Page 48 of Seduced By the Sheikh

Little baby Lailah let up a loud indignant wail from behind the screen where Sarah was feeding her. The sound stopped abruptly a few seconds later.

“Changing from one breast to another,” said Sheikha Ali, her fingers worrying her bracelets instead of the cigarettes which Kadar had forbidden around his newborn. She glanced at Zak. “You were much the same. Always hungry.”

Zak rolled his eyes and Soraiya wondered anxiously if he was annoyed by his mother’s comments. She had an unerring ability to speak her mind which sometimes caused them all to cringe. But that was worth putting up with to have gained a mother, and mother-in-law, who had appeared in all other respects to have changed totally. Although Ali denied she’d changed. She said this was what was left when bitterness was extracted.

“Always liking your cuddles,” said Ali, glancing at Zak. Soraiya suspected the bitterness might have been withdrawn but it had left a delight in teasing which she refused to give up. When Ali looked at Soraiya and drew breath to speak, Soraiya knew she had to say something. She really didn’t want Ali to ask her whether he still had the same inclinations.

“So, Ali”—her mother-in-law insisted on the informality which Soraiya was still getting used to—“the Tourism Minister mentioned that the shortfall required to open up the Desert Castle to the public has been found.”

“Really?” asked Kadir. “Where did that come from?”

Soraiya kept her gaze fixed on Ali. “A donation, apparently.”

Ali met her gaze coolly. “An anonymous donation, as I understand it.”

Soraiya raised an eyebrow. She’d keep it quiet if Ali wished her to. She’d only found out by accident. “A very generous, anonymous donation.”

“Excellent,” said Kadir. “It’s a very special place.” He exchanged grins with Sarah as she emerged from behind the screen carrying a very contented looking Lailah. Ali’s face lit up and she held out her hands and welcomed Lailah into them with much cooing and cuddling.

“I’d be careful,” said Sarah, “she might bring up?—”

It was too late. Lailah’s regurgitated milk pooled over Ali’s exquisitely silk-clad shoulder. Everyone stopped talking and stared, but Ali merely clucked her tongue, popped a serviette over the stain and continued to murmur to the little baby whose eyes were drooping into sleep.

There was a collective release of breath.

Soraiya knew it would take some time before they trusted their mother completely but in the last few months since she’d moved back into the palace, Soraiya hadn’t seen any sign of the bitter woman intent on revenge who her sons had described. She was still the same woman—outspoken and flamboyant—but now her natural warmth wasn’t tainted by bitterness. Instead, it was released by forgiveness and happiness at being reunited with her family and her home. She’d thrown herself into the charitable work which Soraiya had suggested.

Ali turned to speak to Sarah and Kadar, leaving Zak watching little Lailah, her eyelids fluttering, her lips relaxed and open as she slept against his mother’s shoulder, as Ali gently rubbed her back.

Soraiya knew it was time. It made her heart break to know what Zak was thinking when he looked at little Lailah. But she’d had her reasons for waiting. She couldn’t wish any more heartache on him.

She touched his arm. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

He instantly turned to her, anxious that she’d be upset. Just as Sarah had been until Soraiya had reassured her. “Yes, she is.”

“But a lot of work. I’m surprised Sarah insists on being so hands-on.”

“I guess she wasn’t raised a royal, and she missed out on her mother so wants to give her child everything she never had.”

“That child certainly won’t grow up not knowing what love is.”

Soraiya nodded. “It’s the most important thing. Some people, if they’re lucky enough like little Lailah, get it instilled into them from the word go. Others, like us, have to work a bit harder for it.”

He smiled and squeezed her hand. “And maybe it’s even more valued when it comes later.”

“Maybe.”

He kissed her. “I wonder…” He stopped suddenly.

“Go on,” she urged. She knew he avoided certain subjects, scared she’d get upset.

“I wonder what we’ll be like as parents.”

“We’ll soon find out,” she whispered discreetly to Zak. She could see the instant when he understood.

He looked at her, his face alight with happiness. “You’re…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say the words which were so important to him.

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