But it would be just like his sister to come here to make sure he and Sabah weren’t enjoying the good fortune of being alone and idle. Bahiyya would ruin their good mood and then leave, to go back and harangue her husband. Finding Fathi here wasn’t something he wanted her to do. Bahiyya would either beat Sabah and him senseless for allowing a man in the harem or use it to her advantage in the marriage negotiations. Or both, knowing her.
“I think that was more of a warning for me,” Fathi said with a smile.
Ikraam was enchanted. Fathi’s smile made him seem younger, more relaxed. Here was a man who seemed kind and might not be too angry about the deception Bahiyya had played on him. He didn’t think Fathi would smile again like that at him, and a part of him inside crumbled when he realized it. With a handful of words and a kind smile, he was halfway in love with his intended, stranger or not. And love was something he would never be graced with. He would keep these feelings to himself and hope they protected him from whatever his future was. This man wasn’t for him, no matter what he wanted.
“My sister is not fond of Saumer,” Ikraam explained. She would kill him if she had the chance, he thought, but he wasn’t an unbiased person about Bahiyya.
Saumer growled and padded farther into the room. He rubbed against Ikraam, and Ikraam absentmindedly patted the cat, even as he continued to rudely stare at Fathi.
“I think you need to hide in my room,” Ikraam told Saumer. “Bahiyya might not go in there.” Or she might tear the place apart for her own amusement.
“Are you talking to me or the cat?” Fathi asked, sounding like he was trying not to laugh.
Saumer lifted his head and snarled at him. Ikraam smiled. “Saumer.”
Not that he wouldn’t welcome Fathi in his room. He was starting to be as bad as Hashim, thinking with an organ that wasn’t his brain. As much as he wanted the man, it was never meant to be, and he better get that through his brain right now.
“He seems to be a little bit upset with me,” Fathi said nervously.
“I think he’s upset he might have a rival for my attention,” Ikraam laughed. He looked down at Saumer. “Please try and be polite to my intended. He’s willing to let you stay here.”
“I’m not stupid enough to come between a woman and her cat,” Fathi said.
Saumer hissed at him.
“But I do think he would still be a marvelous chaperone lying under the bed,” Fathi continued. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him, so having him hide from your sister would be a good idea. Even though hiding underneath the bed is a cliché in every rom-com I have ever seen.”
Ikraam was amazed Fathi sounded like he met a leopard every day. And also sincere about trying to protect Saumer from Bahiyya.
“Mother shouldn’t find your intended here either!” Sabah exclaimed. “She’ll do something dreadful, and then make me leave here tomorrow with Ghalib.”
“Alone?” Ikraam demanded. “You would—”
“Have to marry him,” Sabah finished.
“And so then I will take my leave, ladies,” Fathi said with a bow and a tight smile. “However, I do promise I will visit you again, Ikraam.”
“Not climbing up the balcony again?” Ikraam said with a small laugh. But he did want that to happen. Balcony climbing and the reciting of poetry, just like this was one of the romantic tales he had grown up with.
“I will be dull and boring and try to obtain permission,” Fathi said, his amusement clear in his voice. “Yet wasn’t it romantic that I did sneak in here?”
“Very romantic,” Ikraam agreed. “It is like one of the old tales.”
Fathi laughed. “And now I run away from the evil stepsister. Just like in Western tales.”
With that, he disappeared out to the balcony rather than the interior door since they all heard the jingling of Bahiyya’s jewelry from the front of the room.
RETRACING his steps, Fathi went back to his own room. He vowed he would ask to visit with Ikraam tomorrow, properly chaperoned, so he wouldn’t break his neck trying to see her again. In addition, he would gift her with some of the jewelry he had bought, with maybe one or two pieces for Sabah also, if that was allowed. He’d have to ask Rayyan. His twin seemed to have become an expert on tribal customs.
Fathi wasn’t surprised to see Rayyan in his room, sitting on the sofa with a book on his lap. He closed the book when he saw Fathi.
“So how did it go?” he asked.
“We missed one of the party,” Fathi said with a grin.
