Desert Jewels & Rising Stars

by Sharon Kendrick

  Opening the door, she glared at him instead. “What do you want?”

  “To talk to you,” he said easily, stepping inside.

  She moved to allow him. It was that or be run over. He was quite a bit larger than she was.

  Closing the door, she turned and put her hands on her hips. “About what?”

  “My mother is hosting another party. This time to formally announce our engagement. We need to go.”

  “Are you crazy? This has gone on long enough. Tell her the truth.”

  “Not yet. You need to make sure your family turns elsewhere for relief from your brother’s gambling. It’s only one evening. You’ll meet people, smile and look as if you like me.”

  “I’m not sure I do,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “This gets more complicated by the moment.”

  “We need to invite some of your friends to make it seem real.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. This was unexpected. “I’m not involving my friends. Besides, no one would believe it. They all know how much I loved Alexander. And do you really think they’d believe you’d fall for me?”

  “So pretend.”

  “We don’t have to pretend anymore. Antonio’s gone and it was for his benefit, right?”

  He was silent for a moment.

  “Right?” she repeated.

  “He did not leave as we thought.”

  “Why not?” She frowned. What was her brother doing? He wasn’t waiting for the wedding, for heaven’s sake, was he?

  “Now how would I know what your brother thinks…I just met him. But the limo showed up at the hotel in time to get him to the airport for the first flight to Rome and he said he’d changed his plans and would be remaining in Quishari a bit longer.”

  “Great.” She walked across the room and turned, walked back, trying to think of how to get out of the mess the men in her life had caused.

  “I’ll go away,” she said.

  “After the announcement,” he replied.

  She looked at him. He was calm. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes. Which made her all the more annoyed. “This is not a joke.”

  “No, but it’s almost turning into a farce. I thought telling him would shut him up. Do you think I want the world to think I got engaged again and then a second fiancée breaks the engagement?”

  She had not thought about that at all.

  “Then you break it,” she said.

  “That’ll look good.”

  “Well, one of us has to end it, so you decide. In the meantime, I do not want to go to your mother’s. I do not want the entire city to think we are engaged. I do not—”

  He raised a hand to stop her.

  “Then you come up with something.”

  “I wouldn’t have to if you hadn’t told my brother.”

  “You could have told him the truth at dinner last night.”

  She bit her lip. She did not want to return to Italy. She would not be pressured day and night by parents trying to talk her into a marriage with some wealthy Italian to shore up her brother’s losses. The days when daughters were sacrificed for the good of the family were long past. If only her father would accept that.

  “Okay, so we pretend until Antonio leaves. Can we hurry him on his way?” she asked, already envisioning her mother’s tearful pleas; Giacomo’s little boy lost entreaties; Antonio begging her to think of the family reputation. She loved her family, but she wasn’t responsible for them all.

  “He’s your brother. I could never hurry Rashid. The more I’d push, the more he’d resist.”

  She nodded. “Okay, so brothers are universal. Somehow we have to get him to leave me alone.”

  “So we’ll convince him tonight that it’s an arrangement meant to be and maybe he’ll leave.”

  “Or hit you up for a loan.”

  Khalid frowned. “Do you really think that’s the reason for the delay?”

  “I don’t know.” Maybe her brother just wanted to make sure she was happy. Yet he’d been right there when her parents had railed against her for marrying Alexander and never said a word in her behalf. She had no intention of letting any of her family dictate her life.

  “What time do we go to your mother’s?”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  “How dressy?”

  “About like last time. Do you need a new dress?”

  She looked at him oddly. “I have enough clothes, thank you. What—do you expect everyone to hit you up for money?”

  “No. But women always seem to need new clothes. I can help out if you need it.”

  “I do not.” She studied him for a moment. Thinking about her own family, she knew there were some shirttail relatives who had asked her father for handouts. He’d refused and when she was a child, she wondered why he didn’t share. Once she was older, she realized some people always have their hands out.

  For a moment she wished she had brought some of her clothes from home. She and her mother had shopped at the most fashionable couturiers in Rome. She’d left them behind when joining her husband in Quishari. The dresses for receptions were more conservative. She wished at least one would make Khalid proud to be escorting her.

  Then she remembered the red dress she’d bought from a shop near campus. Her friend Samantha had urged her to buy it. She’d never worn it. It was too daring for a professor’s wife. But for tonight, it might just be the thing. Sophisticated and elegant, it was far more cosmopolitan than anything else she now owned. She smiled almost daringly at Khalid. If he insisted they continue, she’d show him more than he bargained for.

  He studied her for a moment, a hint of wariness creeping into his expression.

  “Until tonight,” he said.

  She nodded, opening the door wide and watching him as he started to leave.

  “I don’t think I trust your expression,” he said.

  She feigned a look of total innocence. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, darling.”

  He tapped her chin with his forefinger. “Behave.”

  She laughed and shooed him out the door. Tonight might prove fun. She was not out to impress anyone, nor kowtow to them. Madame al Harum would be horrified. The minister might wish he’d kept his mouth shut. And her brother would learn not to mess with his sister’s life anymore.

