Page 27 of Unknown Royal Baby

‘I do. I’ve spent a year wallowing in doubt about you, about us.’ She stopped, her eyes widening as if surprised at her use of the wordus. As if she hadn’t written off their relationship.

He was startled too, given her earlier deep mistrust.

‘So when are you coming back to London?’

‘I’m afraid matters at home are such that I won’t be able to leave again for quite some time.’

‘You’re the King. Surely you can make it happen.’ She folded her arms. ‘If it’s important enough to you.’

If only it were that simple.

He could come and go if he wished but there was too much at stake for him to be out of the country for any length of time. Rashid had been emphatic that he could deal with the London situation, as he called it, alone, urging Isam to stay in Zahdar. But Isam had known he had to find out about Avril in person. It was part of finding out about himself.

Meanwhile Hafiz would take advantage of his absence to undermine him further if he could. Who knew what damage Hafiz was doing even now?

‘Believe me, Avril, I’m thinking about the long-term needs of Maryam, of you. Us.’ He let that sink in and saw her eyes widen. ‘That’s my primary concern but at the same time it’s vital I return to Zahdar. So I have a proposition.’

‘Go on.’

‘Come back with me.’ He raised his hand to stop the protest he saw forming on her lips. ‘Please hear me before you object.’

Avril gave a small huff of impatience, her mouth forming a pout that should have looked obstinate and annoying. Yet it was so alluring it sparked a flare of heat low in his belly. A flare of hunger.

It was so instantaneous, so absolute, it took Isam a second to find his voice again.

‘Come to Zahdar. The pair of you. And your nanny. You can rest and get your strength back after what must have been a tough year. I’ll organise comfortable accommodation for you all. While you’re there we can take our time making plans for our daughter.’

He saw doubt writ large on her face. ‘Think of it as a well-earned holiday.’

Still she hesitated. ‘Surely that’s risking complications, us coming to your country? Wouldn’t it be better to talk here?’

Complications! She and Maryam were already complications that needed to be handled carefully, not just for his sake but for that of the monarchy and potentially the nation.

‘I can promise you private accommodation in Zahdar. If you stay here, I fear it won’t be long before the press start bothering you. I can’t totally protect you from that if you stay.’

‘The press!’ She looked horrified. ‘No one knows about us.’

He lifted tight shoulders and spread his hands. ‘Not yet. But since my accident I’m under immense scrutiny. People were concerned for a long time about whether I was fit to rule, given the severity of my injuries.’ He refused to use the word enemies. There was no need to scare her.

‘Sooner or later someone will take an interest in what I’ve been doing in London. They’ll make a connection to you, and Maryam. Then you’ll be hounded every time you step outside your door. Come with me, Avril. I promise to keep you both safe while we plan for the future.’

CHAPTER SEVEN

PRIVATEACCOMMODATION,HE’DSAID.

A place to relax and recuperate after a difficult year, he’d said. A place where they could take their time to discuss the future.

Well, two out of three wasn’t bad, she supposed.

Avril had seen Isam daily since arriving in Zahdar four days ago. He seemed fascinated by Maryam, wanting to spend time with her and Avril when his schedule permitted, but so far there hadn’t been enough time for them to discuss the future in any detail.

Do you really want to?

There would be difficult decisions to make, compromises she wasn’t looking forward to, because she couldn’t deny Isam the right to know his daughter. Inevitably that would mean time when Maryam would be with her father, not her.

Avril had no illusions. Isam was a king, he wouldn’t spend his precious time with his daughter at Avril’s tiny London house.

Yet she couldn’t imagine being parted from her little girl. The thought made Avril’s chest tighten and her hands tremble.

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