“Every baby is a girl.”

“Are you sure they’re all mine?” Alex asked, incredulous his wife had accomplished such a feat.

“They’re all tagged Banning, sir.”

“You didn’t accidentally wrap up too many?”

“No, they’re all Daphne’s.”

Alex looked at his progeny. One tiny bundle squirmed in her blanket wrappings, starting a chain reaction. Suddenly, all three pairs of eyes were open and staring around. Alex closed his eyes. A whole new, unexplored world laid out its vastness before him. Lace and ruffles. Diaries and separate phone lines. Boyfriends… Oh, Lord. Three girls.

And if they were anything like their mother, they’d have their daddy wrapped about their pretty pink fingers inside of five minutes.

Daddy’s Little Darlings
Tina Leonard

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina Leonard is a bestselling author of more than forty projects, including a popular thirteen-book miniseries for Harlequin American Romance. Her books have made the Waldenbooks, Ingram and Nielsen BookScan bestseller lists. Tina feels she has been blessed with a fertile imagination and quick typing skills, excellent editors and a family who loves her career. Born on a military base, she lived in many states before eventually marrying the boy who did her crayon printing for her in the first grade. Tina believes happy endings are a wonderful part of a good life. You can visit her at www.tinaleonard.com.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Prologue

“Good morning, gentle men! Keep that stiff upper lip, Alexander Number One,” Daphne Way Banning sang out as she hurried past the six somber portraits of the Banning Boors. Hanging in the great hall of the Green Forks Ranch, the portraits lent austerity and a sense of family continuity to the Banning mansion. Privately, Daphne thought that the portraits needed more than a good dusting. They watched her with grim lines where their mouths should be and eyes that seemed disapproving and cold.

Wait until they hear my news, Daphne thought excitedly, it’ll really send those stiff lips to their noses. “Where’s Alex, Sinclair?”

“In with his father, Miss Daphne.” The elderly valet looked her way. “I don’t think Alexander is feeling very well this morning.”

“Oh, dear.” Daphne hurried along. She had some news that might please the ailing Alexander. The pa tri arch of the family, he had let it be known since the moment Daphne and Alex had gotten back from the honeymoon that he expected to see grandbabies. Soon. They had been very careful not to oblige him too quickly, not out of a sense of meanness but simply from needing time to get to know each other as husband and wife. Oh, she’d been in love with Alex Banning forever, long before he’d known she was alive on the neighboring ranch. He had been slower to give his heart. She’d been surprised when he proposed after a three-month-long whirl wind court ship, packed with trips to Europe and yacht outings and heady romance. Daphne had said, “Yes! Yes!” when he asked for her hand. A dream come true…

She wondered how Alex would feel about her news. They had been so careful not to get pregnant, but temptation had proved too great one en chanted Saturday night. Wild kisses sometime after midnight turned into a burning urge to get home and finish what they had started. Running upstairs and getting into bed, they’d spent hours passionately loving each other. The box of condoms lay undisturbed in the bedside table drawer.

Too late to worry about that. Daphne walked to the bedroom, which had become a sickroom, and listened for voices to make certain Alexander was awake. She didn’t want to disturb him if he was resting.

“Promise me, son.”

She heard her husband sigh. “Dad, I don’t have to promise. Everything will turn out fine.”

“I don’t have much longer to live. I want to know before I die that you under stand you must produce a son!”

“Fine, Dad. But if you don’t mind, we’re going to wait a while before we work on it.”

“It’s been three months! What are you waiting for?”

Daphne stood still, but she heard Alex’s foot steps on the opposite side of the room. They were rapid and impatient, as if he’d gotten up from the bedside to stare out the window.

“We barely know each other, Dad. I know this dynasty thing is big on your mind, but right now, Daphne and I aren’t thinking about producing heirs.”

Wrong, husband. We are now—in about six months, Daphne thought unhappily. She touched her stomach protectively.

“Son, let me tell you a story.”

“Hope fully one I haven’t heard before?”

Daphne started to smile.

“Sit down!” Alexander thundered.

The smile froze and then slid off her face. She heard her husband sigh again as he sat down.

“For six generations, there’s been one male child born into each Banning marriage. Who knows why? I’ve often wondered if it was a curse left over from the days when our fore fathers were bravely beating pagan enemies off the English shores. One child, and no more,” Alexander rasped.

“One’s enough. We didn’t need an heir and a spare.”

“Take it seriously, Alex. What if there hadn’t been an heir each time?”

There was quiet in the room for a moment. “Tell me, Dad.”

“Females would be running the ranch! Wives who married into the family! It would slip out of Banning hands, and may I add those hands have capably handled the reins ever since our fore bears came over from England!”

“Don’t get excited, Dad. It isn’t good for your blood pressure. And Green Forks isn’t a kingdom.”

Daphne heard Alex sigh once more.

“In England, we’d by damn be aristocracy! It’s important that we retain our illustrious heritage! Two governors, a couple of corporate CEOs, a successful wildcatter and a world-renowned chef. Great ness must carry on!”

Coughing erupted in the sickroom, and Daphne started to hurry forward in alarm. Alex’s next words stopped her cold.

“It’s a mistake to have children when you’re not sure if the marriage is going to work out.”

Her jaw dropped. She backed up, her hand tight against her heart.

“Son, I know you didn’t want an arranged marriage. I know you feel like I pushed you into marrying that girl.” Alexander took a deep, racking breath. “But think of what it was like every time I drove past their pitiful, broken-down ranch. Always another son popping out of Mrs. Way. A girl, of course, the time she had triplets, but still sons in the mix. Damn if I didn’t start wondering if it was secret water Cos Way was pumping up out of an under ground well just to spite me. Hates me, he does, and I hated him. I swear he kept that woman pregnant just to show me what a real man could achieve. Six sons, every one of them strap ping and healthy and tall as live oaks.” He took a deep breath. “No, I know you didn’t like me arranging the marriage, but I had to do it. You under stand, don’t you?”

Daphne’s heart froze in her chest. She waited forever for her husband’s reply.

“I do, Dad. Go to sleep now. Everything is going to be all right.”

Tears welled in Daphne’s eyes as cold shock spread through her. Everything was not going to be all right. She backed up quietly and hurried down stairs, wiping at the tears running down her face. When he said he liked my jeans, I should have known he meant genes, she thought wildly, running past the Banning Boors, still watching her coldly and aristocratically. She felt like turning the portraits to the wall, but it wouldn’t help. Nothing could help her.

Her husband had been forced to marry her.

Chapter One

Five months later

“We have located her, sir.”

The valet’s stiff voice held a ring of achievement, of a job done well. Alex Banning held in a sigh of relief. His heart sped up at the thought of finally seeing his wife again. “Good. Bring her, and our baby, to the mansion.”

“She’s very weak, but she is resisting us, sir.”

“Of course she is,” Alex said matter-of-factly. “Have you ever known Daphne Way to ever do the conventional thing? To go along quietly because someone asks her to?”

Sinclair chuckled. “No, sir.”

“Well, then! Do what you have to. Negotiate. But bring her here. And the baby,” he added as an after thought.

“Yes, sir.” The car phone was disconnected.

Alone in his mansion, his nerves on edge, Alex waited for the woman who had borne his child to be brought, probably kicking and screaming, to him. Months ago Daphne had run from their marriage. He’d nearly gone mad when she left, with only a short note telling him she wasn’t coming back. Though he’d gone several times to her parents’ house, they had said little except that she didn’t want to see him. His heart broke. His greatest fear was realized. They had married too quickly without allowing her time to get used to living in the Banning mansion. Without time to really get to know her husband. And when she had, she hadn’t wanted him.

