The Sheikh's English Bride

by Sharon Kendrick

  During the journey from the Sheikh's apartments back to his room, had Malik somehow got word to her that Xavier's mood was dark and unpredictable? Had she been told to pacify him in the most elemental way known to women?

  'How very persuasive you are, cherie' he murmured 'Tell me, is that also part of your brief—to convince me to stay?'

  Something in his tone sent another whisper of alarm along her spine and the meaning behind his question became clear Laura stared into eyes suddenly grown cold and thought how little she really knew of him How could you connect with a man on a physical level, which at moments last night had seemed almost spiritual, and yet when you came back down to earth all that was left was emptiness and suspicion?

  'I told you,' she said stiffly 'My job was simply to bring you here '

  'And sleeping with me?' he drawled 'Would you define that as a perk—or a condition?'

  Laura froze, for a moment thinking that he couldn't possibly have meant it But one look at the icy set of his features told her that he had 'If I were the hysterical type I might just slap your face for that remark— but as I'm not I'll treat it with the contempt it deserves '

  'But you enjoyed it,' he challenged softly In fact I'd go so far as to say you absolutely loved it—so I'd say it definitely fell into the category of perk, wouldn't you?'

  Something about the way he said it reminded Laura of how eagerly she had writhed beneath him The way she had wrapped her thighs around his back and the way her body had arched ecstatically beneath his How she would have loved to tell him no—that as a lover he was a dead loss—that she had endured what had happened with gritted teeth But he knew and she knew that would be the biggest lie of all

  'Oh, you're right I did love it—the sex was great,' she said 'But then I expect it always is—men don't get reputations as super-lovers without it being backed up by fact'

  'Why, thank you, cherie' he drawled

  It wasn't supposed to be a compliment' she snapped If you want to know, I think that going around seducing everything that moves is a pretty sad and empty way to live '

  'Whereas dressing to seduce and luring men back for wealthy Middle-Eastern potentates isn't sad and empty, I suppose?' he snapped.

  Laura opened her mouth to tell him that the silk-satin clothes she wore were a million miles away from the way she usually dressed—but surely to do that would only bring substance to his argument? If she admitted that her wardrobe had been commissioned by the Palace—and at great cost—he might reasonably ask why her clothes had been of such importance And, in a way, she wasn't completely blameless, was she? When she had been told to acquire the expensive garments she had readily agreed, hadn't she?

  Because she had wanted the job, that was why—and because she had been willing to play the part she had been complicit in their schemes But if she had allowed herself to be decorated like a cake—then she couldn't really complain if Xavier had wanted to take a slice of her for himself, could she?

  Because you didn't have to Set him'

  She lifted her chin, telling herself that his last memory of her would be as a strong, proud woman, and not one who was crumbling inside and wishing it could be different

  'You know what?' she said 'A constant stream of different women throughout your life means that you can cleverly avoid any intimacy and commitment, and that's okay—that's your choice There will always be willing and available women for a man like you, Xavier' She leaned forward, banishing self-interest and regret from her agenda, her green eyes on fire 'But you've only got one father—remember that—though maybe the one you have got doesn't fit in with your particular image'

  Xavier stared at her 'What are you talking about?'

  'Maybe it will suit you to have a rich father you never knew Maybe it makes you feel better—knowing you were denied access and forced to spend your early life in poverty Though, ironically, that's probably the main factor in your success '

  She studied him as dispassionately as was possible 'Maybe you're one of those people who likes going through life with a reason to be angry—thinking it makes their unreasonable behaviour in some way acceptable Well, it doesn't—not in my book'

  'How dare you speak to me like this?'

  Isn't it time that someone had the courage to?'

  'Get out' he flared furiously.

  Laura suddenly felt the most delicious and heady sensation of power 'I think you're forgetting yourself, Xavier I don't work for you and therefore I don't take orders from you—and besides, I was leaving anyway, remember? I've got some paperwork to do, and after that I'm going to ask Malik to get me on the next flight out of here'

  Feeling his eyes burning into her back, Laura stalked out It was possibly the most stylish exit she had ever made, but the satisfaction of knowing that did nothing to hide the pain she felt inside

  CHAPTER TEN

  'Do you have any idea how much longer Malik will be?' questioned Laura, trying like mad to hold onto her temper, which was becoming more frayed by the second.

  'You will be informed just as soon as he becomes available,' said his secretary smoothly, and Laura stared mutinously at his back as he disappeared through the door of Malik's office.

  She had been kept waiting outside the office of the Sheikh's aide for almost forty minutes—growing angrier by the minute She couldn't even go back to her suite—because Xavier was there and, having stormed out of his bedroom, she would look and feel a fool if she had to go crawling back again

  Yet neither could she just pack her bags and leave She had flown here by private jet, she was the Sheikh's special guest, and as such it was going to be difficult to make her own travel arrangements and get back again She wasn't even sure if there were any scheduled flights back to the UK—they almost certainly wouldn't be direct

  And they were bound to be expensive Having gone to all this trouble earn herself enough money to get herself out of a financial fix, wouldn't it be a bit stupid if she then blew a large chunk of it on a ticket because her pride had been hurt and she felt used?

