“You give me far too much credit, Your Highness. I can’t afford to let anything jeopardize my employment.” Including her growing feelings for her employer.
The kiss she’d shared with Fariq the night they’d been stranded in the desert was unforgettable. But she couldn’t let it happen ever again. She had to walk the straight and narrow because the thought of her mother losing everything was too awful to contemplate.
The princess walked across the foyer and put a gloved hand on the doorknob. “Crystal, you are wonderful with the children and they adore you. We are lucky to have you.”
“Thank you.”
When the other woman was gone, Crystal leaned her back against the door. She adored the children, too. Learning about their mother made her heart ache, for them—and their father. The man who was never wrong had been wrong in a big, public and painful way. It wasn’t something he would easily forget. Heaven help the woman who wronged him again.
The thought sent waves of apprehension through her.
“Nanny?”
Shaking her head to clear it, Crystal looked up to see Nuri. “Have you picked out your stories?”
“Hana and I have something to ask you.”
She felt a negotiation coming on. This handsome little boy would one day grow up and take a position in his country’s government. It was never too early to begin his training.
“What is it?” Crystal noticed his sister hovering behind him.
“We want to go to the party.”
“I see. But you’re not dressed for the occasion,” she said, looking pointedly at their pajamas. “And you asked for an extra story.”
“I know a secret place. We can see what’s going on, but no one can see us,” he said.
She nodded. “That takes care of one problem.”
“Hana and I will give up our extra story if you will let us spy on the party.”
“How about if we skip story time tonight. We’ll go check out what’s going on, then right to bed. No discussion.”
He grinned. “All right.”
He was going to be a tough negotiator some day. Especially if his opponent was female. “Go put on your robes.”
As the children scurried to do as she’d asked, Crystal found she was excited, too. When the two returned, Nuri led them down the stairs and through a series of hallways and doors. He explained that there were many places to hide in the palace. Crystal lost her bearings and hoped he had a better sense of direction than she did. But finally they came out on a balcony above the grand ballroom. Velvet curtains framed the alcove, and a teak handrail with white spindles below it blocked the opening.
“Well done,” Crystal told the boy. He grinned at her, and when he held up his hand she gave him a high-five. She sat on the floor and pulled each of the children down beside her. “We don’t want anyone to spot us.”
Peeking through the spindles, they observed the activity below. Muted sounds of music and voices drifted up to them as tuxedoed men and gorgeous women in evening gowns milled around the huge room below. Even from this distance, she could see the priceless jewels they wore. Carrying silver trays with champagne and hors d’oeuvres, white-jacketed servers moved smoothly among the guests.
“Look, Nanny, there is Uncle Kamal,” Hana pointed out.
She spotted the Crown Prince smiling at a beautiful, dark-haired woman. The man rarely smiled, which made her wonder about the woman. “I see. And there’s your grandfather, and your Aunt Farrah.”
“I see Uncle Rafiq,” Nuri said. “He’s talking to Penny Doyle.”
“I like her,” Hana commented.
Crystal liked her, too, and hoped she was having a wonderful time. But it was important for her to keep in mind that tomorrow she would go back to being Rafiq’s assistant. Because even from here the gleam in the prince’s eyes when he looked at her was unmistakable.
“I do not see Aunt Johara,” Hana said.
“Or Papa,” Nuri commented, searching the crowd below.
The door behind them opened. “What have we here?”
Fariq’s deep voice raised goose bumps on Crystal’s arms as a tingle of awareness shimmied up and down her spine. Followed quickly by worry. Was this against palace policy? Would he be angry that not only did she permit the children to spy on the party, she’d initiated the peeping expedition.
“Hello, Papa,” Nuri said, standing. “We wanted to see the party so I showed Nanny how to get here.”
“I see.”
Crystal got to her feet. She pulled Hana up with her and the child nestled close. “There was a grinding negotiation session. They gave up bedtime stories and agreed to go right to sleep without further discussion if they could see what was going on.”
“I see.”
“I hope you’re not mad. It seemed—”
“I’m not.” His gaze strayed to his daughter, who wouldn’t look at him.
Crystal had the feeling he’d been on his way to make amends with the little girl. “I’ll take them back to their rooms.”
“Not yet. I have a surprise.” He motioned to someone behind him, and a server bearing a tray joined them.
The young man laid out several linen napkins on the floor and arranged a picnic style feast for the two children. Crystal smelled the sparkling liquid in the flutes and grinned at the apple cider. On two small plates there was an assortment of appetizers. Then Fariq whispered something to the waiter who nodded, bowed and left.
“Thank you, Papa,” Nuri said.
“You’re most welcome, my son.” He looked at his daughter and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”
From beneath long, lush lashes, she looked up shyly and nodded, then placed her small hand in his. He urged her to put her satin-slippered feet on his shiny shoes, then waltzed her around the small alcove. A lump of emotion jumped into Crystal’s throat as she watched him charm the pique from the little girl who alternately giggled and smiled adoringly up at her dashing father.
