The Sheik and the Pregnant Bride (12 page)

“I want to marry you.”

She held in a scream. “I don’t remember you being this stubborn before.”

“You were never carrying my baby before. Getting married is the right thing to do.”

“Right for who? Do you really want to spend the next eighteen years tied to me? You don’t love me. I appreciate that you’re concerned about the baby, but how happy will this child be knowing his or her parents don’t want to be married to each other?”

His stubborn expression didn’t change. “We were in love before. We’ll be fine.”

“No, we won’t. We’ll be miserable. I won’t do it. I won’t marry you because of the child. You can’t make me.”

“I’m not leaving until you agree.”

Maggie thought longingly of the dungeons Victoria had mentioned. “Then we have a real problem because I’ll never agree.”

Whatever he was going to say was lost when someone knocked on the door. Victoria stepped inside.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s been another twist in your life.”

She held the door open and Qadir entered, leading a young woman Maggie had never seen. She was petite, with dark blond hair and features that were probably pretty when they weren’t blotchy. Tears filled the woman’s eyes when she saw Jon.

“I had to come,” she told him.

Elaine, Maggie thought, wondering how the situation could get worse. Then she met Qadir’s gaze. What must he think of all this? Of her? Last night had been so perfect, but this morning was a disaster. Did he think she wanted to marry Jon? Was he feeling that she had simply used him?

Too many questions that she had no way to ask.

Elaine hurried over to Jon. She clutched his arm. “Don’t do this,” she pleaded, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Please, don’t do this.”

“It’s the right thing for the baby.”

“How is that possible? How can something that hurts this much be right?”

Maggie looked away, feeling as if she were intruding on a private moment.

“Don’t you love me anymore?” Elaine asked, her voice trembling.

“Elaine, please.” Jon sounded strained.

“Just tell me the truth,” she pleaded. “Tell me I don’t matter.”

“I can’t do that.”

Maggie wanted to crawl into a hole. While she knew in her head she wasn’t the only one to blame for the disaster, she felt the heavy weight of responsibility in her heart.

Still not looking at Jon or Elaine, she hurried out of the room and into the hallway.

Someone came after her. She half expected it to be Victoria, but then she felt strong hands settle on her shoulders.

“Who needs daytime television when they can just watch what’s going on in my life,” she said, trying to make light of the situation.

Qadir turned her to face him, then pulled her close.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” she said as she snuggled into his chest. “I can’t believe Jon is here and Elaine followed him. He wants to marry me.”

“I expected no less. If you were carrying my child, I would not let you get away.”

Words to make her tremble, she thought sadly. If she were carrying Qadir’s child, she wouldn’t want to get away.

“I’m not going to ruin all our lives because I’m pregnant. You saw Elaine. She loves him desperately. He’s wrong to push for a marriage with me.”

“He’s a man who is trying to do the right thing. His conscience wars with his heart.”

“His heart better win.”

Victoria slipped into the hallway. “I’m going to find Elaine a room. Apparently she’s staying, at least for now.”

Maggie winced. “Here? That can’t be okay. We should all move to a hotel.”

“The palace has many rooms,” Qadir told her. “Your friends are welcome.”

They weren’t her friends, but there was no point in getting into that. And she sure didn’t want to think what the staff must be thinking about her.

“This is all my fault.”

Qadir touched her cheek. “It is not.”

Elaine came out of the room and looked at Maggie. “He wants to talk to you.”

Maggie nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want any of this to happen.”

“I believe you. I wish things were different.”

Victoria led the other woman away. Maggie stared at the half-open door. “I guess I need to go back inside.”

“I will come with you,” Qadir said.

“No, that’s okay. I can handle Jon.”

Qadir hesitated, as if he wasn’t going to give her a choice. Then he nodded. “If there is any trouble, you will get in touch with me.”

It wasn’t a question.

“I promise,” she told him.

He bent his head and brushed his mouth against hers, then walked away. Maggie braced herself and walked into Jon’s room.

He stood by the window, looking out onto the garden. His body was stiff, but his shoulders seemed bowed, as if they carried too heavy a weight.

“I didn’t know Elaine would follow me,” he said without turning around. “I’m sorry about that.”

