Читать книгу The Sheik's Secret Bride - Susan Mallery, Susan Mallery - Страница 7

L iana couldn’t tell if they were in a really big foyer or a smallish living room. She decided it was probably the former, because this was, after all, a palace, and she doubted it had smallish anythings.

A bubble of hysteria threatened to choke her, even as she told herself it would be best for everyone if she stayed calm. Screaming like a crazy woman wouldn’t do anything except upset her daughter.

Without her even being aware of leaving the cab, she and Bethany had been ushered out of the car and into this mystery room just past the main double doors. She could hear conversation behind her and had the bad feeling that their luggage had been removed from the cab and taken who knows where.

This isn’t happening, she told herself firmly. Really. We’re not being kidnapped, nor is this anything more than a simple misunderstanding.

“Mommy, look!”

Liana followed Bethany’s gaze as her daughter stared up at an oval ceiling depicting the night sky. Glittering stars twinkled down at them, and, on what she assumed was the east side of the room, the first hint of sunrise glowed faint pink against the inky darkness. The entire picture was edged in gold paint. Or maybe real gold…she couldn’t tell. The walls were the same dark color as the ceiling, but the color came from hundreds of tiny tiles. More tiles covered the floor in a pattern showing a dragon guarding a kingdom she suspected was El Bahar.

“You think the ceiling is something,” Liana murmured, “look at what you’re standing on.”

Bethany did so, then jumped back to study the large, dangerous-looking creature.

“I stepped on his tail,” her daughter whispered. “Do you think he’s mad?”

“People have stepped on more than that,” Prince Malik said as he walked into the room. “Welcome. I trust your cab ride was pleasant enough?”

“It was fine,” Liana said, determined to ignore the way her blood seemed to sing as it flowed hotter and faster throughout her body. Yes, the prince was rugged and fabulously good-looking—and well, a prince. But she refused to let herself be distracted by him. By any of this. And how had he had time to get to the palace ahead of them, let alone time to change his clothes? Or had he been wearing that gray suit under his robes?

“You will find the palace very comfortable,” Prince Malik said.

Liana wasn’t sure if he was making a statement or issuing an order. Not that it mattered. “It’s lovely. The palace, I mean,” she said. “Impressive and not where we want to live.”

Bethany came up beside her, and Liana put her arm around her slender daughter. “I am a teacher for the American School. As such, I was promised housing there. I don’t know why you’ve brought me to the palace or what you hope to gain by it, but I insist that you allow us to go there now.”

Malik waved his hand, as if brushing aside her comments. “You’ll be much happier here. The rooms are larger and you may explore as you like. Transportation will be provided each morning and evening to take you to and from the school.”

Liana felt as if she had a bit part in a bad movie, but she was determined not to give in to her threatening hysteria before she had all the facts. “Have we been kidnapped?”

Malik looked insulted by the question. “Of course not,” he said, drawing himself up to his full and impressive height. “I am Crown Prince Malik Khan of El Bahar. I bestow on you the honor of being my guest at the royal palace.”

Liana pressed her lips together, not sure how to respond to that. A soft, snuffling sound interrupted her thoughts. She turned and saw a golden retriever hovering just outside the main door. Its tail wagged frantically, but it didn’t step inside the palace.

Bethany caught sight of the dog and clapped her hands together. “Mommy, can I go pet the dog?”

Liana glanced at Malik. “Is it friendly?”

“Yes. Sam belongs to my nephews, all of whom are much younger than Bethany. He’s very good with children. She will be safe.”

Liana nodded at her daughter. “Go ahead, but stay within sight of the open door.”

Her daughter walked slowly toward the retriever, holding out her hand for the animal to sniff. Sam took a quick whiff, then licked the offered fingers, all the while wiggling with excitement at the thought of a new playmate.

Liana took the opportunity of her daughter’s distraction to step closer to the prince, not because she wanted to be even more under his spell, but because she didn’t want Bethany to hear what she had to say.

