Kitabı oku: «The Nanny and The Sheikh», sayfa 3

CHAPTER THREE

MELISSA turned around, surprised. “I thought you and Max were in the living room.”

“He had a call to make before it got too late in London. I thought I heard voices, so came to investigate.” He looked at Alaya. “If you wish me to post a letter, I’m happy to do so.”

“Thank you, Uncle Surim,” she said shyly, moving closer to Melissa.

“Uncle? We’re cousins,” he explained.

“Easier for them if you’re Uncle Surim and your new bride will be their new aunt.” Speaking softly, Melissa leaned closer. “They don’t want a replacement for their parents just yet.”

He raised an eyebrow. “My new bride,” he said evenly.

Melissa swallowed. Was that some secret? She shouldn’t have said that.

“I heard you were looking for a wife,” she said, feeling embarrassed, as if she’d been caught gossiping behind his back.

His face was impassive. “That is the plan.”

Heat turning her face bright red, Melissa was thankful when Hamid interrupted. “Melissa is going to read us a story,” he said firmly. “Come on, Melissa.”

“You have a way with the children,” Surim said. “Don’t let them pester you.”

She glanced sharply at him. “They aren’t pestering me, for heaven’s sake. They just want some adult attention. You should be reading them their stories. Annis’s English is limited. She only reads French stories; they don’t understand those.”

“She speaks English,” he said, his brow creasing.

“And stop frowning, it scares them,” she said.

He looked at her in astonishment.

Melissa almost cringed. She needed to watch her tongue or she’d be asked to leave so fast her head would swim. This was a sheikh, not some bumbling idiot.

“Sorry, but I do think you should try smiling more.” She bit her lip and looked at Alaya.

Surim stooped down until he was at a level with Hamid. “Should I read to you?” he asked gently.

Melissa was the astonished one. She’d never heard such gentleness in Surim’s voice, nor expected him to do something so kind to a little boy.

Hamid seemed undecided. “Can you both read to us?”

Surim smiled and nodded, glancing up at Melissa.

Melissa was struck dumb. When he smiled his entire face changed. He looked younger. And much more appealing. A flutter of nerves centered in her stomach. He would have no trouble wooing some woman to become his wife if he smiled at her once a day.

Rising to his full height, he continued looking at Melissa, a hint of amusement in those dark eyes. “You have a way with children; do you have any of your own?”

“Of course not, I’m not married.”

“Neither am I, but I seem to have acquired three.”

Melissa wanted to point out he planned to ship them off to some school, but she kept quiet, conscious of the presence of the two children. Maybe if Surim spent some more time with them, he’d find he couldn’t send them away.

“Come on, then, let’s read these children to sleep,” he said.

It was oddly intimate, Melissa thought, to be with Surim tucking the children in bed. Almost as if they were the children’s parents. Surim had dismissed Annis when she’d rushed out to see to the children. Melissa glanced across the bed to watch as he patted Hamid on his small shoulders. She thought it was the first time for the man.

“Sleep through the night, little one,” Surim said, almost as an order.

Melissa hid a smile. He might be trying, but his manner needed polishing.

She selected two books, and handed one to Surim. “Want to start?” she asked.

“Ladies first. Besides, if they fall asleep on your watch, I don’t have to read.”

She laughed. “Very well.”

His strategy worked. Before Melissa finished the book she’d selected, both children were fast asleep.

“Tomorrow night, you can read the first book,” Melissa whispered as they left the bedroom.

“I would never be able to put as much enthusiasm into reading. Nor come up with different voices for the different characters. You have a talent for working with children.”

“I should, it’s my job.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m a nanny by profession.”

He paused at the top of the stairs. “I thought you were a translator.”

“Max very kindly found me some work between jobs—at my mother’s insistence, I’m sure. She recently married Max’s father, you know.”

Surim nodded.

“Anyway, I finished my last job before Christmas and my next one doesn’t start until February, so I’m helping out at Bella Lucia. They obviously knew I had no experience in anything except childcare, so Max found this job for me. I speak French and Italian and a smattering of German. I needed it when I lived in Switzerland.”

“Where is your next job?”

“In Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States.”

“I’m familiar with Boston,” he said dryly. “Quite a change from Switzerland.”

“And from what I’ve been doing. Until now, I worked at a childcare facility at one of the resorts in Switzerland. You know, come for a week and let us take care of your children so you can enjoy all the amenities. It was great fun, but now I want to try working for a family. When the McDonalds asked me, I jumped at the chance. It’s what I was trained for.” She had no intention of letting anyone know part of the reason for her desire for change was a love affair gone bad. So far she’d kept that secret.

“Perhaps you can offer me some insights into these children before you leave,” Surim said, continuing down the stairs.

