He refused to examine the reason. He felt protective toward Ella. He didn’t want anything to mar her happiness—especially her family. It seemed she’d had enough grief to last a lifetime.
“Seemed better not to.”
“Well, tell her in the morning.”
“Or, let her think that for a while. What does it hurt?”
Ella thought about it for a moment. “Maybe no one,” she said reluctantly.
“If people think you are engaged to me, it’ll give you a bit of a step up when going to galleries.”
“I wouldn’t pretend for that reason.”
“But you would to keep your family out of your life.”
“I didn’t know my younger brother had a gambling problem. He was the cutest little boy. So charming.”
He took her hand and tugged her along and resumed walking. “I know. Family pressure can be unrelenting, however. If they think you are already out of reach, they have to look elsewhere for financial help. Personally I’d kick the man out and tell him to make a go of it on his own.”
“You talk a hard line, but I bet you would try to work something out if it were Rashid,” she said.
Khalid knew that to be true.
“I’m not sure it’s fair to you,” she continued.
“Why not? I’m the one who started the entire convoluted mess.”
“I know, which I think is totally off the wall. But no one who knew us would believe we could fall in love and plan to marry.”
“Because of the scar,” he bit out.
She whacked him on his arm with her free hand. “Will you stop! That has nothing to do with anything. I’m still grieving for my husband. I don’t want to ever go through something like that again. It’s safer to go through life alone, making friends, having a great career, but not putting my heart on the line again. It hurts too much when it’s shattered.”
“Safer but lonely, isn’t it?”
Ella glanced at him. Was he lonely? On the surface he had it all: good looks, money, family behind him. The downside would be the job he did. Yet because of the scarring on his face, he pulled away from social events, hadn’t had a friend come to visit since he’d been in the main house. And to hear him talk, he was shunned by others.
She’d seen some looks at the reception, fascinated horror. Her regret was he had to deal with rude, obnoxious people who didn’t seem to have the manners necessary to deal with real life.
“Come on,” she said, pulling her hand free. “I’ll race you to that piece of driftwood.” With that, Ella took off at a run for the large log that had washed up on shore during the last storm. She knew she couldn’t beat Khalid; he’d win by a long margin. But maybe it would get them out of gloomy thoughts. She felt she’d been on a roller coaster all day. It was time to regain her equilibrium and have some fun.
She’d taken him by surprise, she could tell as he hesitated a moment before starting to run. She had enough of a head start she thought for a few seconds she might win. Then Khalid raced past her, making it look easy and effortless.
Ella was gasping for breath when she reached the log. He was a bit winded, which helped her own self-respect.
“Do you often race at night?” he asked.
“No one can see me and I can race the wind. It’s better than racing you, for I can convince myself I win.”
He laughed and picked her up by her waist and twirled them both around. “I win tonight,” he said, and lowered her gently to the ground, drawing her closer until they were touching from chest to knees. He leaned over and kissed her sweetly.
Ella closed her eyes, blocking out the brilliant blanket of stars in the sky. Hearing only her own racing heartbeat and the soft sighing of the spent waves. Soon even they were lost to sound as the blood roared through her veins, heating every inch of her. She gave herself up to the wonderful feelings that coursed through her. His mouth was magic. His lips like nectar. His strong body made her feel safe and secure, and wildly desirable.
Time lost all meaning. For endless minutes, Ella was wrapped in sensation. She could have halted time and lived forever in this one moment. It was exquisite.
Then reality intruded. Slowly the kiss eased and soon Khalid had put several inches between them. She stepped forward not wanting to end the contact. His hands rested on her shoulders and gently pushed her away.
“We need to get back before things get out of hand,” he said.
She cringed and turned, glad for the darkness to hide her embarrassment. How could she so wantonly throw herself at him when he made it perfectly clear he was not interested in her that way. His gesture with the fake engagement was merely a means to offer some protection to her. If her brother had never shown up, never threatened her, Khalid would never in a million years have pretended that they were involved.
And that was fine by her.
She increased her pace.
“Are we racing back?” he asked, easily keeping pace.
“No.” She slowed, but longed to break into another run and beat him home, shut the door and pull the shades. She was an adult. She could handle this—it was only for the length of time to get to her cottage. Then she’d do her best from now on to stay away from Khalid al Harum!
That vow lasted until the next day. Ella spent the early hours working on a small bowl that would be the first of a set, each slightly larger than the previous. She concentrated and was pleased to note she could ignore everything else and focus on the work at hand.
It was past time for lunch when she stopped to get something to eat. In the midst of a project, she became caught up in the process. But once it was safely in the annealer, thoughts of last night surfaced.
Jalilah knocked on the door before Ella had a chance to fix something to eat.
“His Excellency would like to see you,” she said.
“I’m getting ready to eat,” Ella said. “Tell him I’ll be over later.”
Jalilah looked shocked. “I think he wants you now,” she said.
