Page 4 of Seduced By the Sheikh

“And stop doing that,” he said.

She looked up again. “What?”

“Looking down at your feet as if you dare not meet my gaze. Am I that terrifying?”

She nodded before she could stop herself.

Again the quirk of the lips. “I do not wish any wife of mine to be subservient.”

“I can assure you I do not consider myself to be subservient. I was merely looking down because I was confused by your remark about you having problems.” Then she suddenly realized what he must have been referring to. “I’m sorry about your father. It must be most distressing for you.”

“Distressing?” He huffed a dismissive grunt. “That is a weak word for what it is. However, it is not his death to which I allude.” He paused as if considering whether to elaborate. He didn’t. Instead he sighed. “Anyway, I’m hoping you won’t be one of them.”

She blinked, startled and insulted at the same time. “I assure you, I will not be!” she said indignantly.

He waved his hand, as if to swat away her assurance. “Let’s hope not. But neither of us has a choice in this matter. Both our countries require this match to be successful.”

She lowered her eyes again, as she tried to figure out where he was going with this line of talk. This, she had not imagined at all. He wasn’t doing anything by the rule book. She’d have to keep her wits about her.

“Indeed, Your Highness,” she murmured.

Then he did yet another thing which she didn’t expect but was even more disconcerting. He reached out with his finger and lifted her chin. No man had ever touched her before. He must have seen the sudden flash of fear in her eyes because his own eyes narrowed with interest.

“You jump at my touch?”

She swallowed and gave a slight nod, not enough to dislodge his finger, whose teasing touch stroked once across her skin before he dropped his hand.

“I am an… honorable woman. Of course I jump at a strange man’s touch.”

“But this strange man will soon be your husband and will be sleeping by your side.”

She might be able to prevent her lips from trembling, or tears from trickling down her cheeks — she’d had enough practice at that — but she couldn’t prevent her heart from jump-starting into a ridiculously fast tattoo and a flush of brilliant color filling her face. She ignored both but it seemed he couldn’t.

He dropped his hand. “I see.” He pursed his lips into a rueful expression. “You are a virgin.”

“Of course I am,” she replied, deeply indignant. The heat refused to leave her cheeks but she kept her gaze fixed on his, daring him to look away instead.

“Shame,” he said under his breath.

Anger burst inside of her. How dare he humiliate her and denigrate all that she stood for and valued?

“Shame? Surely it would be shameful to be like one of your other women?” The words of reproach and anger spilled out before she could prevent them.

A spark of humor briefly lit up his face before it was quickly replaced with an expression which could only be described as compassionate and which Soraiya somehow felt even more discomfited by.

“Of course, you are correct. I am sorry if you think I’m criticizing you. I am not, I assure you. It is only that I am unused to handling such rare treasures.”

For some reason her mind dwelled on the use of the word ‘handling’. She swallowed. “We are obviously two very different people, Your Highness, with two very different sets of values. But I trust we can find mutual ground upon which we can build a sound marriage.”

He grunted, amused. “Ah, I heard about your diplomatic skills. It’s a wonder your father allowed you to leave after all the work you’ve done for Ra’nan.”

It was a wonder to her, too.

“Anyway, please come with me,” he continued, “and we will take some refreshments.”

She followed him through to the rear of the room where he held a door open for her, and she stepped outside into a courtyard above which awnings were draped to provide shelter from the sun. Plants grew all around and a fountain played. It was cooler here, and for the first time she felt she could breathe.

“This is lovely,” she said, fingering the leaves and lifting a bloom to her nose to inhale its subtle fragrance.

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