  Ella was ready before the appointed time. She’d tapped Jalilah’s expertise in doing up her hair. She remembered the maid had a talent for that which her former employer had used. The dress was daring in comparison to the gowns Ella had worn to the university functions. The thin crimson straps showed brilliantly against her skin, the fitted bodice hugged every curve down to where the skirt flared slightly below the knees. The satiny material gleamed in the light, shifting highlights as she walked. She had her one set of pearls she again wore. The dress really cried out for diamonds or rubies, but Ella had neither. The high heel shoes gave her several inches in height, which would add to her confidence. She was ready to face the world on her terms.

  Khalid arrived at seven. He stared at her for a moment, which had Ella feeling almost giddy with delight. She knew she’d surprised him.

  “You look beautiful,” he said softly.

  She felt a glow begin deep inside. She felt beautiful. The dress was a dream, but the color in her cheeks came from being near Khalid. She knew she would do him proud at the reception, and give others something to think about. All too soon this pretend engagement would end, but until midnight struck, she’d enjoy herself to the fullest. And make sure he did, as well. He deserved lots for helping her out without question.

  “Thank you. So do you,” she said with a flirtatious smile.

  He gave a harsh laugh. “Don’t carry the pretense too far,” he said. “This is a dumb idea.”

  “It was yours,” she reminded him.

  He laughed again, in amusement this time. “Don’t remind me. I say we ditch the reception and go off on our own. You look too beautiful to be stuck in a room f
ull of my mother’s friends.”

  “You’re not thinking. What would your mother say. She went to all the trouble to celebrate what she thinks is a happy occasion. You can’t disappoint her.”

  “You got it right first time—it’s hard to think around you the way you look right now.”

  Ella smiled, delighted he was so obviously taken with how she looked. The dress was really something and she didn’t ever remember feeling so sexy or feminine. The hot look in Khalid’s eyes spiked her own temperature. Maybe his idea of not going out had merit.

  “Let’s go wow them all. And when we’ve put in our appearance, we’ll dash back here and take a walk on the beach. Much more fun that the ordeal ahead.” Filled with confidence from his reaction, she could hold her own with his mother and anyone else who showed up.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  WHEN they arrived at his mother’s apartment building, Ella was impressed. It looked like a palace. They were admitted by the uniformed doorman and quickly whisked to the top floor by a private elevator.

  “The family home, no hotel,” she murmured.

  “Only a few intimate friends, like maybe a hundred. You never gave me a list of your friends, so I had one of my assistants contact the university and find out who your friends were. Told them it was a surprise.”

  Ella gave a loud sigh. “You just can’t leave things alone, can you? Did you drive everyone insane while growing up?”

  “Hey, I had Rashid to help me then.”

  “But not now?”

  “He knows, but he is the only one besides you and me. Unless he told Bethanne. I forget there is a new intimate confidant with my brother. That’ll be interesting—learning how to deal with that aspect.”

  Entering the large flat that overlooked Alkaahdar, Ella was struck by the large salon, ceilings at least twelve feet high. A wall of windows opened to a large terrace. The room held dozens of people yet did not appear crowded. Classical artwork hung on the walls. The chandelier sparkled with a thousand facets. The furniture looked more Western than Arabian, chosen for elegance and style.

  “Khalid, you should have been here before the first guests,” his mother chided, coming to greet them. She looked at Ella, her eyes widening slightly. “You look different tonight,” she said taking in the lovely dress and the sophisticated hairstyle.

  Ella inclined her head slightly. “I’ve been told I clean up good,” she said cheekily.

  Sabria al Harum didn’t know how to respond.

  Khalid gave his mother a kiss on her cheek. “We’re here, that’s the important thing. I can’t believe you managed such a crowd on less than a day’s notice.

  “Everyone here wishes you well, son,” she said, eyeing Ella as if she wasn’t sure how to react to her.

  Ella slipped her arm through Khalid’s and leaned closer. “We are honored you did this for us on such short notice, aren’t we, darling?” she said, smiling up at him.

  “Indeed we are, darling,” he said back, his eyes promising retribution.

  “Mingle, let people congratulation you,” Sabria said. She gave Ella an uncertain look.

  Rashid crossed the room with Bethanne. He grinned at Khalid and Ella. “Congratulations, Brother,” he said, then leaned in and gave Ella a kiss on the cheek. “Keep him in check,” he said.

  “I couldn’t believe it when Rashid told me,” Bethanne said, glancing around. She hugged Ella, and said in English. “I think it’s fabulous.”

  Ella giggled a little. “Outlandish, I thought,” she replied, one arm still looped with Khalid’s.

  Antonio came over, bowing stiffly.

  “I thought you went home,” Ella said when he stopped beside them.

  “There were one or two things to deal with before I left. I spoke to our parents. They wish you both happiness in your marriage,” he said. “If I had left, I would have missed this.”

  “And wouldn’t that have been too bad,” she murmured in Arabic.

  “Come,” Khalid said, “let me introduce you to some friends.”

