LITMIR.BIZ

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turning his grizzled head to glance over his shoulder. “It’s not your fault, of course. It’s my boy who seems to be chock-full of feminine chromosomes.”

      Daphne sucked in her breath and quickly glanced at Alex to see how he took his father’s criticism. To her surprise, he laughed out loud.

      “See you at dinner, Dad,” he called.

      “Didn’t he hurt your feelings?” Daphne still cringed from the visit.

      “Absolutely not. Dad may be fixated on boys, but the minute he found out you were pregnant, he made a recovery even the doctors couldn’t believe. You gave him three grandchildren, Daphne,” he said huskily, “and he’ll consider them an honor.”

      “What a good liar you are.” Daphne moved away. “He’s made no bones about the fact that only boys will do for him.”

      “True. But he’ll have to get over his hierarchical delusions.” He stood, preparing to leave the room. Daphne did look tired, and he wanted her to rest. “There could be other children, anyway, Daphne, not that it’s some thing either one of us want to think about right now.”

      “No. There can’t be.” She folded her arms, suddenly chilled.

      “I mean, once we’ve talked about this divorce thing,” he said hastily. The last thing he wanted her to think was that he was patronizing her. “I don’t want a divorce. I want to have a hand in raising my children. It’s best if we stay married.”

      Her insides felt like cement. “I can’t have any more children.” Guiltily, she looked at Alex.

      His mouth fell open. “What?”

      Sadly, she shook her head. “The doctor says I can’t.”

      “Why not? Your mother had eight.”

      It was impossible not to see the fear and disappointment in her husband’s eyes. Daphne knew she might as well lay all her cards on the table. Alex had a right to know. “I’m not sure what happened. It all went so fast! There were nurses and doctors and babies crying and tubes—” She shivered, stepping away from Alex when he held his arms out to her. “All I know is that, the next morning, when the doctor came in to see me, he said that I had a rare disorder where the uterus prolapses. He felt it would be dangerous to my health to have more children.”

      “I see.” All the blood leached from Alex’s normally tan skin.

      Daphne’s heart dropped into her shoes. “Now you see that the divorce is necessary.”

      “No, I don’t.” He shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry you had to go through all of that alone.”

      “What about not having a son?”

      He shrugged. “It’s not the end of the world.”

      “Your father will be unhappy.”

      “I don’t live my life to make my father happy.”

      True, Daphne conceded. But he had made a promise to the old man, which at the time had been a deathbed vow. His father would still want a Banning heir. And she knew how bad he wanted it.

      Bad enough to buy all her father’s cattle at top prices during a drought. Alexander Senior and her father had called it a business arrangement. It had really been a dowry.

      “You might not live your life to make your father happy,” she said softly, “but he lives because he thinks you’re going to give him what he wants. And to be honest, it’s a huge strain to live under, Alex. I don’t mind staying here for a week or two until I get a little stronger, but then I want to go back to my apartment. I hope you’ll under stand.”

      “Our anniversary’s coming up,” he reminded her. “One year of marriage. We can’t throw that away, even if it hasn’t been conventional, especially now that there are children involved.”

      She shook her head. “I’m sorry. There’s just too much in our way. I’d like to celebrate our anniversary by finalizing our divorce.”

      “Very well. If I can’t change your mind.” His face appeared carved from stone. “However, I think you should factor in a com promise, since I’m prepared to give you the divorce you want.”

      Daphne 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

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