The Sheikh’s Reluctant Bride (3 page)

“One of your aunts,” he continued, “is married to the ruler of Bha’Khar’s desert people. The other is a doctor who lives in a city to the north of the capital. I have arranged for you to meet them both.”

“That would be wonderful.” She was almost afraid to ask. “And my grandparents?”

“They are on an extended diplomatic assignment at the request of the foreign service minister. They’ve been informed of your arrival and will return as soon as possible.”

“I see.” She sighed.

He frowned. “What is it?”

“I’m disappointed that I have to wait,” she admitted. “I’d hoped to spend as much time as possible getting to know them before I have to return to my job.”

“Can you not extend your leave of absence?”

“I suppose I’ll have to, but I hate to do that to the kids.”

“They are not being cared for while you are gone?”

“It’s not that simple. Getting kids to trust when they’ve lost everyone isn’t easy.” She knew from personal experience. In fact, she still never let herself believe in anyone with her whole heart. “It’s a leave of absence for me, but to them it’s one more rejection. One more person who abandoned them.”

“They must learn not to put their trust in a single person,” he said. “It is a lesson that will serve them well. Would they not be better off without you?”

She shook her head. “Everybody needs somebody sometime. If they don’t engage emotionally, they become isolated and antisocial.”

“Is not detachment more uncomplicated?”

She stared at him. “This from a man who attaches himself to anything in a skirt—” She pressed her lips together and sighed. “Never mind.”

“Do not misunderstand. I have great admiration for your devotion and the conviction that you can make a difference.” His tone said it was a waste of time.

“The world would be in sadder shape than it already is if no one tried.”

“I wish you luck in your efforts.”

This attitude was what she’d expected based on what she’d read about him. And if not for his insight moments ago she never would have questioned it. But she wondered how he could be so understanding and so jaded at the same time.

She was about to ask when she glanced out the window and realized they’d stopped. “Is the tour over?”

His smile was mysterious. “Yes. And now I have a surprise.” When the driver opened the door, Kardahl slid out, then held a hand out for her. She took it and he closed his fingers around hers, drawing her to her feet on the sidewalk in front of a dress shop. Then he slipped her hand into the bend of his arm and said, “Come with me.”

Inside, the perimeter of the store was lined with women’s clothes—dresses, suits, full-length gowns. If one couldn’t have a fairy godmother with a magic wand, shopping was the next best thing. But there was nothing magic about her budget and she was pretty sure it wouldn’t withstand the prices in this place.

“Why are we here?” she asked.

Before he could answer, a saleswoman appeared, smiling broadly when she recognized Kardahl. “Your Highness, I was delighted when you called. Please give the queen my regards. As you can see, I have canceled all other appointments and closed to the public as you requested. So this is your wife?”

“Jessica,” he said.

“She is quite lovely. My congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you,” he said, glancing down at her. “My wife is in need of some clothes. And there is a reception tomorrow night.”

“There is—” Jess stopped, not wanting to blow his cover. But it would be helpful if he didn’t spring stuff like that on her in public.

The next thing she knew, the woman had whipped out her tape measure and after taking measurements said, “She is a perfect size two. I have some lovely things that will be most flattering to Her Highness.”

Jess wasn’t anyone’s “Highness,” but she didn’t quite know how to phrase it even if she could persuade someone to listen. Not to mention outing their marriage for the sham it was. The woman bustled around the room plucking a sage-green suit, black silk slacks and several coordinating blouses before disappearing, presumably to a fitting room. When she returned, Kardahl pointed to a slender, black evening gown. “I wish to see her in this.”

The saleswoman smiled. “It is fortunate that the gown is her size. And Your Highness has excellent taste.”

As well he should, Jess thought. His Highness was a notorious flirt and playboy who no doubt had intimate experience sizing up women as he removed their clothes. The thought made her shiver and that was a problem. Jess’s mind was saying no, no, no, while her body grew more curious. And her heart was telling her she’d have to be six feet under to not salivate at the chance to at least try on these clothes. But how could she tell the woman she was wasting her time?

When she disappeared with the evening gown, Jess turned to Kardahl. “Listen up. This isn’t necessary. I don’t need anything. We both know the annulment is coming. And—”

“And until then, the world will be watching my wife. There is the matter of the reception tomorrow evening.” He smiled. “I saw your eyes light up as you looked at everything. It would please me to do this and the least I can do for the inconvenience imposed on you. At least try the things on. The woman would be disappointed if you do not.”

“So you’re playing the disappointment card again.” She sighed. “Is that a royal order?”

“Would you like it to be?”

She sighed. “Yes. It has to be wrong to defy a royal order.”

“Indeed,” he said.

She heard the smile in his voice as she turned away and left to find the saleswoman. Around the corner was a fitting room with the clothes she recognized hanging on various hooks. Jessica figured she was probably a spineless slug, but what the heck? She was stuck and might as well enjoy the experience.