Melissa walked beside him, wondering how much she had to offer in the few days remaining. Still, if she could get them all comfortable around each other, that would go a long way.

“Perhaps,” she said at last.

When they reached the door to her bedroom, he paused. She reached to open it. Surim stopped her, turning her to face him.

“Thank you for your help. The children seemed happier tonight than they have since they arrived.”

To her surprise, he kissed her. His lips touched hers lightly, then he stood back. “Don’t tell Max I’m taking advantage of his new stepsister. He’d have my head.”

He turned and walked down the hall.

Melissa blinked, still not sure of what had happened. Her lips still felt the brief warmth of Surim’s. Her head was spinning. And the way her heart pounded, she couldn’t have imagined it.

Yet how astonishing.

In a haze, she entered her bedroom.

Surim continued down the hall, wondering what had come over him. He had dated some beautiful, sophisticated women. Enjoyed their company, their sparkling repartee. But he’d never kissed them on such short provocation. Melissa was kissable. He’d wanted to kiss her since he saw her laughing on the beach that afternoon.

She was nothing like the women he usually dated. His advisors and ministers would have a fit if they knew of his interest. Not that a kiss to thank her for her help with the children would endanger the country.

Was that all it was? A thank-you kiss? He was not a man to give embraces so freely.

Yet when he’d seen Melissa going up the stairs with his wards, he’d wanted to join them. Alaya and Hamid seemed quiet and awkward around him, but they blossomed around Melissa. He almost felt he could blossom around her. Shed the duties of office and enjoy an hour or two with her without the constant pressure of duty.

Unlike Annis, she seemed to have a real rapport with children. They’d all looked so happy at the beach. Then Alaya and Hamid sought her out after dinner. To his knowledge none of the children had ever sought him out.

He remembered how small Hamid had felt when he’d tucked him in. His shoulders were so frail in Surim’s stronger hands. What would the boy do when he grew up? Would he want to travel as his parents did, or be content to find work in Qu’ Arim and make a life here?

For a moment the thought of influencing all three children in how they grew and what they became was daunting. Yet he knew he had to marry soon and beget heirs for his own family, and for a future ruler of Qu’ Arim. How effective he proved as a father would influence the lives of his own children.

And where would he find a woman to become the mother of those children? He had been enjoying the company of women for years, yet had never found a special woman to invite to share his life. He had given up on the elusive love that westerners believed in. A suitable union with a woman from a fine family would produce the heirs he needed. As long as they were compatible.

He knew women sought him out because of his wealth and power. Somehow he couldn’t see Melissa being impressed by either. In fact, she didn’t seem impressed by him at all. No one in recent memory had scolded him as she had.

He almost smiled when he remembered her fussing at him. She was a champion of those children. For a moment he wondered what it would be like to have her champion him.

He returned to the salon and his friend Max. Another complication—if Max found out Surim was kissing his newly acquired stepsister. Better to keep his distance. Melissa was only visiting for a week. Then she’d return to London and he’d resume his quest for a wife.

On Tuesday, Melissa and Max were the only two at breakfast again.

“Surim keeps early hours,” she murmured as she took some eggs and bacon. She liked saying his name. Far from being daunted by the sheikh, after that brief kiss last night, Melissa was becoming more fascinated. He’d insisted that first day that she call him by name. Now she looked for ways to use it.

Max sipped his hot coffee and looked up from the paper he was reading. “He’s putting in long hours because we’re here. I saw him before he left; he said the small reception he’s planning will be Thursday night. We’ll fly home on Friday.”

“Everything going all right?” she asked, sitting at the table.

Max nodded, his face serious. “Surim has done all the preliminary work as we discussed. Today I want to spend time with the contractor, reviewing the specs, and trying to convey to him the ambience I’m looking for, what a Bella Lucia Restaurant means beyond the fixtures.”

Melissa’s services were dispensed with around two o’clock. She was driven back to Surim’s home where she went up to change and go find the children.

Annis was happy to have her take them for a walk. Once the three children were ready, they trooped down the stairs, chattering happily. Alaya confided she’d written her friends, Hamid talked about swimming and Nadia babbled quietly to herself, smiling up at Melissa from time to time.

They walked through the garden and to the beach. The afternoon was perfect and Melissa wished Surim had taken some time to spend with the children in such a carefree manner. If he could just get to know them, she knew he’d fall in love with them. She was halfway in love with them herself.

But Surim didn’t join them for the afternoon, nor for dinner. Learning the men would return late, Melissa elected to eat with Annis and the children. After they were in bed, she went for a walk by herself in the gardens.

The paths were illuminated and she enjoyed the quiet of the evening, the air warm even after sunset. She sat on one of the benches for a long time, soaking in the atmosphere, enjoying the fragrant flowers. She found it so amazing to be enjoying this garden in January. How wonderful to have such a residence. It seemed to her Surim wasn’t home enough to enjoy it.

