He knew he should probably call off the wedding until he knew what had happened but for some reason he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He didn’t think he’d properly relax until Imogen was truly his, which was ridiculous because she’d already agreed to marry him and she seemed happy about it. Or was she just making the best of a bad situation?
He frowned, recalling her slight hesitation the night before when he’d asked her if she was happy. She’d said yes and he had no reason to believe she was lying but that hesitation... Telling himself he was being paranoid, he counted off the other thing bothering him. The leadership position. For days now his mind had been vacillating over what to do about it and for a man who was used to making quick decisions that was just damned annoying.
His daughter bounced excitedly in his arms and he refocused his attention on the one area of his life he felt he had a handle on.
He had taken her early so that Imogen could relax in a deep scented bath and be prepared for him like so many brides had been prepared for their men in times gone by. He’d looked at her seriously and told her it was a tradition she couldn’t refuse. She had laughed and said she was a girl and not only would she not refuse, but she’d revel in it while she was there.
That had set off all sorts of images in his head about her naked and wet and smelling like the sweetest flower. Tasting like the sweetest flower.
Nadeena pointed to something over his shoulder and started babbling. ‘What is it, habibti?’ he asked before his mind wandered any further down the sex route. One night away from Imogen and he felt as randy as a teenager who’d just been given the green light to go all the way.
He turned in the direction of Nadeena’s chubby finger and saw a young stable hand grooming a mare outside the stables.
‘Hisaan,’ he told her. ‘Horse.’
He strode over to it and stroked its arched neck. His sister had loved horses and suddenly a picture of her materialised in his mind and guilt assailed him, as it always did when he thought of her. As it usually did when he felt happy.
‘If this was Nadeena and she had made a mistake like the one you feel you made would you want her to punish herself for it for ever?’
She was smart, his Imogen, smart to strike right at the heart of the issue because of course he wouldn’t want that for her. So why did he want it for himself?
He shook his head. As awful as that time had been, perhaps it was time he dealt with it and put it behind him. Of course he would change it if he could but he couldn’t. But what he could do was take care of his own family. He could do what was right by them. Do what was right by Imogen.
He watched as his daughter gathered her confidence and reached out to place her hand against the horse’s soft muzzle. The horse snorted a breath and she drew back, her wide eyes flying to his for reassurance. He gave it to her. Smiling and putting his hand back on the horse, encouraging her to do the same. ‘It’s okay, habibti. Nothing will happen to you while I have you.’ His heart clenched as she followed his lead and then the skin on the back of his neck prickled. He glanced back towards the palace and saw Imogen watching them from the balcony of the temporary suite she had occupied the night before. Time seemed to stop and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Her hair had been swept into an elaborate updo in preparation for the afternoon ceremony and her eyes were rimmed with kohl, her lips a deep pink. The honking of a car horn reminded him that stately cars had been coming and going all morning, delivering guests who would witness his joining with this woman he cherished above all others.
Cherished?
Loved.
He went dead still.
Was that really what was going on here? His heart pounded inside his chest as the words took root in his mind. He nearly laughed. Of course he loved her. It was as clear as crystal all of a sudden. His obsession with finding her, his uninterest in considering shared custody—and yes, he had strong views about that and he never wanted Nadeena to suffer as he had—but Nadeena wasn’t him and neither he nor Imogen would do that to her.
He wiped a smudge of dirt from Nadeena’s cheek. The simple fact was that Imogen completed him. Waking up beside her, holding her in his arms at night, listening to her talk about her dreams, her hopes...wanting to see her fulfil her true potential.
Last night she’d turned him away because she had wanted to start their wedding off on the right foot. Now he wanted to do the same thing. Because he knew she only wanted to marry for love and he wanted to tell her how he felt before the ceremony. He didn’t want her going into this wedding thinking that this was nothing but a marriage of convenience for him. Or inconvenience, as he had arrogantly claimed a week ago. He gave his daughter a wry smile. ‘Your papa can be an ass.’
She looked at him solemnly and babbled something as if she was in complete agreement.
Laughing, he glanced up at the balcony again only to find it empty. A sudden feeling of vulnerability gripped him hard. What would she say when he told her how he felt? And was now really the right time? Perhaps he should wait, sound her out a little before he dived straight in with the I love yous? Hell, how did a man even start a conversation like that?
Deep in thought as he strode into the palace, he didn’t see his brother until he almost ran straight into him.
Relief was followed swiftly by absolute fury. ‘Where the hell have you been? You have a lot of explaining to do.’ He took in Zach’s dishevelled state—his wrinkled clothes that were covered in dust and dirt, his beard growth that looked to be at least a week old.
‘I do?’ Zach raised a dust-covered eyebrow. ‘Thanks for the concern and the belated rescue team.’
Nadir frowned. ‘You look like hell. What happened?’
‘The short version is that I had an unfortunate run-in with one of the less welcoming tribes in the mountains.’
‘Hell. For a while I thought you were holed up with a woman.’
