The Nanny and the Sheikh

by Barbara McMahon

  By four o’clock, the younger children were up from naps. Alaya had read a good portion of a new book while they slept. Now it was time for fun. Melissa had them get ready to go for a short swim. She wanted to assess the abilities of the children and get them into the fresh air and sunshine. They’d been patient all day while she and Annis had discussed their care and education. Melissa hoped the swim would be reward enough.

  “For you, Miss Fox.” One of the liveried servants brought an envelope on a small silver tray.

  Feeling like the lady of the manor, Melissa took it and opened it.

  ‘Max safely on his way. I am tied up and will be unable to be home for dinner.’ It was signed ‘Surim’.

  She studied the bold script for a long moment, feeling a free-fall sensation in her stomach. She was disappointed. She’d hoped to see him today. That was obviously out of the question.

  Still she stared at the note. She’d been very careful not to call him by name since Delleah had noticed. Not wishing to presume on his relationship with her new stepbrother, she’d kept their brief contact formal.

  Now he signed the note with his name. Could she continue to call him Surim? Or keep the more formal title?

  With a sigh, she folded the paper and put it in her pocket. Nothing she had to decide today.

  By the time the children were in bed that night, Melissa was tired enough to go to bed herself. Thinking a quick walk in the gardens would refresh her, she slipped out from the opened French doors in the living room.

  The day had gone well. Annis had been happy to learn Melissa was staying for a few weeks with the sole goal of helping the children adjust. She had been pleased when Melissa had asked her to teach them all Arabic.

  “Enough for the children to be able to communicate on a basic level. Reading and writing can wait for school, though I suspect Hamid and Nadia will find it easier if they start school knowing basics. Alaya is already reading English and writing compositions. I expect learning Arabic will be more difficult for her.”

  “Do they wish to learn?” Annis asked, clearly puzzled.

  “This will be their home, won’t it? They need to speak the language. Who better to teach them? I understand you were the children’s mother’s nanny. They would so love to hear about her when she was growing up. You can practice Arabic with them when telling them of her childhood.”

  “We do not speak of her,” Annis had said.

  “Why ever not?”

  Annis seemed to hesitate, frowning. “So not to remind the children of their loss.”

  “It would be good for the children to hear as much about their parents as they can, to keep them alive in their memory and so they’ll know others remember them fondly. With love,” explained Melissa gently. “I hope to arrange a visit with their grandmother to see pictures of their mother when she was younger.”

  Annis nodded. “There were many. I have some myself. Mara was such a special child.”

  “Then share that memory with her children. You’ll find they will respond positively.”

  By the time she relaxed in the twilight, Melissa felt better than she had all day. This temporary stay would work out perfectly. She loved working with the children. She just hoped Surim would find time in his schedule to spend with them. He wouldn’t be able to help falling in love with them.

  “I see you have found a favorite spot of mine,” a voice said.

  Startled, Melissa smiled when Surim stepped from the darkness into the subdued light from the garden path. “I love your gardens. You know the English—we are always growing flowers. This garden is beautiful.”

  “I do not claim credit,” he said, sitting beside her on the bench. “I have excellent gardeners who take care of that. The fragrances are a delight to the senses, as are the colors and designs of the plants.”

  “A haven,” she murmured, acutely aware of him so close. Now her heart was starting to race. She had better become immune to his charm or she was in serious trouble.

  “Exactly.” He was silent for a moment. “I have another.”

  “Another what?”

  “Haven. It’s in the desert, isolated, wild, beautiful. A small oasis deep in the interior. From time to time I go there to remember where our people came from. The hectic modern life is inevitable, but we were a nomadic people, calling the desert home. I like to return to remember.”

  “I bet it’s beautiful.”

  “Some find it so. Others find it stark and unappealing.”

  Melissa sighed, imagining the scene. “I should love to see some of the desert. Your capital is as modern as London. And doesn’t feel much different, except for the signs in Arabic. But to visit the desert, that would be quite different.”

  He smiled. She caught her breath and looked away before she did something idiotic.

  “Perhaps we’ll find time before you leave.”

  “I should enjoy that,” she said primly, belying the joy that flared at the prospect. Then she turned to face him.

  “Do you normally return home from work so late?” she asked. She knew running a country was a bit different from a job in banking, but these hours seemed a bit excessive.

  “Tonight was another business dinner, with much negotiations and posturing. The ancient protocols are wearing.”

  “You’re the man in charge—change them,” she said flippantly. Being near him upset her sense of balance. She could stare at the man for hours, and probably find something new at each second. Like the few gray strands at his temples. He was too young to be going gray. Probably the stress of his position.

  “How were the children?” he asked. “Run you ragged yet?”

  “After one day? Hardly. They have lots of energy; the secret is to channel it and let it run. We made progress, I think. They like the beach. And Annis was a bit more relaxed around them today.”

  “Now they are in bed.”

  “Of course, and have been for more than a couple of hours. I need to check on them. Care to join me?”

  He rose and nodded. As the light shone on his face Melissa saw the fatigue. It was not her place to make personal comments, but she thought he could use a good night’s sleep. She hoped Hamid wouldn’t disrupt that tonight.

