The Sheikh's Reunion Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs 4) (11 page)

He'd found the interior of his room suddenly confining, especially with the questions about his childhood lingering. He realized they still knew relatively little of each others past. Maybe that was something for another time, he said to himself. Something to look forward to.

Right now, all that mattered was that Mia get a chance to regain her composure, reclaim her natural calm poise. What had caused this sudden shift? All Rafiq could think about was their conversation about Mia's innocent nature. How could that have been upsetting to her?

He saw her gaze out across the view. "It's beautiful," she said softly. He saw her features soften as she gazed at the ochre dunes that stretched away into the distance.

Rafiq nodded. "My land," he agreed, a tone of awed appreciation in his voice.

Mia turned to Rafiq and smiled at him. There was that kindness in her eyes that he loved so much. He was pleased that they could both appreciate the transcendent beauty of the desert. Although he knew she had never been to the desert, never ridden across its harsh beauty, he was sure that, if she ever did, its awesome wonder would fill her soul the way it never failed to renew his own.

"You're so lucky," she said.

Rafiq looked at her inquiringly. "Why?" He knew she wasn't just referring to his wealth, his privilege. Mia was the kind of woman who could see beyond those things.

"To be surrounded by so much beauty, so much peace. I can hardly imagine you ever having a miserable day in your life," she said.

Rafiq looked incredulously at Mia. "Really?"

Mia nodded and smiled.

Rafiq sighed. "Well, you'd be wrong if you assume that."

Mia squinted at Rafiq. "Are you serious? How could life here possibly be difficult?"

Rafiq shrugged. "Let's not go into that. Not here. Not now."

Mia nodded and shrugged. He knew he had probably been too harsh, sensed that he had cut off the conversation too abruptly. But, he didn't want to talk of those things that lurked in his past, the darkness that always threatened to spoil things, the menace and danger buried deep in this idyllic place. He knew the secrets of Qazhar, understood the truth behind the facade of wealth, what it meant to have to live up to the obligations of his birthright.

All of that would have been lost on Mia. He saw no need to ruin the simple pleasure she was taking from drinking in the wondrous view from the balcony.

They stood there for a while, easy with each others company, feeling no need to talk. After a while, Rafiq suggested they go have something to eat.

"I think I'd like that," Mia said. "Maybe I just need to eat something. Then I'll feel better."

Rafiq nodded enthusiastically. "After that, if you're up for it, I can give you a tour of the palace."

Rafiq saw Mia's brow furrow slightly and he briefly considered putting the tour off until another time. But, then he saw her smile again. "That sounds nice," she agreed.

Rafiq felt his heart leap just to hear her agree to him showing her one of the things that filled him most with pride. The place he had grown up.

"I'll tell the cook to prepare something," Rafiq said going back inside and heading for the telephone. As he made his way to the desk he supposed that Mia was watching him, and he wondered what she was thinking, speculated about what kind of impression he'd made on her. He hoped it had been favorable.
 

As he lifted the telephone receiver he turned quickly and caught Mia gazing at him, a curious expression on her face. She quickly turned her attention back to the desert view. He suppressed a satisfied smile. She had been looking at him. He'd been right. And it felt good.

As he spoke to the kitchen and gave them instructions to prepare a light meal for two, Rafiq couldn't help but wonder what else he'd have to do to ensure that Mia's interest in him wouldn't end here.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Mia had been right when she'd assumed that she'd feel better after some food. Rafiq had arranged for a delicious meal to be prepared. Mia had been surprised at how quickly it had appeared on the terrace of the dining room in the central part of the palace. Obviously the kitchen staff were well trained.

The day had drawn to a close and the evening had begun to settle around them. Rafiq had been a wonderful dinner companion and had entertained Mia with lots of funny stories about his life in Qazhar and the various people he knew. It seemed he did indeed have the most glamorous life imaginable, Mia reflected after the meal, while waiting for tea to be brought.
 

