Reality came crashing back for both of them at exactly the same moment. Gone was the heady passion and overwhelming excitement, leaving Rachel and Malik sitting side by side unsure of what to say to one another.
Slowly Malik shifted, turning back towards Rachel and taking her hand in his own. Rachel was surprised at the move and for a moment she wondered whether he was about to make some sort of declaration. Her heart began to pound in her chest and an unexpected surge of hope welled up inside her. Of course she found the Sheikh attractive and it was difficult to not be drawn in by his charisma and confidence, but she found herself holding her breath, as if she wanted him to say he wanted more from her.
‘I admire you very much,’ Malik said slowly, as if testing each individual word out first in his head. ‘You are a beautiful and intelligent young woman, and I find I cannot regret our kiss.’ He gave a small self-deprecating smile. ‘In fact, I must confess I’ve had the urge to kiss you for some time.’
Rachel felt her hopes vanish. This was not a speech of someone declaring their undying love.
‘But I’m sure you agree this can go no further.’
Rachel found herself nodding. She felt acute disappointment, but she did agree. Despite the lingering desire she felt as she looked up at Malik she knew he was right. They could have a relationship of employer and employee, admire each other’s qualities objectively, even be friendly towards one another, but they could not become romantically involved. Malik was Sheikh, ruler of Huria, and Rachel was observant enough to notice that his marriage to his late wife had been damaging to him in some way or another. Rachel was his children’s governess, and she knew they had to be her focus. She could not afford to become distracted by any man; she owed it to the three wonderful children in her care to focus on them.
‘I agree,’ she said quietly.
Inside she was already chastising herself for her unprofessional behaviour. She had always been so determined she would never let desire or lust overrule her head, had always been so resolved that she would remain in control at all times, and here she was upset because Malik had told her their kiss could go no further.
Carefully she moved away from Malik. He was sitting watching her with a mixture of concern and sadness on his face. For a moment Rachel wished for the severe, distant man she had first met, at least that man would be easy to walk away from.
‘Let me take you back to the courtyard,’ Malik said, standing and offering her his arm.
They walked in silence back down the steps and through the garden, past all the silvery pools of water and fragrant flowers. As they walked Rachel began to get her composure back. She’d been shaken by the kiss, more shaken than she cared to admit, but slowly she was beginning to think straight again.
‘I don’t want things to change,’ she said as they reached the other edge of the sunken garden and began the climb back up to the courtyard. ‘The children have enjoyed having you around these last couple of days and I could never forgive myself if you withdrew because of me.’
Malik paused halfway up the steps.
‘Nothing will change,’ he said firmly. ‘We will put this moment down to the magic of the desert night and the sunken garden, and carry on as we were before.’
Rachel took one last look back at the garden over her shoulder, then felt her resolve harden and followed Malik back to reality.
Chapter Nine
Nothing will change, Malik thought with a grimace—who was he fooling? Everything had changed. He cursed himself for taking Rachel into the sunken garden. He’d known it would be beautiful, magical in the moonlight, and still he’d taken her there. And now, when he should be focusing on what Wahid was telling him, his mind kept wandering to his children’s governess and the memory of the kiss they’d shared under the stars.
‘Your Majesty?’ Wahid asked, concern apparent in his voice.
‘I’m sorry, Wahid, I’m rather distracted tonight, what did you say?’
‘We’ve caught the bandits. The man you injured survived until the group of guards found him and he led us straight to the others. They’re locked up for now, but I asked what you wanted to do with them.’
Huria had always been a country that prided itself on fairness and justice. If you were generous and helped others, then you would be recognised and rewarded by the community. If you committed a crime, if you stole or hurt someone, then you would be punished accordingly.
‘They mainly targeted the people of Talir, is that right, Wahid?’
Wahid nodded. ‘A few traders and people from other villages coming to see relatives were attacked, but mainly it was the people of Talir.’
‘I think it is only fair to let them hold the trial and decide on the sentencing. Send word to the elders and we will escort the prisoners there tomorrow.’
‘You want to oversee matters personally?’
Malik nodded. These men had threatened his family and seriously injured Rachel, but more than that, they had targeted his people, often beating and injuring them.
‘You were about Aahil’s age when you went to your first trial, Your Majesty,’ Wahid said gently.
Malik could still remember every minute of it. His father had been keen for him to learn all about the justice system in Huria even from a young age. He had attended trials and watched and listened as criminals were sentenced. At the tender age of eight he had witnessed his first execution. When he closed his eyes Malik could still see the lifeless body of a thief hanging limply at the end of a rope.
‘The children will attend the trial, it is important they understand about crime and punishment in Huria, but they will not stay while the sentence is carried out,’ he said firmly.
Even Aahil, who was diligent in his studies and interested in all the traditions of the country he would one day rule, was too young to witness an execution. One day he would have to, one day he would likely have to take on the burden of sentencing someone to death himself, but for now Malik could shield his son from that.
‘Very good, Your Majesty. I’ll make all the arrangements.’