Through a friend, he discovered she was pregnant. Realizing that Daphne had no intention of contacting him, he had sought her at the school where she taught.

She had responded by showing him the door. Then she quit her job and moved from her parents’ home. Her new phone number was unlisted.

The worst blow had been the delivery of divorce papers. A hundred knives had gone through him when he read them.

He’d re treated. He kept his eye on her through various means, none of them obvious enough to alert her to his knowledge of the baby growing inside her. Knowing Daphne, she’d leave the country, and then he’d have to go through serious maneuvers to keep in touch with her.

He’d kept quiet until the birth, though it nearly killed him. The thought that the woman he loved was bearing his child without him by her side was enough to drive him to complete insanity. There had been a complication, but he didn’t know what. Nurses went to the small apartment once a day, Sinclair reported, and Daphne went to the hospital much earlier than the due date Alex had circled on his calendar. It had been what he thought would be several months into her pregnancy, but since he had no idea when she’d gotten pregnant, he had no idea how far along the baby had been. Dear heaven, let it be healthy. Let Daphne be fine. He called the hospital, but they would give no information on her condition or the child’s.

Alex had been left with nothing to do but worry himself ill.

Today, Daphne had finally left the hospital. He had dispatched Sinclair at once.

Daphne Way was going to live in the enormous mansion in Green Forks, Texas, with him, whether she liked it or not. This place was big enough for the both of them and one tiny baby.

“I HAD NELLY take Miss Daphne—Mrs. Banning—upstairs,” Sinclair informed Alex when he arrived thirty minutes later.

Alex hovered in the marbled hallway, as nervous as if he’d been in the delivery room himself. Which he should have been, but there was nothing he could do about that now. “Is she all right?”

“Miss Daphne is weak, but not weak enough to forgo giving me a tongue-lashing. She doesn’t want to see you, sir.”

“I know. Where is my son?”

Sinclair looked at him oddly. “In the library.”

Alex grimaced. “I would have been down sooner, but I got caught on an overseas phone call.”

“Of course, sir. I will show you to your, er, child.”

Alex followed Sinclair into the library-turned-nursery, his hands trembling. He was a father! In time, another oil painting could be hung in the great hall along side the other portraits of Banning men of great accomplishments. His own son.

He stopped in his tracks at the sight of three little blankets spread across the floor with a tiny baby securely wrapped on each. There was a flurry of activity as servants pulled baby things from boxes and bags.

“What is going on?” Alex demanded. “What are those?” He pointed to the baby bundles. “Why are they lying on the floor?”

“We weren’t prepared for three.” Sinclair shrugged. “We only bought one crib and one set of baby accoutrements.”

A sinking sensation hit Alex. Perhaps an error had been made and the Banning mansion had been mistaken for an orphanage. “Those are not all mine, are they?”

“I’m afraid so. Trust Miss Daphne to do the ever-flam-boyant thing.”

“Oh, my God.” Alex couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Are you sure?”

“They’re all tagged Banning, sir.”

“You didn’t accidentally grab up too many?”

“No, sir. They are all Daphne’s babies.”

Daphne Way was a hell of a woman, but he didn’t think she’d been capable of that.

“In poker it’s called a three of a kind, sir. Very advantageous. Congratulations.”

Alex ignored the felicitations and moved forward to eye the sleeping bundles. “Have you called for extra everything?”

“Yes.”

“Daphne didn’t require extra hospitalization?” He whirled to glance at Sinclair.

“No, but as I said, she is weak. In spite of your questionable methods, sir, I believe this is the best place for her.”

“Yes.” Alex blinked at the first bit of criticism Sinclair had ever leveled at him. He looked at his progeny. One tiny bundle squirmed in its blanket wrap pings, starting a chain reaction. Suddenly, all three pairs of eyes were open and staring around. “What are their names?”

Sinclair stepped close to examine the baby on the left. “That one, I believe, Miss Daphne called Yoda.”

“Yoda! She named my son after a fictitious intergalactic creature?” His roar set Yoda to crying and the help to a stand still. After an astonished second, a nanny came forward to pick up the child and comfort it with a malevolent glance at Alex.

“I don’t know her proper given name, sir. That’s all I heard Miss Daphne call the child.”

“Well.” That would have to be fixed, though Alex could see how the triangular-shaped head and big dark eyes might have earned the baby the nickname. Suddenly, his brain processed what his ears had heard. “Her proper given name?”

“Yes, sir. Miss Daphne has done you the honor of giving you three daughters.”

“I—” There were only Banning male portraits hanging in the great hall. “Every single one?”

“Every baby is a girl.”

He closed his eyes. A whole new, unexplored world laid out its vastness before him. Lace and ruffles. Diaries and separate phone lines. Three girls. He’d better buy stock in the phone company.

Boy friends.

Oh, Lord. “And this one?” he demanded, pointing to the next baby on a blanket.

“That one is Miss Magoo.”

“Miss Magoo!”

“Mr. Magoo if it had been a boy, of course. You see the resemblance.”

Alex stared at the lashless baby. She grinned hugely at him, unaffected by her surroundings. With the big bald head, he supposed the baby did resemble Mr. Magoo. With luck, she’d grow hair eventually.

In trepidation, he looked at the smallest baby. It was by far the most unattractive creature he had ever seen. To Alex’s mind, this wizened child had a face only its mother could love. “What did this homely child’s unnatural mother name her?”

“I believe Miss Daphne affectionately called her Alex Junior. Alexis, in the feminine sense, I should think.”

“This is the one she chose to bear my name?” Astounded, he stared at the tiny baby, who appeared to glare back at him. Daphne’s eyes, Daphne’s mouth and no doubt Daphne’s temper. “She’s scrawnier than the others. And, though I hate to say it, she’s…ugly.”

“Sir, please. The child hears you.”

“Well, her mother will soon hear me, as well. Something’s got to be done about these names.” He reached down, gently picking up Alex Junior. “This one doesn’t look like me at all. Why do you suppose she named this one Alex Junior?”

“She said that one was forced out of the um, chute, sir. Miss Daphne commented that being forced to do some thing against its will was in keeping with your situation.” Sinclair coughed delicately, but Alex knew he was trying not to laugh. “She was the first child born. I believe it is customary that first born males bear their father’s name. Miss Daphne believes gender shouldn’t affect any situation adversely.”

It damn well did. Alex stared at the baby doubt fully, receiving the full force of haunting Daphne eyes watching him. He sighed, almost frightened by the morning’s events. If Daphne did anything by convention it would be a first, and Sinclair knew it. He handed the baby to the valet with a shrug. “I’m going to see Daphne now.”

“I would take an heirloom from the vault, sir.”

Alex paused, thunder struck. “An heirloom?”

Sinclair kept his head turned stiffly forward. “It is generally looked upon favorably by the mother to receive a token from the father of her child, signifying his appreciation for her propagating his lineage.”

Alex’s brows raised. “Are you suggesting a tiara?” Did three babies require more of an appropriate gesture than one baby?

“Your mother’s pearls should do nicely, though I do believe Miss Daphne isn’t in a relenting mood.”

“I’ll stop by the vault on my way to her room.” Alex’s chest tightened as he left the nursery. If he owned a diamond mine in South Africa and signed it over in her name, Daphne would likely not care.

He wondered if she had ever loved him—the way he’d loved her.