When the music ended, he bowed and thanked her. “Now, if you don’t hurry, your brother will eat everything.”
“Thank you, Papa.” She reached her arms up and hugged him when he leaned close. Then she sat across from her brother for her share of the spoils.
Fariq leaned against the railing beside her. “Are you always so permissive with my children?”
“Only on special occasions,” she said, glancing down at the glittering gala below. “I hope the guests are in a generous frame of mind.”
He nodded. “The Feed the Children Foundation will be well pleased with the amount of money we will raise from the auction.”
“How can you be so sure it will do well?”
“Many of the donated items are unique. A song personally written by a well-known musician is expected to fetch over two hundred thousand. A limited edition Rolls-Royce probably in the six-hundred-thousand-dollar range. A weekend at a celebrity’s French chateau. And that’s just the beginning.”
“Oh, my,” she said. “Will you bid on the chateau for me?”
“Can you spare seventy or eighty thousand dollars?”
She touched a finger to her lip, pretending to think about it. “I’ll balance my checkbook and let you know.”
“Don’t bother. I will buy it for you,” he teased. At least it seemed like he was. “That will happen in a little while. Between now and then the champagne will flow freely.”
She sighed, wondering what it would feel like to be able to afford such luxury. She would never know. All she wanted was enough to pay her mother’s medical bills and get her back to normal. And a peek at the auction would be nice, too. “I wish I could see it.”
“My aunt took me to task for not making arrangements for you to attend tonight.”
Her? At the ball? It would have been fun. Dangerous but fun. She’d always believed character was more important than the way a person looked on the outside. But tonight she wished for a little less character and a bit more gilding of the lily.
“I’m just
the nanny.”
“Still, you are a guest in our country. It was remiss of me not to think of it myself. But I have taken pains to rectify the situation.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was actually Aunt Farrah who spotted the three of you up here. She said Johara is not feeling well this evening and asked to be excused from the festivities. She suggested my sister take the children while I treat you to an evening of El Zafirian hospitality.”
“What’s wrong with Johara?” Crystal asked.
He lifted one broad shoulder in a shrug. “My aunt only said she was tired.”
Crystal had a vague feeling of concern for the teenager, but figured it was merely her imagination running away with her. “If she’s under the weather, she should go to bed. Hana and Nuri are my responsibility.”
“She said she would prefer to care for them than attend the party. It is my wish that you let me escort you.”
The door opened and Johara stood in the doorway. Their little balcony was turning into Grand Central Station, El Zafirian style.
“I will take the twins back to their rooms,” she said.
“Are you all right? Maybe you should go get some rest,” Crystal said, noting the dark circles beneath the teenager’s eyes.
“I will see to these two.” She smiled at the children, who took turns yawning.
“Will you read us a story?” Nuri asked, sliding Crystal a glance.
“Have you forgotten our agreement?” she asked with feigned severity.
“But, Nanny, I heard you tell our teacher that it is very important to read at bedtime,” he said.
Johara took each of them by the hand. “I don’t mind reading one short story.”
“Papa?” Hana asked.
Crystal met his gaze and knew he was a goner. His little girl had him wrapped around her pinkie.
“One very short story,” he said. He kissed each of them good night.
“Do not worry,” Johara said. “I will care for them as if they were my own.”
“Thank you.” He opened the door and the three of them left. Then he returned to her side and looked down at the party in full swing below. “Now I will take you to the festivities.”
Crystal glanced at the front of her skirt, the deep creases from a day’s wear. On top of that, her wrinkled white cotton blouse showed the effects of bathing the twins. “No,” she cried. “I look awful. I couldn’t go like this.”
“Then I will escort you to change your clothes first.”
“But I have nothing appropriate to wear.” This was Cinderella’s worst nightmare. And not a fairy godmother in sight. “I appreciate Princess Farrah’s very gracious concern, but I have no wish to go down there and stand out like a longhorn at a garden party.”
“An interesting image,” he said. “However, you are far more graceful than a steer.”
“But you get my drift.”
“I do. And I had a feeling you might feel that way. So, there is only one solution. I will stay and bring the party to you.”
The tingles sliding up and down her spine began to multiply as anticipation coursed through her. She should politely decline his offer, which was obviously nothing more than pity. Still, wouldn’t it be rude to refuse? She’d spent an entire night alone with him in the desert and survived his bone-melting kiss. How dangerous could it be to stand beside him and watch the party go by below? The play-by-play in an e-mail to her mother would be so entertaining for her after painful physical therapy.
“Thank you,” she said. “You’re very kind.”
Added to his above-average looks that made him a prince among men. And she could only hope she wouldn’t live to regret this night.
Chapter Nine
Fariq picked up a bottle of champagne from the cart the server had just delivered according to his instructions. Alone with Crystal again, he was feeling quite content. It was expected that all members of the royal family would attend official functions. That didn’t mean he enjoyed the crush of people, the flash of cameras, the attentions of social-climbing, power-hungry women. In fact, the longer he was not away on business, the better he liked it. More and more he was becoming aware that Crystal was responsible for that.
