“Everything going all right?” she asked, sitting at the table.
Max nodded, his face serious. “Surim has done all the preliminary work as we discussed. Today I want to spend time with the contractor, reviewing the specs, and trying to convey to him the ambience I’m looking for, what a Bella Lucia Restaurant means beyond the fixtures.”
Melissa’s services were dispensed with around two o’clock. She was driven back to Surim’s home where she went up to change and go find the children.
Annis was happy to have her take them for a walk. Once the three children were ready, they trooped down the stairs, chattering happily. Alaya confided she’d written her friends, Hamid talked about swimming and Nadia babbled quietly to herself, smiling up at Melissa from time to time.
They walked through the garden and to the beach. The afternoon was perfect and Melissa wished Surim had taken some time to spend with the children in such a carefree manner. If he could just get to know them, she knew he’d fall in love with them. She was halfway in love with them herself.
But Surim didn’t join them for the afternoon, nor for dinner. Learning the men would return late, Melissa elected to eat with Annis and the children. After they were in bed, she went for a walk by herself in the gardens.
The paths were illuminated and she enjoyed the quiet of the evening, the air warm even after sunset. She sat on one of the benches for a long time, soaking in the atmosphere, enjoying the fragrant flowers. She found it so amazing to be enjoying this garden in January. How wonderful to have such a residence. It seemed to her Surim wasn’t home enough to enjoy it.
Wednesday was a repeat of the previous day. Melissa regretted not seeing Surim, but she needed to keep this visit in perspective. She was not here to be entertained, but to help Max where she could. And when he didn’t need her services, she loved spending time with the children.
Still, she wished Surim would make a few moments in the day to see the children. She’d half a mind to speak to him about it. Or was that just an excuse to see him again?
Thursday was the last day they’d work at the site. Max had booked their flight for early Friday morning. Melissa walked through the resort one last time, wondering if she’d get to come back some day when it was completed and see the final result. She knew from the drawings and plans it would be spectacular. Perhaps one day she’d return and take a tour.
The reception Surim had promised was to be held in the large ballroom on the left side of the main entryway of his house. Melissa had brought a suitable dress, but requested time to look for another that afternoon to take advantage of some of the boutiques she’d seen on the main thoroughfare. The limo had been put at her disposal. She stopped on the way back from the new hotel site at a boutique she’d seen each day and found the perfect new gown for the evening. It was floor-length dark blue silk and fit as if it had been made for her. Her black heels would have to do, as she didn’t have time to find a shoe store.
After a quick snack in her room, Melissa dressed for the evening. She hoped she looked suitable enough to be entertained by a sheikh. A bit nervous, she was about to go downstairs when there was a knock on her door.
Alaya, Hamid and Nadia stood in the hall grinning at her.
“Oh, you look beautiful. Mummy used to get dressed up to go to parties,” Alaya said sadly. “Annis said we could come to see you before we went to bed. I wish you were reading our story tonight.”
“Oh, honey, I do, too. But your uncle has put on this party and I don’t want to disappoint him, either. Besides, you can read to the other two. That would be good practice for your reading, and give your brother and sister happy memories.”
“I guess. Will we see you tomorrow before you go?”
“I’ll come up to say goodbye,” Melissa promised, already feeling sad to have to bid farewell to these special children. “You’ll have to write to me to make sure I keep up with what you are doing. And get your uncle to take photos so I can see how fast you grow.”
“I don’t want you to go,” Hamid said.
“I know. But I’ll write to you from England, and then from America. Won’t that be fun?”
He shrugged, not looking at all convinced.
“Is anything wrong?” Surim asked, coming down the hall.
The children jumped and moved closer together.
“Not at all, they just came to see me before the party,” Melissa said.
She looked up and almost stared. She loved the way Surim looked in his tuxedo; his broad shoulders filled out the suit to perfection. The white ruffled shirt made him seem all the more masculine and exciting. His tanned skin was a startling contrast to the pristine white.
His dark eyes sought hers and held her gaze for a long moment. Her heart fluttered and she became suddenly self-conscious. She’d thought she’d become used to gorgeous men when seeing Valentine family members. None could hold a candle to Surim.
“You look nice, too, Uncle Surim,” Alaya said shyly.
Melissa narrowed her eyes sharply, hoping that overture would be returned in the manner meant.
“Thank you, Alaya. It’s always nice to have a compliment from a lovely young woman,” he said gravely.
Melissa wanted to applaud.
“Nicely said. Now, children, scoot up to bed. I’ll see you in the morning,” she said.
They each gave her a hug and then walked wide around their uncle and broke into a run for the stairs.
“You intimidate them,” Melissa said, falling into step with him as they walked downstairs. The first guests would be arriving momentarily.
“I know little about children,” he said.
“Spend time with them. Laugh with them and show them you care. You’re their closest relative, right?”
“Their grandmother also lives in Qu’ Arim. She is in frail health, however, so cannot care for them.”
“Do they see her often?”
“No. They haven’t seen her since the funeral.”
He stopped at the top of the stairs. Lifting her hand, he kissed the back softly. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you. And thank you for having the reception. I look forward to meeting others from your country.”
