At that moment Roji broke away from Zara and ran to him. Going down on his knee, Tariq met the five-year-old with open arms.
“Uncle Tariq, I rode my horse today.”
Tariq lifted the boy, who had already lost so much in his short life, into his arms. “You did?”
Roji nodded. “He leaned over the fence and touched me here.” Roji placed his hand on top of his head.
“He did? It must have thought you were something good to eat.” Tariq tickled Roji’s stomach, earning a giggle.
Tariq glanced at Laurel, who watched him intently. Seconds later Zara joined them. “Roji, leave your uncle alone. He is busy.”
“Zara, he was just telling me about his day.”
“You spoil him, Tariq. We take up too much of your time.”
“You and Roji are family and family always comes first.” Tariq meant that. He put Roji on his feet then said, “I wish you to meet Dr. Laurel Martin.”
Zara extend a hand and Laurel offered hers. “It is a pleasure. I am glad Tariq has found someone to love.” The women released hands. Zara looked at him. “Even though he kept you a secret.”
Laurel’s gaze met his. He gave her a reassuring smile. “Go with Zara. I must speak to someone and I will see you again in a few minutes.” He feared Laurel would balk but instead she went with Zara, who held Roji’s hand.
* * *
Laurel looked around her without truly seeing. It was far too overwhelming to take it all in. The beauty of the place, the vastness and the fact she would be married to Tariq in only minutes. She’d always been so practical until Tariq had entered her world and now she walked around in a daze as if she no longer understood her own mind. Here she was following some beautiful woman to put on clothes she’d never seen. Life had become surreal in a blink of an eye.
Zara pushed open the thick wooden door and entered. She motioned for Laurel to follow. “This is the royal lounge of the palace. We use it for these types of occasions and meeting dignitaries of state.”
The room had a high ceiling with whitewashed walls and a large stained-glass window. The light from the outside reflected colors off the wall, reminding Laurel of a kaleidoscope.
Zara didn’t add any confidence to her feeling of inadequacy. The tall, dark, willowy woman dressed in a perfectly tailored dress that flowed around her legs made Laurel feel self-conscious of how little attention she’d paid to her appearance in the last few years. Laurel admired Zara’s English, which was as flawless as Tariq’s. He and his sister-in-law shared a similar accent but Zara’s wasn’t near as sexy as Tariq’s. Having no Arabic in her vocabulary, Laurel felt at a disadvantage.
“These women are here to help me dress you.” Zara indicated the women standing at attention near a tall mirror. “Roji, I need you to play nicely. I brought you cars. They are in a bag over there.” She pointed across the room. The boy eagerly headed after them.
Laurel had watched the sweet moment between Tariq and Roji with a smile on her lips. The boy obviously adored his uncle and Tariq returned the admiration. How wrong she had been in her first impression of the lordly Prince. The more she learned about him, the more she found to appreciate. She had no doubt he would be a doting father. Her stomach took a dip. Why would she be having a thought like that? About him?
In an effort to gain some control in the situation Laurel said, “Princess, I don’t need help dressing.”
“Please, call me Zara. And I think you will be surprised.” She waved at the women and they moved behind a nearby screen.
Laurel nodded, sure that she wouldn’t be seeing Zara often enough to ever be on that friendly of terms.
One of the women returned with a long gown draped across her arm. It was made of a wispy fine cream fabric embroidered in tiny gold flowers. The other carried a matching headpiece.
Laurel’s breath caught. It was the most stunning piece of clothing she had ever seen, even in pictures.
Zara moved beside her. “It is beautiful, is it not? It was Tariq’s mother’s and hers before her. He wishes you to wear it.”
Tears filled Laurel’s eyes. If the guilt wasn’t heavy enough where her family was concerned, it was compounded now. After all, she and Tariq were frauds. They had his family believing this was real. It was wrong. Laurel shook her head. “I can’t wear that.”
Zara ignored Laurel’s words and took her hand. “Tariq waits. You must meet him in something besides what you have on. We will see how it fits.”
Over the next few minutes Laurel did little more than stand there as Zara and the women fussed over her, removing her clothes and replacing them with the elegant traditional costume. With great reverence Zara placed the headdress on Laurel. It covered most of her forehead, and the veil landed at her elbows.
Zara stepped back and studied her. “Perfect.”
The two women smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Now, come and see.” Zara led Laurel out to the mirror. She turned her around.
Laurel couldn’t believe the woman looking back at her was her. Where had that plain person gone? Laurel’s shoulders straightened. She not only looked beautiful but for the first time in a long time she felt it as well.
Zara gave her a light squeeze. “Tariq will see it too.”
Laurel wasn’t sure what that cryptic statement meant but she didn’t have time to ask before Zara announced, “It is time.” She hustled Laurel out of the room and back the way they had come. “I will walk with you to the door then I will leave you to meet Tariq by yourself.”
Laurel almost grabbed her hand and begged Zara not to abandon her. But how would that look for a bride to not want to meet her groom?
As they walked Zara whispered, “You are marrying a great man with a large heart. He has taken care of Roji and me since my husband, Rasheed, died. It was hard on Tariq as well, as they were the best of friends. Maybe now that you are in his life he will move on, not carry the pain so heavily. Not fear the disease will take all he loves.”
