Mum's The Word!: Royal Heirs Required. Cat Schield

their matching sleeveless white dresses with full lace skirts and wide satin sashes in pale yellow. Noelle’s assistant had pinned up their hair and attached wreaths wrapped in pale yellow ribbons.

      “These are merely to demonstrate one possible look for the girls,” Noelle explained. “If you like it, I’m sure the florist could create beautiful wreaths with yellow roses.”

      “The dresses are perfect,” Olivia breathed. “Thank you so much for making them on such short notice.”

      “I’m happy you like them.”

      While Noelle and her assistant made little adjustments to the dresses, Olivia distracted Bethany and Karina by explaining to them what their role in the wedding would be. They seemed to understand the seriousness of the event because they listened to her with wide eyes and their full attention.

      An hour later, Noelle had left, taking the dresses with her, and Olivia was reading the twins a story when the door to her suite swung open without warning. Startled, Olivia swiveled on the sofa to face a very unhappy Gabriel.

      “What’s wrong?”

      “It’s time for the twins to head back to the nursery,” he answered, his voice level and cool as he gestured to the nanny who jumped to her feet. “I think it’s time for their lunch.”

      Olivia set the book aside and got to her feet to urge the girls over to their father for a kiss and a hug. His manner softened for them, but a minute later they were gone and Gabriel was back to scowling.

      “Is it true?” he demanded.

      Her stomach twisted at the hard suspicion in his eyes. “Is what true?”

      “That you’re infertile?”

      Of all the things that had raced through her mind, this was the last thing she’d expected. How had he found out? Libby was the only person who knew about her condition and Olivia knew her private secretary would never betray her.

      “Where did you hear that?”

      He stalked across the room toward the television and snatched up the remote. Dread filled Olivia as he cued the power button. She’d not imagined he could look so angry.

      “Sources inside the palace confirm that the future princess has little to no chance of producing an heir for Sherdana’s throne. With her medical condition you have to wonder what the prince was thinking to propose.”