“I’ve neglected you during your visit. You should have seen more of Qu’ Arim.”
“We were here for business,” she said, wondering if he realized he still held her hand. “Perhaps I’ll come another time and be able to see more.”
“Perhaps.” He let her hand go and escorted her down the stairs.
Melissa tried to quell the riotous sensations that flooded through her at his touch. It was a good thing they were leaving in the morning. She was infatuated with the man; staying any longer would put her heart at serious risk!
They reached the foyer just as the first guests arrived. Melissa excused herself from the sheikh and went into the reception room. She smiled when she thought about the children coming to see her dressed up. In the few days she’d known them, she’d grown so fond of them. Her heart ached at their loss, and the fact their guardian seemed so remote. They needed to be hugged, laughed with, and convinced they were cherished.
Melissa could relate because of her own father’s death. She remembered how she’d felt when she’d finally realized she would never see her father again. All these years, and she still felt the loss. She couldn’t imagine losing her mother as well.
The opulent drawing room began to fill. Melissa stood on the sidelines, watching the elegantly dressed women and splendidly attired men enter, talking, laughing softly. It was a wonderful gathering. She wondered whom among them Surim counted as close friends. Did he do what her friends did—go clubbing, or skiing? Was he a water buff, living so close to the Gulf? Or did he prefer more challenging activities like mountain climbing? Did he ever go into the desert and watch the stars from places far from man-made lights? She wished she knew more about her enigmatic host. For a moment she was lost in a daydream of Surim taking her to a quiet, secluded spot
to share his thoughts and dreams with her.
“Madam?” A stately gentleman stood next to her.
“Yes?” Melissa smiled. He appeared to be in his late seventies, but still had a luxurious head of thick gray hair. His skin looked like burnished teak.
“His Excellency said you are from England. I am to make myself available to you for anything you may require,” he said with a slight bow. “I am Asid ibn Tarvor at your service. I spent many years in England. I am especially fond of your Lake District.”
“As am I,” Melissa said with a smile. “How nice to meet you.”
“Have you been long in Qu’ Arim?”
“No, only a few days, and I’ve been working with the sheikh, though I have managed a few afternoons at the beach. What I’ve seen of the country is amazing.”
Asid took her around, introducing her to others. After a brief exchange each time, they’d move on to the next group until Melissa felt she’d met everyone there.
They stopped near a small alcove.
“Have you visited one of our pearl farms?” Asid asked.
Melissa shook her head. Just then she caught a glimpse of Surim escorting a lovely woman whose dark hair was elaborately coiffed and who wore a beautiful golden gown that enhanced her voluptuous figure.
Asid noticed her glance and smiled. “Ah, Delleah. She is lovely, do you not think? It is time Surim took a wife.”
Melissa nodded politely at the comment. Was this the woman he would marry? Or was he still looking?
She hoped the latter; she’d hate to think he was promised to someone and kissed her! But, if Delleah was the woman Surim chose, she would make a beautiful wife. They were a stunning couple.
“I see Asid found you,” Surim said as he and the woman at his side stopped in front of Melissa.
“Indeed, it was most kind of you to think about me. I would have been fine on my own, but Asid and I have had a most delightful discussion.” She smiled politely at the woman at his side.
“May I present Delleah bin Attulla. Delleah, a friend from England, Melissa Fox. She is proving invaluable in the work we are doing at the new resort.”
“Hardly that,” Melissa said, greeting the woman.
Delleah’s flashing dark eyes and pout did not bode well for an instant friendship. She shook Melissa’s hand rapidly, then tucked her own into the crook of Surim’s arm. “I’m sure Surim appreciates your working with the Englishman to facilitate the building of his pet project.” She smiled at him. “Do let’s move on—I want to talk to the ambassador.”
Surim inclined his head slightly, then turned to escort her to a small group nearby.
“Beautiful woman,” Asid said. “She will make him a fine wife and give him many sons.”
“Always with boys,” Melissa grumbled, feeling a tad jealous as she watched them walk away. She knew there could never be anything between her and Surim, but earlier he’d kissed her hand and told her she was beautiful.
Good grief, girl, she told herself, get a grip! She should be soaking up every moment of this fabulous gathering and not pining over something that could not be.
“Ah, but Surim needs sons to carry on the ruling of our country. He was an only child. What would we do if he dies before he had an heir?”
“Elect someone new,” she said.
Hearing the intake of breath at her comment, she looked at Asid and smiled ruefully. “Sorry, western thinking. Let’s hope Surim lives many more years and has a dozen sons.”
“Perhaps that would be excessive,” Asid murmured, his eyes twinkling.
Melissa laughed. “Tell me about your favorite spot in the Lake District,” she said.
Asid proved to be entertaining, and Melissa enjoyed their conversation. She was very aware of Surim whenever she spotted him across the room, however, and once stopped mid-sentence to stare when he laughed at something someone had said. It was the first time she’d heard him laugh. His face softened a fraction, lost that austere façade she was used to seeing. And made her heart flip over. She turned so she couldn’t see him.