Everything fit as if made for her and her female heart was full to bursting at the prospect of wearing such exquisite styles, such delicate, shiny fabrics that rustled when she moved. The saleswoman, Jasmine, bustled in and out, removing items as she brought in more. The black dress Kardahl had picked out was the last thing she tried on.

Jessica looked at herself in the full-length mirror and her eyes went wide. The neck was high and the sleeves long but the soft satin clung to every curve and revealed as much as it concealed. She turned and gasped at the flesh-baring back.

“It is perfect for you.” The woman ran her hands over the hips and waist. “His Royal Highness requested only to see you in this.”

“He did?”

The woman nodded. “He said to tell you it is a royal order.”

The downside of orders were the ones you didn’t want to obey. But her choices were to either suck it up, or cause a scene. As she left the dressing room, Jess held the skirt of the gown up to keep from tripping on the long hem. When she walked into the room where Kardahl waited, she held her breath. He stood and took her hand, helping her onto the dais in front of a bank of mirrors before stepping behind her.

Jess could see him in the mirror, the smoldering look in his eyes as his gaze took in every inch of her. Her feet had been on solid ground for twenty-four hours, but her stomach dropped as if she were taking off in the royal jet. The only explanation was emotional drought, she thought. She wasn’t used to men looking at her the way he was and it was like setting fire to the dry brush of her romantic heart.

“I don’t think this suits me,” she said breathlessly.

“It suits me,” he said, his voice as deep and appealing as sin. “We will take it with us,” he informed the saleswoman.

Jess said nothing because she wouldn’t embarrass the royal family in public. But elegant and costly clothes wouldn’t change anything. She might have been chosen for a prince, but she wasn’t raised as a princess. All she wanted to do was get to know her family, then go back to her life.

By the time she was dressed in her off-the-rack slacks and shirt, the dress was in a protective bag and Kardahl had arranged for the rest of the clothes to be delivered to the palace. When they stepped out of the store, the crowd gathered outside suddenly surged forward, flashbulbs exploding from every direction.

“Who’s the lady, Your Highness?” asked one reporter.

“Is she married, Your Highness?”

Someone shoved a microphone in Jessica’s face. “How did you and Prince Kardahl meet?”

Without comment, Kardahl pulled her to him, using his body to shield her from the cameras. Then he thrust her into the waiting limousine.

As she struggled to control her hammering heart, Jess looked at Kardahl. The expression of fury on his face was completely and utterly shocking. Something told her this reaction wasn’t about unauthorized pictures or unflattering photo angles. This was a deeply emotional response.

She wondered where the easygoing, charming flirt had gone when she didn’t want to wonder about him at all.

H
OW
ironic to have a skirmish with the paparazzi only hours before this meeting with the king and queen. Kardahl had once hoped the woman he would be presenting to his parents as his wife would be another, but thanks to his father, that was never to be. Still, the time had come for introductions.

Now he sat beside Jessica on the sofa in his parents’ living room. Faline and Amahl Hourani, made the side by side overstuffed chairs look like thrones as they studied their “daughter-in-law.” They had once scrutinized the woman of his choice and found her wanting, but tonight they looked pleased. At least someone was, he thought.

His father’s dark hair was flecked with gray on the sides, giving him what most thought a distinguished look. Kardahl had no feeling one way or the other. He only knew the king was a rigid and uncompromising man, difficult to please and stubborn. Kardahl would never forgive him for refusing to waive tradition so that he could marry the woman he wanted.

Unlike her husband, his dark-eyed mother would not permit a gray hair to invade her lustrous, shoulder-length hair. For a small woman, she possessed a strength of will and sense of humor that kept her husband both intrigued and in line. At one time, Kardahl had hoped to emulate their relationship. Those hopes had died with his beloved.

“Are you sure you will not join us in a brandy, Jessica?” his mother asked.

“Thank you, no. Coffee is fine.” Jessica set her china cup on the saucer resting on the side table.

She was casually dressed in black slacks and a coordinating silky black and white blouse. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun at her nape, with numerous sun-kissed strands escaping the confinement to caress her graceful neck. The scent of her skin filled his head with the fragrance of sunshine and flowers as her shoulder brushed his own. She seemed unaffected by the nearness, but he was not so fortunate.

“I understand you had your first experience with reporters today, my dear,” the king was saying.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The king turned a displeased look on him. “How did this happen, Kardahl?”

He had wondered also and made inquiries of his security staff. “It seems there is a site on the Internet where the sighting of a high-profile individual can be posted practically as it is occurring.”

Jessica stared at him. “You mean anyone monitoring that site who happened to be in the area could walk up and shake your hand?”

“Yes,” he said grimly. “My guess is that the news media monitors the site.”