Laurel glanced at her. “Disease?”
“My husband had the bleeding disease. He was in a car accident and they did not find him in time. Now enough of the sad talk. It is a happy day. I leave you now to go to Tariq.”
Laurel stopped as Zara hurried to the front of the room where seats were set in rows. When Laurel no longer heard the clip of her shoes she forced herself to take a step forward. Tariq stood tall and strong ahead of her, looking so sure while she was a puddle of insecurity. He’d exchanged his headdress for a gold one. His gaze captured hers as he extend a hand. On shaking legs and with trembling hands, she walked toward her make-believe groom.
Not soon enough for Laurel, the ceremony was almost over. She wasn’t sure she could have remained standing if it hadn’t been for Tariq holding her securely to him. For that she was grateful. Finally, the moment she hadn’t let herself think about arrived. Tariq turned her to face him. His gaze meet hers, held, then questioned. With an expression so serious it was as if he had made a decision of state, his mouth slowly found hers.
She assumed it would be a peck just for show, and it was at first. Yet with exquisite gentleness their kiss turned into a joining that sent warmth cascading throughout her body to leave a throb of desire deep within her. She returned it. Too soon, Tariq pulled away. Laurel’s eyes rose to meet his. Satisfaction that reminded her too closely of Larry’s look when he’d climbed out of bed and announced he was done with her filled Tariq’s eyes. He had been testing her?
As they ended the ceremony, she said, “May I see the lab now?”
His lips thinned as his jaw hardened. Had she hurt his feelings? How? They had agreed this was in name only.
“As soon as I introduce you to my family and change. You look lovely, by the way.” But the words seemed stiff, as if he was forcing himself to say them.
It stung. What would it feel like to have
a man like Tariq actually believe she was pretty? “Thank you. The gown is beautiful. I hope I didn’t shame it by wearing it for this type of marriage.”
“Enough of that talk. We must meet my family.”
Tariq led her to the small group of people assembled a few steps away.
Zara gave Laurel a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Your Majesty.” Tariq bowed his head before both men stepped into a hug, slapping each other on the back. Was this the same serious Tariq who’d had such a fortress around him just moments ago? She was having a difficult time meshing the two.
Tariq stepped back and gave the King an appraising look. “It is good to see you, brother.”
“Now you have made me rude. Who is this lovely woman you woke me to tell me you were marrying?”
The King wore a warm, welcoming smile. With his hand extended, he came forward to greet her. “Dr. Martin, or should I be the first to say, as you might in your country, Mrs. Tariq Al Marktum, we are glad to have you in Zentar and a part of our family. How like Tariq to bring home a bride without telling anyone.” He gave Tariq a stern look that would have weakened a lesser man. “I have heard much about you from Tariq before he left. He was excited at the thought of meeting you,” the King added with a winsome grin.
He had been? What had Tariq told him about her? That she had refused to come at first? That she had lost her funding? Had he confided that the marriage was a sham? That she only wanted to do research, not be a member of the royal family. She managed to squeak, “He was?”
“Yes,” the King continued, “he speaks very highly of you and your skills in the medical field. As usual he failed to mention he had fallen in love with you as well.”
“That was a surprise to us too.” Laurel managed to make that sound sincere.
“This is my wife, Loulisa.” A pretty but shy woman with streaks of gray in her hair stepped forward.
“It is nice to meet you,” Loulisa said. “Those...” she pointed in the direction where Roji was playing with an older boy and girl “...are our children. They had a day away from lessons so they are very excited to have you here.”
Laurel smiled. “I’m glad I could help them out.”
A cry of anguish echoed through the pillars of the spacious room. All looks flew to where Roji lay on the floor.
Seconds later Zara rushed in his direction, quickly followed by Tariq.
“What has happened?” Laurel asked, joining them. Zara held Roji in her arms.
“He slipped and hit his head. He is bleeding!” Zara sobbed, barely getting the words out.
Why such a reaction over a simple fall? Laurel looked at Tariq, who was pulling a length of cloth off his waist and going down in a squat beside them. Seconds later he applied the cloth to the gash. He appeared equally concerned.
Tariq spoke to Zara as he swiftly picked up his nephew. “I will call Nasser. Have him meet us at the side door with the car.”
Zara rose with the King’s help and took a seat in a chair. Tariq placed the boy in her lap.
Laurel stepped forward. “Easy, Roji. Be a brave boy and let me have a look. I’m a doctor.”
With a loud snort, Roji collected himself and wiped his tears. To Tariq she said, “Let me see the injury.”
“He has hemophilia. There is some emergency factor in my purse.” Zara pointed to the chair where she had sat earlier. One of the older children went to fetch it.
Laurel looked at Tariq, who still held the cloth to Roji’s head. His face was as still as stone. “He’ll be fine,” she assured Zara. To Roji she asked, “May I touch you for a minute? It may tickle.”
The boy sniffled, but nodded his agreement.
Laurel gently ran her hands over the boy’s head, checking for any pooling of blood. “Where does it hurt?” Roji placed a finger on his head.