“Well, he can’t always have what he wants,” Ella said. “Thanks for delivering his message. Tell him what I said. Maybe around three.” She closed the door.
Who did he think he was, expecting her to drop everything just because he summoned her? He had delusions if he thought she’d drop everything to run to him.
In fact, she might not go at all.
Except her curiosity was roused. What did he want?
She prepared a light lunch and ate on her small veranda. The hot sun was blocked by the grape-covered arbor. The breeze was hot, blowing from the land and not the sea. She wouldn’t stay outside long.
Sipping the last of her iced tea, Ella heard the banging on the front door. Sighing, she rose. It didn’t take a psychic to know who was there. Dumping her dishes in the sink on her way to the front of the cottage, she wondered if she dare ignore him.
Opening the door, she glared at him instead. “What do you want?”
“To talk to you,” he said easily, stepping inside.
She moved to allow him. It was that or be run over. He was quite a bit larger than she was.
Closing the door, she turned and put her hands on her hips. “About what?”
“My mother is hosting another party. This time to formally announce our engagement. We need to go.”
“Are you crazy? This has gone on long enough. Tell her the truth.”
“Not yet. You need to make sure your family turns elsewhere for relief from your brother’s gambling. It’s only one evening. You’ll meet people, smile and look as if you like me.”
“I’m not sure I do,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “This gets more complicated by the moment.”
“We need to invite some of your friends to make it seem real.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. This was unexpected. “I’m not involving my friends. Besides, no one would believe it. They all know how much I loved Alexander. And do you really think they’d believe you’d fall for me?”
“So pretend.”
“We don’t have to pretend anymore. Antonio’s gone and it was for his benefit, right?”
He was silent for a moment.
“Right?” she repeated.
“He did not leave as we thought.”
“Why not?” She frowned. What was her brother doing? He wasn’t waiting for the wedding, for heaven’s sake, was he?
“Now how would I know what your brother thinks…I just met him. But the limo showed up at the hotel in time to get him to the airport for the first flight to Rome and he said he’d changed his plans and would be remaining in Quishari a bit longer.”
“Great.” She walked across the room and turned, walked back, trying to think of how to get out of the mess the men in her life had caused.
“I’ll go away,” she said.
“After the announcement,” he replied.
She looked at him. He was calm. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes. Which made her all the more annoyed. “This is not a joke.”
“No, but it’s almost turning into a farce. I thought telling him would shut him up. Do you think I want the world to think I got engaged again and then a second fiancée breaks the engagement?”
She had not thought about that at all.
“Then you break it,” she said.
“That’ll look good.”
“Well, one of us has to end it, so you decide. In the meantime, I do not want to go to your mother’s. I do not want the entire city to think we are engaged. I do not—”
He raised a hand to stop her.
“Then you come up with something.”
“I wouldn’t have to if you hadn’t told my brother.”
“You could have told him the truth at dinner last night.”
She bit her lip. She did not want to return to Italy. She would not be pressured day and night by parents trying to talk her into a marriage with some wealthy Italian to shore up her brother’s losses. The days when daughters were sacrificed for the good of the family were long past. If only her father would accept that.
“Okay, so we pretend until Antonio leaves. Can we hurry him on his way?” she asked, already envisioning her mother’s tearful pleas; Giacomo’s little boy lost entreaties; Antonio begging her to think of the family reputation. She loved her family, but she wasn’t responsible for them all.
“He’s your brother. I could never hurry Rashid. The more I’d push, the more he’d resist.”
She nodded. “Okay, so brothers are universal. Somehow we have to get him to leave me alone.”
“So we’ll convince him tonight that it’s an arrangement meant to be and maybe he’ll leave.”
“Or hit you up for a loan.”
Khalid frowned. “Do you really think that’s the reason for the delay?”
“I don’t know.” Maybe her brother just wanted to make sure she was happy. Yet he’d been right there when her parents had railed against her for marrying Alexander and never said a word in her behalf. She had no intention of letting any of her family dictate her life.
“What time do we go to your mother’s?”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“How dressy?”
“About like last time. Do you need a new dress?”
She looked at him oddly. “I have enough clothes, thank you. What—do you expect everyone to hit you up for money?”
“No. But women always seem to need new clothes. I can help out if you need it.”
“I do not.” She studied him for a moment. Thinking about her own family, she knew there were some shirttail relatives who had asked her father for handouts. He’d refused and when she was a child, she wondered why he didn’t share. Once she was older, she realized some people always have their hands out.
For a moment she wished she had brought some of her clothes from home. She and her mother had shopped at the most fashionable couturiers in Rome. She’d left them behind when joining her husband in Quishari. The dresses for receptions were more conservative. She wished at least one would make Khalid proud to be escorting her.
Then she remembered the red dress she’d bought from a shop near campus. Her friend Samantha had urged her to buy it. She’d never worn it. It was too daring for a professor’s wife. But for tonight, it might just be the thing. Sophisticated and elegant, it was far more cosmopolitan than anything else she now owned. She smiled almost daringly at Khalid. If he insisted they continue, she’d show him more than he bargained for.