“But that’s practically stalking.”

“In a free society,” the king said, “it is the price we pay. Also part of the cost is minding one’s behavior. As Kardahl knows all too well.”

Jessica glanced up at him with what looked like sympathy in her eyes, then back to his father. “I can’t help feeling responsible. They found him because he surprised me with a detour to the dress shop—”

“You took her to Jasmine’s as I suggested?” his mother interrupted.

“I did,” he confirmed, sliding his arm along the top of the sofa, then resting his fingers close to Jessica’s shoulder.

Until that first meeting on the plane, Kardahl had been annoyed at the turn of events, but had subsequently learned that Jessica was even less pleased than he about the situation. She was an unwilling participant and unprepared for this life. And the look on her face when the paparazzi had besieged him had made him want to protect her. As he had been unable to protect Antonia.

“Those people are predators who feed off others,” he commented.

The queen sighed as she shook her head. “The press can be difficult.”

“I just wasn’t prepared for them,” Jessica said. “Up until today the most excitement I ever had shopping was when the clerk forgot to remove one of those security devices and I set off the alarm when I tried to leave the store.”

The king smiled indulgently. “My dear, if you would change your mind and stay with Kardahl here in Bha’Khar, you would be given instruction in dealing with the media.”

“Probably not by Kardahl,” Jessica said, glancing up at him with humor sparkling like jewels in her eyes. “Unless he used himself as a cautionary tale.”

His father laughed. “No. I think my son would not be the best instructor.” Then he turned serious as he met her gaze. “I urge you to change your mind about the annulment.”

“You’re very kind—”

“I hear a ‘but,’” the king interrupted. “Your grandparents are dear friends. They would be greatly pleased by a real marriage to join our families.”

“You’re very kind,” Jessica said again. “
But,
I’m not royal family material. In spite of the betrothal, circumstances intervened and I wasn’t raised to be the wife of a prince.”

Kardahl saw her fingers clasp and tighten until the knuckles turned white as she rubbed one thumb over the other. When he glanced at her face, the tension in her delicate jaw and shadows in her eyes did not escape his notice.

“You would have a staff to help and the queen and I would—”

“Enough.” Apparently Kardahl had to protect her from his father as well as the press. He rose. “Jessica has expressed her feelings and I will not permit you to pressure her.”

“Kardahl.” The queen frowned. “That is no way to speak to your father.”

“For the time being she is my wife and in this instance, it is precisely the way. I have promised her a tour of the palace. We are leaving now.”

Surprise flickered in Jessica’s expression when she looked up. Before she could expose his lie, he held out his hand. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” She put her fingers in his palm and stood up, then smiled at his parents. “Thank you for dinner.”

“You are most welcome,” his mother said. “We look forward to seeing you at the reception tomorrow evening.”

“And you as well, my son.” There was anger in the king’s order.

“I will be there.”

For Jessica. Kardahl led her to the elevator that would take them to the first floor. He was impervious to his father’s moods now. Once he had cared, but that ended when the king chose tradition over happiness. If Kardahl had been allowed to marry the woman he wanted, she might still…But that was something he would never know. His fingers clenched into a fist as the rage-fueled powerlessness blazed through him. He had learned it was preferable to the pain.

Jessica looked up at him. “Are you all right?”

“I am fine.”

She pointed. “That vein throbbing in your forehead says you’re lying.”

Instinctively he touched his temple and smiled reluctantly. “Let me rephrase. I will be fine.”

“Thanks for coming to my rescue in there, but you didn’t need to. Your father didn’t upset me. I know he was just trying to help.”

“He was attempting to impose his will on you. Tradition is more important to him than anything.”

She folded her arms over her chest and stared straight ahead. “I understand that my opinion is flawed because I never had traditions or relatives telling me what to do. But I don’t think you appreciate how lucky you are to have a family who cares about you.”

When the elevator doors opened, he waited for her to precede him, then pressed the button. “You are correct.”

“I’m glad you see that they love you.”

He smiled. “Your opinion is flawed.”

“Right.” She smiled. “Everyone has flaws. We learn to overlook the worst in the people we love. But I got the feeling that there’s something going on between you and your father.”

Not any longer. “You are mistaken.”

She studied him. “No. You were really angry with him and it was more than the fact that he was trying to change my mind about the annulment.”

“We disagree about many things.”

“I gathered. But it was also clear to me that your parents love you.” She held up her hand when he started to say something. “When you’ve longed for it like I have, you learn to see it in others. So don’t even tell me my opinion is flawed.”

“I would not dream of it.” On the ground floor, they stepped from the elevator onto the marble tile and Kardahl held out his hand. “This way.”

At the end of the short hall, he pulled wide a door that opened into the garden and surrounded them with the scent of flowers and warm sultry air. Inside the walls surrounding the extensive palace grounds, strategically placed lights underscored the proud palms, fragrant jasmine and lush greenery.