“We are not staying here,” she informed Malik. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but your conduct is completely unacceptable. I am an American citizen and a guest of your country for the next two years. As such, I expect to obey El Baharian law. In return I wish to be treated with respect and courtesy, neither of which includes holding me anywhere against my will.”

“You do not understand,” Malik said patiently. “It is better for you to be at the palace.”

He looked too intelligent not to get her point, which meant he wasn’t listening. It was a trait shared by many men. Perhaps it was exacerbated by his royal status. Regardless, she had to get through to him.

Liana opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. A whisper of a memory drifted through her mind. She tried to shake it off, but it would not be denied. Then, despite the potential peril of her situation, she couldn’t help laughing softly.

“Your Highness, you do not want to play this game with me. I’ve seen the movie.”

He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“The schoolteacher brought to the foreign country, the man in the royal house who refuses to let her have her own house. You are not the King of Siam and I am not Mrs. Anna. But if you have any thoughts of recreating that situation, may I take this moment to remind you that not only does the king never sleep with Mrs. Anna, he has the misfortune to die at the end.”

She’d thought Prince Malik might look shocked or disapproving. Instead he startled her by leaning close. “We all die in the end, Liana,” he said, his warm breath tickling her ear. “And make no mistake, I will have you in my bed.”

“If you keep saying things like that, you’re going to scare the poor woman to death.”

Both Malik and Liana turned at the sound of the female voice. An attractive woman with curly light brown hair and wire-framed glasses approached. She wore a chic green dress that screamed designer, and there were the most amazing pearls around her neck. The woman shook her head at the prince.

“I can’t believe you’re using lines like that, Malik. Haven’t you ever heard of subtlety?”

He drew himself up and glared down at the woman. Even though she wore high heels, he was a good six or seven inches taller. “I am Malik Khan, Crown Prince of El Bahar—”

She dismissed him with a wave and turned her attention to Liana. “Pay no attention to that speech. All the princes give it and we’ve learned to ignore them.” She held out her hand. “Hi. I’m Heidi, wife of Jamal, the middle of the Khan brothers.” She glanced at Malik. “You’ve already been tormented by my brother-in-law. What is it about these sheiks? Give them a little power and they want to run all over everyone.”

Liana shook hands with the charming American and gave her a trembling smile, along with her name. She couldn’t remember ever being in a more confusing situation. She felt as if she’d landed on a strange planet…and in a way she had. El Bahar was a very different place from her native California.

“I’m pleased to learn one can disagree with a Crown Prince and live to tell the tale,” she said.

Heidi grinned. “Malik isn’t so bad. He talks tough, and he’s a fairly decent Crown Prince, but underneath all that, he’s basically a nice guy.”

Malik made a sound low in his throat. “You, woman, tread carefully around me.”

“Or you’ll have me beheaded. I’ve heard the threat before.” Heidi leaned close to Liana and lowered her voice. “Actually, he’s an excellent ruler and everyone respects him tremendously, but he can be a bit imperious on occasion.”

Liana had had first-hand experience with Malik’s imperiousness. “I’ve already seen him in action,” she said. “I don’t belong here. I’m a teacher with the American School.”

Malik shook his head. “She is my guest.”

Heidi looked from one to the other. “Interesting. What happened? You saw her at the airport and decided you liked the looks of her, so you brought her home?”

Malik looked faintly uncomfortable with the question. “I am the Crown Prince. I do not answer to you.”

Heidi glanced at Liana. “Let me guess. You don’t want to be here.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, Malik needs a willful woman in his life—even if he would never admit it. He’s a bit on the stuffy side, and being challenged by a woman would help make him more human.”

“I am not stuffy—”

“I’m not anyone’s woman—”

Liana and Malik spoke at the same time.

“This is all your fault,” she said, glaring at him. “Did you really bring me here because you liked the looks of me?” A voice in her head whispered it was actually a nice compliment, but she ignored the voice. She also ignored the steady thunder of her heart as she fought against her lingering attraction. “I’m not a puppy.”