He studied her for a moment, a hint of wariness creeping into his expression.
“Until tonight,” he said.
She nodded, opening the door wide and watching him as he started to leave.
“I don’t think I trust your expression,” he said.
She feigned a look of total innocence. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, darling.”
He tapped her chin with his forefinger. “Behave.”
She laughed and shooed him out the door. Tonight might prove fun. She was not out to impress anyone, nor kowtow to them. Madame al Harum would be horrified. The minister might wish he’d kept his mouth shut. And her brother would learn not to mess with his sister’s life anymore.
Ella was ready before the appointed time. She’d tapped Jalilah’s expertise in doing up her hair. She remembered the maid had a talent for that which her former employer had used. The dress was daring in comparison to the gowns Ella had worn to the university functions. The thin crimson straps showed brilliantly against her skin, the fitted bodice hugged every curve down to where the skirt flared slightly below the knees. The satiny material gleamed in the light, shifting highlights as she walked. She had her one set of pearls she again wore. The dress really cried out for diamonds or rubies, but Ella had neither. The high heel shoes gave her several inches in height, which would add to her confidence. She was ready to face the world on her terms.
Khalid arrived at seven. He stared at her for a moment, which had Ella feeling almost giddy with delight. She knew she’d surprised him.
“You look beautiful,” he said softly.
She felt a glow begin deep inside. She felt beautiful. The dress was a dream, but the color in her cheeks came from being near Khalid. She knew she would do him proud at the reception, and give others something to think about. All too soon this pretend engagement would end, but until midnight struck, she’d enjoy herself to the fullest. And make sure he did, as well. He deserved lots for helping her out without question.
“Thank you. So do you,” she said with a flirtatious smile.
He gave a harsh laugh. “Don’t carry the pretense too far,” he said. “This is a dumb idea.”
“It was yours,” she reminded him.
He laughed again, in amusement this time. “Don’t remind me. I say we ditch the reception and go off on our own. You look too beautiful to be stuck in a room full of my mother’s friends.”
“You’re not thinking. What would your mother say. She went to all the trouble to celebrate what she thinks is a happy occasion. You can’t disappoint her.”
“You got it right first time—it’s hard to think around you the way you look right now.”
Ella smiled, delighted he was so obviously taken with how she looked. The dress was really something and she didn’t ever remember feeling so sexy or feminine. The hot look in Khalid’s eyes spiked her own temperature. Maybe his idea of not going out had merit.
“Let’s go wow them all. And when we’ve put in our appearance, we’ll dash back here and take a walk on the beach. Much more fun that the ordeal ahead.” Filled with confidence from his reaction, she could hold her own with his mother and anyone else who showed up.
CHAPTER EIGHT
WHEN they arrived at his mother’s apartment building, Ella was impressed. It looked like a palace. They were admitted by the uniformed doorman and quickly whisked to the top floor by a private elevator.
“The family home, no hotel,” she murmured.
“Only a few intimate friends, like maybe a hu
ndred. You never gave me a list of your friends, so I had one of my assistants contact the university and find out who your friends were. Told them it was a surprise.”
Ella gave a loud sigh. “You just can’t leave things alone, can you? Did you drive everyone insane while growing up?”
“Hey, I had Rashid to help me then.”
“But not now?”
“He knows, but he is the only one besides you and me. Unless he told Bethanne. I forget there is a new intimate confidant with my brother. That’ll be interesting—learning how to deal with that aspect.”
Entering the large flat that overlooked Alkaahdar, Ella was struck by the large salon, ceilings at least twelve feet high. A wall of windows opened to a large terrace. The room held dozens of people yet did not appear crowded. Classical artwork hung on the walls. The chandelier sparkled with a thousand facets. The furniture looked more Western than Arabian, chosen for elegance and style.
“Khalid, you should have been here before the first guests,” his mother chided, coming to greet them. She looked at Ella, her eyes widening slightly. “You look different tonight,” she said taking in the lovely dress and the sophisticated hairstyle.
Ella inclined her head slightly. “I’ve been told I clean up good,” she said cheekily.
Sabria al Harum didn’t know how to respond.
Khalid gave his mother a kiss on her cheek. “We’re here, that’s the important thing. I can’t believe you managed such a crowd on less than a day’s notice.
“Everyone here wishes you well, son,” she said, eyeing Ella as if she wasn’t sure how to react to her.
Ella slipped her arm through Khalid’s and leaned closer. “We are honored you did this for us on such short notice, aren’t we, darling?” she said, smiling up at him.
“Indeed we are, darling,” he said back, his eyes promising retribution.
“Mingle, let people congratulation you,” Sabria said. She gave Ella an uncertain look.
Rashid crossed the room with Bethanne. He grinned at Khalid and Ella. “Congratulations, Brother,” he said, then leaned in and gave Ella a kiss on the cheek. “Keep him in check,” he said.
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