  The sensible thing to do would be to wait and speak to Malik and gently remind him—if it came to it—that he was contractually obliged to pay her and send her home.

  The door to Malik's large suite of offices opened and another of the male secretaries appeared, and bowed.

  'Miss Cottmgham,' he said, in the now familiar Kharastani accent 'Malik Al-Ahal asks that you meet with him in the Perfumed Garden—will you please follow me?'

  Laura frowned Had Malik exited from his offices by a different entrance, or had she been misled into thinking that he had been there all along? Not that she would bother asking his secretary, she thought, as she stepped out into the brilliant Kharastan day. His undoubted loyalty to his boss told her it would be a waste of time.

  Instead, Laura forced herself to concentrate on the beauty of the Palace gardens and try to erase the beauty of Xavier's face and body from her mind Because a man could not be said to be beautiful or handsome—not if he had a black soul and a suspicious mind, and would pluck a woman up as if she were a flower to then be crushed underfoot.

  But he could only do that if a woman let him.

  The torment of her thoughts was momentarily soothed by the sweet scent of the flowers which drifted out from the Perfumed Garden It was intoxicating and evocative, and Laura breathed in deeply as she followed the secretary through an arched arbour, where honeysuckle grew in wild profusion.

  And there was Malik—standing with his back to her as he snipped a perfect white rose from its bush.

  He must have heard her footstep, for he turned when he heard her and said something rapidly in his native tongue to his secretary, who bowed deeply, then left.

  Malik held the rose out towards her 'You will accept this flower?'

  Laura's face was grave 'Only if I can be certain it comes without obligation '

  Malik raised his eyebrows 'Perhaps you will tell me why you insisted on this meeting?'

  'Because I want to finis
h up whatever work is left and go home—to England '

  I'm afraid that may not be possible '

  Laura's blood ran cold It was worse than her worst fantasies 'What do you mean—not possible? My boss knows I'm out here, and he'll get worried if he doesn't hear—he's expecting me back at work,' she breathed 'So you can't keep me here against my will'

  Malik gave a short laugh 'My dear Miss Cottmgham! We do much trade with England, and I do not think that the government of your country would look kindly on us if we started keeping its young women prisoners!'

  Laura stared at him suspiciously 'Then why won't you let me go home?'

  It might be a little more ' Malik hesitated ' convenient if you stayed Just for a couple more days, you understand?'

  But it was a velvet-cloaked order, not a polite request, and realisation slowly began to dawn on her 'This is Xavier's doing, isn't if? He has demanded this?'

  Malik didn't react.

  'Isn't it?' questioned Laura.

  Malik shrugged 'You cannot blame the man for wanting you to remain here as his companion—not in view of what has happened '

  Did Laura imagine the faint note of censure in his voice, or was she just feeling vulnerable and raw? I'm not with you,' she said.

  But then she saw the way he lowered his eyes, and suddenly she knew exactly what he meant.

  He did know that she'd slept with Xavier—had Xavier told him, or had one of the servants gossiped? Laura was aware of the sting of colour to her cheeks, knowing that to try to defend herself would be a doomed enterprise certain to lead to even more embarrassment.

  What excuse or reason could she give to condone her behaviour in a country where a woman's honour was as highly prized as rubies? She could not even offer up deep emotion as a contributing factor—who would believe her when she had known Xavier for such a short time?

  Yet it was not as it must have looked to an outsider Deep emotion had been there—well, certainly on Laura's part She had wanted to comfort him as well as to be made love to She had wanted to touch him in ways which were more than physical—the sad thing was that she had ever believed she could Something strong and powerful had reached out to her—something so rare that she had felt nothing remotely like it in all her twenty-six years.

  But now?

  Laura bit her lip, wondering if she had been completely stupid Whether what had happened had been all about her writing the script for what she wanted it to be—rather than the reality of what it was

  But if Xavier thought that she was going to continue with the intimacy, then he was badly mistaken What was done was done—she couldn't blame him for taking what she had so freely offered—but now it was time to look after herself

  'This is intolerable, Malik,' she said in a low voice, but the Kharastani man was shaking his head

  'Only if you make it so,' he demurred.

  'But we have interconnecting rooms,' she pointed out.

  'And you have a key,' he said sharply.

  He didn't say And maybe you should have used it before—but he didn't have to It was all there, written on his face, and Laura flinched

  'And I suppose that if I make a fuss then my salary will suffer? You'll withhold it—or use complicated international machinery to delay payment for so long that by the time I get it I'll no longer need it?' she challenged.