“I never thought you were.”

Liana wanted to stamp her foot in annoyance. Nothing was going the way she wanted. She turned to Heidi. “Can you help me? I’m here to work and that’s all I want to do. If I could just get to the American School everything would be fine.”

Before Heidi could answer, Bethany stepped into the foyer. She walked over to her mother and leaned against her. “I’m tired, Mommy. Are we leaving soon?”

“You see,” Malik said. “The child needs to rest. While you stand here arguing, you’re wasting time. Heidi will show you to your rooms.”

Heidi raised her eyebrows at her brother-in-law, but otherwise didn’t protest. “Actually, Liana, it might be easier to give in to this tonight. You’ve got to be exhausted from the long trip. In the morning you can gird your loins and fight the battle anew.” She touched Liana’s arm. “Seriously, you are perfectly safe here. This is a royal palace and all guests are treated with the utmost respect.”

Liana didn’t know what to do. She had the feeling that if she gave in on this point, nothing in her life would ever be the same. The smart move would be to insist that she be taken to her condo immediately. But she was tired, as was Bethany. Then there was the tiny detail of spending the night in a real-life palace. That sort of thing had never happened to her before, nor was it likely to happen again. Was she going to turn down this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because of her pride?

“All right,” she murmured. “If you’re sure it won’t be any trouble.”

“None at all,” Malik said. He offered a low bow, then disappeared down a long hallway.

“Who was that masked man?” Liana murmured.

Heidi heard her and laughed. “The princes take some getting used to. Come on. Your room is through here. Don’t worry about the luggage, someone will bring it along.”

“You okay with this?” Liana asked her daughter. “Do you mind spending the night in the palace?”

Big blue eyes, so much like her own, stared up at her. Bethany smiled. “Mommy, if I stay in the palace, I get to pretend I’m a princess.”

“Oh, you’re right. Well, that makes this very special, huh?”

Bethany nodded, then looked at Heidi. “Are you really married to a prince?”

“I sure am,” Heidi said. “Which makes me a princess. We have a little boy who is also a prince.”

“Wow.” Bethany’s big eyes got bigger. “Do you have a crown and everything?”

“You bet.”

Heidi led the way down a long hall. As they followed, Liana wondered about the woman who was being so kind. She dressed like a regular person—no robes or veils—and her voice had an American accent. Liana would bet that there was an interesting story in her past. If she was going to be here longer, she might want to ask about it. But Liana and Bethany would be leaving the palace in the morning, so there wasn’t going to be time to make friends.

“You’re here to teach?” Heidi asked as they passed through a carved archway.

Liana glanced around them, barely able to answer for all the wonders she saw. Open doors allowed her to see into great rooms with high ceilings and western-style furniture. She caught glimpses of gardens and fountains. Every few feet they walked by a small alcove that displayed some fabulous piece of art, be it a tapestry or glass-ware or a statue. The floor beneath their feet was marble, and much of the wall space was tiled. No doubt parts of the palace were hundreds of years old.

“I, ah, teach math,” Liana said absently as she took in the beauty of the El Baharian palace. The air was cool and faintly scented with flowers. “High-school-level algebra and geometry. Sometimes, if I have a bright group, I start them on calculus.”

Heidi smiled at Bethany. “I guess with a mom who’s a math teacher, you don’t get to say you don’t understand it, do you?”

Bethany giggled shyly and clung to her mother’s hand. “No, I like math.”

“Good for you.” Heidi stopped in front of a single door carved with a relief of a gazelle. She pushed it open and stepped into a suite of rooms. “These will be yours,” she said, motioning to the airy space.