“I’m impressed. She obviously loves you very much and isn’t willing to let you get away.”

“She doesn’t understand.”

“She understands perfectly.” Maggie waited until he turned to face her before continuing. “She understands that you’re willing to throw away everything important to you for no good reason. She understands that while no one would have chosen this situation, it’s here now and we have to deal with it. But what she doesn’t understand—and I have to say I’m with her on that—is why you think there’s only one option.”

“Because there is. There’s the right thing to do and there’s everything else.”

Had he always been this stubborn? “Is it because I suggested you give up the child altogether?” she asked. “Did that make you feel like I was cutting you out and pushing you away? Is that why you’re so insistent?”

He didn’t say anything and she couldn’t read him anymore. Their intimate connection had been broken.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have gone there. Maybe it is the right thing for both of us, but it was wrong of me to assume anything. We need to come to a decision together. Maybe the three of us should talk.”

“This doesn’t involve Elaine.”

“Of course it does. It’s her future, too. Her life. Chances are, she’s going to be a stepmother.”

“You and I are the ones getting married.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “Listen to me very, very carefully. I will not marry you and you can’t make me. I don’t love you. You don’t love me. In fact, you’re in love with someone else. Now quit being an idiot and start looking at other alternatives.”

“No.”

“Then rot in this room. I’m done talking to you. When you’re ready to be rational and reasonable, come find me. Otherwise, I don’t want to see you again.”

By seven that night, Maggie had a pounding headache and a deep desire to ride into the desert and never be heard from again. She sat alone in her room wondering how on earth she was supposed to fix the disaster that was her life.

She heard a light tapping on her French door. When she stood, she saw Victoria standing there with a pint of ice cream in each hand. Maggie hurried to let her in.

“I’m sneaking around,” her friend admitted, holding out the cartons. “I don’t want to see anyone or talk to anyone. Except you, I guess. Which one do you want?”

Maggie grabbed one of the cartons without checking the flavor, then frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Victoria’s blue eyes were swollen and red, her mouth puffy. “I’ve been crying. Me and Elaine. It’s our day. Neither of us seem to be pretty criers. I’m hoping you won’t be judgmental.”

“Of course not. But what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything. It’s so stupid. It’s not like I really care. It’s just I had this plan, you know. Then I tell myself I never thought it would happen, so what’s the big deal? I mean, who am I kidding? A prince? Marry me?”

Maggie led her to the sofa and urged her to sit. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Victoria scooped out some ice cream and licked the spoon. “I hope you appreciate that my escape of choice would be margaritas. But I hate to drink by myself and you’re pregnant, so I’m stuck with ice cream.”

“Still confused.”

She sniffed again. “Nadim is engaged. His father found him a perfectly nice young woman. She comes from a respectable family with little in the way of financial success, but the lineage is impressive enough on its own. They apparently met last week, spent the weekend away to determine if they were compatible. All went well and now they’re engaged.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I know it’s ridiculous. Who wants to be with a man who is that emotionally disconnected? He can’t know if he likes her or not after a damn weekend. It’s just I had this silly dream, you know? One where I could be financially secure and not have to worry, like I did when I was growing up. But who am I kidding? Stuff like that doesn’t happen to women like me.”

Maggie didn’t know enough about Victoria’s past to know what she was talking about. She only knew that her friend was in pain.

“Nadim is really engaged?”

“They’re going to make the announcement in a couple of weeks, after As’ad and Kayleen’s wedding. They don’t want to take away from the happy event.” She wiped her face with the back of her hand. “He didn’t even tell me directly. I found out because he gave me some letters to type and they mentioned his engagement. He doesn’t even know I’m alive.”

“Then he’s not worth even one of your tears,” Maggie said. “Come on. You didn’t love him. I’m not even sure you liked him.”

“It wasn’t about liking. It was about being safe.”

“You are safe. You have a great job, you live in a palace.”

“Until I get fired.”

“Why would Nadim fire you? Don’t you do a good job?”

“Yes.”

“You have savings?”

“Uh-huh. I’m a big saver.”

“So you’re okay. Nadim was never the man for you. Maybe it’s time to go out and live life.”

