The Nanny and the Sheikh

by Barbara McMahon

  In her room, she let the laughter out as she hurried to find her bathing suit and cover-up. She hadn’t had that much fun in a long time. She changed swiftly and grabbed a clean towel from her en suite bath. She slipped into sandals and headed for the door before she noticed the empty wrapping paper on the bed. She went to the closet. Her new dress was hanging there. Glad it had arrived as promised, she could hardly wait for evening.

  Just then she heard what sounded like a thundering herd of elephants. Oh, no, it was the children.

  She went to the door to listen. They seemed to be running toward the stairs to the nursery. Maybe Annis had taken them for a walk and they were now returning. She waited a moment after the last sound, then opened her door an inch. Peering into the hall, she saw it was deserted.

  Quickly she closed her door behind her and lightly ran down the stairs. In less than a minute she was in the reception room, trying to catch her breath and not laugh aloud.

  Surim followed a moment later. His eyes sparkled and there was definitely an air of relaxation about the man Melissa didn’t remember seeing. She was so glad he’d asked her out for the day. It was her best day off ever!

  They reached the white sand beach in only a few moments, slipping from the secret door and crossing the gardens in a circuitous route designed to foil anyone trying to follow them.

  “I feel like a spy in a novel,” Melissa said when they reached the beach. “I almost expect our escape submarine to be waiting just off shore.” She looked toward the buoy. “I think I see the periscope!”

  “And where will it take us?”

  “Good question. I can’t imagine any place more perfect than this one,” she said, walking on the hot sand. She couldn’t wait to plunge into the water and swim to her heart’s content without having to worry about children on the shore.

  She shed her cover-up near the water’s edge and ran into the warm sea. She began swimming toward the buoy, not in a race but just to enjoy the sensation. In a moment Surim came up on her right.

  “Did you want to race?” he asked.

  “No, I’ll leave that to you and Alaya. I’m just going to enjoy myself.” She kept steadily heading for the marker. He kept pace beside her. When they reached it, she treaded water while Surim dove deep. A moment later he resurfaced and dove again. Then he brought up a lovely shell, which he handed to her.

  “It’s not a pearl, but another gift from the sea,” he said gravely.

  “It’s lovely.” She’d treasure it forever, more than a pearl or other jewelry she could get, because it came from Surim. The perfect shell was faintly pink on the inside, with even white ridges on the outside. It fit in the palm of her hand.

  “The shells out here are more intact. Once a storm washes them to the shore, they get broken or chipped,” he said.

  They paddled around the deep water for a while until Melissa began to get tired. She swam back to shore slowly, savoring the feel of the water caressing her skin, the sun warm on her back.

  She spread out her towel and lay down to let the sun dry the water clinging to her skin. Surim was still swimming. It was peaceful without the children. Not that she didn’t enjoy every minute with them.

  “You will burn if you stay long in the sun,” Surim said.

  She opened her eyes a slit and looked at him. When had he come out of the water to lie down beside her? Had she dozed off?

  His fingertips brushed against her shoulder. “You are already getting pink.”

  “The bane of my life.” She sighed and sat up. Fumbling for her cover-up, she tried to ignore the sensations that tingled down her arm from his touch. Impossible. She could only hope she looked unaffected.

  “Your skin is beautiful; you do not wish to mar it.”

  Her breath caught and she couldn’t speak. Closing her eyes, Melissa savored the sound of his voice, deep and rich. She wished they had the chance to explore the attraction she felt around him. But their worlds were too distant. He was getting married soon, and one day she’d return to England.

  “I have to get back,” she said, opening her eyes and gathering her things. “I want to have a nice hot bath and take my time getting ready for tonight.” It was a lame excuse, but the only thing she could think up. Who in the world would take four hours to get ready?