  As they stepped away from the entry, they were surrounded by people who were mostly strangers to Ella. However one or two familiar faces had her smiling in delight to see again, though inside she felt guilty to be deceiving everyone.

  Conscious she needed to convince her brother nothing would deter her from marrying Khalid, she stayed within touching distance all evening, reaching out sometimes to touch his arm as if to ground herself. Once when she did, he clasped her hand, lacing their fingers together and holding it all the while he carried on a conversation with a friend.

  The finance minister saw Khalid with Ella and broke away from the small group he was talking with and came over to them.

  “Your mother must be so pleased, both her sons are taking the next step to insure the family continues.”

  “There’s more to marriage than having children,” Khalid said dryly.

  “Ah, but nothing like small ones around to keep you young.”

  “Do you have children?” Ella asked.

  “Not yet.”

  “Yet you and your wife have been married for many years,” Khalid said.

  For a moment the minister looked uncomfortable, then he changed the subject. “So are you and your brother marrying at the same time? Or as Rashid is the elder, will you defer to him?”

  “Our plans are not yet firm,” Khalid responded. “Excuse us, please, I see some friends of Ella’s have arrived.” Khalid moved them toward the door where two couples were standing, looking around in bewilderment.

  “How do you know they are my friends?” she asked recognizing her friends.

  “They look out of place. They obviously don’t know anyone else here.”

  Greetings were soon exchanged. Though Ella’s university friends were startled by the scar on Khalid’s face, they quickly hid it and greeted him as warmly as they did her.

  “I had no idea,” Jannine said. “Though we haven’t seen much of you this last year. I guess a lot has happened that I don’t know about.”

  “It has been a hectic and busy year,” Ella said vaguely. If this had been a true engagement, she would have shared the news with her friends immediately. She knew they’d wish only happiness for her.

  “So, how are you doing with your glassmaking?” Joseph asked. He looked at Khalid. “You’ve seen her work, of course.”

  “Yes. Exquisite. She’s planning a showing before too much longer. I predict a spectacular future for our artist.”

  “Do tell us all,” Monique said.

  Ella was pleased her friends had come on such short notice and silently vowed to keep in touch better. They’d been part of her life for several years and were each interesting people. She talked about the tentative plans for getting into a gallery someplace. They listened attentively, only now and again darting a glance at Khalid.

  A moment later, he touched Ella’s shoulder.

  “Someone I must speak to. I’ll leave you with your friends.” He left and she watched as he crossed over to an elderly man. Turning back to her friends, she found all eyes on her.

  “He’s one of the richest men in the country, you know,” Jannine said. “How in the world did you land him?”

  “Good grief, Jannine, is that how you refer to me? I feel like a large-mouth bass,” her husband said.

  Everyone laughed.

  “Okay, maybe that was not quite what I meant.”

  “So did you mean how did Ella attract him? She’s pretty, young and talented. What’s not to like?” Monique said.

  “You all are twisting my words and you know it. Tell all, Ella.”

  She glossed over details mentioning simply that she had been renting a cottage on a family estate and they met that way. The rest they knew. “Tell me what’s going on at the university. I’ve been so out of touch.”

  Joseph began telling her about professors and students she might remember. She enjoyed catching up on the news, but felt distant, as if that part of her life was over an
d she was no longer connected as she once had been. It felt a bit lonely.

  Glancing around at one point, she saw Khalid and Rashid both talking with the elderly man. They were in profile, left sides showing. Stunning men, she thought. Then Khalid turned and caught her eye. Once again the ruined side of his face showed. She swallowed a pang of regret for the damage and smiled. That was easily overlooked when his dark eyes focused on her. Then she felt as if everything else faded away and left only the two of them in a world of their own.

  “She’s got it bad,” Jannine said, laughing.

  “What?” Ella asked, turning back to her friend.

  “He’s gone five minutes and you’re already looking for him. How long until the wedding?”

  “I’m not sure. We haven’t made plans yet.”

  Antonio came over at that point. Ella made introductions and the group began talking in English, a common language for them all.

  “This is a night of firsts,” Jannine said. “I didn’t even know Ella had family. She never spoke of you.”

  Her husband nudged her.

  “Oh, sorry. Was that not the thing to say?”

  Antonio looked at her. “You never spoke of us? Ella, we are your family.”

  “Who wouldn’t accept my husband,” she replied.

  As the others looked on, she wished she could march her brother away and find Khalid. She was tired of the pretense, tired of trying to smile all the time when she wanted to rail against Antonio for getting her into this mess.

  “But you like al Harum better, scar notwithstanding” Joseph muttered in Arabic.

  Ella narrowed her eyes. “Khalid is a wonderful man. He puts out oil fires. Do you know how dangerous that is? He was injured trying to stop a conflagration. There are very few people in the world who can do something like that. And did you ever stop to think how much pain and agony he went through with such severe burns?”

  Khalid put his hand on her shoulder. “Defending me?”

  “There’s no need,” she said, glaring at Joseph.

  Antonio watched, glancing between Joseph, Ella and Khalid.