“No, thanks. Life hurts.” She jabbed at her ice cream. “I suppose the bright side is at least you got a proposal today.”

“From someone I don’t want to marry.”

“It’s the thought that counts,” Victoria said, then started to laugh.

Maggie joined in. The two of them leaned back on the sofa and laughed until they started crying, then they tuned the TV to a shopping channel, leaned back and ate their ice cream.

J
on showed up in the garage the next morning. Maggie put down her tools, knowing whatever he had to say, she had to listen, then convince him why he was wrong.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said.

“Under the circumstances, it seemed the smart thing to do.”

“You don’t want to marry me.”

She wasn’t ready for relief. She couldn’t tell if he’d really gotten it or was just testing her. “I don’t want to marry you.”

Jon shoved his hands into his pockets and walked around the car. “I talked to Elaine last night. All night. She pointed out I can’t force you to. Even if I could, it would only lead to disaster.”

Maggie had a feeling she was going to like Elaine. “I have to take a lot of the blame,” she said. “I should never have mentioned you walking away from the child. That’s not who you are. I’m going to guess that made you think I planned to shut you out, which you reacted to.”

“I didn’t like it,” he told her. “This is my child, too.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He looked at the car. “It’s not much to look at now, but you’re going to make it beautiful.”

“That’s the plan.”

“We went out to dinner. The city seems nice.”

“I like it.”

He stopped in front of her. “I love her,” he said with a shrug. “I really love her. It’s different, Mags. I can’t explain how it’s different, but it is. I want to be with her every second. I think about her when we’re apart. It’s exciting and new, but it’s also comfortable. We’re the same in ways you and I never were. I love her and I want to be with her always.”

Maggie swallowed. “I’m happy for you,” she said, and meant it. The only hint of pain came from the voice inside that said she would like that, too. Not with Jon, of course, but with someone.

She thought of Qadir and how the handsome prince had stolen a piece of her heart. The problem wasn’t her feelings for him but his for her. Did he have any? Things had changed for her but she had a bad feeling they were exactly the same for him.

“I won’t cut you out of the baby’s life. I swear. If that’s not good enough, and I understand it might not be, then I’ll sign something. We’ll figure out a plan. You can have summers or weekends or whatever works best. But don’t lose the love of your life over this.”

“You’re right,” he said, words she couldn’t ever remember him speaking.

“I know I’m right,” she teased, to keep the mood light. “Now go find your woman and take her until she’s boneless. Then tell her you’re sorry and that she’s the one you really want to marry.”

“I will,” he said, and hugged her.

She stepped into his embrace. Everything about it was familiar but none of it was what she wanted.

“If you need anything, I’ll be there for you,” he said when he released her.

“I know.” She stepped back and smiled at him. “Thanks for being willing to do the right thing. Even if it was totally crazy.”

He smiled. “You have to admit, I have style.”

“Oh, yeah. Now go find Elaine and tell her she owes me.”

“Love you, Mags.”

She believed he did love her, the way she loved him. Like an old friend. Jon was a warm memory from her past and she would never forget him. But he wasn’t the one.

“I love you, too.”

She watched him walk away. Elaine would be waiting, praying that she wasn’t about to lose the man of her dreams. They would talk and kiss and make love. If Jon was smart, he would propose and they would fly home blissfully happy. It was what Maggie wanted for them. She sure didn’t want Jon for herself. But that didn’t make her feel any less alone.

Maggie spent the day feeling restless. She gave up working on the car early in the afternoon and went for a walk in the garden.

There were hundreds of different plants, trees and shrubs and she doubted she knew the names of any of them. Still, their beauty calmed her spirit and the perfume of their combined scents helped her relax.

She walked along the various paths, taking turns she never had before. She found herself next to a high wall. A soft cry came from behind the stone. Someone was in trouble!

“It is not what you think.”

She turned and found Qadir standing behind her. Her reaction was, as always, instant and powerful. She gave in to the need and rushed into his arms.

He held her tightly against him, rubbing his hands up and down her back. “Fear not,” he told her. “I am here. I will slay your dragons.”

If only that were true, she thought as she held on, never wanting to let go. “I’m sort of dragon free right now,” she told him.