Wahid left the room and Malik stared after him for a moment. It was just getting dark outside and from across the courtyard he could hear the occasional squeal of pleasure as the children played some game before bed. Malik had a sudden urge to go and see them, to bask in their happiness for a while, and before he could talk himself out of it with thoughts of state business, he stood and strode out into the courtyard.
The laughter led him to Ameera’s room, and for a moment he stood outside looking in, happy to watch his children play without being seen. Rachel was on the bed, tied up with a multitude of pieces of clothing and scarfs, and she was sighing most dramatically and kept pretending to swoon.
In front of her Hakim patrolled, dressed in green with a saucepan on his head. Every so often he growled or roared and Malik realised he was supposed to be a dragon. Quickly his eyes swept the room. Hiding behind the dressing table were Aahil and Ameera, both were brandishing wooden spoons, and as he watched they both surged forward, galloping as if they were riding horses, and let out a loud cry.
‘Attack,’ Ameera screeched.
His eldest two children charged at Hakim, who growled and batted out with his arms. Malik was proud to realise Aahil and Ameera were actually very gentle with their little brother, whilst still enjoying the game to the full. After a minute of attacking Hakim all three of his children collapsed on to the bed next to Rachel in fits of giggles.
Malik stepped into the room. Immediately Aahil straightened and stood, looking sheepish to be caught playing with his two younger siblings. He was so grown up, so sensible, and for the first time Malik realised his eldest son had never really been allowed a childhood. From a very young age Aahil had been told that one day he would have the responsibility of ruling Huria and had been expected to behave accordin
gly. He hadn’t ever indulged in silliness or fun—at least not until Rachel had arrived and seen him for what he really was: a child like any other, even if one day he would have heavier responsibilities.
‘Father—’ Aahil began guiltily.
Malik quickly cut him off. ‘This looks mightily unfair.’
Four sets of eyes looked at him with confusion.
‘Two brave warriors, but only one dragon. You’re outnumbered, Hakim.’
No one spoke. All three of his children were looking at him with such disbelief it almost broke his heart. Surely he had played with them before, Malik tried to recall, surely there had been at least one game, one afternoon of indulgence, but he knew despite all his wishing he hadn’t. And he doubted their mother had ever played with them either.
‘Come, Hakim, we’ve got a tasty governess to have for our supper.’
Quickly Malik swept his son back into position and after a moment’s hesitation Ameera moved as well. Only Aahil was left standing awkwardly by the bed.
‘You’d better help your sister,’ Malik prompted gently. ‘Otherwise she’ll be gobbled up by two hungry dragons.’
After a few more seconds Aahil smiled shyly and ran to join Ameera where she was hiding behind a chair. Malik turned to find Hakim offering him a saucepan for his head. Wondering what a saucepan had to do with dragons, Malik nevertheless put the pan on and started patrolling in front of the bed. Rachel smiled at him before starting to swoon and sigh dramatically again.
He heard whispers from behind the chair, his two eldest children planning their attack. They remained where they were for over a minute before charging out into the room. Both Aahil and Ameera went for Malik, knocking him back on to the bed and trying to pin him down. Out of the corner of his eye Malik saw Hakim hesitate, then launch himself on top of the pile. Malik started tickling all three of his children, making them all collapse in fits of giggles.
After a minute, when all four of them were panting from the exertion, Malik sat up. He felt light and carefree, and to him it was an odd sensation. He couldn’t believe that for years he had held himself back from his children, not getting involved, as it wasn’t proper for a Sheikh to show emotion or laugh with his sons and daughter. This felt right, natural, and he could also see his fear of rejection was unfounded, too. Aliyyah might have kept him at a distance through their long marriage, but his children were eager for his attention and his company.
‘Well, I think we dragons won that round,’ Malik said.
‘It’s all right, Miss Talbot,’ Hakim said, turning to his governess. ‘We won’t really eat you.’
Malik watched as Rachel pulled Hakim in for a cuddle. She was so at ease around the children, always seeming to know what they wanted or what they needed. It came naturally to her and for a moment Malik wished he had the same talent. He loved his children more than anyone else in the world, but he still wasn’t at ease with them. When he was making decisions on land disputes or negotiating trade deals he felt in his element, when he was faced with the three eager children he felt uneasy.
‘Now it’s nearly bedtime,’ Rachel said. ‘But I know I’ll never sleep after all that excitement. Why don’t we sneak down to the kitchen for some warm milk?’
A chorus of approval came from the children and quickly they hopped off the bed. Malik watched as Rachel led them out of the room, marvelling again at how easily she had slotted into their lives.
Hakim paused before he stepped through the door.
‘Would you like some milk, Daddy?’ he asked, holding out his hand.
Malik felt something shift inside him as he strode across the room and gently took his son’s hand.
‘I’d love some,’ he said, his voice almost unrecognisable to his own ears.
They caught the others up just as they were peering into the darkened kitchen.
‘We need to be very quiet,’ Rachel was saying in a whisper. ‘We don’t want anyone knowing we’re here.’
