Page 20 of Sheikh's Pregnant Fiancée

Guilty, Aubrey sat on the couch and twisted her fingers around themselves. “When my parents died and I went to live with her, she used to tell me that we would always have each other’s back, and that as long as we were honest, we were going to be okay. What she did, sending me away, and then selling? That was dishonest. That’s not having my back. I told her that we weren’t family anymore.”

“Oh, Aubrey!” Gwen’s eyes widened. “I know you’re hurt, but I still think she must have had a reason to do what she did. Does she know that you bought the vineyard?”

“No. I told Jarah not to mention it. I’ll tell her, but I think the fact that I’m pregnant and married might surprise her even more,” Aubrey said dryly. “So I’m thinking I might wait to tell her that my new husband bought the vineyard as a wedding present for me. Assuming she ever talks to me.”

“She loves you. She just wants you to be happy.”

Aubrey didn’t want to talk about her grandmother anymore. There were already too many stressful things to consider. “I will be eventually. Right now, I feel a little lost. I’m not supposed to work anymore, so I don’t really know what to do. Nura told me to find a cause to support. I thought maybe I could focus on the university and its special projects like the temple and museum. That way we’ll still get to work together. I know it’s not lacking in funding with Callista and Mikal supporting it, but I can find something outside the history department.”

“Oh, that’s great! Actually, I have a few ideas for you. You know it’s hard for me to focus on one thing, and I’ve been meaning to bring up a list of new research projects to the university. We can go through them together, and you can let me know if there are any you find interesting.”

Happy to have something to focus on, they moved to the balcony and talked while they watched the city below. Aubrey didn’t even realize how much time had passed until she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. The glass slid open, and Jarah stepped out.

“Hello, Gwen,” he greeted. “I’m here to have lunch with my wife.”

Even if he didn’t say the words, Jarah was obviously dismissing her. Gwen gave Aubrey a wink. “Hello, Sheikh Jarah. I’m meeting up with your sister at the university later today. I might as well go early and get some research done in the library. Aubrey, do you think we can get together tomorrow at the university?”

“Why?” Jarah asked sharply.

Aubrey frowned. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that it wasn’t any of his business, but they were married now, and she was determined to meet him halfway. “Your mother mentioned that I should put my new weight as a member of the royal family behind a passion project. I want to support something at the university.”

Jarah grunted. “Callista makes certain the university is well funded.”

“Callista makes certain our project is well funded. Not so much the rest of the university,” Gwen said absently as she gathered her things. Realizing who she was talking too, she quickly blushed. “Sorry, I meant no disrespect, Your Highness.”

“I’m not comfortable with my best friend calling my husband Your Highness while we’re in private quarters,” Aubrey said with a frown.

After a moment of consideration, Jarah nodded. “I agree. Gwen, I wish for us to be friends. During formal occasions, you should acknowledge my title as well as Aubrey’s, but during informal get-togethers, we can be more casual. And no offense taken. Callista can be very focused, and my father is more focused on the infrastructure and foreign policies. The university is only a blip on his radar when my sister makes it a blip.”

Pleased that she and Jarah were agreeing on something, Aubrey smiled at Gwen. “Cool. I’ll meet you tomorrow.”

“Cool,” Jarah repeated slowly and then sighed. “I’ve made you an appointment with the doctor’s physician at the end of the week. After that, the day is yours.”

“The doctor? Why?”

“Because you’re pregnant.”

“But I saw a doctor in the States.”

“Yes, but I have it on good authority that the child’s progress should be monitored from month to month,” he said calmly.

Oh, right. Embarrassed, she realized that she knew absolutely nothing about carrying a child. She should probably start to do her own research. “The pregnancy thing is still a little new to me,” she said lamely.

A knock on the door saved her from further humiliation. Gwen opened it to leave, and a servant rolled lunch in on a cart. Jarah ushered Aubrey to the suite’s dining room and held her chair while she sat. The servant placed the covered plates before them and left them alone.

“How was your morning?” She asked him tentatively as she uncovered her meal. It was rice and white bean stew. One of her favorites. “I wasn’t processing all that well when you made introductions yesterday, but there are three other kingdoms’ rulers here?”

“Yes. Aswara, Tiyana, and Hal Rabat, our bordering states. The leaders of Tyana and Hal Rabat are on good terms with us, but Aswara is a small kingdom with big ambitions. Before my grandfather was sheikh, Aswara nearly succeeded in taking over our kingdom. The former Rihamel ruling family was lazy, more interested in money than the good of the country. Aswara is always looking for weakness.”

Aubrey inhaled sharply. “And an American princess is weakness.”

She waited for him to deny it, but he didn’t. It hurt more than she wanted to admit. “Is this your way of saying that your morning was difficult?”

“Not difficult.” Jarah smirked. “There are rules in place for guests as well as for men celebrating their marriage. Gil Ahn of Aswara must be respectful and pleasant, even if it kills him.”

With a laugh, she picked up her fork. “So you’re enjoying yourself.”

“Yes, I suppose I am.” They ate in silence, and then he looked at her. “My favorite color is black, and I enjoy American rock music.”

The information was offered out of the blue, and she was confused before she realized what he was doing. Trying to open up to her.

Awkward, but he’d made an effort. She smiled. “My favorite color is yellow, and I like instrumental music.”

“Complete opposites,” Jarah muttered.

Yes, they were.

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