LITMIR.BIZ

Скачать книгу

knew what was going through her head. In another six months Rashad would be married. Eventually the day would come when he would have to obey his father and go through with the dreaded wedding ceremony that would bring an end to his freedom.

      But while he was still single, his sister suspected him of having an interest in the American beyond concern for her comfort after her ordeal. That was exactly what Rashad wanted Farah to think. If she thought she could be an instrumental part of a passing romantic intrigue, so much the better. In her innocence, Farah made the perfect spy.

      In the middle of her nap, Lauren heard the maid calling to her. She sat up on the bed where she’d been resting. “Yes?”

      “You have a visitor, mademoiselle.”

      Lauren glanced at her watch. It was only four o’clock. Her pulse raced. Had Rafi come early to see her because he couldn’t stay away? She slid off the bed. “Who is it?”

      “The Princess Farah.”

       Princess?

      Lauren put up a hand to muffle her cry, unable to believe her good luck. She’d come all this way to get information about her grandfather. So far she hadn’t dared ask Rafi any questions about the royal family. As head of security he might suspect her motives, but who better than the princess herself? Surely she would enjoy talking of her family and its heritage?

      “Have you shown her into the sitting room?”

      “Yes, mademoiselle.”

      “Then please tell her I’ll be with her in a moment.”

      She slipped on her sneakers and went to the bathroom to refresh her lipstick and brush her hair. Without wasting any time, she hurried into the other room. The princess, several inches taller than Lauren, stood near the desk dressed in cream pants and a stunning blood-red blouse. With a voluptuous figure and all that black hair piled on her head, she was the most striking woman Lauren had ever seen.

      “Forgive me for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”

      “Don’t give it a thought, mademoiselle,” Farah said in beautiful English. “My name’s Farah. Rafi told me your name. May I call you Lauren? It’s such a lovely name.”

      “Please,” Lauren said, warming to her at once. “You have a beautiful name, too.”

      Her wide smile was enchanting. “Shall we sit down at the table? I asked for mint tea to be served in here.”

      “Thank you. This is a real honor for me.” Lauren walked over to the table and sat down opposite her.

      “The family heard about what happened to you during the sandstorm. I can’t tell you how horrified I was when I learned of it.” Tears glinted in her eyes. Even without them, Lauren felt her sincerity and it melted her on the spot. “It must have been awful for you.”

      “It was, but it’s over now and I’m very grateful to be alive.”

      “My husband, Abdul, got caught in one when he was a boy. Sometimes I think maybe it’s good he and I have not been blessed with children. If anything like that were to happen to them or to my husband again …” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

      “You must love your husband very much. Maybe one day you will be blessed with a child, too?”

      “Abdul is the sweetest and kindest man I know, but sadly I have already suffered two miscarriages. The specialists I’ve seen cannot promise me anything and so we only hope … one day.”

      “I’m so sorry.”

      She shook her head. “Let’s not talk about sad things. Instead we’ll rejoice that you are alive. According to the doctor, you were close to death. He would have had to answer to my father if he hadn’t brought you back to life.”

      Despite Rafi insisting it wasn’t her appointed time to die, Dr. Tamam had given her the medical treatment needed. “I’m very grateful to both Dr. Tamam and Rafi for everything they have done for me. If I could pay for the doctor’s time perhaps or Rafi, who flew a helicopter to the accident scene and got me to the clinic in time.”

      “They don’t want your money, Lauren. What’s important is that you’re all right.”

      “But to be the guest of the king …”

      “My father welcomes all visitors if they come in peace.”

      If the king ever found out who Lauren really was, she would disturb his peace in ways she didn’t dare think about. “Are you his only daughter?”

      “No. I have two older sisters and a brother. He’s my twin.”

      Lauren finished the sweet tea. “I would have loved brothers and sisters. Please convey my gratitude to your father and mother. I’ve never seen such a beautiful apartment in my life. The flowers on the patio are a miracle.”

      “My mother loves that garden.”

      “So do I.”

      “If you don’t think it would tire you out, I’ll be happy to show you around the palace grounds tomorrow. They’re one big garden.”

      “I’d love that!” It might be her only chance to hear about Farah’s family and learn something concerning her grandfather before she left the palace.

      “Whatever else you would like to do while you’re here at the Oasis, I’ll arrange it.”

      Lauren’s heart beat sped up. “You’re very kind. Mustafa mentioned something about visiting the Garden of the Moon. Is it a place you think I should see?” Under the circumstances, she hoped the tiny white lie about Mustafa would be forgiven.

      The Princess looked surprised. “I’m afraid it’s not allowed.”

       Oh no. Quick. Think of something, Lauren.

      “Between my inability to understand Arabic and his attempt to speak recognizable English, I obviously misunderstood him. It certainly doesn’t matter.”

      “Perhaps he was talking about one of the specialty shops in the souk. Tourists love them.”

      “I’m sure I shall, too.”

      “I’ll ring you tomorrow before I come for you.”

CHAPTER FOUR

      LATER THAT EVENING, Lauren left the bedroom, having dressed in a pair of cream-colored denims and a light-green blouse. As she entered the sitting room she heard Rafi’s knock on the door before he entered wearing a dark silk shirt and dark trousers. He was the epitome of manhood. His name came out in a whisper.

      “Good evening, Lauren. How did your day go?”

      She smiled. “As if you didn’t know. I was paid a visit by the Princess Farah. That was your doing, so don’t deny it.”

      “I wasn’t going to.” He smiled back. “The day can hang heavy while you’re recuperating alone.”

      “It went by fast for me. She’s a lovely person. We had tea and biscuits. Tomorrow she’s going to take me on a tour of the grounds.” All the time she was talking, his eyes roamed over her face and figure, causing a suffocating feeling in her chest.

      “Speaking of tours, I’m off duty now and thought you might like to see the main rooms of the palace. We’ll eat dinner here in your room afterward.”

      Lauren closed her eyes tightly to catch her breath before opening them again. “I’d hoped to take a tour while I was visiting here.”

      He spread his hands in a way she was beginning to recognize as purely him. “Then I’m happy I can grant your wish. Perhaps your travel agency didn’t know, but I’ve had to order the interior of the palace off limits to the public.

Скачать книгу