Still loved her.

Chapter Two

Alex walked into the large bedroom he and Daphne had once shared. His heart thudded un com fort ably as he looked for the woman who’d sent him divorce papers. Receiving them had nearly killed him. He’d wanted to shred them and throw them into a fire place, but he’d filed them away in a cabinet. He couldn’t put her off forever. If she insisted on the divorce, he guessed he’d have to give it to her. It would be a hell of a one-year anniversary gift, one he didn’t want.

“Daphne? Are you in here?” he asked softly, glancing around the room.

She popped her head out from inside a closet. His heart stopped instantly, and his mouth dried out. Daphne was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Not pop-culture beautiful, no. Classically beautiful, with beautiful, large green eyes. Bronze hair waved down over her shoulders.

“Alex.” She came from the closet and seemed to find it hard to look at him.

“I—I brought you this,” he said stiffly, holding out the velvet pouch that contained his mother’s pearls.

She shook her head. “I don’t want anything from you.”

He bit the inside of his jaw, wondering how to proceed. What should he say to this woman who’d just borne his children? “You look beautiful,” he said honestly.

“Thank you.”

Her voice was gentle and quiet—and somehow un convinced. Alex scratched his neck and cleared his throat. “I saw the babies.”

“Oh?” She briefly met his gaze before finding a place on the floor to stare at.

“I’m a bit over whelmed to find myself a father of three all at once.” He smiled to show her he was taking it well, but she kept her vision trained to the ground. “How are you? Being a mother of three…I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through,” he said helplessly.

“I’m fine.” Shrugging, she went back to sorting baby things. “Managing.”

“Is there any way I can help?” He really, really wanted to help her in any way she needed.

“Not pulling commando tactics on me would be nice. Just because you have half the world’s money doesn’t give you the right to drag me and the babies away from our home.” She stared at him belligerently.

He spread his hands in front of him, struggling to understand the hidden meaning behind her words. The tiny apartment she’d leased didn’t seem to be much of a home to him. Their home was here, at Green Forks, if he could only convince her of that. “You belong here, Daphne, no matter what our relationship is.”

“Even divorced? You would want me here?”

Swallowing tightly, he said, “Of course. Those are my children. You are my wife.”

Her eyes were wide. “Even if I’m not your wife?”

He couldn’t bear to think about it. As long as he could put it off, he wasn’t signing those papers. Daphne had married him for better or worse, and by heaven, he had to convince her that being his wife fell under the heading of better. “Let’s not talk about that right now.”

“We have to, Alex! We have to talk. You may not like to, but we probably should have done more talking before we got married.” She sank into a chair. “I’m so tired. Can we argue some other time?”

Instantly alarmed, he said, “I’ll call Nelly.”

“What for? I want to rest, not have to talk to one more person.”

Sudden tapping in the hall electrified her nerves. It sounded like a cane. It sounded like—

“Daphne. You’re back.” Aided by Sinclair, Alexander walked into the room.

She bristled at the tone in his voice, which seemed to imply that she’d returned of her own free will. She was amazed by the recovery he’d made. He looked like his old self again. “For the moment,” she said with a lift of her chin.

“Hmph.” He leaned on his cane. “Like your mama, birthing triplets. Where’s the boy?”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but apparently that’s one way I’m not like my mother.” She glanced at Alex purposefully.

“They’re beautiful girls,” Alex said. “Didn’t you think, Dad?”

“Hmph. Ugly names. Yoda. Miss Magoo. I do think you could give them proper names, Daphne.” He turned to stump out of the bedroom before 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 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 insist on nursing just long enough to get past the two weeks they’d agreed upon.

A knock sounded peremptorily at the door. “Your mother has arrived, Miss Daphne,” Sinclair said. “Where shall I put her suit cases?”

Great. Alex braced himself and his load by putting a boot against the bed rail and settled down as com fort ably as possible with the babies waiting for their turn to nurse. Three babies, a wife who didn’t want to be married to him and a mother-in-law in residence.

Bad odds for a man who’d drawn a supposedly lucky three of a kind.

Chapter Three

“Hello, Mrs. Way,” Alex said congenially.

Daphne could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t pleased her mother had come to stay. But she needed her help, needed someone on her side.

“Hello, Alex,” Danita Way replied warily.

“Put Mother’s things in the room down the hall, please, Sinclair,” she instructed.

He nodded and left the room. Daphne continued to nurse, trying to stay relaxed so her milk would flow. Her mother reached to take one of the babies from Alex and sat down, cooing to it.

“I think I’m ready to switch,” Daphne told Alex. She handed him a nicely soothed baby, noting how swift he was to hand off the agitated, hungry child.

“Is there enough left for the other two?” Alex asked.

Daphne smiled tightly. “For now, yes. In the next couple of days, we’ll know.”

“Daphne’s gotta be relaxed,” Danita Way stated, with a meaningful look at him. “She needs six full weeks to recover just from having the babies, and then probably a whole year to get back up to strength. She doesn’t need to be upset.”

“Mother,” Daphne protested mildly.

“I don’t want to upset her, Mrs. Way,” Alex began.

“Danita,” she informed him. “I’m here to help. We can all work together if need be. But last I heard you and Daphne was getting a divorce. Don’t think much of ’em myself, but if that’s what you want to do, it ain’t none of my business. However, these babies are, and I won’t have you up set ting my daughter. Or my grandbabies.”

“Mrs. Way!” Alex’s boot slid from the bed rail to the floor. The baby in his arms, who had been so nicely soothed, flailed her fists momentarily and peered at him.

“Danita,” she reminded him.

“Danita, the last thing I want is to upset your daughter. In fact, I don’t even want to divorce her. I want to stay married. The divorce is her idea. At this point, I’m going along with whatever Daphne thinks is best, but I’m definitely not trying to upset her, even though I intensely dislike the idea of not being married to her.”

“He telling the truth?” Danita speared her daughter with a stare.

Daphne stirred un com fort ably, holding a baby against her as if she were a shield. “It isn’t the way he makes it sound.”

“So how is it?”

Daphne shrugged helplessly, refusing to meet Alex’s gaze. “We can’t stay married.”

“Why can’t we?” Alex demanded.

“Because of the babies.” She could hardly bear to look at him, sitting in the rocker holding her child so gently. Why did he have to be so difficult? She couldn’t stand knowing that she couldn’t give him what he wanted. A woman wanted to be everything to her man. She couldn’t be his dream come true.

“I was happy when I discovered we were having a child, Daphne. A bit sooner than we’d planned, and the fact that there were three did surprise me, but who can plan these things? I just always wanted you here with me.”

“So what’s the problem, Daphne?” Her mother eyed her suspiciously. “The man sounds serious to me.”

“You don’t under stand,” Daphne protested weakly. “He… Alexander Senior bought Daddy’s live stock at a highly inflated price to help him out financially. It was a dowry. An expensive, twentieth-century dowry. Alexander Senior thought he was getting a good deal, Mother. Genes, basically. I can’t bear staying married knowing it.”

“Whoa, Daphne,” Alex protested. “You’ve got this all wrong.”

She shook her head at him. “No, I don’t. I heard you talking to your father the day I came to tell you I was pregnant. You said then you weren’t sure if the marriage would last.”

“Did you say that?” Danita demanded.

“I don’t know,” Alex said slowly. “That’s been many months ago. Daphne, I think I only meant that we needed time to be together, time to get to know each other without having the passel of kids Dad wanted under foot.”

