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“Olivia doesn’t think so. He wants his daughter married to royalty.”
“Have you figured out what we’re going to say to the press?”
“That they’re my daughters,” Gabriel said. “We’ll send out a press release. Anything else would be a mistake. Olivia noticed the resemblance immediately. They look exactly like Ariana did at that age. Coming clean is a good offensive and hopefully by doing so we can minimize the scandal.”
“And if we can’t?”
“I’ll ride it out.”
“We’ll ride it out,” the king said.
“Have you considered that Olivia might not want to raise Marissa’s children?”
Gabriel had already entertained those doubts, but after what he’d seen of Olivia, he’d discovered layers that might surprise everyone. “I don’t think that will be an issue. She’s already very protective of them and they trust her.”
The queen sighed and shook her head. “It will be wonderful having children in the palace again. Let’s go see your girls.”
Four
Olivia was standing with her hands relaxed at her sides as the door opened to admit the king and queen. Libby had warned her they were coming and she’d made sure the girls’ hands and faces were clean. The arrival of more unfamiliar people had revived the toddlers’ shyness and they hid behind Olivia.
“This is your father’s mother,” Olivia explained to them, using gentle pressure to nudge them into the open. “She’s come to meet you.”
Karina shook her head, but Bethany peered at her grandmother. The queen stopped dead at the sight of the girl and reached out a hand to her husband.
“Gabriel, you were right. They look exactly like your sister at that age.” She took a seat nearby and gestured Bethany toward her. “What is your name?”
To Olivia’s delight Bethany went to the queen.
She stopped just out of arm’s reach and studied the queen. “I’m Bethany.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” The queen looked toward her sister. “And what is your name?”
Bethany answered again. “Karina.”
“How old are they?” the king asked.
“They’ll be two in a few weeks,” Gabriel answered.
“Puppy.” Karina had finally spoken.
“I have a puppy you can meet. Would you like that?” The queen smiled as Karina nodded. “Mary,” the queen said to the maid who’d brought the twins’ clothes from upstairs. “Go get Rosie.” The Cavalier King Charles spaniel loved people, especially children, and was a great deal calmer than the queen’s vizsla.
In five minutes the maid was back with the dog and both twins were laughing as Rosie licked their cheeks. “Gabriel, why don’t you and Olivia make yourself scarce for a while. I’ll see the girls are settled.”
Recognizing an order when she heard one, Olivia let Gabriel draw her from the bedroom and down the stairs.
“Let’s get out of here while we can,” he murmured, escorting her through a side door and into the garden.
The late May morning had a slight edge of coolness, but when he offered to send someone upstairs for a sweater, Olivia shook her head.
“Let’s walk in the sunshine. I’ll warm up fast enough.”
He took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. Olivia gave herself up to the pleasure of his strong body brushing against her side as they strolled along the crushed granite pathways.
“Thank you for all you’ve done with the girls,” he said.
“It breaks my heart that they’ll grow up without their mother, but I’m glad they have you.”