They both sat on a comfortable sofa out on the balcony. The sun was setting behind the distant dunes and the sprinklers had started covering the green grass of the luxurious garden with a necessary moistness. The air was beginning to cool and Mia felt the slight chill against the skin of her bared shoulders.

Rafiq sat by her side and seemed to immediately notice the change in Mia. "Are you feeling warm enough?" he asked.

Mia nodded. "I'm fine," she replied, even though the thought of him rushing to get her a blanket to take away the chill did give her a momentary, reassuring rush of satisfaction.
 

Rafiq didn't look convinced by her refusal. "Maybe we should go inside, anyway," he said. "I did promise you a tour of the palace."

He had been so attentive to her every need. Mia had never felt so special, never experienced being the complete focus of a man's attention quite like this. In spite of her earlier reservations, she had to admit it did feel good to allow Rafiq to be the perfect host he so obviously was.

Mia took a sip of her tea. "It's getting late. Don't you think?"

"If you're tired, perhaps we can do it tomorrow," he suggested. He looked disappointed. She could see that he was proud of the place where he had grown up. Maybe it wouldn't do any harm to let him show her around.

"Okay. Show me your wonderful palace," she agreed.

Rafiq's smile was wide with gratification. He leaped up from the sofa and extended a hand down to Mia. She looked up at him. There was a natural excitement in his gaze, as if he couldn't wait to show her the one place in the world that meant so much to him.

Mia put her cup on the side table, took his hand and let him assist her as she stood up. She felt his fingers tighten slightly around her hand, and a surprising, but very welcome and delicious sensation raced along her arm. Mia breathed in the cooling night air and shifted her gaze away from Rafiq and out to the beautifully manicured garden.

Mia gently eased her hand out of Rafiq's grasp eager to change the focus of his attention away from her, even if she was inwardly pleased with his apparent inability to take his eyes off her. Why was that important to her, right now? Hadn't she decided that Rafiq needed to be kept at arms length? Her sudden, slight warming to him had been unavoidable. He'd been the most charming host, so attentive and considerate. Such a contrast to the man who had pursued her at her parents' home during that balmy, warm English summer.

Mia moved to the balustrade and rested her hands on the cool surface. She gazed out at the garden, an Eastern wonder in the middle of a dry, arid wasteland. "This feels so special," she murmured. "It's like a protective barrier around the palace, keeping out the world. How do you keep it so green?"

Mia saw Rafiq at her side. He rested his hands close to hers on the balustrade, not quite touching, but close enough for her to be conscious of the gesture. It was a test, and she responded by leaving her hand right where it was. It didn't feel right to move away from Rafiq, to give him the impression that she wanted to push him away.

Rafiq grunted. "It takes a lot of work to keep it that way," he replied. "I'm not the gardener in the family. We have staff, as I'm sure you've noticed. Most of them have been with our family for years. They are part of our family, really," he said.

"That's so wonderful. Having that tradition."

His gaze flashed at her, and she felt emotion curl inside herself when their eyes met. The light from inside the dining room created contrasting ridges and shadows across his stunningly handsome features. The dark pools of his eyes penetrated her like a physical touch. He was suddenly very serious, deeply earnest about something her comment had touched upon.

"I believe in tradition," he said flatly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Mia glanced at Rafiq and saw his jaw tighten, his gaze fixed dead ahead, as if suddenly lost in thought. When he spoke his voice was calm, yet also filled with an even strength. "Traditions are what keep us from becoming barbarians, from descending into the pit and the chaos of modern life. Tradition keeps people sane and prevents them from losing themselves." He paused and she felt the silence keenly for a long moment.
 

Then he continued:
 
"I believe in all the old-fashioned virtues. The community of our people. Family. Children," he said softly. She saw his chest fill as he took in a deep, preparatory breath. Then he spoke one word which caught her completely by surprise, caused her mouth to open involuntarily.
 
"Marriage."

The word settled in the air between them and then all she could hear was the gentle hissing of the sprinklers and the thudding of her own heart.