  He held out his hand to help her up and she placed hers in his. He brought her to her feet effortlessly. The warm expanse of chest in front of her tantalized. She wished she dared brush her fingertips across that skin, feel the heat and texture. She looked and her gaze locked with his. She felt as if she’d been touched, though there was still a good ten inches between them. His dark eyes hid mysteries she’d love to explore. His lips were sculpted and hers began to ache with longing to touch them again, to feel their warmth against her skin. Her breathing became erratic.

  She had to get away or do something so foolish she’d be sent away instantly.

  “Thank you for a wonderful day,” she said, then turned and walked as fast as she could back to the house.

  Thankfully, Surim didn’t catch up.

  Surim stood on the beach and watched her hurry away. For a moment he considered going after her. But didn’t move. The sensations that swirled around them startled him. He knew better than to attribute them to anything but sex. Melissa was so sexy it made him ache. But she was also a guest in his house. One, moreover, who had personal ties to a longtime friend. He would do nothing to dishonor her or that relationship.

  He’d wanted to kiss her but had been afraid a single kiss wouldn’t be enough. He needed his emotions under better control before unleashing the desire that flared whenever he thought about her. He’d love to kiss her until she moaned with pleasure. Touch that soft skin all over. Make love to her far into the night.

  Turning with an oath, he plunged back into the sea. Swimming to the buoy and beyond would cool the ardor.

  Tonight he’d make sure she had a good time at the British Consulate, and then tomorrow take care to keep his distance.

  He had a wife to find.

  The thought was even more depressing than usual.

  When it was time to leave that evening, Surim made a trip to the nursery. It felt strange to stop off before leaving, but he hadn’t seen the children all day, and he wanted to check in on them before they went to bed.

  “Excellency,” Annis said when he entered.

  Hamid and Alaya were playing a board game. Nadia was lying on the large chair, holding her blanket close.

  “I came to see the children. They have been no problem today?”

  “They have been easy to manage, though missing Melissa. I spent part of the morning reviewing what they’ve learned in Arabic.”

  “Very good.”

  He went to the small table where Alaya and Hamid played.

  “Good game?”

  “She’s beating me,” Hamid complained.

  “You won last time,” Alaya commented, smiling up at Surim. “But I am the better player, probably because I’m older, right, Uncle Surim?”

  “Most likely. But it isn’t so much who wins, or how often, as how much fun you two have when playing.”

  “Well said.” Melissa spoke from the doorway.

  “Melissa!” The two jumped up from the table and ran to her.

  Surim couldn’t take his eyes off her. The long dress fitted her perfectly, subtly accentuating every curve, and the deep green of the silk brought out the sparkling green of her eyes and made her creamy skin, now tinged with gold after days out in the sun, look luminous. Quite simply, she looked incredible.

  “Oh, you look so beautiful,” Alaya said.

  “Are you going out tonight?” Hamid asked. “I thought you’d spend it with us. I missed you today.”

  “I missed all of you today. Tomorrow we’ll have a great time together, but tonight I’m going out with Uncle Surim. To a reception at the British Consulate.”

  Nadia struggled up from the chair and walked to Surim, forcing his attention from M
elissa. “I’m tired,” she said, holding up her arms to be picked up.

  He scooped her up and looked at her. “Did you take a nap today?”

  She nodded.

  “Did you play hard?”

  She nodded again.

  “Then you have a right to be tired. Annis can put you to bed now if you want.”

  He looked at Annis, who came to take the toddler.

  “She usually stays up until seven-thirty, but I can put her down now. I think she has a touch of sunburn from playing in the garden today,” Annis said.

  Melissa came over, her gown whispering softly as she moved, and brushed the back of her fingers against her rosy cheeks. “She does feel warm. Were they long in the sun?” she said in French.

  Annis shook her head.

  “Good night, baby girl. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Nadia snuggled against Annis’s neck and closed her eyes. Surim was surprised. He knew Nadia was not as fond of Annis as she was of Melissa. Tonight she seemed listless. Maybe she had played too much trying to keep up with her older siblings.