He seemed to have some sort of adrenaline high going on right now from the way he felt. He wanted to go back and try climbing the balcony while reciting poetry at the top of his lungs. Which was stupid; he didn’t know any poetry, and he doubted reciting the last quarter’s summaries would have the same effect. And what had happened to him if just meeting Ikraam made him feel this way? It couldn’t be love, because he had just met the woman, but he did want to throw all caution to the winds and go back there and talk to her all night.
He felt relieved his stupid idea hadn’t blown up in his face. He had forgotten how strict tribal customs were. Ikraam could have had a screaming fit and brought the whole house down on him. Instead he found out she was an understanding, intelligent woman and in possession of a leopard as a pet. Or companion. It didn’t matter, so long as the blasted thing didn’t kill him.
But bringing it into the city wasn’t going to work, since Saumer would be separated from Ikraam, which would be mean to the two of them. He was going to have to figure something out with the living arrangements, a place where the three of them could coexist. If he didn’t, it would ruin his marriage before it started. He had heard too many “love me, love my pet” stories to know that. Not that it was much of a marriage, but he did want to be friends with Ikraam. Maybe more, from the way he was acting. Yet eventually his hormones would figure out that Ikraam wasn’t a man, and they would calm down.
“We did?” Rayyan asked, looking confused as he ran through the people in the party.
“She has a leopard,” Fathi said, throwing his body on the bed. The adrenaline was beginning to fade, and he was going to crash soon. “A leopard. And she’s armed with a knife too.”
He had seen it casually lying beside her veil, as if it was normal to have a short sword in her possession. Okay, it might be for her tribe, but he noticed Hashim didn’t have a knife. Ghalib had been armed, though. He didn’t want to think why Ikraam might need what looked like a short sword.
“Ikraam has a leopard in the harem?” Rayyan asked. “And is Ikraam the one with the knife or the leopard?”
“It likes her and follows the tribe around,” Fathi said, sitting up and looking at his twin. Crashing wasn’t an option until he got things in order. “I promised Ikraam no one would shoot it. We should arrange for some type of animal for it to hunt before it kills something it shouldn’t.”
“And you know about the leopard how?” Rayyan asked.
“It growled at me from someplace in the room when I protested her attitude that she had to marry someone,” Fathi said.
He had been surprised Ikraam told him that Fathi was better than no one to marry. He had been treated with respect for most of his life, simply because his family had money. Ikraam had pricked his pride. He should be angry, but he was amused instead. And attracted to her. A pity she wasn’t a man.
“Ikraam had a leopard in her room,” Rayyan echoed. “How would it have gotten there?”
“Probably the same way I did, by jumping on the balcony after slipping into here. If you check the surveillance recordings, you’ll probably see it sneaking in. It might not stick around, though. She sent it to hide in her room from her sister, who isn’t too fond of the cat.”
“I’ll tell Grandfather.” Rayyan’s amusement was visible when he said, “Ikraam sounds like a wild one.”
“She’s not what I expected,” Fathi said. “And the third woman with them is Sabah, her niece.” Fathi paused. “I think she’s
engaged to Ghalib.”
“The poor girl,” Rayyan said.
“I wouldn’t want to marry him. The man looks like bad news,” Fathi said. “And I don’t know how happy Grandfather would be, knowing I was sneaking around the harem.”
“Not very happy,” Rayyan said dryly. “However, I’m not going to be the one to tell him.”
“But…,” Fathi started. “I don’t know much about women, but I think Ikraam is the one Lamis thought was a servant. She wasn’t dressed very well.”
Not very well was an understatement. The thawb she had been wearing was worn and faded. It might be her favorite one and she was wearing it to comfort her, but he doubted it. Her veil had been in the same condition, patched and darned, from what little he had seen.
Then there was the obvious fear both Ikraam and Sabah had of Bahiyya. Plus he couldn’t think of a reason Ikraam was openly wearing the knife he had seen, except that she wanted to warn people she knew how to protect herself. How crazy was her life if she had to do that? Not that the knife worried him; he didn’t think she would use it on him when he explained to Ikraam why he didn’t want to consummate their marriage. Ikraam seemed sensible, and Fathi wasn’t above bribing her into accepting their marriage wasn’t going to be a true one. He liked her, probably would grow to love her, but he didn’t think he could ever have sex with her. In addition, Sabah would be good for Ikraam. If he could convince Grandfather to have the younger girl stay with them, Ikraam would be happy. And Sabah should be happy.
