Page 33 of Sheikh's Pregnant Fiancée

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Aubrey didn’t expect to see Jarah for hours. Not if he was going to be wooing the other gala guests with his father and brother. After taking one more look in the mirror at the gorgeous dress, Aubrey changed out of it and into a silk nightgown. Curling up on the bed, she opened her tablet to read even if her mind wasn’t focused.

She and Jarah had been making such progress in their marriage, but now he might realize she wasn’t cut out for the life of a princess—let alone a queen, once he took the throne. She really would just be the woman he knocked up.

It was nearing midnight when there was a knock at the door. A young, thin woman bowed her head. “Your sheikh requests your presence. I am to escort you.”

Jarah sent someone for her? Why? “I’m not dressed. Am I supposed to go back to the ballroom?”

“No ma’am. It’s a private room. We can take the servants’ halls if you just want to put on a robe and a head covering.”

Confused but hopeful that she could somehow salvage her night, she did as the woman suggested.

“All right, I’m ready.”

The woman led her through a side door. There were servants’ halls and entrances in the palace of Rihamel, as well, but Aubrey had never thought to take them for more privacy. She was about to thank the woman for suggesting it when they went up a flight of steps.

Up. Aubrey didn’t think there was anything open to the public or guests on the top floor.

“Excuse me, could you tell me where we’re going?” She asked uneasily.

“To see the sheikh.” The young woman smiled at her, but it didn’t quite meet her eyes. It gave Aubrey just a moment of hesitation, and she took a nervous step back. A door opened behind her, and hands grabbed her and dragged her back.

Screaming, Aubrey struck out with her elbows, and she was tossed aside. Hitting the floor, she quickly rolled and crouched, looking wildly around.

“Well, that was easier than expected.”

At Yosef’s voice, Aubrey stiffened. A guard grinned at her and exited through the door Aubrey had just been dragged through. She was alone with the sheikh. She stood and turned to face him. Alone with the sheikh in his bedroom, she realized. “I was told that my sheikh wanted to see me. I assumed I was meeting Jarah.”

“In Hal Rabat, there is only one sheikh, and that is me.” Yosef lounged in a chair, making no move to get up. He was still wearing his dress robes from the gala. “Of course, upon hearing that you left the festivities, your husband has not once mentioned you. I thought I should check on you. We want all of our guests to be comfortable.”

Her gut churned. “That’s not necessary. I’m going to return to my room now. I would hate to keep you from the gala any longer. After all, you are the host.”

Even as she reached for the door and tried to open it, she knew she would find it locked. Panic rising, she forced herself to walk to the main door and tried to open that as well.

Locked.

“You will let me out of this room,” she said evenly. “Before someone comes to the wrong conclusion.”

“And what conclusion might that be? The American princess, in her revealing nightgown, in another man’s room? Yes, I suppose that could give people the wrong impression. What would your husband think? What would Rihamel think, if word got out?”

Hearing the threat, she just watched warily as he rose from his chair and sat on the edge of the bed. When he patted it, she refused to move.

“Do you realize how much trouble I could have made for you and your husband? The Rihamel princess kisses the crowned sheikh of Hal Rabat. Your own people would have turned on you and your husband. I daresay Cyril would have to pass over Jarah as the next sheikh. Mikal hasn’t been as foolish enough to marry an American. He seems like a more worthy candidate, wouldn’t you say?”

“I think you underestimate Rihamel and the royal family,” Aubrey said evenly. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, but she would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear. “Let me out. Now.”

“In due time, my dear. I thought some privacy might be in order for this conversation. Do you know what is so nice about a pregnant woman?”

Immediately, Aubrey touched her stomach. “The beauty of creating life?”

“The inability to impregnate her again. A man can do whatever he wants with you without fear of the consequences.”

Enough was enough. Did he really think she was going to let this happen? She would rather face Rihamel’s scorn than give Yosef this kind of power over her—and over Jarah and Rihamel itself, if she went through with it.

“You so much as breathe on me, and I will break your nose. Then it will be hard to convince my husband that I came to your bed willingly, won’t it? That is your plan, isn’t it? Use me to give you power over my kingdom?”

Yosef narrowed his eyes. “Your threats are empty.”

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