“Should that change, my sword is at your disposal.”

She stepped back and looked at him. “You have a sword?”

He raised his eyebrows, which made her laugh.

“Not that,” she said with a smile. “Do you have a real sword? You know, made of metal and all sharp and shiny.”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll let you know the next time I see a dragon.”

He took her hand in his and led her closer to the wall. “The crying is not what you think.”

“It sounds like a kitten is lost inside. Or someone is in trouble.”

“Sometimes it sounds like a child. Instead there are two old parrots. The last of them. These walls hide the harem garden. Many years ago, when my great-grandfather kept women here, parrots lived in the garden. Their cries concealed the voices of the women so no man would be tempted to climb the walls and claim what could never be his.”

She stared at him. “There was a harem here?”

“Of course.”

“Women kept against their will?”

“Dozens of the most beautiful women in the world.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“Not for the king.”

She glared at him. “Don’t you dare become a sexist pig. I swear, I’ll stab you in your sleep.”

“Pregnancy has made you violent.”

“Maybe I’ve always been this way.”

“Perhaps.” He leaned down and kissed her nose. “You need a good taming. Time in a harem would do that.”

“I’m not really harem material. I would rebel and escape.”

“Perhaps your master would so satisfy you that you would not want to be anywhere else.”

The way Qadir had satisfied her? “I’m not the type who takes to confinement well.”

“I would agree. You are far too independent.”

For a harem or for him?

She told herself that she was only making herself crazy. Qadir had never hinted he wanted anything but the bargain they’d agreed upon. The fact that her feelings were changing didn’t shift reality. She supposed the only question she had to deal with was whether or not she could stay and pretend to be involved with him when, for her at least, it was no longer a game.

“I’m glad there isn’t a harem anymore,” she said. “Knowing there were women locked up would really annoy me.”

“I am not so sure. At times I miss the old ways.”

She looked at him and saw the humor in his eyes. “You’re really flirting with danger here. Just because you’re a prince doesn’t mean I can’t take you.”

“You cannot take me. Not in the way you mean. But there are other ways to bring me to my knees, Maggie, and those you know well.”

His words made her tremble, then step closer so they could kiss.

His mouth was firm without being hard, offering as much as it took. She kissed him back with a passion that burned so hot she knew she would carry the scars forever.

When he led her back toward the palace, she went with him. Yes, there was a risk in being with Qadir over and over. But she would face the pain later. For now, building memories would have to be enough.

“I love weddings,” Victoria said as they walked along the hallway. “Which is strange when you think about it. I’m so opposed to love. But I guess I don’t mind other people making emotional fools out of themselves.”

“You’re such a romantic,” Maggie teased, wishing they weren’t going so fast. She still wasn’t comfortable walking in high heels.

Although As’ad and Kayleen’s wedding was in the morning, it was still a dressy affair.

“Thanks for helping me get ready,” Maggie said as she smoothed the front of her dress.

“No problem. I loved playing dress-up as a kid. You look beautiful, which is important. There will be lots of press hanging around. They won’t be allowed in the ceremony, of course, but expect to have your picture taken.”

Not an exciting thought, Maggie told herself. “I guess a small, intimate wedding just for family is out of the question.”

“When the man you’re marrying is a prince, then yes. By royal standards, this is small. There are also different traditions. No attendants. While As’ad’s brothers will sit up front, they won’t stand with him.” Victoria smiled at her. “Which explains why you’ll be there with Qadir and I’ll be in the back with the other rabble.”

“I’d rather sit with you,” Maggie said earnestly. At least with Victoria, she wouldn’t feel like a fraud.

“You’ll be fine. There’s really nothing to do but smile and be happy for the lucky couple. Don’t worry. I’ll watch all the famous people coming in, then catch up with you at the reception and let you know what movie stars are here. There will also be the usual foreign dignitaries, which is less interesting. They even got Kateb, the mystery brother, to come in from the desert for the event.”

Maggie looked at her friend. “I’ve met him. He seems nice.”

Victoria shook her head. “I don’t think anyone has ever used that word to describe him. He’s dark and mysterious. A man of the desert, which means he’s ruled by emotions. Too passionate for me. Give me a prince like Nadim who doesn’t know how to feel. Kateb is nothing but trouble.”

