediately Olivia realized what was wrong. “It’s okay,” she assured them. “The mean lady is gone. You will have really nice people taking care of you.”

      “Stay here.” Bethany had an imperious tone well suited to a princess.

      “I’m afraid you can’t do that.”

      “Why not?”

      “This is my bed and you two take up way too much room.”

      “Slept with Mommy.”

      Somehow they’d circled back to Marissa again. Olivia held her breath as she watched for some sign that they would get sad again, but the girls had discovered the mattress had great springs and they started bouncing and laughing.

      Olivia watched them, amusement taking the edge off her exasperation. The challenges confronting her were coming faster than she’d expected. She wasn’t just going to become a wife and a princess, but now she was going to take on the role of mother, as well. Not that she couldn’t handle all of it. Maybe it was just her sleepless night and her anxiety about marrying a man who might not be over his dead former lover.

      While the girls jumped off the bed and raced around the room, looking out the window and exploring the attached bathroom, Olivia heard a soft knock. Assuming it was Libby, she opened the door. To her intense surprise, Gabriel stood there, looking handsome and elegant in a charcoal pinstripe suit, white shirt and burgundy tie.

      “I hope it’s not too early,” he said, entering the room. His gaze slid over her hair and silk-clad body.

      Several maids followed, one pushing a cart loaded down with covered plates. Delicious smells wafted in their wake.

      Olivia smoothed her hair, acutely aware of her makeup-free face, knowing she wasn’t looking her best after such a rough night. She hadn’t even brushed her teeth yet.

      “No, of course not. You’re eager to meet the girls.”

      “I am.” His gaze went past her shoulder, golden eyes intense and a little wary.

      Olivia’s heart gave a little start as she realized he must be thinking about their mother. Chest tight, she shifted her attention to the twins. “Bethany. Karina. Come meet...” She wasn’t sure how to introduce the prince.

      Gabriel supplied the description. “Your father.”

      * * *

      Beside him, Gabriel felt Olivia tense in surprise. In the hours since leaving her room, he’d contemplated what the best political move would be regarding his daughters and decided he didn’t give a damn about the fallout. He intended to claim them.

      Olivia held out her hands to the girls and they went toward her. She introduced them one by one, starting with the little girl on her right. “This is Bethany. And this is Karina.”

      Gabriel could discern no difference between their features. “How can you tell?”

      “Bethany is the talkative one.”

      Neither one was verbal at the moment. They stood side by side wearing matching nightgowns and identical blank stares.

      Deciding he would appear less intimidating if he was at their eye level, Gabriel knelt. “Nice to meet you.” As much as he longed to snatch them into his arms and hug the breath from their bodies, he kept his hands to himself and gave them his gentlest smile.

      The one Olivia had introduced as Bethany eyed him suspiciously for a moment before declaring, “We’re hungry.” Her imperious tone made her sound like his mother.

      “What would you like for breakfast?” he asked them. “We have eggs, pancakes, French toast.”

      “Ice cream.”

      “Not for breakfast,” he countered.

      Olivia made no effort to hide her amusement. Her grin and the laughter brimming in her blue eyes transformed her from an elegant beauty to a vivacious woman. Gabriel felt his eyebrows go up as her charisma lit up the room.

      “Wit’ chocolate.”

      Bethany’s demands forced Gabriel to refocus his attention. “Maybe after lunch.” He’d met some tough negotiators in his time, but none had shown the sort of determination exhibited by his daughters. “If you eat everything on your plate.”

      “Want ice cream.”

      “How about waffles with syrup?” He tried softening his words with a smile. The twins weren’t moved.

      “Olivia.” Bethany’s plaintive, wheedling tone was charming, and Gabriel found himself struggling to restrain a grin.

      “No.” Olivia shook her head. “You listen to your father. He knows what’s best.” She gently propelled the girls toward the table the maid had set for breakfast and got them into chairs. “There aren’t any booster chairs so you’ll have to kneel. Can you do that?”

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