Page 19 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Smiles were exchanged and, before she knew it, groups of men started heading off into different parts of the fort, loading up camels and horses making ready to leave.

The tents were dismantled in rapid time. Eva watched Riaz busy himself with his men. After the conclusion of the meeting he'd asked her what she'd thought, and she had told him how impressed she'd been by the whole affair.

He'd asked if she'd would find it all useful, and she'd confirmed that she would, once she got back to Qazhar city.

Upon mentioning that, Eva was certain she'd seen his expression change. Had he been disappointed on hearing her say that? Was he already thinking about their separation? Indeed, was even planning to do something to prevent it? Part of what he'd said to her sounded like he was already trying to dismiss her.

Finally, preparations had been completed and Eva had taken her belongings back to her horse and packed things away, readying herself for the long journey across the desert.

She had to admit that she was slightly confused by all of this. On a personal level, Riaz seemed to have made it clear that he had some kind of interest in her. She was sure of it, had felt it in her bones, seen it in many of his glances.

She realized she would not been even slightly surprised if he had insisted on accompanying her back to where she had left the car, even if that involved along day's journey across the desert far to the west.

But when she led her horse over toward where his men had packed everything away onto the thirty or so horses which were lined up, awaiting Riaz, she'd already decided that she wasn't even going to talk to him about that.

Eva watched as she saw lines of men on horseback and camels wending their way out through the open fort gate. The place was already half deserted as she paused holding onto the reins of her horse. She gazed around trying to find Riaz but she couldn't see him anywhere.

Then she heard a pair of angry voices coming from beyond the group of Riaz's men.

With a jolt of concern, Eva heard her name been spoken by Riaz to someone else. She recognized the other voice from earlier in the morning. It was Ahmed

Eva couldn't understand what was been said, but every once in a while she heard her name knew she was the subject of the angry exchange which was taking place.

She took a few steps towards the group of men eager to see what was going on and then she heard a final roar of outrage, and Ahmed appeared from behind the group of men. He tried to smile at Eva as he walked past her but that was obviously beyond him for the moment.He forced himself to pause for a moment, bowing obsequiously toward her.

Eva felt tension tighten her body. There was something about the way this man looked at her that made her feel incredibly uncomfortable.

Then she saw Riaz appear. Ahmed and Riaz exchanged one final angry glance, and then Ahmed headed away toward his own group of men who were amongst the last to leave.

Eva caught Riaz's gaze as he came toward her.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

Riaz shook his head emphatically. "Ahmed and I were just discussing one or two final issues," he said.

"I heard my name," she retorted.

Riaz's brows rose with. Obviously he hadn't realized she had overheard.

"Was that about me?" she asked, trying to control the impulse to be even more demanding. She stared at Riaz, needing an answer.

Riaz looked thoughtful for a moment and glanced at his men.

Riaz looked at her horse. "Do you have everything you need?" he asked leading her by the arm away a few steps. She followed him and paused. "You still haven't answered my question," she demanded.

He was tight-lipped again and thoughtful for a moment. She wasn't going let him off the hook on this one, she told herself. She wanted an answer.

"Ahmed is a troubled man," Riaz explained.

"Troubled?" she replied. "About me?"

Riaz shook his head. "It was more about whether it was appropriate for any woman to be present at the gathering," Riaz replied.

Eva rolled her eyes. "Ahmed sure is up to speed with the times, isn't he?"

She saw Riaz smile at that comment. "Actually, I think it was to do with the fact that I chose to have you by my side during the meeting," he added.

"What did he think that meant? "Eva asked.

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