Victoria sighed. “Not that it’s an issue anymore. I’m giving up on princes.”

“Really?”

“Uh-huh. I thought about what you said before. I can take care of myself. I’m well paid working here and I don’t have any expenses except for clothes and vacations. I’ve done some traveling but always on the cheap and you’ve seen where I shop. I guess you can take the girl out of poverty but you can’t take poverty out of the girl. Anyway, I have a fairly big savings account. I’ve decided to come up with a new plan.”

“Which is?”

“I’m going to work here another year and keep saving, then I’m going back to the States and opening my own business. I don’t know what it will be yet, but I have time to figure it out. I don’t need a prince to be happy. I can avoid men at home just as easily as I have here.”

“Good for you,” Maggie said, not sure it was good. Having Victoria recognize that she was capable of taking care of herself was excellent, but cutting herself off emotionally wasn’t exactly healthy. “And you might meet someone nice.”

“No, thanks. I have no interest in getting married for the sake of it. With Nadim, I was looking for security. Now that I don’t need that, I’m going to avoid men. All men.”

They walked down the stairs to the main level and heard the crowd of waiting guests before they saw them. Victoria pointed toward a side door.

“Go through there. You’ll find Qadir and the rest of the wedding party. I’ll see you at the reception.”

Maggie opened her mouth to protest that she wanted to stay with her friend, but Victoria gave her a little push. Maggie walked toward the door, then opened it and went through.

Members of the royal family were gathered around. Maggie recognized a few of them, while others were unfamiliar. She saw Qadir’s aunt who was now Queen of Bahania, along with Qadir’s brothers. The king was there, as well.

She circled the room, avoiding the monarch, looking for Qadir. Maybe she could explain it would be easier for everyone if she simply sat with Victoria.

A servant walked by with a tray of champagne. She shook her head as she eased back into a corner. Seconds later Qadir found her.

“Why are you hiding?” he asked by way of greeting.

“I’m not hiding, exactly.” She looked around. “I don’t belong here. I’m a fraud.”

“Perhaps, but you are my fraud.”

“You’re not taking this seriously.”

“Because you are taking it too seriously.” He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You look beautiful. Elegant and unapproachable. Yet I know the woman inside, the one who cries out my name.”

She cleared her throat. “Yes, well, that woman is busy today. I’m here in her place.”

“I find this one charming, as well.”

“Good to know.” She looked around. “I’ve never been to a royal wedding before.”

“They are much like others you have attended. Long and filled with tradition.”

Would his wedding be like this? she wondered. When he finally found the woman he wanted to marry? Speaking of which…

“Jon and Elaine have left,” she told him.

“I had heard that. All is well?”

She nodded. “They’re still together and in love. Jon and I haven’t figured out what we’re going to do about the baby, but he no longer thinks we have to get married. We’ll figure out the details later. Maybe weekends or summers. At least that’s what we discussed. I was wrong to suggest he give up his child. I think that freaked him out. He reacted in the only way he knew how.”

Kateb approached. “Ms. Collins, how nice to see you again.”

Qadir frowned. “How do you know Maggie?”

“We met in the garden,” she told him.

“I am not sure I approve.”

What was it with these imperious men? “I’m not sure I care about your approval.”

Kateb laughed. “It is too bad you are not involved with this one,” he told his brother. “She has much to recommend herself.”

Maggie knew Kateb meant his words as a compliment, but they still cut through her. The reminder that this was all a game to Qadir hurt more than it should. Not that she was surprised to be the only one who had fallen in love.

The orchestra had come from London, the flowers had been flown in from around the world. The church itself, a cathedral built in the 1600s, seated at least six hundred. Maggie sat next to Qadir in a hand-carved pew that dated back over five hundred years.

While she wouldn’t want to admit it to anyone, she’d imagined her own wedding many times. For years she’d assumed she would marry Jon in a short ceremony, with her father giving her away and people she’d known all her life around them. She’d wanted a summer wedding so the days were long and the nights warm. She’d wanted to dance until she was exhausted, then drive to a secluded cabin in the woods for a week-long honeymoon.