“Anywhere else?”
The boy put his hand on his shoulder. Zara removed his shirt enough for Laurel to see the bruise that had already formed.
She first lifted one eyelid and then the other. “His eyes aren’t dilated. Which is good.”
“Yes, I know,” Tariq said impatiently. “I have a medical degree as well.”
Her eyes flashed with surprise. “You never said so.”
He gave her a piercing look. “There are many things I do not say.”
The King’s son returned with Zara’s bag. She fished in it and pulled out the container with the factor and items needed to give it with a shaking hand. “I do not think I am able to give it.”
Tariq went down on one knee.
“Uncle Tariq, make it not hurt.” Roji’s tear-filled eyes were begging him.
He ruffled the boy’s hair. “I plan to, but I have to admit I am out of practice.”
“May I?” Laurel placed her hand on Tariq’s shoulder with complete confidence. This was her area of expertise. He looked at her. “I do this every day.” She smiled at Roji. “Will you trust me not to hurt you?”
Roji nodded but his grip on his mother’s hand tightened a bit.
With quick efficacy Laurel pulled out rubber gloves from the container and looked for a good vein in Roji’s arm. “This is going to be a little uncomfortable but it shouldn’t last too long.” She located the rubber band as well and tied it around the boy’s arm so that his veins rose. “So, do you have a dog at home?”
“Yes.”
“What is his name?” As she asked she placed the tiny butterfly needle in his most prominent vein.
“Czar.”
A few minutes later Laurel had the factor in his blood system.
Zara grabbed her hand. “Thank you, Laurel.”
She gave them a wry smile. “I’m glad I could help. He still should be seen at the hospital.”
“He will be. Nasser is just outside.” Tariq picked up Roji. “I will go with him. I do not want the media alerted.”
Laurel didn’t understand why he was being so secretive about the boy. After all, his illness wasn’t something he should be ashamed of.
Zara soft words carried. “You have a wife to worry about now.”
Tariq glanced back at Laurel as if he had forgotten about her. “Meet me at the hospital. The car will return for you.” With that his strides lengthened as he left the room.
Laurel excused herself from the King and the rest of the family so she could change. The two women whisked the gown off her and led her to the door through which Tariq had exited, where Laurel waited by herself for the return of the car. Her worst fear had come true. She was in a strange country alone. Thankfully the car soon arrived and fifteen minutes later Nasser escorted her into a hospital.
A woman behind a desk said something Laurel couldn’t understand as they passed. Nasser nodded and continued down the hallway. A few doors down, he stopped. “The Prince is here.”
“Thank you, Nasser.” She gave him a weak smile as she walked past him. Inside the room she found Tariq, leaning over Roji’s bed. The boy must have been sedated because he was so still. Zara sat in one of the chairs, looking concerned, with her hands clasped so tightly the knuckles were white. The part of Laurel that had made her go into medicine took over and she went to the bed. “What can I do to help?”
Tariq looked up. “I did not hear you enter. His BP is up. I am concerned there is bleeding we cannot see.”
“You have ordered tests?”
“A full blood panel, X-rays of his abdomen and joints. A CT scan of the head. The preliminary results show nothing meaningful but my gut tells me I am missing something.”
More than once that feeling had led her as well. The only time it had failed her had been where Larry was concerned. Then she had gotten nothing. “Has a second dose of factor been administered?”
“Yes. As soon as we got here.”
She lifted the bandage off the boy’s head. “The blood
flow has slowed so the factor must be working.” Laurel walked to the other side of the bed so that she stood facing Tariq. “Have you done a thorough hands-on exam yet?”
“No. I was just getting ready to do that.” He placed his hands on Roji’s head.
“I’ll start with his feet and work up.” Laurel lift a leg.
Tariq’s fingers were running over Roji’s neck when he said, “Laurel, see if you feel the same thing I do.”
She placed her fingers over the spot behind Roji’s neck that Tariq indicated. There was some swelling but the most telling information was the heat coming from the area. “It’s hot.”
“That’s what I thought as well.”
“What’s wrong?” Zara came up behind Tariq.
“All is well, but we need you to go and get a nurse.” Tariq voice held that no-argument tone. Roji’s mother rushed out again.
Laurel looked at Tariq’s concerned face. “He must have hit here first then rolled forward and hit his head.”
A nurse hurried in and right behind her was Zara.
Tariq didn’t waste any time, demanding, “We need a dose of rapid-clotting concentrate, stat. Also, order another to be here ready in case it is needed. Order another CT, for the back of Roji’s neck this time.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Laurel looked at him. “Good catch.”
He nodded.
The nurse soon returned with an IV set-up.
“I’ll take that.” Laurel put out her hand, palm up.
The nurse glanced at Tariq and he nodded. She handed it to Laurel, who went to work placing a cannula in Roji’s arm. As soon as she had it in a vein she said to Tariq, “You can start pushing that now.”
He lost no time doing so. Before he had finished, a staff member with a portable X-ray machine arrived. After he left, Roji was moved to a hospital room. Tariq sent Zara home for clothes because Roji would be spending the night in the hospital.
The Sheikh Doc's Marriage Bargain Page 5