“Well, it didn’t quite work out that way.” Daphne raised her eyebrows at him in an exasperated manner.

“No, it didn’t. But that doesn’t mean we can’t work it out. Not all marriages start on a perfect foundation. We at least have good materials to start with.”

She stared at him, wishing he weren’t everything she’d always wanted in a man. Completely aware that her mother watched her with eagle eyes, Daphne decided she couldn’t say what was bothering her the most. Sometime when she and Alex were alone, she would tell him exactly what had been the crowning blow in her decision to leave. But not right now. It hurt too much to say in front of another human being. Especially her mother, whose feelings would be hurt if she knew that Cos Way had been so under handed as to sell his worst live stock to Alexander Senior. Daphne hadn’t even been worth his good live stock. Cos had laughed himself silly over the “runt cows” he’d sold Alexander Banning. Over hearing her father’s celebration, Daphne had burned with shame. Her father was under handed, dishonest, a snake-oil salesman.

Alex had been forced to marry her on this foundation. Shaky it was, indeed. He’d only done it for his father, who had been so ill at the time.

Too bad they couldn’t have foreseen Alexander Senior’s rapid recovery. It could have saved them all a lot of heartache.

“Sounds like a tempest in a teapot to me, Daphne,” her mother pronounced. “Alex has got his head on straight. He’s a fine man. You just make up yer mind to stay married and quit all this gibbering about him not understanding the problem.” As an aside, she said to Alex, “She may have baby blues. It’ll go off in time, but it’s darn wearing while you got ’em. Makes ya hysterical and overly weepy.”

“Mother!” Daphne ex claimed. Her hope of support was vanishing right before her eyes as she watched her mother siding with the enemy. “I don’t have baby blues. I’m not hysterical nor weepy!” She burst into tears.

“Oh, no, Daphne, don’t do that,” Alex said, getting to his feet instantly and shifting the sleeping baby in his arms to one of the cribs. “Honey, don’t cry.”

She jerked away from the comforting arm he tried to put around her. “Don’t patronize me.” Sniffling, she wiped her nose on her gown sleeve.

Alex quickly called for Nelly, who must have been hovering outside because she quickly popped into the room. “Yes, Mr. Alex?”

“Can we have some handkerchiefs in here? I’m not sure this wing has been completely out fitted for—”

“Handkerchiefs!” Daphne shot to her feet. “Is there anything wrong with toilet paper? Do I have to wipe my nose on linen just because I’m living under your roof? Do people have to hover just to wipe my nose? Alex, my mother is here to take care of me, and she’s all I want!” She eyed him defiantly, and he backed up a step. Nelly dutifully shuffled out of the room. Daphne hoped she hadn’t hurt Nelly’s feelings, but she’d sort that out later. For now, she wanted one less person in the room.

“Why don’t you give her a chance to finish nursing, Alex?” Danita inquired kindly. “I’ll send for you when she’s more rested.”

Daphne turned her back so he would leave.

“Okay,” Alex agreed, though she could tell he was reluctant. “Let me know if you need anything.”

A moment later, the door closed behind him and Daphne put the baby she’d been nursing in a crib and threw herself on the bed to cry.

“There, there,” her mother said, patting her back. “It’s going to be all right, Daphne. You’re just trying to do too much.”

“I only want some peace and quiet!” she wailed. “I don’t want to be upset, I want enough breast milk for my babies. Is that so much to ask?”

“No, it’s not,” her mother soothed. “Get some rest.”

“I have to feed the last baby!” Daphne broke into fresh weeping, completely over whelmed by her situation. It was Alex, it was the babies, it was her mother not understanding. But mostly it was Alex and the fact that her heart was breaking because she couldn’t give him what he needed. It was worse than not having enough breast milk, though that was terribly difficult. She wanted to be an earth mother, giving her children good nutrition. She wanted to be a perfect wife, but that wasn’t going to happen, either.

“She’s gone to sleep already, Daphne. I honestly don’t believe that one was as hungry, or maybe rocking put her to sleep. Rest now. In another two hours, you can try again.”

Daphne allowed herself to relax under her mother’s ministering hands. Unfortunately, as good as it felt to be com forted by her mother, she couldn’t help wishing for her husband.

ALEX JUMPED as the door popped open. Danita stared at him. “I knew you’d be out here pacing. She’s asleep.”

“Good.”

“Well, come on. Show me where the kitchen is,” Danita told him. “I’m going to fix this baby a bottle, nursing or no. Daphne needs sleep, and sleep she’s gonna get. This one’s gonna get food, if she’ll take it.” She handed Alex a flailing body that smelled suspiciously like its diaper needed changing.

“Don’t worry about the odor. I’ll show you how to change a diaper in a minute.” Danita bustled along behind him. “She’s just about to let out a good shout, and I didn’t want her waking Daphne up. That girl’s determined to be everything to everybody, but she’s stretched herself too thin this time.”

Alex commanded himself to ignore the smell, though if the truth were to be known, he was rather fascinated by the thought that his child had made its first bowel movement in his presence. “I have a lot to learn about this baby business.”

“I know. Don’t we all.” She moved into the kitchen and began banging through cabinets. “I had eight and I’m still gettin’ educated. New gadgets, new thinking about a simple subject. Nowadays, folks have a baby and they gotta buy a library full of books to tell ’em how to talk to their kids and everything. Not as simple as it used ta be.”

“Can I help you with some thing?” Nelly asked, somewhat timidly approaching Danita Way.

“Formula. Show me where the formula is.”

Nelly shook her head worriedly. “We don’t have any.”

“Don’t be silly. The hospital always sends some home.”

“According to Sinclair, Daphne left hers at the hospital. Said she wasn’t going to use it, and her share could be given to those less fortunate who needed extra.”

Danita sighed in exasperation. “That’s my daughter. Flying with her face in the wind and never looking back. Okay.” She gave Alex a considering stare. “You’ve probably got a Mercedes or some such you drive around in, don’tcha?”

“Yes, I have a car,” Alex replied, bewildered. If Daphne was “flying with her face in the wind,” then her mother was the proverbial whirl wind of motion.

“Well, grab a car seat and let’s get to the store.” Danita hurried in the direction of the garage. “I’ll show you the secret of soothing a fussy baby. You put the car seat in, and I’ll fix this one’s stinkiness.” She took the baby from Alex and held it to her ample body. “And you sure know how to announce your presence, little lady. Reminds me of…never mind.”

“Here’s a diaper, Mrs. Way,” Nelly said.

“Danita,” she replied.

“And some wipes. I wouldn’t mind doing that, if you’d let me,” Nelly offered.

“And I wouldn’t mind lettin’ ya.” Danita surrendered the infant to a grateful Nelly, whom Alex knew had been itching to get her hands on the babies. Daphne had been like a ferocious mother bear, not allowing anyone near her cubs. “I’ve been fully responsible for eight babies’ clean back sides, and danged if I don’t mind letting someone else help me.”

“Car seat’s in.” It had been a bit of a battle, and he’d nearly called Sinclair to explain how the contraption worked, but he had finally gotten it positioned properly.

Danita took the freshened baby from Nelly and popped it into the car seat, then got in next to it. Alex started the engine as Nelly leaned in the window.

“It’s up to you, Ms. Way, but Daphne insists only cloth diapers touch her babies’ skin. She says it’s healthier, and environmentally conscious.”

