Desert Rogues Part 2 (32 page)

Emma linked arms with her parents. “Isn't this fabulous?” she said happily. “Let's go introduce ourselves.”

“They're strangers,” her mother said. “We don't know if they speak English.”

“Most do not,” he confirmed.

“Then we'll have to fake it,” Emma said, and pulled her parents toward the women.

He resisted the need to walk with her and claim her as his own by staying close. His presence was enough protection, he reminded himself. Even though she didn't need any.

He looked at the men hovering by the pen of camels. When he nodded, they approached, then bowed and offered greetings of respect. He recognized the oldest man, the chief of the small tribe, as someone who had ridden the desert with his father.

“Bihjan,” he said, returning the bow. “I bring greetings from my father.”

“I return those greetings and wish blessings on you and your family.”

“And to yours.”

The old man looked at Emma and her parents. “She is as beautiful as the sunrise.”

Pride filled Reyhan. “My wife.”

The old chief showed no surprised. “I see your blessings have already begun. You care for her.”

Reyhan nodded rather than speak the truth—that
care
didn't come close. She was his life, his breath, and he wasn't sure he would survive without her.

“She will give you fine sons.”

“If it is to be,” he said simply, ignoring the tightness in his chest when he thought about children. He and Emma had made love without protection. He'd been so caught up in the moment, he'd never thought, never considered the consequences. If she was pregnant…

He cast the worry away. She couldn't be. If she were pregnant, she would stay forever, and being with her would destroy him. But to have a child with her…

He returned his attention to the chief. “You have been blessed with many sons,” he said.

Bihjan nodded, his eyes dark with worry. “My youngest son, Fadl, leads the renegades,” he said quietly. “I know what they do, what threats they make.”

“I have given my word,” Reyhan reminded the old man. “If their threats remain empty, then I will do nothing. Perhaps in time, they will grow up enough to rejoin their people and become honorable men.”

Bihjan sighed with relief. “I had heard it was so, but I wanted to ask for myself. I know these young men try your patience.”

“My security chief's, as well. He believes they should be arrested and put in prison. I have explained that to be so confined is a form of death for men of the desert.” He narrowed his gaze. “But be warned. My patience has limits. If any of the renegades acts in the smallest way, if their talk becomes action, my retribution will be swift and severe.”

The old man nodded. “As it should be, Prince Reyhan. As it should be.”

 

Emma loved everything about the oasis. The people were charming and at least two of the women understood a little English—at least enough for them to attempt to communicate. The children were beautiful and friendly and fun. She adored the dogs and the baby camels and the clever way the camp itself came together after being carted across miles of desert. Even her parents seemed to be having a reasonably good time, asking questions more than complaining. Maybe there was hope for them after all.

“They have invited us to dine with them,” Reyhan said as he came up to stand next to her. “I have accepted.”

Emma instantly glanced at the pen holding the camels and swallowed. “So, uh, what will be on the menu?”

Reyhan smiled. “Fear not. It's chicken.”

“That's a relief. I don't think I could chow down on something I'd just petted and cooed over.”

“I would not expect you to.” He took her arm and pulled her away from everyone. “I told them you were my wife, without mentioning the pending divorce.”

“Okay. That makes sense. The situation is complicated.” She didn't know how to tell him she didn't mind him claiming her as his wife with no “but” tacked on.

“I wanted you to know,” he said.

“Thank you.”

They were called to dinner. Everyone sat around in a circle. Dishes were passed from person to person. Emma sampled spicy rice casseroles and tender chicken. There were flat breads and grilled vegetables. Two teenage boys played three-stringed musical instruments and a young girl with bells around her wrists and ankles danced for them.

“Can they afford to feed us like this?” Emma asked after a tray of honey-coated dates were offered. “I don't want them to starve or anything because they played generous host with us.”

His dark gaze lingered on her face. “I appreciate your concern for my people. Do not worry. I have taken care of things.”

She trusted that he had. Reyhan was a good man, a man she could admire. What would he say if he knew that she wanted these people to be her people, as well? That the more time she spent in Bahania, the more she liked the country and was confident she could have made a home here?

After the meal, several of the women rose and disappeared into one of the tents. A few of the men wandered off toward the camels. Emma started to rise, but Reyhan put a hand on her arm.

“There's more to come,” he said.

“I'm pretty full.”

“It's not food.”

Sure enough, a young girl walked up and knelt in front of Emma. She held out her hand, offering a beautiful blue and red enameled necklace. Emma looked at it, then at him.

“I can't take that.”

“You have to. You're their princess and they want to show respect.” He leaned close and lowered his voice. “Don't worry. All that is expected is that you are enthusiastic and love everything. When we leave, the gifts stay behind.”

“Good thing,” she murmured as she noticed a teenage boy leading several camels toward her.

Still caught up in how Reyhan's warm breath had tickled her skin, she accepted the necklace, kissed the girl on both cheeks and thanked her warmly. Reyhan slid the necklace over her neck.

There were more pieces of jewelry offered, several bolts of amazing silk, four adult camels and one baby camel. The only gift she had trouble returning was a sweet puppy who licked her entire face and wiggled to get closer.