Zach laughed. ‘I suppose technically you could say that I was but it wasn’t by choice and she’s more like a spitting she-cat than a woman. One who is currently locked in the old harem. Not the most convenient situation on your wedding day, but then I didn’t know it was your wedding day until about an hour ago.’
Nadir stared at him. ‘You have a woman locked in the harem?’
‘Farah Hajjar, to be exact,’ he growled, his words laced with disgust.
‘Mohamed Hajjar’s daughter!’
‘One and the same.’
Nadir swore. ‘Hajjar will have your head for that.’
Zach’s gaze turned wry. ‘They both very nearly did.’
‘For the love of...’ Nadir’s gaze narrowed. ‘You didn’t compromise her, did you?’
His brother gave a sharp bark of laughter. ‘A wild boar couldn’t compromise that woman and nor would it want to.’ His gaze fell on Nadeena. ‘I take it this is my niece.’
‘You’re changing the subject.’
‘I am.’ He smiled at Nadeena. ‘She’s beautiful.’
‘I know.’ Nadir wanted to ask his brother what the hell had happened but there’d be time for that later. It was enough that he was back and in one piece. ‘I don’t have time to get the details now but you’re okay.’
‘No thanks to you,’ he said without rancour.
‘Ever heard of the boy who cried wolf? That will teach you for playing so many tricks as a kid.’
Zach grinned. ‘Come chat while I get cleaned up.’
‘I can’t.’
‘Why not? The wedding isn’t for hours yet.’
‘No, but...’ Nadir shook his head. He wanted to see Imogen and it was all he could think about. ‘Here, take your niece and get acquainted.’
He handed his daughter over and was surprised when Zach took her so easily.
‘Hey, don’t look so surprised. I�
�m okay with babies. They’re like women and horses. Handle them with the utmost care and don’t do anything to rub them up the wrong way. Isn’t that right, habibti?’
Waiting just long enough to make sure his daughter wasn’t going to start bellowing in protest, Nadir smiled when a little frown line materialised between her eyebrows as she reached up to touch Zach’s beard. ‘Don’t let her cut herself on that and if she cries take her to Maab.’
‘Where will you be?’
‘With Imogen.’
‘Ah.’ His brother cocked his head and gave a knowing grin and Nadir took the stairs to Imogen’s suite two at a time.
* * *
This time Imogen made sure she kept well away from the balcony doors. She shouldn’t have gone out there before but the time since she had woken until now had been interminable. And she still had another four hours until the wedding.
Butterflies danced in her stomach and her lips felt dry again. At this rate she would go through the whole tube of Rose Delight Tasnim had given her before the ceremony even started.
She wasn’t in her dress yet, just a silk robe that was part of a dowry Nadir had ordered for her. It was gorgeous Parisian silk, as was the underwear she had on. The dress too was beautiful. It had been sewn by twenty local ladies and Tasnim had told her they had worked around the clock to create a dress fit for a queen. Which reminded her that she wanted to pay for her own dowry and she headed back inside and wrote a quick note to herself. It was only a small thing but she had started to wear the clothes Nadir had bought for her and she didn’t want him providing everything she needed.
She sighed and tried to find something else to distract herself with because none of her old performance tricks seemed to do anything to settle her pesky nerves.
Or was it anxiety? Was it because everything had turned out so perfectly in the end? Or nearly perfectly. Nadir had not told her that he loved her but he cared for her and she believed that he would always do the right thing by her and their children.
Imogen pressed her hand to her belly. Could they have created another life together this week?
A knock on the door startled her and she knew it was Nadir. She hadn’t missed that searing look he had given her from the courtyard or what it had meant. The butterflies in her stomach flexed their wings. He wanted her, that much was obvious, but still a little gremlin of doubt managed to insinuate itself into her mind. What if he’d changed his mind...? What if—?
Mentally slapping the negative thoughts away, she marched over to the door. Even though she knew she shouldn’t see him again before the ceremony, she didn’t care. She needed the reassurance of his touch.
‘Minh!’
Imogen burst into tears the minute she opened the door and saw her friend standing on the threshold dressed in a bespoke suit and tie, which he’d always said he would never wear.
‘Imogen—’ Minh stopped smiling and strode inside ‘—what’s wrong?’
All the pent-up emotion of the last week spilled over and, even though she told herself not to cry because it would ruin her make-up, she couldn’t seem to stop.
‘Imogen, tell me what’s wrong. If that bastard hurt you I’ll deck him.’ Minh took her into his arms and she shook her head to say that she was fine and buried her face against his chest. It was stupid to cry like this and she gave a hiccup and lifted her head, her smile tremulous. ‘I’m sorry...I don’t know what came over me. I’ve been waiting for you to get here and...oh, Minh, I’m just so—’
‘Happy?’
Hearing Nadir’s deep voice behind her, Imogen reared back from Minh and stared at Nadir. His face was closed. Hard. He raised an eyebrow. ‘Ecstatic, even?’
Well, yes. She wiped beneath her eyes and her fingertips came away black. Oh, she must look a fright! ‘I didn’t hear you knock.’ It was a stupid thing to say but the tone of his voice had thrown her mind into a spin.