Eyes wide, Jessica looked around and breathed deeply. “Kardahl, it’s beautiful.”

“I thought you would like it here. It is where I come when I wish to—”

“Let your testosterone levels return to normal before you put your fist through a wall?”

“Just so,” he said, his mouth twitching as a grin threatened.

Kardahl found himself intrigued by his reluctant bride.

It was said that misfortune built integrity and by that measure, he had much character to spare as did she. Although that was just a guess based on what little she had said about her life. She had edited out almost everything, claiming it was unimportant. He had heard the words, but the pain in her eyes and tension in her voice had said she was lying.

“It’s perfect,” she said, clearly awed. “I wish I could stay here forever.”

He watched her wordlessly take in the garden’s natural beauty and thought her own natural beauty a pleasing addition to this serene place. She was like a flower in the desert—strong, resilient and unexpectedly lovely.

“You may come here whenever you wish.” He took her hand and placed it in the bend of his elbow, leading her down the path that curved through the flourishing plants.

“But I won’t be here that long,” she reminded him.

“All the more reason to take advantage while you are able.”

“Do you appreciate this? Or do you take it for granted? Like your family?”

“Perhaps,” he said with a shrug. He did not take offense at the question because he had finally read the investigator’s report on her life and knew for a fact she had left out much, including that the cause of her mother’s death was alcohol abuse. “I cannot change my father any more than you could change what happened to your mother.”

She pulled away from him and folded her arms protectively over her chest. For many moments she was silent but finally she met his gaze. “What do you know about my mother?”

“Everything.”

“How?”

“When you were located, my father had your background researched.”

“And our ‘marriage’ moved forward even though my mother never married anyone, including my father.” Her tone was rife with bitter irony. “But she never stopped looking for ‘Mr. Right,’ even though every time she thought she’d found him, he let her down.”

“Yes.” The report had been quite thorough.

“And each time she lost a little more of herself.”

“That must have been very difficult.”

She looked at him and a fierce protectiveness flashed in her eyes cutting through the pain. “When she was really there, she was my best friend. She listened and we talked. And I miss her still.”

“I understand.”

“No, you don’t. How could you? Your family is alive and well and all living here in this big, beautiful palace with the gorgeous grounds. And you don’t appreciate them.” She stopped suddenly at the end of the path and pointed. “What’s this?”

He glanced at the salmon-colored stucco walls with their stained-glass windows and graceful red-tile roof. The structure had been closed up since before he was born. “This is the harem.”

“Really?” Curiosity shimmered in her eyes, replacing the sadness and successfully distracting her. “So this is where the royal men stash their women?”

“Actually, no. There is a dungeon beneath the palace and secret passages—”

“You’re joking,” she said.

“Yes.” He tried the door to the building and found it locked. “The harem has been abandoned for many years. I believe my grandmother delivered an ultimatum to the king who bowed to her wishes.”

“Wow. That sounds like a romantic story.”

“I do not know.” But if it would keep her eyes shining, he would find out the details.

“I wonder—” She peeked through the window.

He moved beside her, leaning a shoulder against the wall. “What do you wonder?”

“What it would be like to live in a harem.” She bent from side to side and stood on tiptoe, trying to see through the stained glass. “Waiting for the call to get in the game. When you’re chosen.”

“It was more than sex,” he explained, noting the blush that pinkened her cheeks. “Years ago it was a necessity to produce many children in order to ensure the line of succession. The infant mortality rate was very high. Now medical advances make it less important.”

“And the women of the world are your harem.” She met his gaze, daring a contradiction.

He had sought comfort and forgetfulness in the arms of many and achieved it with none. In this, too, her opinion was flawed, but there was no point in correcting her misconception. Her favorable opinion of his character mattered little to him because it would change nothing.

She met his gaze and smiled. “So, when my background was researched, was there anything about me being harem-worthy?”

Kardahl’s gaze was drawn to her mouth and his pulse quickened along with his heart. What would those lush lips feel like? Taste like? “There is only one way to answer your question.”

“How?”

He straightened, then cupped her cheek in his palm as he brushed his thumb back and forth over her mouth. “Like this,” he said, lowering his head.

The lips that could coax a man into sin without uttering a word tasted even more exceptional than they looked. Softness he had expected, but the innocence he sampled ignited his blood like a torch to kerosene. He cradled her face in both hands and tunneled his fingers into her hair, drinking from her mouth yet unable to quench his passion.

He caught her breathy purr of desire on his lips and felt her hand settle on his chest, over his heart. The touch pitched him into a stormy sea of need, tossing in the turbulence of her temptation. This he had not felt for…Lifting his head, he stared at her bewitching, kiss-swollen mouth. Her breathing was uneven, her eyes glazed with an erotic expression he did not believe she knew was there.