From the first day she’d arrived in his office, he’d been drawn to her, in spite of her unfashionable appearance. Or maybe because of it. She didn’t fawn all over him, but spoke her mind and damn the consequences. As she’d once told him about balance, she was becoming that in his life. His children adored her. And he…he liked her very much.
Earlier, when his aunt had pointed out Crystal and the children spying, he’d felt an undeniable surge of pleasure. Since he’d already put in an appearance at the function, it was all the excuse he’d needed to make his escape.
He poured the bubbly golden liquid into two flutes and handed one to Crystal.
“To what shall we drink?” he asked.
She pushed her glasses up on her nose, then thought for a moment. “To understanding employers.”
“I do not understand,” he said, puzzled.
A small smile turned up the corners of her mouth. “I’ve lost track of the number of times I have overtly disagreed with you in regard to handling your children in particular and teenagers in general. Yet, you’ve listened to me apparently without any hard feelings. At least none that I’m aware of.”
“Is that an apology for your behavior, Miss Rawlins?”
“No. That would imply I was wrong. I’m simply acknowledging I hold a different opinion of situations than you and you’re gracious enough not to hold it against me.”
“So you think I was wrong in the handling of my daughter earlier this evening.”
“My mother always said don’t judge anyone until you walk a mile in their shoes. I have no children and have never been married. I think,” she said carefully, “I jumped to conclusions without all the facts.”
“Your mother is a wise woman.”
“Yes,” she said. Shadows crossed her face as she frowned. “I find myself quoting her frequently. The children have noticed. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Wisdom transcends age, borders and time zones. Your father is lucky to have her.”
She sipped her drink, then shook her head. “He doesn’t any longer. They’re divorced.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too.” She drank the remaining contents of her glass in a several gulps. “They raised five children and when I went away to college, it should have been the best time of their life. Instead everything fell apart and they found they had nothing holding them together.”
“This was hard on you.” It wasn’t a question. He could see her sadness in the pinched whiteness around her mouth. “Yet you still believe in love, marriage and children.”
She met his gaze, and doubts flickered in hers. “It’s what my mother drilled into me. Do everything you want before settling down, she always said. Now I wonder if there were tensions in the relationship I didn’t see. It’s possible she suspected she’d never have the opportunity to travel as she’d always wanted. Maybe the subtext of her message was to see the world, live for yourself, follow your dreams because life doesn’t always stick to a plan.”
“Be selfish.”
“It’s not always a bad thing. I wish my mother had put herself first more often,” she said with great feeling. “If she had she wouldn’t be in the situation—”
“What?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “You don’t want to hear about this.”
He lifted the champagne bottle and refilled only her glass since he hadn’t touched his own. “On the contrary. I enjoy knowing more about the woman who spends so much time with my children. I find you quite a complicated woman.”
“Please don’t be concerned that I would burden the children with this—”
He held up his hand. “It never crossed my mind. You have defended them and my sister too many times for me to doubt your devotion to their well-being.”
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She turned away and leaned her elbows on the railing as she studied the party below them. “I’m in awe of the royal family’s devotion to children around the world. This extravaganza is certainly proof of that.”
“It is Rafiq’s pet project,” he explained.
“I heard. Talk about a complicated person.”
Fariq was irritated at her tone of admiration for his brother. “Has he caused you distress?”
Just sipping from her glass, she gulped at his words and started to cough. He patted her back until she met his gaze. Lifting her glasses for a brief moment, she wiped her eyes. He got a glimpse of her without the spectacles and wondered what she would look like without the hindrance of them.
“Talk about jumping to conclusions. Are you asking if he’s come on to me? Flirted with me?”
“Yes.”
She laughed and shook her head. “I’ve hardly seen him. As a matter of fact, the children were just asking about him. They’ve noticed his absence. But the rumor is that he’s preoccupied with Penny Doyle.”
“Rumor?”
“Yes. News spreads quickly and this is all over the palace.”
“What have you heard?”
“That Rafiq took her to Paris and she came back with a new wardrobe befitting her job as his assistant.” She angled her chin toward the couple dancing below them. “Including that fabulous little number she’s wearing while he trips the light fantastic with her.”
“She does look quite lovely this evening. Different.”
“I heard she had a little help.” Her gaze skittered away.
“More palace gossip?”
“You could say that.” She finished the contents of her glass as she shook her head. “Look at all the amazing clothes and jewels in that room. What must it be like to know you can buy anything you want without thinking about a budget?”
Fariq had never considered the question. He’d never wanted for anything that money could buy. It was a privilege he took for granted, although he and his brothers cared deeply for their people and expended great effort to see to their needs. But he studied Crystal’s tense features.
Resting a hip against the railing beside her, he was close enough to feel the warmth of her body and smell the fragrance of her perfume. The combination made him light-headed. Since he hadn’t touched his champagne, there was no other reason for his reaction. “Tell me about your family. Was there a budget?”
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