“She’s right, my Daphne is,” Danita said. “I’ll pick up a case of plastic diapers while I’m in the store. Hurry, Alex. Get the car started so the baby’ll settle. I swear, Daphne’s got ears like a bat. She’ll hear this baby crying and there’ll be no keeping her down.”

Alex backed the sports car down the driveway. As he hit the main road in front of the ranch and gathered speed, the baby miraculously quit crying. “Whew. That’s some thing, isn’t it?”

“Not really. This ‘un’s got a stomachache. She’s not hungry, just gassy. She wouldn’t have nursed even if Daphne had tried to. She might as well be sleeping.”

“I see.” Alex watched her in the mirror. “Do you think we’re smart to cir cum vent what Daphne wants for the babies? You did say we shouldn’t upset her.”

Danita shrugged. “Daphne’s a great girl, a real go-getter. Determined as hell—heck,” she said in deference to the sleeping baby. “But she don’t know squat about babies. The first month these critters are gonna poop stuff that doesn’t even resemble poop, and they do it constantly. It’s really better if we handle this a little differently, at least for the first month.” She sighed as Alex pulled into the grocery store lot. “Parents are always over wrought with their first kiddos.”

“She’s got a lot to deal with.” Alex searched for a parking spot.

“Be better if she could do things the easy way, but not my Daph. All my children are stubborn. Like me.”

“Probably a good trait.”

“Yep. Your father’s stubborn, too.”

“Like a mule.” Alex could agree with that.

“’Course, only one of ya’s gonna be able to be stubborn all the way,” she said, “it’s either gonna be you or Daphne. Else the marriage doesn’t work out.”

He shut off the car and turned to face her. “Do you have any suggestions?”

“Let her be the stubborn one,” Danita suggested. “Gonna be tough for you, ‘cause you got the old man’s personality, and he’s an ornery son of a gun. But let Daphne be the stubborn one, and you just might keep her.”

“She’s determined to leave me.”

“Nah. What’d I tell ya, Alex? She’s gotta do everything the hard way. Whether it’s breast-feeding, which most woman tire out feeding one, Daphne’s gotta do three. And diapers. She’s gotta be environmentally conscious. It’s the same in her marriage. She’s got a bug in her bonnet that she’s not perfect enough for ya. Dig in your heels and prove to her that you two are right for each other, all the while telling her she’s right.”

“It sounds so under handed,” he murmured.

“Yep. Runs in our family a bit. I call it learning to get along with folks.” Danita gave him a huge smile. “Now. You run in there and get some soybean formula. This one’s farting up a storm, and that tells me maybe her and cow’s milk ain’t gonna be a good thing. Get Daphne some roses while you’re at it. She likes big yellow ones that look like the sun. I can’t stand that damn dreary room, all those cribs crowded in there like buses. Your family’s rich as Croesus, she can have the help I could never afford, and by heaven, I’m gonna make her take advantage of it.”

He grinned at her. “Why do I get the feeling you’re on my side?”

“I’m on both your sides.” She pecked him with a gnarly finger. “It behooves me greatly not to have any of my children divorcing. It’s bad economy when there’s three newborns involved. Pick me up a box of chocolate Turtles while you’re in there,” she instructed. “I can tell I’m gonna be needed for a while.”

DAPHNE AWAKENED to the sound of silence. She yawned, realizing she was sweating. Her gown was twisted between her legs, constricting her. Her breasts hurt, but she felt relaxed for the first time since the babies had been born.

The babies! They needed to eat! She shot up in the bed and flew to the cribs. Every single one was empty.

Throwing on a robe, she hurried down the hall. Stopping just in time before exposing herself to the whole con tin gent of people standing in the great room, she watched the lesson in progress.

Nelly and Danita were patiently showing Alex how to diaper a baby. By the pile of plastic diapers beside him, he wasn’t any good at it. Sinclair stood nearby, holding one child who waited its turn at being a victim to Alex’s technique. Alexander Senior scowled in a corner, apparently disapproving of his son’s participation in child rearing.

“I got it!” Alex cried triumphantly. Holding the baby up, he showed off his handiwork to an admiring group. The diaper promptly slid off, leaving the baby bare, which was cute, except then a trickle splattered to the table underneath. Nelly quickly clapped a wash cloth to the infant bottom.

“Maybe a little more work,” she said kindly. “This one has a tiny waist. It’s hard to get it to fit properly.”

Daphne slapped her hand over her mouth so she wouldn’t laugh at Alex’s forlorn expression. Part of her was angry that they were putting plastic diapers on her babies, but if Alex was bent and determined to learn how to diaper, then plastic tabs were certainly safer than safety pins.

The yearning inside her, the voice she was desperately trying to ignore, told her that he was the most wonderful man in the world for wanting to learn. The pile of diapers and torn tabs beside him was testament to his determination. These girls his father regarded as nice but not as important as boys appeared to have Alex’s complete interest—despite the fact that she couldn’t give him a son.

If she wasn’t careful, she wouldn’t be able to insist upon the divorce in two weeks. She’d tried putting three cribs in the room to distance Alex. It wasn’t working, she knew, her heart melting as he finally succeeded with a well-wrapped diaper and snuggled his daughter to him in masculine victory. She’d brought in her mother as a deterrent, but that didn’t seem to be working, either, as she watched Danita thump her son-in-law on the back in congratulations.

Their marriage was based on lies. Her father had lied, cheating Alexander Senior. Alexander Senior had lied, cheating Alex out of a wife of his choosing. Alex was lying, really, by saying it didn’t matter that he didn’t have a son, that he’d married her because he loved her. He’d married her because his father wanted him to. Alexander Senior would really roar if he knew the over priced cattle he’d bought by way of a dowry hadn’t secured him what he’d thought he was really buying—male heirs.

Even she wasn’t being truthful, insisting she wanted a divorce. It was the last thing in the world she wanted, and what she was most determined to get. One day Alex would look back regretfully upon his life with her. He would want more than she had given him. She’d be kidding herself to think it could work out differently.

“Alex,” she said as she walked into the great room, “may I see you alone for a moment?”

The whole room came to a stand still to stare at her.

“The nap looks like it did you good,” Danita said.

“I’m fine, Mother. Alex? Do you have a moment?” She refused to be turned from her purpose.

“Sure.” He followed her down the hall to the bedroom full of cribs.

“You have diapered my babies in disposable diapers. You have taken them from my room. I said I would raise my children without an army of staff, and I meant it. This isn’t Windsor Castle, and I am not a princess who wants to be waited on hand and foot.”

“You needed your rest, Daphne. It’s important for, uh, breast-feeding,” he said quickly.

He’d been coached, she could tell. Her mother’s work, no doubt. “Alex, I absolutely will not become dependent on you. If you can’t go along with what I think is best for me and my family, then we’ll just have to move out.”

She watched anger flare brightly into his midnight blue eyes.

“Daphne, you’ve avoided me for months. You’ve kept me dangling on a string about a divorce. You’ve had the audacity to think you can keep my children from me. As the other half of this marriage, I have some rights, too. It’s been pointed out to me that I should let your female hormones rule for the time being, but—” he caught her in a grip Daphne had no desire to shrug off “—right now, I’ve had all the advice I can take.”

With that, he slanted his mouth against hers, kissing her in a way that sent memories washing over her and desire flaming into her body.

Breathlessly, she sagged against him as he raised his head to stare at her. “No protest?”

“I’m working on one,” she said feebly. “Maybe I’ll go take a shower.”

“Good idea. I’ll help you.” Lifting her in his arms as if she were no more than a feather, Alex carried her into the bathroom.