Liana and Bethany followed her, then came to a stop in the center of the main room. In front of them were floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the Arabian Sea, light-colored furniture collected in two separate conversation areas, and double French doors leading out to a balcony that was almost as large as the living room. Nearly as amazing as the view was a mural on both the left and the right wall of the room. Tiny tiles had been cut and pieced together to create a herd of Arabian horses racing across the desert. The horses were depicted nearly life-size, with manes and tails flying out as fast hooves thundered across the sand.

“Oh, Mommy, look!” Bethany cried as she raced over to stand in front of the right mural. She reverently touched the tiny tiles. “Horses! Beautiful horses.”

Just then two servants appeared with their luggage. Heidi pointed down a short hallway and the men disappeared. Seconds later they reappeared, without their burden of suitcases, then bowed and left as quietly as they’d come.

“You’ll find the horse motif continues throughout the suite,” Heidi explained. “It’s one of the features of the palace. All the guest quarters have a theme. I thought with your daughter being at that horse-loving age, you two would enjoy this suite.”

Liana felt stunned, as if she’d been drinking, or hadn’t eaten in a couple of days. “This is a regular guest room here at the palace?” she asked. “There are more suites like this, just standing empty, waiting for company?”

Heidi nodded. Her hazel eyes filled with compassion. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but you’ll get used to it. There are frequent guests at the palace. Some visiting dignitaries prefer to stay at the beachfront hotels, but others like the warmth and history of the palace.”

“I see why,” Liana murmured. This was the most magnificent room she’d ever seen. She could only imagine what the bedrooms and bathrooms would be like.

“The balcony is a common one,” Heidi went on to explain. “There aren’t any other guests staying here at the moment, so you shouldn’t see anyone, but don’t be alarmed if someone walks by. Actually, on this level you can make a complete circuit of the palace via the balcony. I recommend the walk in the evening. It’s very lovely.”

“Thank you, I will.”

Heidi started to leave, then paused. “I know it’s terribly rude to ask, but how well do you know the prince?”

“I don’t know him at all.” Liana recounted the events on the plane and at the airport. “Instead of taking us to the American School, the cab brought us here. I don’t understand what happened.”

“Obviously you caught Malik’s eye,” Heidi said.

Then he can have it back, Liana thought to herself, although she didn’t say it aloud. “I can’t believe that,” Liana said. “I’m just a teacher.” Didn’t sheik princes fall for movie stars and models?

“You’re very attractive,” Heidi said. “Tall, blonde, blue eyes.”

Yes, she was those things, Liana admitted, but she was also about twenty pounds overweight and not the least bit interested in being fashionable. She preferred comfort to style. She’d been described as passably pretty, which she believed to be true. No, she was many things, but not someone to garner the attention of a prince.

“There has to be something else going on,” she insisted.

“Why do you find it so hard to believe that Malik could want you? Aren’t you interested?”

“Not really,” Liana said honestly. “I’ve reached the point where I don’t want another man in my life, and even if I did, I wouldn’t want someone like Malik. I would never be very good in the position of wife number three or four.”

Heidi smiled. “Ah, but this is El Bahar. The tradition of four wives is not allowed. Men have only one wife, and Prince Malik isn’t married.”

Liana told herself she wasn’t the least bit tempted. Sexual attraction was one thing—marriage quite another. “If I ever marry again, I want my husband to be interested in an equal partnership. Not likely with a Crown Prince.”

Heidi nodded. “You’re right there.” She looked around the room. “I’ll leave you to unpack, then. If you need anything, simply pick up the phone and ask for it. Someone will be by later to take your order for dinner.” She walked to the door and paused there. “It was very nice to meet you both. I hope you enjoy your stay in El Bahar.”

With that, she was gone.

“She’s very pretty,” Bethany said, staring after Heidi. “I never thought I’d meet a princess or stay in a palace. This is like an adventure in a book, isn’t it, Mommy?”

“Sort of,” Liana agreed, somewhat cautiously. “Let’s explore the rest of the suite and see what sort of arrangements the palace makes for its visitors.”

