Rose of the Desert (26 page)

"You mean the lilac chiffon?" she couldn't resist
a
twinkle.

"What ever it is put it on, and don't quibble with me, child. I want you back here within the hour."

J
ULIE
gazed to where the river snaked away in the distance. The air was still and sultry, and every bush, every tree along the banks of the Nile hung motionless as though transfixed by the light of the moon.

Clay flung his cigarette away jerkily and came up behind her.

"Finding it a bit of an anti-climax?"

She turned to gaze up at him as his arms slid around her waist.

"Clay, how could I? It's been such a perfect evening. I was just thinking ... all this because you and I happened to share the same terrace at the Hotel Gerard."

His eyes darkened reflectively.

"You looked so cool and lovely lying there that day. It irritated me, especially when I knew that Alan Moore was cushioning your first trip abroad. I wanted to fling you into the teeth of life, let you know what it was really all about."

"Is that why you yanked me out into the desert?"

He nodded, and then grinned defensively.

"We did need somebody to help out in Accounts. I thought camp life would shake you, take away some of that bandbox shine. Instead I was shaken. I found myself wanting to protect you from every gust of wind, every grain of sand that might blow into those bluebell eyes."

Julie smiled reminiscently.

"Life at the oil camp was no hardship! "

"I had every intention of making it one. That's why we drove out to Guchani instead of taking the comfortable route by plane. And then you fell asleep practically in my arms. You looked such a vulnerable little thing lying there ... already I was relenting."

"And yet you weren't very friendly!''

"I was so damned jealous of anyone who looked at you. Rahmid, Purnell, Moore ... everyone seemed to be getting the breaks but me!"

"What about the night at Sheikh Mafa's encampment? You kissed me then."

"I couldn't help myself. But you didn't hesitate to let me know I wasn't in the running."

"You were in the running more than you'll ever know," Julie breathed, "but it seemed at the time as though you planned ... well, just a brief encounter."

His arms tightened about her and she added,

"Well, what else could I think? You'd drilled it into me often enough that women and oil don't mix."

"And that's another thing." Clay eyed her accusingly. "No woman has ever come between me and my job."

"And what about your job now?"

"Three months' leave and then a desk job in Tripoli offices. I'm a ruined man!"

"And I thought you were doing it all for Tamara."

"No!" He breathed the word mockingly and added, "Doctor Rahmid wasn't exactly my bosom pal either. It made me sick, the way you gazed at him all doe-eyed."

"I was sorry for him."

"Don't let's go into that again. I'm the one who needs sympathy."

"Oh! Why?" she asked lightly.

"Because ..." his voice thickened as he brushed his lips across hers, "I ache with love for you, and you've got to do something about it soon."

"Like what?"

"Like telling me you'll marry me."

"Very well, I'll marry you. When? And where?"

'When? No problem ... at once. Where? In England if you like. I'll have to meet this father of yours some time."

Serious again. Julie laid a cheek against his shoulder.

"Oh, Clay, I'm so happy! I wish we'd known all this sooner. I was so miserable at the Mayhews' ... you were always so busy, and I thought..."

"My one concern was to see Janet and Mark settled."

There was a long moment as she stared wistfully across the river.

"And now they
are
settled."

"That's right. We pick them up when the honeymoon's over."

"We pick them ... Clay, what are you saying?" She stared up in a dream. "You can't mean .,."

He nodded watching, her face.

"We're going to adopt Janet and Mark."

"I don't believe it!" Her eyes were starred with happy tears. "You said ..."

"I said they need family. Well, we're family." He held her close until Julie asked, her joy fading a little,

"But what about Ralph and Maureen? Won't they be dreadfully upset?"

"I think Maureen guessed from the start. You women are quick at weighing one another up. They took it pretty well."

"But to come all this way, on a wasted journey ..."

"I don't think it was. They have Janet and Mark for a few weeks ... and don't forget, we'll need a honeymoon at least once a year!"

There was a throbbing silence in which she raised her eyes to his. His mouth sought hers and for several moments no words were spoken. He kissed her long and tenderly, and later as she leaned against him he dropped a hand into his pocket.

"I had to scour the markets, but there wasn't much time. This is the smallest I could find. It will have to do until I can get you something more suitable."

The ring was of heavy plaited metal, the claw held a cluster of winking stones.

"Oh, Clay, it's beautiful! I want to keep it for all time."

He slid it on her finger, smiling at its perfect fit, then brushed his lips across her hand.

Some time later Julie queried,

"Are we likely to see anything of Alan Moore in Tripoli?"

"Doubtful. I understand his last tour was something of a final fling. From now on his contributions to the business will be conducted from the London offices."

"Why is that?"

"It would seem Sir Giles has come up with the perfect answer for keeping junior in line—a betrothal."

"I didn't know Alan was getting married." Julie looked up, surprised.

"I don't think he did himself. He's pretty much under his father's thumb, and this happens to be a very necessary partnership ... Alan and the daughter of another tycoon."

Julie murmured abstractedly,

"I could never marry unless it was for love."

"Sounds promising." Clay twinkled down at her. "Do I rate a confession?"

Quickly she looked up at him. Blue eyes misted with happiness she whispered the words shyly.

"Clay, you know I love you."

"I thought you'd never say it!" Laconically he dropped his lips to hers, and the African moon moved discreetly behind a cloud.