“No! I’m not showering with you!” she cried.

“I didn’t suggest that you should.” He pulled her gown over her head, staring at her body so intensely that Daphne could only pray he wouldn’t find fault with her. “Though, as I recall, you liked it very much when I washed your back. And front. You’re so beautiful,” he told her, kissing each breast reverently. “Those little ladies of mine are going to have to learn to share.”

“Oh, Alex,” Daphne murmured, as he licked her nipples into taut, swollen eagerness. “Don’t do this to me.”

Slowly, he raised his head and moved away from her. “You’re right. I’m rushing you. I’ve thought about you day and night, Daphne. Damn it, I’ve missed you!”

“I’ve missed you, too,” she said quietly. Their marriage had been so good until she’d over heard his conversation with his father.

“So. No more talk about divorce.” He gave her a look that meant he intended to have the last word on this.

“On the contrary,” she said miserably, “I find it more necessary than ever to get a divorce. It’s even more imperative that I move out of the house. You’ve just proven to me that we can’t live together under the same roof without wanting each other. There’s no in-between for us, Alex. It’s better if I move back to my apartment as soon as possible.”

Chapter Four

Slowly, Alex reached for Daphne’s robe and helped wrap it around her. He kept his expression neutral, but his heart pounded. “Tell me what you’re so afraid of.”

She shook her head. “I’m not afraid.” But she backed up a step from him, belying her words.

“You are. You’re practically shivering now.” Even though he knew she wouldn’t like it, he reached across the space between them and took her hands in his, rubbing them gently between his palms. “All this insistence on a divorce isn’t good for us, Daphne.”

“I know,” she said, her tone miserable, “but I think it would be better than living like this.” After a second, she pulled her hands out of his and turned around.

He stared at the white, quilted material of her bathrobe, wondering how he could get her to under stand the way he felt. “I apologize for coming on too strong. I have always been greatly…attracted to you.”

“It’s okay,” she whispered.

“But don’t do it again?”

Her hair shook in a tantalizing fall of amber bright ness. “No, don’t do it again.”

He drew a deep breath. “Daphne, you are an amazingly beautiful woman. You are my wife. I’d have to be six feet under not to want you. But if that’s what you want, I swear on my honor not to touch you.”

They’d made so many promises to each other when they’d married. Daphne bit her lip, refusing to let the tears fall. “And you won’t fight me when I move out in fourteen days?”

“I won’t, if that’s your decision.” He’d help her, though the effort would kill him. Under no cir cum stances would his wife suffer if he could help it. “I’ll expect joint custody, however.”

She whirled, her face pale. “What does that mean?”

His shrug was dismissive, a gesture he forced. “You’re trying to separate me completely from your life, Daphne. You may be willing to live without me, but it’s a decision I don’t think our children will feel the same about.”

An exhausted breath left her. “I can’t fight with you any more right now, Alex. I’m too tired.”

Her green eyes didn’t sparkle with their usual fire. Beating her down wasn’t going to help either of them or the babies. And intimidating her wasn’t some thing he wanted to do, either. Desperation had made him speak the truth, though he’d known she wasn’t ready to hear it. He nodded and walked to the door. “Get some rest. Ring if you need anything.”

She stared at him with huge, almond-shaped eyes. He inclined his head to her before leaving the room. Brilliant move, Alex. Danita’s advice was good, but he hadn’t followed it very well. It was difficult where Daphne was concerned! She made him feel so many things all at once that it was impossible to remember he was supposed to be allowing her to be the stubborn one. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to kiss her all over that wonderful body, hear the sighs he’d missed hearing. But when she pushed him away he felt rejected. It sent some macho monster rearing inside him, which was exactly what he didn’t need right now. Daphne never responded well to hard-pressure tactics. It was a lesson he should have learned well. After all, she had moved and gotten an unlisted number to avoid him.

Completely frustrated, he sought out Sinclair. He soon located him, polishing the car Alex had driven to the store to get diapers and formula with Danita. It hardly needed sprucing up, but his faithful butler’s movements were a bit frantic.

“This is not going well, Sinclair,” he said, leaning against the car near an open can of wax.

“No, sir.”

Alex sighed. He reached for a chamois cloth and dipped it into the wax.

“Allow me, sir,” Sinclair told him. He took the chamois and put it aside.

“Trust me, I could use the work, Sinclair.”

“You don’t do it as well as I do.”

His butler’s craggy face was impassive. Alex folded his arms across his chest and looked at the sky. Daphne was telling him the same thing. Only she could raise their children the way she wanted it done. “I don’t know,” he murmured. “I have to fit in somehow.”

“You’ve got your hands full.”

The understatement of the year. Alex nodded. “How’s my father enjoying watching me struggle?”

“Mr. Banning seems quite astounded by the pandemonium which has broken out in the house. But I think he’s getting used to it. He was actually talking about buying Miss Daphne a gift.”

“Hope he does better than I did with the pearls.”

“Miss Daphne did not receive them well?” Sinclair raised his brows.

“She hardly received them at all. I think they’re still lying on the dresser in their pouch,” Alex said, his tone rueful.

“I see.” Sinclair rubbed harder at an in visible spot on the car. “Perhaps there’s some thing Miss Daphne would like better.”

“I don’t know what,” Alex replied heavily, “unless it’s a divorce. She mentions that quite frequently.”

“I’m positive it will come to you, sir.”

“What will?” His state of confusion was growing. How could he think when Daphne had scram bled his normally acute mind?

“The right thing to do.”

“You’re not much help except for mumbling platitudes,” Alex told him grumpily. “No, sir.”

Alex shifted, knowing he was being a pain. The problem was, he felt like his skin wasn’t his own. He felt like he didn’t fit into his own house any longer. “Should I go see my father? Would he welcome a visit?”

“Not right now.” Sinclair’s voice was kind yet matter-of-fact. “He’s revising his will with his attorney.”

“Revising his will!” Alex straightened. “Why?”

Sinclair shrugged. “I am not party to the inner most thoughts of my employer, sir.”

“The hell you’re not! You know all my inner most thoughts, and I’m your employer, too!”

“I helped diaper you. That gives me special rights in your life, I suppose,” Sinclair said good-naturedly. “However, your father and I have always had a different sort of relationship.”

“You’re not the only one.” Alex squinted at the top level of rooms. He thought he could see his father’s shadow move from the dormered window. “He didn’t tell you anything?”

“Not a thing,” Sinclair con firmed. “But I would think any changes he has decided to make have to do with your three new daughters.”

“Daughters. Of course. Father’s probably cutting me out of his will.”

“Could be.” Sinclair’s tone wasn’t encouraging. “Though I felt hopeful when he touched Alex Junior’s head.”

“He did?” He couldn’t help his astonishment.

“When he thought Nelly and I weren’t looking, he actually rubbed one palm over Alex Junior’s head.” Sinclair wore a questioning frown. “Since she lacks even fuzz up there, I was quite shocked.”

“She is the ugliest baby on earth, isn’t she?” Alex’s shoulders drooped. “A runt. That’s what she reminds me of. How could I father a runt?”

Sinclair started laughing. He dropped his chamois onto the gleaming car and turned to lean against it, holding his stomach with laughter.

“What? What’s so funny?” Alex demanded.

His usually reserved butler shook his head, wiping tears from his eyes. Alex stared, astonished. “I’ve never seen you act this way.”

Sinclair bent over double, guffawing in a most un-austere manner.

“Will you please tell me what you’re laughing about?”