They walked down the short hallway and found two bedrooms, each with its own bath. The smaller of the two rooms was still big enough for a queen-sized bed, a desk, a dresser and a large built-in wall unit that housed a state-of-the-art television and DVD player. There was also a collection of movies in a drawer underneath. The attached bath was larger than their kitchen had been back home. The towels were thick enough to double as a mattress in a pinch and there were a collection of bath products by the oversized tub. Small versions of the mosaics in the living room continued here on the walls and floor tiles.

Liana’s room was even more impressive. The king-sized bed took up barely an eighth of the floor space. The four-poster monstrosity required a step stool to reach the mattress. Crisp white linens gave the room a cool air, and fresh flowers added to the ambiance. Her bathroom was huge, with a tub large enough for a committee meeting. Instead of the horses, her bath was decorated with a floral design. In addition to the baskets of bath products, Liana found an array of makeup, brushes and body lotions…all unopened, but calling her name.

“Wow,” she said as she finished her tour.

Bethany tucked a blond strand of hair behind her ear. “I like it here, Mommy. Maybe we can stay.”

Liana grinned. “Wouldn’t that be nice? To live like princesses?” She pulled her daughter close and hugged her. “Maybe you could insist all your classmates bow to you.”

Bethany giggled. “Especially the boys.”

“Of course. All the boys. And some of the girls. The ones who aren’t friendly.”

Still laughing, they returned to Bethany’s room and started to unpack. They’d barely begun the job when there was a knock at the door.

“Stay here,” Liana said as she hurried toward the front room.

Was it Malik? Had he come to talk to her? She found herself in the uncomfortable position of being both hopeful and fearful. Which was crazy. The man was handsome and high-handed, nothing more. Besides, in the morning she and her daughter would be gone, and she would never see him again.

But first you have to get through the night, a voice in her head whispered.

She opened the door and saw an attractive woman in her thirties standing in the hallway. She had dark hair and eyes.

“I’m Dora Khan,” the woman said. “May I come in?”

“Of course.” Liana stepped back to allow her to enter. “Did you say Khan? So you’re…”

“The wife of Khalil, the youngest of the king’s sons.”

Dora wore her dark hair swept up in a chignon. She had perfect skin and her dress was as stylish as Heidi’s. Apparently princesses knew how to shop, Liana thought with a brief flash of wistfulness. She tried not to think about how rumpled her jeans and shirt were after nearly twenty-four hours of travel.

“I just wanted to tell you that I heard about what Malik has done,” Dora said. “I know you’ve been dating for a while, but this is high-handed even for him—to force you to live at the palace when you want to stay at the American School. I understand you have a daughter. Obviously you’re trying to protect her from the scandal this would create.”

Liana blinked twice. “Excuse me? What on earth are you talking about?”

“Your relationship with Malik. I was led to believe that you’ve been seeing quite a lot of each other and that’s the reason you came to El Bahar.”

Were they all crazy, or was it her? Had crossing all those time zones affected her brain? She looked at the attractive woman standing in front of her. “I met the Crown Prince earlier this afternoon when he and several other men barged onto the plane and took away one of the women. Apparently she was engaged, and that was her idea of a romantic welcome back to El Bahar.”

Dora looked confused. “You just met him today? Then what are you doing at the palace?”

“My question exactly.” She recounted the events of the afternoon, starting with the customs line-up and finishing with her entrance into the suite.

“How strange,” Dora said slowly. “This isn’t like Malik at all.” She gazed at Liana speculatively. “It’s been a long time since Malik has shown any real interest in a woman. His father will be pleased.”

Liana held up her hands in a gesture of protection. “He’s not interested. He can’t be. He doesn’t know anything about me. I’m not sure why he did all this, but please be aware that I’m leaving in the morning, just as soon as I get this mess straightened out.”

“Of course.” Dora continued to study her. “Well, welcome to El Bahar, Liana. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time here.” She smiled. “If nothing else, it’s going to be interesting. Let me know if I can do anything to help. If you really want to leave the palace, I can arrange it. Just say the word.”