  Annis was still sitting in the nursery, crocheting. She rose when Surim entered, but he motioned her to resume her seat.

  “All is well?” he asked in Arabic.

  “They sleep. After the running around they did today, I expect they won’t wake until morning,” she replied. With a glance at Melissa, she continued, “Miss wishes for me to teach them Arabic.”

  “A good idea. Even if they don’t remain here all their lives, they are from this country; it is appropriate that they learn our language and our customs. You would do well to teach them.”

  “She wishes to learn as well,” Annis added.

  “Is that a problem?”

  “No. Will she be staying long?”

  “I have hopes she will stay until the children are settled. She has other commitments in February. Do you think she is helping?”

  “Yes. They were easier to deal with today. Maybe she could stay longer?”

  “It is too early to say, but I also hope she will stay longer.” He turned to look at Melissa, knowing she’d have something to say to his plans if she knew of them.

  Melissa had crossed to the doorway to Hamid’s room, pausing for a moment before entering. Surim followed in time to see her cover the little boy with a light blanket.

  Hamid stirred. “Mummy?” he said, half asleep.

  “No, darling. Mummy is in heaven. It’s Melissa. You’re safe. You’ll always be safe here.” She patted his arm gently. Hamid snuggled down and went back to sleep.

  When she turned, she saw Surim.

  “He’s afraid, that’s why he has nightmares. He misses his parents, but the nightmares are of a truck smashing into him.”

  “As the truck did his parents,” Surim said, his face in shadow.

  Melissa nodded. “
As he imagines it. I think he will gradually get over this stage. But it may take a while.”

  “So we can expect more screams in the night,” Surim said.

  “Not expect, but maybe not be surprised by them,” she said. “But I’m hoping with a regime of lessons and outdoor activities, they’ll all be so tired at night, they’ll sleep through. They are so fortunate to be here where the weather is conducive to playing outside. At home it’s cold and rainy.”

  “We get our share of rain. But rarely does it get cold. If you need anything for the children, ask Annis. She’ll get it for you.”

  “Tomorrow, you’ll spend some time with them?”

  Surim glanced at Hamid. He couldn’t remember being that young. What did a grown man talk to a small child about?

  “I have a meeting at ten.”

  “On Saturday? At least have breakfast with them,” Melissa suggested. “We can eat at eight, and finish in plenty of time.”

  Surim nodded. “I’ll see about breakfast. You will be there as well.”

  “Of course. If you have no time tomorrow, how about Sunday? You could come to the beach with us. The children love the water and playing on the sand. There are a lot of activities that include all three, despite the difference in their ages.”

  Surim mentally sorted through the things he’d planned for Sunday. Discarding them, he agreed. It was worth it, he decided a moment later, when Melissa gave him a delighted smile. He knew he stared longer than necessary, but her expressions fascinated him. Her smile was open and joyful. He suspected she didn’t have a clue how to dissemble or hide her feelings. She was different from most of the women he knew. Maybe he’d take the time to get to know her better and find a way to get her to stay.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  PROMPTLY at eight the next morning Melissa arrived at the nursery. The children were already dressed and playing a game of keep away, with little Nadia the one in the middle. They greeted Melissa and ran over to her. Nadia lifted her arms to be picked up. Melissa scooped her up, hugged her and then held her as she greeted the other children.

  “We’re so hungry. Once you arrived, Annis said we could eat,” Alaya said.

  The table had been set for four, but there was ample room to add place settings. Melissa called to Annis.

  “Good morning,” the older woman said as she entered. She looked at the children, then back at Melissa. “Is there something wrong?”

  “We’ll need another place setting at the table,” Melissa said. “Do we have the utensils here, or do we need to call down to the kitchen?”

  “There are additional settings in the cupboard,” Annis indicated. “But why? I will take a tray in my room. You eat with the children.”

  “His Excellency will be joining us.”

  “Who?” Hamid asked.

  “Your uncle Surim,” Melissa said. She put Nadia down and went to the cupboard.

  There was whispering behind her. She gathered what she needed and turned to see the three children aligned together, a mutinous look on their respective faces.

  “We don’t want him here,” Alaya said.

  “He doesn’t like us, so we don’t like him,” Hamid added.

  “Nonsense,” Melissa said, returning to the table and quickly setting an additional place. “You all just need to get to know one another.”

  “He wants to send us away,” Alaya said.

  “Can we come live with you?” Hamid asked.

  “Oh, sweetie, I don’t have a place of my own. Besides, I’m sure that would never be allowed. Let’s do our best to get to know him. He may surprise you.” Melissa hoped so. From what she’d seen thus far, Surim was much more suited in the seat of power than in the nursery. She hoped she’d be surprised.

  He arrived a few minutes later. Formally greeting each child, he turned to her and raised an eyebrow, as if asking if she was happy with his presence.

  “Good morning. We’re glad you could join us,” Melissa said. She couldn’t help being slightly amused at his expression. Honestly, what would it take to get him to relax?

  “No, we’re not,” Hamid muttered, scowling.

