Page 10 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

"Are you saying these forced marriages still happen?"

He took a few steps toward her. "It is something that does still take place. People don't like to speak of such things. Families are not always honorable. Sometimes marriages are arranged for reasons of property or family honour."

Nicole stood up. "There was nothing honourable about what Hakim did," she declared.

"How did he persuade you to come here?" asked Rashid.

"He didn't," she said quietly. "I asked him to bring me here."

"You did? Why?"

Nicole sighed. "I don't want to go into it. Not right now," she said shaking her head.

"Hakim must have done something to persuade you," Rashid said.

Nicole snorted. "You're right. It was the usual things. Charm. Good manners. Promises. He made it all sound like such a lot of fun. Coming out here was going to be an adventure." Nicole rolled her eyes. "Well, it certainly turned out to be an adventure. And I can't wait to get home."

Rashid cleared his throat. "Well, that's the thing. There's no guarantee that the outcome will be the one that you are wishing for."

"What?" she exclaimed.

"Even although you are obviously someone of importance," Rashid said evenly, "it may not make much difference in the end. I have the strong impression that Hakim is very determined to make you his wife."

Nicole groaned out loud. "I cannot believe this is happening. When this is all over I am going to look back on this and laugh so hard."

"I hope you are right," he told her.

Nicole looked at Rashid and saw him smiling. "I admire your fortitude." He grinned at her. "And your sense of humor."

"Why are you doing this?" she asked.

"Doing what?"

"Helping me," she replied. "Stopping Hakim."

Rashid turned away from her quickly. How much should he tell her? Had he done enough already by trying to intervene? Why did she need to know so much about him?

She seemed to take his silence for a refusal to say more.

Nicole was quiet for a moment and he could see that she was thinking deeply about something. Finally she spoke."Can you stop this, Sheikh Rashid? Can you persuade the tribal elder to prevent this from happening?"

Rashid shrugged and shook his head. "I will do my best," he said slowly. He saw her eyes brighten momentarily when she heard his reply. "But I cannot promise anything," he continued. "It may be the case that the tribal elder declares that this marriage can go ahead."

Nicole grunted. "That is ridiculous," she exclaimed. "This is the twenty-first century. He cannot just seize me and marry me against my will."

Rashid took a step closer to her. "But you see that's where you are wrong."

Nicole's eyes narrowed. Rashid continued: "Out here the rules of normal life do not apply. I know that is difficult for one such as yourself to understand. But there is an agreement with the government that certain traditions can be maintained."

"What! Even the abduction and forced marriage of women?" she exclaimed.

"It is not as simple as that," Rashid continued. "There will come a time when these traditions are forgotten forever. But for now, many in authority wish to see them continue."

Rashid saw Nicole suddenly become thoughtful. Then she looked Rashid. "My sister had terrible trouble recently when she met the man that she eventually married," she said. "It seemed that there was a faction in the government that wanted to turn back the clock. Put an end to all progress which Qazhar has enjoyed for so long."

Rashid's interest became more intense as she continued to speak. He knew nothing of this. Living in isolation, cut off from everyday Qazhar life had ensured that he was out of touch with much that went on in the city. It was an isolation that he enjoyed but also, at times, regretted.

"Are you saying there was some kind of attempted coup?" he asked

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