“I will, thank you.” Liana watched her guest leave, then closed the door behind her. How odd. Who could have told the princess that she and Malik were involved? She’d only been on the palace grounds an hour or so. Had Heidi hinted at something or was it Malik himself?

The idea of the arrogant Crown Prince laying claim to a relationship that didn’t exist was so ridiculous as to make her laugh. Except that the situation wasn’t exactly humorous. It was more…intriguing, she thought to herself as she remembered her unexpected response to being in Malik’s presence. Something about him was appealing. Not so much his money and position—both of those would be more off-putting, at least for her. She was willing to admit he was plenty handsome. There was something about his height. Or was it his dark eyes? The way they seemed to see into her soul without giving away anything of their own….

She shook her head. “Stop fantasizing about a guy you don’t even know,” she told herself. “You’re leaving in the morning and you’ll never see him again.”

There was another knock on the door. Liana sighed and pulled it open. A tall, thin man with a white beard stood in front of her. He wore a suit with an odd pin on the lapel.

“Let me guess,” she said before she could stop herself. “You’re the king of El Bahar, and you’re here to congratulate me on my pending engagement.”

“No, ma’am. I’m the butler and I’m here to see what you and your daughter would like for dinner.”

By the time they’d finished unpacking, had eaten the wonderful meal delivered to their suite, and Bethany had taken her bath, it was after nine. Jet lag had hit them both and Bethany barely made it between the sheets before falling fast asleep.

Liana stood at the foot of her daughter’s bed and watched the sleeping girl. Her head might be spinning with confusion and exhaustion, but her heart was true and on course, as it had been from the second she’d found out she was pregnant. From that moment to this, everything she’d ever done had been with her daughter’s best interests in mind.

Bethany was her entire world. She’d come to El Bahar because of her daughter, and she would gladly travel greater distances if it was the right thing for Bethany.

“I love you,” she murmured, even though her child couldn’t hear her. Then she walked into the hallway and shut the door.

Liana couldn’t remember ever being so tired in her life, yet she didn’t want to go to bed. An odd restlessness gripped her. She walked into her bedroom and thought about taking a bath. Deciding that a shower would be quicker, she first crossed to the French doors that led to the wide balcony. They unlocked easily, and she found herself moving out into the evening.

Instantly she was assaulted by the wonderful scents of the desert. The ocean, the sand and the hundreds of plants on the palace grounds combined to create a unique aroma that energized her. Even with her eyes closed she would know she was in a foreign land.

El Bahar. For years she’d heard about the country but hadn’t given it any more thought than the North Pole. She’d never planned to visit. Her budget didn’t allow for much in the way of world travel, and she and Bethany had contented themselves with the occasional weekend trip down to Sea World and the famous zoo in San Diego. Then she’d found out about an opportunity to teach here, and she’d seen the job as the answer to so many problems.

So here they were, in El Bahar. Living in the royal palace, if only for the night. Thinking of the palace made her think of Malik and his odd behavior. Why had he brought her here? And why had he told his sister-in-law that they’d been dating? Or had that come from Heidi? She felt as if she’d stepped into the middle of a play, but no one had told her the story or bothered to give her a script.

Who was this man, this Crown Prince who meddled in people’s lives with all the impunity of a child rearranging blocks?

She crossed the width of the balcony and leaned against the broad stone railing. Floodlights illuminated the gardens below. She could make out a large fountain and several paths. Even though the afternoon had been warm, the evening air was cool and carried with it a lovely sea breeze.

Very exotic, she thought, closing her eyes to inhale the sweet scents from the garden. Magical El Bahar. Just like in her romance novels. Now all she needed was the handsome prince to appear.

“Good evening,” a male voice said.

Liana spun toward the sound and found herself staring up at Malik. Be careful what you wish for, she thought, not sure if she should laugh or run for safety.