  After giving the other children a hug and kiss goodbye, Melissa was ready to leave. Surim bade them goodnight and ushered her from the room.

  “I didn’t expect to find you there,” she said as they descended the stairs together. “But I was glad.”

  “As you point out on many occasions, they are my responsibilities.”

  “They’re more than that. They’re your family.”

  “Before we go,” he said at the foot of the stairs, “I have something for you.”

  He withdrew the pearl necklace from his pocket and dangled it from his fingers.

  “Oh, Surim, no.” She gazed at the strand, a frown on her face. “I told you not to buy me any.”

  “Humor me, Melissa. Take this as a token from the children. A reminder of Qu’ Arim wherever you may go in life.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes.” He unfastened the strand and encircled her neck, hooking it at the back. “They go perfectly with your dress. You look very beautiful tonight.”

  “Thank you.” She brushed her fingertips over the pearls. “They feel cool.”

  “They will warm with your skin.” He studied her with the pearls. Their color was perfect against her skin. They gleamed in the light.

  “Take off the other necklace; I don’t want to wear both. And thank you. Thank you very much,” she said at last, turning to present her back so he could unfasten the gold chain.

  “Where’s the nearest mirror?” she asked.

  “In the salon.”

  Surim watched her walk to the mirror and look at the new necklace. He was satisfied with her radiant smile.

  The British Consulate glittered with lights and music as they entered. Surim received preferential treatment and Melissa as his escort accompanied him. They bypassed those waiting in the receiving line to meet the new Consulate and were swept to the front of the line, stepping in behind an elderly lady and her escort.

  Melissa was thrilled to meet George Farmingham, the representative of England to Qu’ Arim—especially when he asked her to promise him a few moments later in the evening as he’d like a fellow countryman’s opinion of the country.

  “So will you rave about our country?” Surim asked quietly in her ear when they moved on.

  She smiled up at him. “What do you think?”

  They entered the large reception hall. Surim nodded to acquaintances and exchanged greetings with others.

  “Your Excellency,” a soft voice said to his left.

  Melissa peeped around him to see a petite young woman a few years older than she smiling diffidently at Surim. She wore a beautiful teal-blue gown, and her hair was shot through with pearls, their pale white color like sparkling moon drops in her dark hair. Melissa felt a spurt of jealousy when Surim smiled at her.

  “Yasine, I did not know you were to be here.”

  “My father was invited and my mother was indisposed, so I came with him.” She looked at Melissa, her friendly expression remaining. “We have not met, I believe.”

  “Yasine, this is my friend from England, Melissa Fox. Melissa, Yasine bin Shora. She was a friend of Mara’s.”

  “How do you do?” Melissa said. Her heart sank. This was one of the women Surim had referred to as a candidate for his wife. She was truly beautiful and seemed sweet as well.

  “I visited Mara in England several times over the years. I miss her dreadfully,” she said, her smile fading as she thought about her friend.

  “Melissa is helping with Mara’s children. You must come some day and visit with them.”

  “I should love to,” Yasine said. “I have not seen Nadia since she was a baby. Has she grown as pretty as Alaya?”

  “Yes,” Surim said.

  “We have not spoken much about the children. How are you coping with instant fatherhood?” Yasine asked.

  Melissa listened, glad Yasine was bowing to convention and speaking English at the Consulate. She and Surim could have had this conversation in Arabic. It was interesting she mentioned their not speaking about the children. Had they had numerous conversations recently? Yasine must have been the reason for Surim’s late nights earlier in the week.

  “With Melissa’s help, I’m beginning to get to know them better. Children are a mystery to me.”

  Yasine laughed. Melissa had to admit the woman had charm and looks. She’d make a perfect match to Surim’s own handsome features. And she seemed genuinely interested in the children.

  “I suspect you are of the mind that children should be handled by the women in the household,” Yasine said. “Yet my father was very involved with me and my brothers when we were young. I think we have a close relationship because of it.”