The children looked around excitedly and Malik had to smile. Of course they were allowed in the kitchen any time they wanted, he was Sheikh and they were the Royal Princes and Princess, but as ever Rachel was making this into a little adventure for them.
Quietly they crept inside and Malik watched as Rachel found a pan, lit the stove and started to heat some milk. In a few minutes they were all sipping the warm liquid, sweetened with sugar and cinnamon.
‘Have I told you about the time I tried to make a birthday cake for my friend Grace?’ Rachel asked the children. Three heads shook in unison. ‘I’d been banned from the kitchen by the cook after forgetting I’d put a batch of biscuits in the oven and filling the whole school with smoke, but my friend Grace really needed cheering up.’
It had been soon after Grace had realised she was pregnant. All four friends had spent weeks trying to figure out what to do for the best, and as Grace’s birthday loomed Rachel had decided they needed something to celebrate.
‘I sneaked downstairs when everyone was in bed and very quietly made a cake for Grace’s birthday. I made sure I cleaned everything and put it all away before morning, but when the cook came downstairs she found a few things out of place and for weeks was convinced the kitchen was haunted.’
‘Did you get caught?’ Ameera asked.
Rachel shook her head.
‘I need to talk to you all about something,’ Malik said as they drained their cups. ‘Tomorrow we’re going on a little trip.’
They looked at him expectantly and Malik wondered how best to phrase things.
‘When we were coming back from Talir and we were attacked by the bandits I know it was very scary,’ Malik began. ‘But the bandits have been caught and are going to be on trial tomorrow in Talir. We will all be there.’
Aahil nodded gravely, Ameera glanced at Rachel and Hakim started playing with his fingers nervously.
‘Children, I think it’s time for bed,’ Rachel said. ‘We will discuss tomorrow’s plans in the morning. Go and get ready and I’ll be up shortly to say goodnight.’
Even Hakim couldn’t miss the steeliness to Rachel’s voice and without a word of protest the three children filed out of the kitchen.
‘I should get back,’ Malik said, thinking already of the petitions from village elders he needed to read through before he retired for the night.
‘We need to discuss tomorrow,’ Rachel said.
Malik stopped and turned, ensuring he kept a good distance between him and Rachel, very aware that they were now alone in the palace kitchen.
‘I will ensure you have a carrying chair to transport you to Talir,’ Malik said.
‘That’s not what I wanted to discuss. And I will be perfectly fine on a horse, thank you.’ Rachel paused and Malik wondered again what she could be asking of him. ‘I do not think the children should attend the trial.’
Malik felt his hand start to rise up into the air, ready to give a dismissive gesture before he turned and walked out of the room. A week ago that would have been exactly how he would have reacted, but he valued Rachel’s input with his children, so he tempered his response.
‘Why not?’ he asked brusquely.
‘They are children. Hakim is four years old. They should be shielded from this sort of thing.’
‘They need to be exposed to the real world.’
‘Not like this. Visiting villages and touring the country is one thing, but they do not need to see the brutal reality of an execution,’ Rachel said passionately.
‘They will not be staying to view the execution.’
‘It is still inappropriate. Wholly inappropriate.’
‘One day Aahil will be ruling this kingdom. He will need to make difficult decisions and oversee events that make him uncomfortable.’
‘We’re talking about the distant future here.’
‘What kind of father would I be if I didn’t prepare my son for the harsh realities of the job he will take on? I saw my first execution when I was Aahil’s age.’
‘And how did that make you feel?’
Malik paused, transported back to that first execution he’d witnessed.
‘That’s not the point,’ he persevered. ‘I may not have felt very comfortable, but my father did his duty in preparing me to become Sheikh. I understood how a trial worked and what punishments lay in store for those who broke the law.’
‘How did it make you feel?’ Rachel repeated insistently.
Malik thought about the feelings of dread and fear he had experienced whilst sitting next to his father. He could still remember the condemned man’s pleas, his shouts for mercy. Up until that point Malik had never seen true, unadulterated fear, but it was etched on the criminal’s face as he was led to the gallows. And even now, over two decades later, Malik could hear the crack as the man’s neck broke. He swallowed, he was never going to tell Rachel any of that.
‘How did it make you feel?’ she repeated a third time, softer now.
‘I felt as if I were doing my duty to my father and my country,’ Malik said stiffly. ‘The children will be ready to depart at eight tomorrow morning.’
Before she could protest any further Malik gave her a curt nod and strode out of the room. He didn’t want to discuss the matter any further and Rachel had a way of getting under his skin. He knew she was making a valid point, the children probably would be a little scared, but it was an important experience for them and it wasn’t as though he was going to let them watch the actual execution.
Chapter Ten
The day was already hot as Rachel descended the steps of the palace towards the waiting convoy. Even the lush oasis seemed a little wilted this morning, as if all the water in the world couldn’t make up for the scorching heat of the day to come.
GOVERNESS TO THE SHEIKH Page 10