was instantly wary. If he asked her to leave her babies behind, she would refuse. “What?”
“Since it’s two weeks until our anniversary, I suggest that you allow me that time to see you and the babies and to do my best to change your mind about a divorce.”
“I won’t.” Her blood raced as she thought about Alex trying to change her mind. He was a handsome man, tall and distinguished. Dark, well-trimmed hair and black eyebrows, which were fixed in a scowl right now. Such blue, blue eyes…and a good heart. That’s what she loved the most about him. He was a good man through and through. When he said some thing, he meant it. She admired that—even when he’d made the promise to his father. But she couldn’t with stand two weeks of him trying to change her mind. Because she would, especially in her weakened condition. She wanted to right now….
“You say you won’t, but I think for the babies’ sakes, we should give our marriage a second chance.” He ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it so it sprayed out in different directions, very un-Alex. “I married you, Daphne, and I’m not interested in letting you go.”
“You sound so possessive,” she murmured.
“I don’t mean to come on too strong.” He walked over and put the velvet pouch in her hand, clasping her fingers around it. “Please think about it.”
“I don’t know, Alex. I’m really exhausted, and it would be too easy to give in. I know in my heart that’s the wrong thing to do.” She was ready to give in now—if only she hadn’t over heard their conversation. If only the doctor hadn’t advised against more children. How could she stay with him knowing that she’d cheated him of the thing he’d married her for?
“Let’s not talk anymore. You lie down,” he said, helping her toward the bed. “I’m going to prove to you that I’m husband material you shouldn’t throw out.”
She sighed, allowing him to lead her to the bed. For a second, when his hands touched her shoulders through the thin material of her night gown, she wished things could be different. “Two weeks, Alex. That’s all. On our anniversary, we sign divorce papers.”
Was two weeks long enough to find out if they should stay married? Could she ever be convinced that she belonged with Alex, especially knowing her father had sold her along with his live stock?
A sudden wail pierced her thoughts.
“Where do you want this crib, ma’am?”
Alex’s jaw dropped. Daphne, suddenly very business like, pointed to a section of the room near her bed. “Line all three up in a row right there at the foot of the bed, please.”
“Wait a minute!” he thundered.
The staff paused instantly.
“What is going on here?” he demanded of Daphne.
“I’m setting up the nursery.” She lifted her chin to meet his gaze without any sign of retreat in her eyes.
“The nursery is on the third floor of the house, where it’s always been,” he said care fully. Maybe she thought she was confined to this small wing of rooms, and that the babies had to stay with her.
“I know where it is, Alex. But my children need to be with me. Carry on, please,” she said to Nelly and a few puffing young boys.
Alex stared as an insurmountable wall of baby cribs went up between him and Daphne. “Daphne, the babies have always stayed in the nursery.”
“How do you know?” She cocked her head at him. “You were the only baby from your parents’ marriage.”
“I’ve seen pictures! I’ve heard Nelly talk about it. I was raised in the nursery!” Yes, their lives were different, but even Daphne should be able to comprehend that being married to him meant luxuries she should enjoy.
“My children aren’t going to sleep in an attic, Alex,” she said briskly. “They stay with me.”
“But you’re exhausted! You’d sleep better with them upstairs.”
She gave him a wicked smile. “You said you’d help me. I’m assuming that also means with the babies. We’ll be just fine.”
With a regal nod, she dismissed Nelly and the other help. Three crying babies wiggled on the king-size bed, all wanting some thing. He had no idea what.
“Here now,” she cooed. Swiftly, she let down her nightgown top and lifted a baby to her breast.
Cold prickles ran over the back of Alex’s neck as he watched the baby latch on to the rose-colored nipple. His mouth dried out. Whoa. Out of my element with that one. Shifting from boot to boot, he wondered what he should do with the other two squalling babies.
“You can hold them and rock them in that chair,” Daphne instructed. “They’ll calm down long enough for me to feed this one.”
With trepidation, he went to pick up one baby, very delicately. She fit into his arm like a well-wrapped package, instantly quieting at being picked up. With some difficulty, he hoisted the other one and fit her into the other arm as he sat. With his boot, he set the rocker to moving, but the babies seemed more interested in sticking their fists in their mouths. “I kind of like this,” he said, pride growing in him.
“Good. If you’re going to help me for two weeks, you’d better.”
“Now, wait a minute. I said I wanted the chance to convince you that our marriage was worth saving. I didn’t say I wanted to be a—”
“Father?” Daphne supplied. “Maybe you don’t.”
“I do,” he cried, stung. “It’s just that maybe you’re deliberately going about this the hard way!”
She bristled before his eyes. “Meaning?”
“Meaning that the babies could be upstairs with the proper help they need, and we could get on with working our marriage out!” He glowered at her.
“I’m sorry, Alex. But I’m not going to have these babies and then toss them aside for someone else to raise. I know your definition of saving our marriage probably meant getting back into my bed, but as you can see, it is occupied. And will stay that way until the babies are older.”
“How much older?” he demanded, frowning.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be able to nurse,” she said honestly. “Though it’s going very smoothly for me now, I’ve been told that the more tired I get, the more difficult it is, particularly with three. The milk supply may not be enough for what the babies need. They’re so new right now, they don’t need much, mainly just the comfort of suckling. I’ll have to see.”
He obviously wasn’t going to be allowed that same comfort, Alex realized, with Daphne’s bed full of his off spring. Despite the generous size of the bed, that left very little room for his six-two frame. Making love wasn’t what he had in mind. But he did want to hold his wife, lie with her, be able to reach out in the night to assure himself she was where she belonged.
He had a sneaking suspicion Daphne didn’t want him there, though. Briefly, he wondered if she’d
