Scooping Karina onto his lap, he tickled her until she whooped with laughter. Could he make Olivia understand that there was more at stake than an heir for Sherdana? Perhaps today’s party would be the perfect opportunity to impress upon her how much she was needed and loved.
The festivities began at three. A large tent had been erected on the expansive lawn just east of the palace. A band played children’s songs nearby and a dozen children jumped and twirled to the music in the open space between the stage and the linen-clad tables. Beyond that was a balloon bouncer shaped like a castle. The structure swayed as children burned off energy. On the opposite side of the lawn, their parents enjoyed more sedate entertainment in the form of an overflowing buffet of delicacies and free-flowing alcohol.
The crowd was a mix of wealthy nobility and leading businessmen. Gabriel stayed close to Bethany and Karina as they ate cake and played with the other children, keeping an eye out for Olivia as the afternoon progressed. She didn’t arrive until almost five.
Looking pale and very beautiful in a light pink dress with short fluttery sleeves, she moved through the crowd, smiling politely when she encountered someone familiar, but otherwise avoiding eye contact with the guests.
Gabriel snagged a pair of wineglasses off the tray of a passing waiter. It was a chardonnay from one of Sherdana’s finest wineries and he remembered how Olivia had wanted to tour the wine country. He added that to the list of things he’d promised and never delivered.
She caught sight of him when she was thirty feet away and very much looked as if she’d like to run away. Besieged by the memory of the kiss they’d shared in the nursery and the longing he’d tasted on her lips, Gabriel knew the only way to circumvent her stubbornness was to demonstrate the power of their passion for each other.
“I’m glad you came,” he told her, as he drew close enough to speak. “I was beginning to worry that you wouldn’t.”
“I almost didn’t.” Her expression was rueful as she accepted the glass of wine he offered. “But I promised that I would.”
“Bethany and Karina will be very glad.”
Her gaze moved to where the twins were running with several children close to their age. “They look like they’re having fun.”
“All thanks to you. The party is fantastic.”
“Libby did most of the work.”
“But you are the one who came up with the concept and organized everything. You have quite a knack for party planning.”
“In London I was on committees for several charities. I’ve done several large events, including children’s parties. And speaking of children, I should probably say hello to Bethany and Karina. I won’t be able to stay at the party long.”
He inspected her face. Shadows beneath her eyes gave her the appearance of fragility. “Are you in pain?”
“Just tired.” Her wan smile held none of her former liveliness. “My strength is not coming back as quickly as I’d like and I’m not sleeping well.”
Gabriel tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her on a slow, meandering journey toward the twins, extending the amount of his time in her company. The tension in her slim frame troubled him and Gabriel wished he could do something to bring back the happy, vital woman she’d been two weeks earlier. He’d never felt so helpless.
Before he could bring her to where the twins were holding court, his daughters saw them coming and ran over. As they threw their tiny arms around her, Olivia’s smile grew radiant. But there was sadness, as well. Sadness Gabriel knew he could banish if only she’d let him.
Hyped up on sweets and attention, the twins didn’t linger long. After they’d raced back toward the other children, Olivia sidestepped away from Gabriel.
“I’ve taken up enough of your time,” she said. “You have guests to attend to and I need to go.”
He caught her wrist, preventing her from departing. “You’re the only one I care about.”
“Please don’t,” she pleaded in a hoarse whisper. “This is already so hard.”
“And that’s my fault.” This wasn’t a discussion he wanted to have in the middle of his daughters’ birthday party, but he had to try one last time to reason with her. “Let me at least walk you out.”
She must have seen his determination because she nodded.
Instead of leading her around the palace, he drew her through the doors leading to the green salon where they could have a little privacy.
“I’m sorry I didn’t handle things better between us.”
When he stopped in the middle of the room and turned her to face him she sighed. Looking resigned, she met his gaze. “You handled everything the way a future king should. I was the one who was wrong. I should have told you about my past medical issues before you had a chance to propose.”
“What if I told you it wouldn’t have mattered?” Gabriel lifted her hand and placed her palm over his heart.
“Then I would have to insult the crown prince of Sherdana by telling him he’s a fool.” She tried to pull her hand free, but he’d trapped it beneath his. Her tone grew more impatient. “You need an heir. That’s something I can’t give you.”
“Unfortunate, yes. But that doesn’t change the fact that I chose you and I’d committed to building a life with you. I’m not ready to give that up.”
“That’s madness,” she exclaimed. “You have to. You must marry someone who can give you children.”
Gabriel scowled at her response. “That’s what the country needs me to do. But I’m not a country. I’m a man. A man who is tired of making everyone else’s priorities his own.”
“You don’t have a choice,” she whispered, blinking rapidly. “You are going to be king. You must do what’s right. And so must I.” With surprising strength, she wrenched her hand free and turned to flee.
“Olivia.” He started after her, but realized nothing he could say at that moment would persuade her to change her mind.
Releasing a string of curses, Gabriel pulled out his cell phone and dialed. When the call connected, he said, “She won’t budge.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Your Highness. The arrangements you asked for are complete and awaiting your arrival. Are you still planning on traveling the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
With the upheaval of the past several weeks, this was probably not the best time for him to leave the country, but he’d let the impossible situation with Olivia go on too long. She’d been right to say he didn’t have a choice about his future. Fate had set him on a path and he needed to follow it to the end.
He found his parents together in the garden. They were strolling arm in arm, pausing here and there to greet their guests and enjoying the warm afternoon. He almost hated to spoil their peaceful moment.
“It was lovely of Olivia to come today,” his mother said.
“She wanted to wish Bethany and Karina a happy birthday.”
“You spent a lot of time with her.” The queen’s voice held a question.
Gabriel wondered how much his mother knew about his intentions. “It was her first social appearance since our engagement ended. I thought she could use the support.”
“Of course. What happened with her was tragic and we cannot be seen turning our backs on her.” Although the queen had spoken sympathetically about Olivia’s plight, her priorities were her family and the country. “But you must not encourage her.”
A bitter laugh escaped him. “She’s well aware that I need a wife who can have children. If you think anything different, you don’t appreciate her character.”
The queen gave Gabriel a hard look. “Of course.”
Gabriel shifted his gaze to his daughters. A trio of preteen girls were chasing the twins through the gardens. They laughed as they ran and Gabriel’s heart lightened at the sound.
“I wanted to let you know,” he began, returning his attention to his parents, “that in a couple days, I’m going out of town for a week or so.”
“Is this the best time?” his father asked, echoing what Gabriel had been thinking minutes earlier.
“Perhaps not, but I have the future to think about and Sherdana still needs a princess.”
The king frowned. “What about the state dinner for the Spanish ambassador?”
“Christian can take over while I’m gone.” Gabriel forced his shoulders to relax. “I’m not the only prince in this family, you know. It’s about time my brothers remembered that.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re ready to move forward,” his mother said. “Can you give us some hint of your plans?”
“I’d rather wait until everything is finalized before I say anything.”
“Very sensible,” his father said and Gabriel wondered if the king would feel that way if he had any idea where his son was going and why.