  One that Surim had lacked with his own father, Melissa thought. Yet neither of her companions voiced that thought. Had he shared that with Yasine? Melissa wondered. For a moment the special bond she thought between them faded. Any confidences he’d shared had to do with the children, not some regard for her. How foolish could one woman be?

  A waiter circulated carrying a tray with beverages. She took one, sipping the cold liquid, wishing she could melt away into the crowd and see if there were any other British citizens present she could talk to.

  Before she could say anything, however, the new Consulate came over.

  “Ah, there you are, Your Excellency, Miss Fox. I believe I have met everyone invited here tonight and I am following up on talking with Miss Fox.”

  She was amazed he had remembered her name.

  “Sir,” she said, wondering what someone called a Consulate. Was there a special title?

  “Do you mind if I steal her away for a short time?” George Farmingham asked after being introduced to Yasine.

  “I brought her to circulate and see if she would find others from England here. Melissa is staying at my home and will be in our country for some time. I hope she finds friends,” Surim said.

  “Excellent, come with me, my dear, and we’ll see what compatriots we can locate.”

  Melissa left with the friendly older man, ignoring the pang she felt leaving Surim with Yasine. But it was nothing to what might be in store, so she’d best get used to it.

  Soon she had met a dozen UK expatriates living in Qu’ Arim and loving it. One couple invited her over to visit on her next free day. A young man working in the tourist industry commented on the resort and she told him a bit about Bella Lucia going in, and the progress of the site. He asked if she’d be able to get hold of an invitation for him to see it before it opened.

  George Farmingham seemed pleased to meet so many British citizens and suggested keeping in touch.

  Melissa and the others had begun throwing out suggestions for a monthly get-together when she recognized one of Surim’s aides approach him to speak to him. Surim looked over at her a moment later and immediately headed her way.

  “Excuse me, Mr Farmingham. I need Melissa,” he said when he r
eached their group.

  “Of course. Do join us when you can, my dear,” the man said, turning back to continue his conversation with the others.

  “What is it?” Melissa asked.

  “We have to leave. I just got word from Annis that Nadia is very ill.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  “WHAT? What happened?” Melissa asked as she swiftly followed Surim to the entrance where the limo was already waiting.

  He delayed answering until they were in the car and speeding away.

  “Annis said she is vomiting and her fever has spiked to one hundred and three and she has diarrhea. I suspect her warmth from earlier wasn’t from sunburn but from fever.”

  “Oh, dear. Poor baby.” Melissa lapsed into silence, reviewing all her experience with sick children, and her training. Dehydration was a worry with Nadia’s symptoms, especially since she was so little. What could be wrong with her? Were the others sick as well? She longed to hold the child close and comfort her. Couldn’t the car go any faster?

  Despite the minutes seeming to crawl by, they reached Surim’s home in short order. Scarcely had the car stopped before Melissa was out and running into the house and up the stairs. Surim was right beside her.

  She burst into the nursery to find Annis holding Nadia, rocking her. The little girl was pink with heat and listlessly lying against Annis’s shoulder. She roused slightly when she saw Melissa and called her name.

  “Sweetie, I’m here. I came as soon as I heard.” She scooped her up and held her close, resting her cheek against Nadia’s forehead.

  “Oh, Surim, she’s burning up. I think we should take her to hospital and have a doctor look at her.”

  “I also,” Annis said. “This is more than just an upset tummy.”

  “Come, we’ll go straight away,” he said, turning, his arm around Melissa’s shoulders as if to lend support.

  “Wait, where’s her blanket? She’ll want something familiar,” Melissa said.

  “Here.” Annis brought it from the rocker. She patted the toddler’s back and said something in Arabic.

  “I hope that was a blessing,” Melissa said as they hurried down the stairs. She had to move more slowly than she wished due to her long dress and high-heeled shoes while holding the child.