Mia saw tension settle in his shoulders, heard the conviction in his voice. Those words had come from from a place inside him where truth reigned. She was momentarily taken aback by the authority and gravity that inhabited his voice.
 

Back in England, during that long summer, Rafiq had seemed almost a superficial man, devoted to his own pleasures, astride the world like a colossus seeking out his own amusement no matter what effect it had on others. There had been no hint of his deeper conviction, no suggestion that he even thought of such things.

But, now, the man who stood by her side seemed so utterly different, so astonishingly transformed, that Mia couldn't help asking herself what had caused such a change in him. Had something forced him to reconsider his priorities? Had it been the loss of the woman to whom he had been originally promised in marriage? Was that why he had mentioned the subject to Mia?

Mia turned away from him, wracking her brains for some sort of reply, anything that would break the sudden spell that had been cast. "And here I was thinking it was just a pretty garden," she said eager to lighten the tone, feeling a warning tug in her middle.

Rafiq turned to Mia and smiled softly. His shoulders relaxed and he cleared his throat as if a trance had been broken. After a long pause he spoke: "I was rather too serious, wasn't I?"

Mia cocked her head and lifted a brow. "Just a tad," she said a smile creasing the corner of her mouth.

Rafiq laughed quietly and nodded. "You know how to bring me down to earth, don't you?"

"Maybe it's my English upbringing," she suggested. "We don't take ourselves too seriously."

Mia glanced back at the garden. "And we do love a good garden," she said wryly. "And this is most definitely a special place."

Mia drew in a deep breath and turned to Rafiq. "Now, what about that tour you promised me," she said.

Rafiq turned and gestured toward the door. "After you," he said with an expectant grin.

He was so charming, it was almost impossible to resist him, Mia told herself. But resist him she must.

They made their way back into the palace and embarked on what could only be described as a magical journey through a wondrous palace that seemed to belong in a fairy tale.
 

Mia walked alongside Rafiq as they wandered down long marble-floored corridors, pausing every so often to allow Rafiq to explain details that she found utterly fascinating. Mia had had no idea of the extent of the luxury that lay hidden in the far corners of the palace.

She tried to take in the riot of sights and colors that assaulted her senses; the artfully curved archways and windows; the delicate mosaics that adorned every wall, the mullioned windows; tall pillars crowned with carvings that illustrated moments in the history of Qazhar. Mia's favorites were the carvings of animals. The delicate reliefs of lions, tigers and elephants simply captivated Mia. Everywhere she looked in the palace she saw cream or gold colored surfaces. It was as if Mia had entered another realm of existence, a domain at once enchanting and completely mesmerizing.

The sheer sense of space was utterly alien to her. Corridors seemed to stretch interminably ahead of her, and every once in while Rafiq paused their long walk and took her into some astonishing room that displayed yet more opulence and grandeur the likes of which she had never seen before.

Mia took a pleasure in seeing the obvious delight displayed by Rafiq. It was clear just how much it meant to him to be given the opportunity to share this wondrous place with Mia. He spoke excitedly, spilling the beans on childhood fights with his brothers, secret places to hide and every place where he had fallen down as a child.

From time to time Mia and Rafiq literally collided with one another, bumping shoulders or crashing against each other as they craned their heads to gaze upwards at some wonder high up above. Each of these occasions caused them both to act like awkward children, unaccustomed to physical contact. In a way it was appropriate, Mia thought, because after an hour of wandering throughout the palace she had begun to feel just like a child, overtaken by the wonder of it all.

The evening wound on and Mia started to feel a little tired. As usual, Rafiq was instantly responsive to her and offered to accompany Mia back to her room. It was late in the evening as they eventually arrived at the front door to Mia's suite.

Rafiq pushed open the door and held it, awaiting Mia's movement past him. Mia paused before entering the room. She was mere inches away from Rafiq and she could see the residue of excitement on his face. The last hour had meant a great deal to Rafiq. She could see that. But, she knew that if the evening wasn't to end in disaster, she would have to make a graceful entrance and close the door firmly behind her.

"Thank you. Rafiq. That was wonderful."