“I don’t think either one of them has been treated well,” Fathi said.
“Ikraam and her leopard?” Rayyan asked.
“Ikraam and her niece, Sabah,” Fathi said. “I don’t know about the cat. They were worried about it being found and hurt, though.”
“You’re feeling sorry for them,” Rayyan said.
Fathi thought about it for a moment. Maybe it was pity and not hormones he was feeling for Ikraam? He should figure it out before he saw her again.
“I do. And Sabah sounded really young. Much too young to be married off to that thug.”
“He might not be a thug,” Rayyan corrected him. “You don’t look like the friendliest person in the world either.”
Fathi rolled his eyes. He wasn’t the most social of men, which was why he was being sucked into this arranged marriage. “The man looked like he was checking the place out to be robbed.”
“He might have just…,” Rayyan protested and then shook his head. “You’re right. He’s a thug. However, we aren’t in any position to comment on that. Hashim is Sabah’s father, and he will do the right thing for her. You’re worrying about nothing.”
“But we have to do something,” Fathi said. From what he saw of Hashim, the “right thing” was something the man had never met. Hashim was obviously weak and indulgent in his own wants, and even if Fathi had never met Bahiyya, he would be certain she had her husband under her control. “Grandfather did say it’s a good idea to have a friend or companion for Ikraam. Sabah could be that, and she wouldn’t have to marry that thug if she’s with Ikraam.”
“Sabah is a young woman and not a kitten to be rescued,” Rayyan said patiently. “And to ‘rescue’ Ikraam, you would have to marry her.”
“Which is the problem I had in the beginning, getting married,” Fathi said, lying back down. He was tired. It had been a long, stressful day. And he didn’t know why he was attracted to Ikraam. “She has kind eyes.”
“Who?” Rayyan asked, his tone amused.
Fathi knew he was starting to sound like a lovesick puppy right now. It was funny. If Ikraam had been a man, he wouldn’t have any problem with an arranged marriage.
“Ikraam,” Fathi said. “She has kind eyes and a sense of humor.”
“Don’t forget the knife and the leopard,” Rayyan laughed.
“It was a big knife,” Fathi agreed. “Not that she shouldn’t have a knife, even if I think she doesn’t need it, since she’s not going to have to use it on me.”
“You like to live dangerously, then,” Rayyan said.
Fathi yawned. “Why am I so tired, even if I didn’t do anything all day?”
“How much sleep have you gotten since Grandfather announced you were to be married?” Rayyan asked. “You’ve been running on nerves and coffee for the last couple of weeks, and the situation with Ece isn’t helping.”
Fathi sighed. “I promise I’m letting her go when I get back, if she doesn’t quit over the fact I got married.”
“You may need Ikraam and her knife to protect you when Ece hears the news,” Rayyan told him as he was leaving.
Fathi was asleep before he could even think of a reply.
“I THOUGHT I heard the laughter of a man,” Bahiyya snapped when she swept into the room. She was dressed simply in a kaftan, having spent most of the evening with Hashim, instructing him on how she wanted the bridal negotiations to go.
Ikraam was relieved Saumer had retreated to his room. He hoped Bahiyya didn’t insist on searching the rooms, just to make sure there was no one hiding here. He had managed to get his veil off before Bahiyya had turned the corner. Ikraam swore his guilt was written all over his face, and his sister would know what had happened. He and Sabah were both silent as Bahiyya crossed the enormous room, her slippers slapping ominously on the floor, a counterpoint to the jingling of her jewelry.
“Ikraam is here,” Sabah pointed out innocently when her mother was close enough to speak to.
Ikraam glanced over at his niece. Maybe not so innocent, given the hard look in her eyes as she stared a challenge at Bahiyya.