  Surim’s eyes met hers in amusement as he heard Hamid’s comment. “So we eat? I do have a meeting at ten I can’t be late to.”

  “We’ll be finished long before then,” she assured him.

  They sat at the table, Surim at one end, Melissa at the other, with Alaya next to her and Nadia beyond. Hamid sat on the other side. Almost like a family, Melissa thought as she began to serve the English breakfast the kitchen supplied to the children. She gave a heaping portion to Surim, smaller portions to the children. The milk had been poured. The carafe of hot coffee was near Surim’s place. Melissa wondered for a moment if he would pour his own, or did he expect her to jump up to serve him?

  To her relief, he poured a cup and offered her the carafe. She declined, preferring tea.

  “So what are your plans for the day?” Surim asked her.

  “Children, what are we doing today?” Melissa asked, hoping to involve them in the conversation, wishing Surim had asked them, not her.

  Silence met her question; all three looked at her with entreaty in their eyes.

  “Nadia?” she prompted.

  “Going to the beach,” she said quietly.

  “Right.” Melissa smiled, wishing something would break the silence. “And what’s your favorite part of the beach, Hamid?”

  He stared at his plate. “Swimming,” he said.

  Exasperated, Melissa glanced at Surim. He was calmly eating. She couldn’t give a guess to his feelings; his expression was totally impassive.

  “Alaya, did you finish your letters to your friends? Maybe Uncle Surim could post them on his way into work today?”

  “Why does he have to work on Saturday?” Alaya asked Melissa.

  “Ask him, why don’t you?”

  The child hesitated, then turned to face Surim. “Why do you work on Saturday? My father didn’t. He spent Saturdays with Mummy and us. I thought unless you work in a shop or something, Saturdays and Sundays were for family.”

  “Some things don’t wait. There will be other Saturdays when we can spend the day together. What would you like to do if I didn’t have to work?”

  Alaya shrugged. “Nothing special. Going to the beach is nice. Especially in January.” She turned back to Melissa. “I told my friends that in the letter. They’ll be so envious.”

  “I worked in Switzerland before coming here. And there’s lots of snow there now. I much prefer warmer climates!” Melissa said, smiling at the girl.

  “I’d rather be home,” Hamid muttered.

  “This is your home, now,” Surim said.

  “No, it’s not. And you want to send us away,” Hamid replied, glaring at Surim.

  “I want to go home,” Nadia said. She pushed away her plate and knocked her milk glass, sending a cascade of white liquid off the table and right into Surim’s lap.

  For a stunned moment, no one moved. All three children looked at Surim in horror. Nadia’s eyes filled with tears.

  “I sorry.” She began to cry.

  “No sense crying over spilt milk,” Melissa said calmly, jumping up to go to the child. She handed Surim another napkin and swept Nadia up into her arms. “Don’t cry, sweetie, we all know it was an accident. No harm done.”

  She glanced at Surim. His suit definitely needed a cleaning before he could wear it in public. How he reacted to this mishap would give her the best clue as to how he was going to deal with the children. She hoped he wouldn’t get angry over the two-year-old’s accident.

  He didn’t. Slowly he rose, blotting the liquid from the trousers.

  “It appears I need to change before I leave for my meeting.” With that, he turned and left.

  Nadia hugged Melissa. “It accident,” she said.

  “Of course it was, sweetie. Uncle Surim knows that. He wasn’t even mad.”

  “Yes, he was,” Hamid said. “Now he’ll send us away
for sure. What if we can’t all go to the same school?”

  For a moment Melissa thought he was going to start crying as well.

  “He’s not sending you away. I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen. His inviting me to stay doesn’t sound like someone sending you away. Now finish eating or you won’t have enough energy to play at the beach.

  She resettled the children and the meal passed without further mishap.

  Once finished, she asked Annis to watch them for a moment and dashed down the stairs, hoping to find Surim before he left.

  When she reached the ground floor, she looked around. No sign of him, but she didn’t expect him to be hanging around the foyer. She walked down the hall to the study. The door was open and he was standing by his desk, putting folders into his briefcase.

  “Do you have a moment?” Melissa asked.

  He turned and nodded. “But only a minute. I need to leave soon.”

  “I know. I wanted to apologize for the mishap this morning. She’s only two.”

  “Am I such an ogre I can’t recognize a child’s accident?”

  “I’m not saying you are, but you have to admit you don’t have a lot of experience around children.”

  “Perhaps it would be better to wait until they are older before taking our meals together,” he said, turning back to the briefcase.

  Melissa stepped into the room. She was beginning to get a bit annoyed with the refrain.

  “It’s never too early for children to be part of a family, especially at meals. They were nervous. They’ll do better when they get used to you.”

  “They don’t like me,” he said calmly. “I heard them from the hall.”

  For a stunned moment Melissa wondered if their careless comments had actually hurt Surim. She dismissed it. He was an adult; he knew children said things in the heat of the moment. But for a moment she wanted to reach out and reassure him.

  “They don’t know you,” she said. “Remember back when you were little. You wanted to be grown up and do things with adults. But it was hard.”

  “I do not remember back when I was two,” he said.