  Malik's eyes widened fractionally, as if matters as vulgar as money were not talked about within the rarefied surroundings of the Palace, but Laura didn't care She was not—like him—cushioned by the untold wealth of a royal family and its courtiers She was a working girl

  'I must ensure that everyone is kept happy,' he said

  'Everyone except me, that is,' returned Laura as she recognised her predicament She had no choice other than to stay, but at least she could word it to sound as if it had been her decision—her wounded pride demanded that much 'Well, I'll stay for as long as it is necessary, but no longer I'm not prepared to sacrifice my livelihood simply because I made a poor personal judgement'

  'I think it will not be as bad as you anticipate. For all its antiquity the Blue Palace has many facilities for you to enjoy,' countered Malik 'There is an Olympic-sized pool, a gym—and our cinema houses the most up-to-the-minute films And I have assigned Sidoniato cater for your every need '

  Laura raised her eyebrows 'A gilded cage, you mean?'

  'There are many ways of looking at a situation,' he said softly 'You could always try to enjoy it'

  Laura met his eyes If you say so ' But it wasn't as easy as that If Xavier hadn't been part of the deal, then it might have been—but how could she enjoy what sounded like a state-of-the-art holiday camp if she was worrying about fighting him off? Or, worse, fighting off her own attraction to him?

  She turned on her heel, not knowing or caring whether she was supposed to wait for the Kharastani nobleman to leave first If they were breaking the rules of her employment then she would damned well break a few of her own in return!

  Emerging from the direction of the palace, Laura saw Sidonia walking towards her, and suddenly she was pleased to see the friendly and welcoming face of the servant

  'Good morning, Sidonia,' she said

  'Good morning ' Sidonia folded her hands together, the tips of her fingers beneath her chin, and gave the elegant bow of the traditional Khanstani greeting 'You wish perhaps to take breakfast now?'

  Laura shook her head 'Not just yet What I would really like is some exercise Is there any way you could get hold of a swimsuit for me?'

  Sidonia nodded, then spoke in her sweetly accented English 'But of course The pool is equipped with everything you could possibly require '

  'Just for me?' Laura wondered aloud as they walked towards the complex

  'For all our guests The Sheikh often has visiting dignitaries who expect things to be primitive—it gives him great pleasure to show them how much a part of the modern world we are here at the Palace '

  Laura shot the servant a curious look as they walked past exquisite flowerbeds, each symmetrically planted with a different colour theme—scarlets, golds and blues Her pride in her Palace and her Ruler were touching

  'From the air, the flowers in this part of the garden resemble our Kharastan flag,' said Sidonia 'You see the shape of the falcon's head?'

  'Yes, I do ' Laura smiled 'Your English is so good '

  Sidonia nodded 1 am pleased with my progress—but the credit for that must go to Sorrel'

  The name rang a bell, and Laura remembered the young blonde woman who had appeared at the banquet, summoning Xavier to the Sheikh, and nodded.

  ' Is that Malik's ward?' she questioned, and Sidonia nodded 'How did that happen?'

  'Her parents were the British representatives here in Kharastan—both great Middle Eastern scholars,' said Sidonia 'They died in an aircrash over the mountains of Maraban and everyone thought that Sorrel would go straight home

  But she had grown up here and loved it—she considered Kharastan to be her home and was reluctant to leave. She attended the university here—very few English women are fluent in the Kharastan language One day she will go back to England, but she will not do so until the Sheikh dies'

  Laura wondered how much Sorrel—and indeed Sidonia—knew about Xavier Were they aware that he was the Sheikh's son—perhaps with a legitimate claim on his kingdom? And what if Xavier made no claim, or did not meet with the Sheikh's approval? Who would rule Kharastan then?

  For some reason Malik's face swam into Laura's mind, but they had reached the poolhouses now, and she was dazzled by the sheer opulent splendour of the pool It was a vast rectangle of perfectly clear water, and it was lined with beautiful golden and blue mosaics which depicted scenes of Kharastan life The poolhouses themselves were the very last word in luxury—with a steam-room and sauna making it look like a lavish and very exclusive health club.

  'You will find everything you need here,' said Sidonia

  'Thank you,' said Laura, as she gazed round in delight 'And I wonder
if you could bring me some day clothes from my room'? Perhaps trousers might be suitable?'

  'Certainly'

  After Sidonia had gone, Laura selected a plain black costume and dived into the water, emerging like a seal mid-way down the pool and beginning to swim She had been good at swimming as a child—with free baths close to their home Often—if her mother had been working in the evenings—Laura would go there straight from school, swimming length after length in a steady crawl

  It had always invigorated her rather than tired her out, and it did the same now—so that by time she had finished her swim she felt ready to face anything

  Afterwards, Laura showered and changed into the linen trousers and silk shirt Sidonia had brought— tying her damp hair back with a green ribbon which echoed the colour of the jade and silver beads she slung round her neck Narrow sandals were slipped onto her bare feet and she felt in control

  She looked just right—cool, sophisticated and sleek Now Laura could see that the Sheikh's insistence that she wear designer clothes from top to toe had been about much more than dressing to lure Xavier back here—as he had accused her It meant that she didn't look out of place in these august surroundings That she looked as if she fitted in And that was rather a nice feeling.