“Would you care to walk in the garden? It grows warm in here,” Asid said.
“I should love to. I’ve been in it a couple of times at night. The lighting makes it easy to walk through and the cooler night air is wonderful to enjoy.”
Once away from the crowd, it grew quiet.
“You leave for England in the morning, I believe Surim told me,” Asid said as they strolled among the flowers.
“That’s right,” Melissa said. “I shall be sorry to return to rain and cold after the wonderful climate here. But duty calls.”
“You work with Max Valentine, I believe.”
“Only temporarily. I’m filling in until my new job starts in February. I’ll be going to America then.”
“The women in our country are not so well traveled as in England.”
Just then a wail sounded from the upper floor.
She turned, searching the windows, seeing a light go on on the top floor.
“Hamid,” she said quietly. “Excuse me, Asid. I think I’ll go see if I can help. Thanks for your company. I enjoyed myself tremendously. But a little boy needs me.”
Without waiting for him to respond, Melissa turned and fled to the house, only slowing her pace to a rapid walk through the gathering of guests, then almost running up the stairs.
The closer she approached the nursery, the louder the screams sounded. She burst into Hamid’s bedroom to see Annis standing beside the bed, shaking his shoulder in an attempt to awaken him, speaking in Arabic. Alaya bumped into Melissa, peering into the room.
“He woke me,” she complained.
Melissa went to the bed, gently moved Annis aside and sat on the mattress, gathering the little boy into her arms.
“There, there, sweetie, it’s all right. Wake up. You’re having a nightmare, but you’re all right. Wake up, Hamid,” she crooned as she rocked him back and forth.
He pushed back a little and quieted down, then snuggled against Melissa. Soon his crying eased.
“Mummy?” he said bewildered.
“No, sweetie, it’s Melissa. You’re at your cousin Surim’s house, remember?”
“I want Mummy,” he wailed.
“Shh. Your sister is here and I’m here. You’re fine.”
“What is going on?” Surim asked from the doorway. Delleah stood beside him, looking around the room, and then at the children.
Annis spoke rapidly in Arabic. Delleah listened avidly.
“Enough,” Surim said in English.
“The sooner you send them off to boarding school, the better, Surim,” Delleah said.
Hamid stopped crying and looked at Surim.
Alaya turned, stunned. “You’re sending us away?” she asked.
Melissa could have slapped Delleah. How cruel of her to make that comment, especially in English. She looked at Surim. He couldn’t send them from this safe haven. They’d lost their home, their parents—he couldn’t split them up so they lost each other as well.
“Surim,” she began, not sure what she would say, but something to plead for the children.
“I said enough!”
Surim turned to Delleah and spoke to her in Arabic. “I told you that in confidence. Is this how you treat such information?”
She looked stricken. It was well he knew this before their relationship moved any further. Trust was important to him. No matter what Delleah’s agenda, and he had a strong suspicion what that was, it did not excuse such a lapse.
“I misspoke. I apologize,” she said.
“If you will excuse me, I will deal with my cousins. You may return to the reception. Do not tell anyone of what went on here. Can I trust you this time?” He knew Annis listened, but didn’t care. She would be discreet. And his anger was growing that Delleah would deliberately try to force his hand by speaking in English in front of the children.
He was equally aware of Hamid and Alaya drawing closer to Melissa. She held th
e little boy on her lap now, soothing him. All three stared at him as if he were a stranger.
“As you wish, Surim,” Delleah said in a subdued voice. She turned and left without another word.
“What happened?” he asked Annis.
“The boy was screaming, I came in to waken him, but he was sound asleep, screaming. Ayyeee, it was terrible. Then miss came in and spoke to him in English and woke him up.”
“You speak English; why didn’t you talk to him in that language?”
“My English is not so good. And when I get upset, I forget it,” she said, her eyes downcast.
Surim felt his frustration ratchet up another notch. Annis had been his cousin Mara’s nanny when she was growing up. And he knew how well Mara had spoken English even before she’d moved to live in England. He had expected her mother to provide the best person for her grandchildren. Maybe three children were too much. Annis had had only Mara when she was growing up. And she’d been much younger.
“You may leave, Annis,” he said. “We’ll handle this.”
Annis bowed slightly and scurried from the room.
He faced Melissa and the children. Only Nadia was missing. He hoped she’d slept through the whole thing.
Melissa spoke in French. “Please reassure these children you are not sending them away. They lost one home already; they can’t lose another this soon. Plus, you’ll never find a boarding school that would take all three together. Please do not separate them; they need each other as they recover from the loss of their parents.”
“And what do you suggest I do instead?” he replied in the same language.
“I don’t know. Get someone who speaks English to help them in this transition time.”
He stared at her for a long moment. The answer to the situation lay with her. “Very well, I’ll let them stay if you stay to care for them.”
“What?”
The children looked at her. Melissa knew her voice had gone up several decibels, but the suggestion was preposterous.
“I can’t stay here. I have a job waiting in America. I’m starting in a few weeks.”
The Nanny and the Sheikh Page 5