‘You left the door open.’ His steely gaze scared her and then he cut his eyes to Minh. ‘I need to speak with Imogen. Alone.’
‘What have you done to her now?’
‘Minh, don’t.’ Imogen had a sense of déjà vu but she knew by the expression on Nadir’s face that something was very wrong. Had he received bad news about Zachim?
‘I don’t like this, Im. I told you—’
‘Please, Minh. I’m sure this won’t take a minute.’
Minh’s reluctance to leave was as palpable as it had been back in London.
He threw Nadir a warning glare. ‘I’ll be right outside.’
Imogen breathed out when he closed the door behind him. She turned back to find Nadir by the arched windows, staring out. ‘Nadir, what’s wrong? Has something happened? Nadeena—’
‘She’s fine. I left her with Zach.’
‘Oh, then he’s back!’
‘Yes.’
‘That’s wonderful news. I thought maybe, but...’ She took a deep breath. Started again. ‘Is he okay?’
‘He’s fine.’
She hesitated. ‘So that’s good. Isn’t it?’
‘It’s very good.’
He turned and stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans and stared at her.
‘You’re starting to scare me, Nadir.’ She gave a soft laugh as if to alleviate the tension in the room but it just ratcheted it up even more.
‘I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.’ He cleared his throat. ‘But we need to clarify some things before the wedding.’
His voice was so devoid of emotion it made Imogen’s stomach roil. ‘Like?’
‘Like the fact that you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Nadeena.’
Her lashes came down to shield the hurt in her eyes. They both knew that was why he had brought her here. It wasn’t news. So why was he mentioning it? Was he afraid she had twisted the reasons for their marriage into something it wasn’t? Was he afraid she had fallen in love with him? Taking a deep breath, she tried to tell herself that everything was going to be okay. ‘I know that.’
He nodded. ‘And the fact that you never wanted this marriage.’
Imogen frowned. She half expected to see a gavel in his hand. ‘No. I...’ She hesitated, wondering how to answer when he jumped in first.
‘Wanted to marry for love? Is that what you were going to say?’
She nodded and then shook her head. No, she hadn’t been going to say that; she’d been going to say that in the beginning she had wanted that but now—
‘Yes or no, Imogen?’
‘Yes, I wanted to marry for love but...’ She swallowed, her eyes searching his face for some clue as to what he was thinking or feeling. But this was the stranger Nadir—the man who had picked her up a week ago. The man who had walked out on her in Paris. A terrible premonition raised goose bumps along her arms but she pushed aside her apprehension and answered honestly. ‘I’ve come to terms with that now.’
As if he’d somehow been waiting for that exact answer, he slowly raised guarded eyes to hers. ‘Then you’re free to go.’
‘I’m sorry?’
‘I said you’re free to go.’ He moved towards the door.
‘Nadir...wait. I don’t understand what you’re saying.’
‘I’m saying that I agree with you. A marriage of convenience is not a good enough reason to tie two people together for ever. Even for the sake of a child.’
‘Hold on.’ Imogen felt as if she had to fight to get every word out of her mouth. ‘You’re saying that you no longer want to marry me?’
‘I’m saying you’re free. You can leave.’
The room tilted and Imogen put her hand out to grip the back of a chair. Tears of disbelief spiked behind her eyelashes but she refused to let them fall. ‘What about Nadeena?’
‘My lawyers will be in touch about visitation rights—i
sn’t that what they’re called?’
Isn’t that what they’re called?
He was so cool and remote she wanted to scream. ‘I meant—what about your desire to be part of her life? Permanently.’
Her body started shaking. This couldn’t be happening. It just couldn’t be happening.
‘I still plan to be in her life. I just...’ He looked away as if it was too difficult to look at her. ‘I have reconsidered my position.’
He had reconsidered his position? As if they were nothing more than a piece of furniture he had decided he no longer wanted.
‘Oh, my God!’
‘I still want her,’ he rasped harshly. ‘But not this way.’
Stunned, Imogen could only stare at him, his words barely registering as her heartbeat raced out of control and her thoughts went along for the ride. All she could think was that he had changed his mind. ‘I told you this would happen.’ Suddenly she was fifteen again and her father was standing in the doorway and her mother was crying on the sofa. Thank God Nadeena wasn’t old enough to witness her own humiliation at the hands of this man. She lifted her chin. ‘Where’s Nadeena now?’
‘I told you she’s with Zach.’ He swiped a hand across his face but Imogen barely noticed.
‘Damn it, Imogen. I thought you’d be happy.’
Imogen felt bile rise up in her throat but she held it back by sheer force of will, determined that he would not see how much he had hurt her again. How much she had let him hurt her again. God, she was an idiot of the most astonishing proportions. ‘I am.’
He nodded. ‘Then there’s nothing left to say.’
‘Nothing,’ she assured him and sailed into the en suite bathroom before he saw the utter despair in her eyes.
* * *
Nadir sat behind his father’s old desk, staring at his computer screen. When the door banged open he looked up and found his brother dressed in celebratory robes with a scowl on his face.
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