Sinclair took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes. “That’s just what your father said when you were born.”

Alex froze. “I see nothing funny about that.” His father had taunted him most of his life about numerous things. He couldn’t remember ever really pleasing him. To be reminded of his short comings right now, when he’d fathered three girls, wasn’t some thing he wanted to hear.

“No, probably not.” Sinclair gave him an ironic look and pulled his wallet from his suit pocket. He unfolded it, then handed it to him. “That’s really what I’m laughing about.”

He stared at the picture underneath the worn plastic. A baby face peered out at him. “You have an ugly baby, too?” It was some thing he didn’t know about Sinclair. He thought the man’s whole life had revolved around Alex since the day he’d been born. But maybe there was a happy ending to the story. Maybe Sinclair’s ugly off spring had grown up to be someone wonderful, a man with intelligence and great abilities—

“That’s you,” Sinclair said with a grin. “Look closer. That little runt is you.” He reached to pull the picture from under the plastic so Alex could see better. “Bald as a baseball bat, despite Nelly rubbing your head with baby oil constantly. Just like rubbing a baking potato with butter,” he said cheerfully.

The baby in the picture seemed happy in his ugliness, sporting a satisfied expression as he lay snuggled into his covers. Alex felt a momentary sting for the baby’s un spoiled happiness. He’d had no idea what he was up against.

“No hair, didn’t open your eyes for days,” Sinclair went on. “Just a happy runt, content to be fed every couple of hours, then you went right back to sleep. Nelly said she’d never seen such a good baby.” He folded the picture away. “Your mother thought you were the most beautiful thing she’d ever laid eyes on,” he said with a meaningful glance at Alex.

“She did?”

“She did, right until the day she died.” Sinclair gave him a swift pat on the back. “Your mother didn’t care two hoots what the old man thought about her baby. She said runts were blessings, too, and if you were a bit small and a lot ugly, that just made you all the more special in her eyes.”

“I’m sure Father had plenty to say about that,” Alex muttered.

“Nothing your mother ever listened to. When he complained because you had a lazy eye that needed surgery, she told him to take a flying leap. She phrased it more ladylike, but that was the gist. And when you needed special shoes because your feet turned different ways, your mother told your father it meant you would always walk a more gifted path.” Sinclair began putting away the can of wax and the rags. “Guess she was right.”

“She sounds like Daphne,” Alex said with sudden realization.

“She does, doesn’t she?”

He sounded surprised, but Alex had the idea that Sinclair had been leading up to his point.

“And your father loved your mother to distraction.”

“He did?” Alex couldn’t imagine his father loving anyone enough to be distracted.

“Yes. ‘Course, he couldn’t show it much. Your father hadn’t experienced enough love in his life to be able to show it to anyone else.” Sinclair finished packing the tools. “It’s a sin of the father I might recommend you not visit on your own marriage,” he said cryptically.

Alex stared at him.

“And as you may have realized from seeing the very picture made the day you were born in the hospital, runts grow up with feelings and needs of their own. Alex Junior will need you to treat her as if she were the most beautiful child in the world, just as your mother did you. Though I daresay Miss Daphne is going to have to come up with better names for those children soon before I lose my wits,” he muttered before nodding briskly and leaving, the only lecture he’d ever given Alex apparently over.

It was a lot to think about. Alex squinted at the dormered window again, his father’s shadow more evident than before. That was how he always saw his father, as an over whelming, disapproving, dark presence that affected his life. He loved his father, knew how to deal with him on most matters. But the old man was an enigma. He had never really expended sentiment on Alex, not with the fond affection Sinclair and Nelly had shown him. They had raised him, of course.

It struck him that he had suggested to Daphne that she do the same by telling her the babies should go to the nursery. That had been an error on his part, one he resolved not to repeat. If his mother hadn’t died when he was so young, he doubted very seriously that Sinclair and Nelly would have had such a great hand in his up bringing, as wonderful as they’d been to him.

But family retainers, close and part of the family as they were, couldn’t replace a father’s and mother’s love to their children. He stared at the shining, polished surface of his sports car and made a sudden decision.

DAPHNE SHOWERED and took a nap, so she was ready when her mother brought the young troop of hungry mouths in to be fed. Eagerly, she reached for Yoda, who was crying the most urgently.

“Oh, sweet thing,” she murmured, taking the baby in her arms. “Are you hungry?”

“They’re all hungry,” Danita said. She sat in a rocker with the other two and held them to her ample bosom. “Flowers look nice,” she said over the wails.

“Yes.” Daphne barely glanced at the vase of sunshine-yellow roses Alex had brought into her room. It was too painful. To continue her stern facade, she couldn’t allow herself to be softened by his attempts to woo her. She wished he would stop so she could continue feeling hurt and angry, the way she’d been when she’d left this house before. Lying back against the pillow, she forced herself to think of anything besides Alex so she could relax enough to feed her baby.

Ten minutes later, Danita gave Miss Magoo to her. “Will you ever grow eye lashes?” she cooed to Miss Magoo as the baby latched on.

Danita glanced up from changing Yoda into a fresh gown and diaper. “Sure, she will. You didn’t have any lashes when you were born.”

“I didn’t?” She hardly needed to use mascara now.

“Nope, you didn’t. In fact, I think that ‘un looks most like you.”

“Do you think so?” She gazed at the contentedly feeding baby. “Her hair does seem to have a little red in it.”

“Yep. Gonna have your green eyes, too.”

“How can you tell?” Right now, all the babies’ eyes seemed about the same color to her, not that she’d really gotten a good look at them.

Danita shrugged, picked Yoda up then set her down cozily in her crib. She returned to grab Alex Junior up and seat herself in the rocker. “I don’t know. She just looks like you when you were born.”

“Well, I’m glad for that.” She held her baby tightly.

“This ‘un looks like Alex.” Danita looked at the baby she held.

“I don’t know,” she replied doubt fully, “I don’t see much of Alex’s, um, good looks in her.” She wasn’t about to mention to her mother that she found her husband very handsome!

“You’ll see.”

Since Danita seemed certain of that, Daphne nodded. “What about that one? Do you see anybody in her?”

They both stared at the crib where Yoda was sleeping.

“Yes. To be honest, I see a lot of Sabrina Caroline in her.”

Tears jumped into Daphne’s eyes. Sabrina had been Alex’s mother. Daphne could only remember meeting her once, at a Christmas party. It had been the only year her family had been invited to the lavish party at the Green Forks ranch, because Mrs. Banning died the next year. And the feud had begun. Her father and Alex’s father had spent years arguing over fence lines and water rights and steers crossing where they shouldn’t… Daphne made herself stop thinking about it. She felt un com fort able enough in this house as it was. “I suppose it will please Alex,” she said wistfully, “to have a child who looks like his mother.”

“Not until he realizes it.” Danita gave her daughter a jaundiced look.

Daphne shook her head. “I’m not going to mention his mother. I don’t even want to talk to Alex.”

“You’re not going about this the right way, Daphne Way,” her mother warned. “You oughta think about how you’d really feel if Alex decided to give you what you say you want.” Danita rocked in the chair. “Don’t think you’d like it as much as you think you would.”

“I don’t think I would like it!” Daphne cried, distressed. “I think it’s the only way. How can I stay married to a man who promised his father he would give him a son?”

“Bah. Alexander doesn’t know girls from boys except for that which dangles tweenst their legs.”

“Mother!”