When she'd thanked everyone and carefully left all the smaller gifts on a blanket by the fire, she walked toward the SUV with Reyhan.

“They were wonderful people,” she said. “Do the children go to school?”

He nodded. “They attend several months at a time, then return to their families. We are fortunate in that we can afford excellent teachers and modern schools that can meet the needs of children from the city and from the desert.”

Emma thought about what Cleo had said—how she did charity work in her free time. Would that have been available to Emma, as well? Although she loved her job and knew she helped through one of life's greatest miracles, she was willing to admit to wanting to help on a grander scale.

Not likely, she told herself. Not when she was leaving and Reyhan was marrying someone else.

 

By the end of the week, Emma's parents had settled into life in Bahania. Emma was pleased to watch their attitudes slowly change from hostile mistrust of everything to pleasant acceptance. She would have loved to discuss the surprising transition with Reyhan but he continued to avoid her. So much for spending their days and nights together, she thought as she leaned close to the mirror and applied mascara to her lashes. They might physically be in the same palace, but they rarely spoke anymore. Reyhan worked impossible hours then disappeared into the guest room. The only time she saw him was at command dinners by the king.

At least tonight would be different. There was a large formal state occasion that was doubling as a welcome party for her parents. Reyhan had already informed her he was to be her escort. She would have been a lot more excited if he'd at least pretended to be happy about spending the evening with her. Instead he'd looked about as thrilled as a man facing the loss of both legs and an arm. She was determined to change his mind.

After finishing with her makeup, she pulled the hot rollers out of her hair, then fluffed the ends. After bending over at the waist, she sprayed her hair from underneath, then flipped her head to let the curls fall back into place.

“Not bad,” she murmured as she finger combed a few wayward strands.

Next up was the bronze beaded evening gown. She slipped it on and pulled up the zipper, then stepped into her high-heeled sandals.

She studied her reflection and knew this was as good as it was going to get. If she couldn't dazzle Reyhan like this, it wasn't going to happen.

“Good luck,” she whispered to her reflection, then walked out of the bathroom and into the sitting area.

Reyhan was already there. She nearly stumbled when she saw him in his well-tailored tux. His shoulders were broad and strong, his features lean and handsome. Her heart swelled with an affection she didn't want to name.

“You look beautiful,” he told her.

“Thank you. You look great, too.”

He held out a velvet-covered box, about ten inches square and only a couple of inches deep.

“For you.”

She hesitated before accepting the gift and opening it. When she saw the contents, her breath caught in amazement.

A yellow diamond necklace lay on a bed of white silk. The graduated diamonds had to be at least three carats each in front, and nearly a carat in back by the clasp. Two clusters of yellow diamonds formed earrings and there was a white and yellow diamond bracelet.

Emma reached for the necklace only to find she was shaking too much to pick it up.

“I can't,” she told him. “It's too much.”

“You are my wife,” Reyhan said, taking the box from her and setting it on the table. He removed the necklace and placed it around her neck. “Who would wear these if not you?”

“The next woman you marry,” she said as he handed her the earrings. “You'll want these things passed down to your children.”

As she spoke, she looked at him. Some emotion crossed his face but it was gone before she could read it. Awareness crackled between them and when he held out the bracelet to her, she wanted desperately to toss it aside and fling herself in his arms instead.

But she didn't. She let him fasten on the bracelet, then admired the fiery stones. She would wear these lovely things tonight but with the intent of leaving them behind. They were a part of his heritage and she had no right to claim them. If things had been different…But they weren't.

“Reyhan—” She touched his forearm, feeling the warmth of him and the tension of his muscles. “I want to mention something. About when we were together.”

He didn't speak but a muscle twitched in his jaw. “There is nothing to say.”

“Yes, there is. We didn't…” She cleared her throat. “When we made love…” She stopped and gathered her thoughts. “We didn't use any protection. I wasn't sure if you were worried about consequences. There aren't any. I wanted to reassure you that I wasn't pregnant.”

“I see. You're sure?”

More than sure. Three days ago she'd gotten her period. “Positive.”

He didn't say anything else as he led her to a large mirror in the dining room. He placed her in front of it and stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders.

“The jewels complete you,” he said.

She looked at the elegant stones glittering at her ears and around her neck. They were lovely, but they didn't complete her. Only he could do that.

She wanted to know what he'd thought about the possibility of her being pregnant. Had he even considered it? Had he worried? Wondered? Had he hoped?

She had. Now that she knew for sure she wasn't pregnant she could admit that there had been times she'd thought it would be a good thing. That having a child together would be what they needed to connect. The truth or a schoolgirl fantasy? Now she would never know.

“Are you ready?” he asked, holding out his arm.

She nodded and slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. They walked out of the suite together.

 

Emma had seen the formal ballroom on her tour with Reyhan but standing in the large empty space hadn't prepared her for the reality of seeing it filled with elegantly dressed people, sparkling lights and a full orchestra.

There were about five hundred guests, including several prime ministers and heads of state. A film crew working on an action movie in the desert had been invited, along with a former American president and a Nobel Prize winner.

Reyhan introduced Emma to many of the guests. She smiled, said little and reached for a second glass of champagne from a waiter circulating with a tray.

“Are you doing all right?” Reyhan asked quietly.