Bahiyya glared back at her daughter. “I don’t know—”
“Mother, I’m not the idiot you want me to be simply because I’m your daughter and not your son,” Sabah said coolly. “I’ve known Ikraam’s my uncle and not my aunt for many years. Don’t bother denying it.”
“Yet you’ve said nothing,” Bahiyya snapped.
“What is there to say?” Sabah shot back. “You hate him so much simply because he’s a man. You hate me because I’m not one.”
“I don’t hate you,” Bahiyya protested, even as her words sounded hollow and false. Ikraam hated being a witness, but this matter had been bubbling for years. Now was just the time it came to a boil.
“You would actually have to think about her to hate her,” Ikraam said, jumping in to deflect Bahiyya’s anger from Sabah.
“This is between my daughter and myself,” Bahiyya growled.
“You bore me. Zaynab and Ikraam raised me,” Sabah shouted. “You had as little to do with me as you could. Until her death, I thought Zaynab was my mother. You paid attention to me long enough to marry me off to that monster! You’ll shed no tears when he kills me.”
“This is all your fault,” Bahiyya shouted. She stalked over to Ikraam and slapped him across the face.
“That your daughter is more intelligent and observant than your sons?” Ikraam asked, his cheek stinging. He hadn’t bothered to block the blow because it wasn’t worth it. “That my mother bore a son for her husband and your mother never was able to?”
“Wedding or not, I’m ready to take a crop to you,” Bahiyya hissed.
“I’ll run to the amir as soon as you raise your hand to him again,” Sabah threatened. “Neither one of us have anything to lose. You made this mess on your own, Mother.”
“And don’t think I won’t do the same for her, sister,” Ikraam growled.
Bahiyya raised her hand to strike him again, and he grabbed her wrist. She stared at him in astonishment. Ikraam hadn’t protested his punishment from her in years.
“I’m not taking your abuse anymore. Go back to Hashim. Sabah and I will keep quiet to our kind hosts.” Ikraam looked her directly in the eyes. “But I would start hinting to Hashim that it might not be better to have Sabah live with the tribe of Ghalib.”
“If I don’t?” Bahiyya asked, snatching her wrist out of his grip.
Ikraam smiled at her. “Then I will
not wait to my wedding night to tell the amir you’ve been bargaining with him in bad faith. He will know Father had a son and that you’re trying to marry him off to his grandson given that you’ve claimed I was female since I was born.”
Bahiyya stepped back and straightened her kaftan, glaring at them both. “You will both be quiet.” She paused. “I will deal with my husband.”
She turned and marched out of the room.
Ikraam and Sabah were silent as she left. Ikraam let out a sigh when he thought his sister wouldn’t hear it. He didn’t know if he would be courageous enough to do what he threatened, but he would to keep Sabah safe. Ikraam sat down heavily on the sofa and wanted something to drink, his mouth was so dry.
“Are you all right?” Sabah asked.
“Your mother has done worse to me over the years,” Ikraam said, looking up at Sabah. He noticed he was shaking and wondered why. He had finally stood up to Bahiyya, but at what cost? “We need to stay in the same room at all times.”
“At all times?” Sabah echoed with a slight smile on her face, even as Ikraam saw she was shaking too. “That might be… awkward.”
Ikraam stared at her, wondering what was wrong. He flushed when he realized what she was hinting at. “Maybe not when we are passing waste or cleaning up, then,” he said, flushing at what she was hinting at. “But,” he continued, “I don’t want Ghalib to have a chance of finding you alone.”
Sabah thought about it for a second, going pale when she realized what Ikraam wasn’t saying. “You think he would…?”
“You are less than a horse to him,” Ikraam said. “Your worth is your dower and the sons you might bear him. Ghalib won’t take a chance at losing the first. The second he thinks any woman can give him. But he wants your dower and will do anything to gain it.”
“Do you think Mother would encourage him in that thinking?” Sabah asked.
Ikraam looked at his niece, not wanting to tell her the truth.
Sabah gazed at him with wide, shocked eyes. “She would,” she whispered, trying to deny it. “That alliance would mean that much to her.”
The Secret of the Sheikh's Betrothed Page 9