“Well, it’s true. Reckon if you’d dressed Alex Junior up in a blue onesie and booties and told Alexander it was a boy, he’da not known the difference. Sure as heck never held his own child, I’d be willing to bet.” She stared at the baby in her arms. “Wish I’d thought of dressing you in blue sooner, tyke.”

“Mother!” Daphne repeated, her tone more shocked than before. “I would never dress my daughters up to fool Mr. Banning. Children should be treated equally, no matter their sex.”

“Well, you like to do things the hard way, Daphne, not that I’m suggesting we shoulda done it. I’m just saying I wish I’d thought of it sooner.” Her expression was serious. “Maybe it would have kept the chauvinistic old idiot from calling his lawyer in.”

Daphne’s skin turned chilly. The baby allowed Daphne’s nipple to slide out of her mouth in a satisfied, sleepy movement, but Daphne’s insides were nowhere as content. “Lawyer?”

“Yep.” Danita reached for Miss Magoo and traded her for a quiet, wide-eyed Alex Junior. “Nelly told me he’s got the lawyer in there right now, and she heard him tell Sinclair he’s changing his will.”

“Oh, my,” Daphne breathed. “Wonder what he’s up to?”

“I have no idea.” Danita competently diapered the baby and moved her to a crib. She gazed at the two sleeping babies, making certain their blankets covered them just so. “Don’t think he’s too happy with Alex, though. Shot blanks as far as the old tyrant is concerned.”

“Mother, Mr. Banning is your age,” she protested mildly. But her mind was going at a nervous clip. Surely Alex’s father wouldn’t punish him through his will just because his only son had given him nothing but grand daughters? “This baby never eats,” she murmured, too un settled to stay on one subject. “All she does is gaze around.”

Danita came over to stare at the baby. “I know. She hardly cries, either. Won’t surprise me if she sleeps through the night tonight, while the other two give us a run for our money.”

“You think there’s some thing wrong with her?” Daphne’s heart jumped wildly with worry.

“Nope. Think she’s got her daddy’s mild-mannered constitution.” Danita took the baby from Daphne and changed its diaper. “Maybe you need a clean bottom before you eat, tyke.”

Daphne pulled her night gown together as she considered her mother’s words. Alex didn’t have a mild-mannered constitution, as far as she was concerned. Or maybe it was where she was concerned.

Or maybe it was some thing she brought out in him.

Certainly, she had been drawn to Alex’s rock-solid steadiness from the start. He was so stable, where she tended to float with the planetary alignment of the day. How could a son like Alex not please his father, even one as demanding as Alexander?

By not giving him what he’d re quested on his deathbed, an annoying little voice reminded her. She was Alex’s only failing. But he was like his mother, Sabrina, too kind to allow the poor farming family down the way to be left out of Christmas festivities. It hadn’t been her nature.

It wasn’t Alex’s nature to throw the poor farming family out now just because he’d gotten sold a bill of goods he hadn’t needed.

“What am I going to do?” she moaned, her mind feeling turned inside out.

“I don’t know, Daphne Way. All I do know is you’re in a bit of a pickle this moment.” Her mother bustled about the room, then put the baby in Daphne’s arms. Alex Junior gazed at her with wise, somber eyes.

“What do you think she wants?” Daphne asked her mother helplessly. “She’s waiting for some thing, but I don’t know what.”

Danita scratched her head. “Tell you the truth, I don’t think she knows what to do with those big bosoms of yours. I think that baby’s kinda over whelmed.”

“That’s one way she’s not like her daddy, then.” Daphne’s face flamed.

“Didn’t reckon so.” Danita squinted at the baby. “You know, that ‘un toots constantly. She’s like a little bag of wind letting off a valve. Think it makes her too un com fort able to eat.”

“What am I going to do?”

“Maybe only a bottle is gonna do for that one, Daph.” Danita sat on the bed. “I gave her some soy formula earlier, and she seemed to like it just fine. Those two babies, they appear to prefer the breast, but this one—”

“Mom!” Daphne ex claimed. “I am not feeding this child soy formula. She’s going to need all the extra help she can get. Breast milk is better, especially when she’s so tiny.”

“Yes, but that baby doesn’t want to feed. You want a hungry, colicky baby who for whatever reason can’t tolerate your milk, or one that’ll grow up just fine on soy?” Her mother shot her an impatient look. “Daphne Way, you’re gonna have to learn to com promise one day, and by your daddy’s long johns, at whose knee you learned this stub born-ness, it ain’t gonna be easy. But you’re gonna have to learn to do it or you’re gonna end up one unhappy lady.”

“I just don’t want to put a latex nipple in my baby’s mouth,” Daphne protested. “As small as she is, she needs all the natural protection my breast milk can give her.”

“I agree. I’m just saying maybe it’s not going to work with this one.”

“I find it hard to believe the child that most resembles its father wouldn’t be attracted to my breasts,” Daphne grumbled. “Would you mind bringing me a bottle of the soy, then? I’m determined to prove you wrong.”

“Fine by me.”

Danita exited the room and returned about five minutes later to hand her a warm bottle. Daphne sighed in long-suffering patience, barely touching the nipple to Alex Junior’s lips. The baby continued to stare at her. “See? This baby just doesn’t want to eat anything.”

A nice, long burst of wind erupted from the region of the baby’s diaper. Daphne met Danita’s eyes in amazement. To her astonishment, the baby let out a demanding wail. Daphne lowered the bottle to Alex Junior’s lips, and the baby began suckling with enthusiasm.

“She would have taken my breast if she hadn’t already seen the bottle,” Daphne said without much conviction.

“Maybe.” Not even bothering to appear convinced, Danita walked to the window and stared down. Some thing below had obviously caught her attention.

“What is it?”

Her mother nodded at someone or some thing on the ground. “I’m not sure. Here,” she said, reaching for Alex Junior, “let me take this ‘un. Nelly’s had a yen to feed one of these babies, and she and I can have a nice chat.”

Danita snatched the baby from her before Daphne had a chance to argue. “Brush your hair, Daphne,” she commanded, “and don’t forget your teeth.” Then she hurried from the room.

Daphne’s mouth dropped open. “For heaven’s sake!” What had gotten into her mother? She got out of bed and ran to the window, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Just a lot of cars, which were always parked at the Banning mansion. She wondered if her mother had seen the Banning solicitor leaving. Maybe that’s what she wanted, to hurry off to pick Nelly’s brains about whatever Mr. Banning had been revising in his will.

She shook her head and went into the bathroom to comb her hair, tied it with a green ribbon, then took a moment to brush her teeth and wash her face. She felt so much better, she decided to step in front of the full-length mirror on the back of the door. It would be so nice if her stomach was beginning to shrink, though she’d never again have the body Alex had fallen in love with in the first place….

“Daphne?”

She gasped at the sound of his voice in the bedroom and slammed the bathroom door firmly closed. “Yes?”

“Uh, do you have a second?”

“No!” She’d left her night gown and panties on the other side of the door when she decided to peek in the mirror.

There was silence for a moment.

“I’d like to talk to you.”

She closed her eyes at the soft huskiness of his voice. “I’m listening.”

“I mean face-to-face. I don’t want to wake the babies.”

“Oh.” She thought rapidly. “Well, come back in five minutes.”

“Okay,” he said, his tone uncertain. “Better yet, why don’t you meet me on the front step in five? I really need to speak with you.”

“Oh, okay.” Maybe it had some thing to do with his father’s will. If Alex suggested she move out with him, some where far away, like Alaska, she would do it in a flash. Anything not to have to live under his father’s disapproving eye—

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