Wednesday was a repeat of the previous day. Melissa regretted not seeing Surim, but she needed to keep this visit in perspective. She was not here to be entertained, but to help Max where she could. And when he didn’t need her services, she loved spending time with the children.

Still, she wished Surim would make a few moments in the day to see the children. She’d half a mind to speak to him about it. Or was that just an excuse to see him again?

Thursday was the last day they’d work at the site. Max had booked their flight for early Friday morning. Melissa walked through the resort one last time, wondering if she’d get to come back some day when it was completed and see the final result. She knew from the drawings and plans it would be spectacular. Perhaps one day she’d return and take a tour.

The reception Surim had promised was to be held in the large ballroom on the left side of the main entryway of his house. Melissa had brought a suitable dress, but requested time to look for another that afternoon to take advantage of some of the boutiques she’d seen on the main thoroughfare. The limo had been put at her disposal. She stopped on the way back from the new hotel site at a boutique she’d seen each day and found the perfect new gown for the evening. It was floor-length dark blue silk and fit as if it had been made for her. Her black heels would have to do, as she didn’t have time to find a shoe store.

After a quick snack in her room, Melissa dressed for the evening. She hoped she looked suitable enough to be entertained by a sheikh. A bit nervous, she was about to go downstairs when there was a knock on her door.

Alaya, Hamid and Nadia stood in the hall grinning at her.

“Oh, you look beautiful. Mummy used to get dressed up to go to parties,” Alaya said sadly. “Annis said we could come to see you before we went to bed. I wish you were reading our story tonight.”

“Oh, honey, I do, too. But your uncle has put on this party and I don’t want to disappoint him, either. Besides, you can read to the other two. That would be good practice for your reading, and give your brother and sister happy memories.”

“I guess. Will we see you tomorrow before you go?”

“I’ll come up to say goodbye,” Melissa promised, already feeling sad to have to bid farewell to these special children. “You’ll have to write to me to make sure I keep up with what you are doing. And get your uncle to take photos so I can see how fast you grow.”

“I don’t want you to go,” Hamid said.

“I know. But I’ll write to you from England, and then from America. Won’t that be fun?”

He shrugged, not looking at all convinced.

“Is anything wrong?” Surim asked, coming down the hall.

The children jumped and moved closer together.

“Not at all, they just came to see me before the party,” Melissa said.

She looked up and almost stared. She loved the way Surim looked in his tuxedo; his broad shoulders filled out the suit to perfection. The white ruffled shirt made him seem all the more masculine and exciting. His tanned skin was a startling contrast to the pristine white.

His dark eyes sought hers and held her gaze for a long moment. Her heart fluttered and she became suddenly self-conscious. She’d thought she’d become used to gorgeous men when seeing Valentine family members. None could hold a candle to Surim.

“You look nice, too, Uncle Surim,” Alaya said shyly.

Melissa narrowed her eyes sharply, hoping that overture would be returned in the manner meant.

“Thank you, Alaya. It’s always nice to have a compliment from a lovely young woman,” he said gravely.

Melissa wanted to applaud.

“Nicely said. Now, children, scoot up to bed. I’ll see you in the morning,” she said.

They each gave her a hug and then walked wide around their uncle and broke into a run for the stairs.

“You intimidate them,” Melissa said, falling into step with him as they walked downstairs. The first guests would be arriving momentarily.

“I know little about children,” he said.

“Spend time with them. Laugh with them and show them you care. You’re their closest relative, right?”

“Their grandmother also lives in Qu’ Arim. She is in frail health, however, so cannot care for them.”

“Do they see her often?”

“No. They haven’t seen her since the funeral.”

He stopped at the top of the stairs. Lifting her hand, he kissed the back softly. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you. And thank you for having the reception. I look forward to meeting others from your country.”

“I’ve neglected you during your visit. You should have seen more of Qu’ Arim.”

“We were here for business,” she said, wondering if he realized he still held her hand. “Perhaps I’ll come another time and be able to see more.”

“Perhaps.” He let her hand go and escorted her down the stairs.

Melissa tried to quell the riotous sensations that flooded through her at his touch. It was a good thing they were leaving in the morning. She was infatuated with the man; staying any longer would put her heart at serious risk!

They reached the foyer just as the first guests arrived. Melissa excused herself from the sheikh and went into the reception room. She smiled when she thought about the children coming to see her dressed up. In the few days she’d known them, she’d grown so fond of them. Her heart ached at their loss, and the fact their guardian seemed so remote. They needed to be hugged, laughed with, and convinced they were cherished.

Melissa could relate because of her own father’s death. She remembered how she’d felt when she’d finally realized she would never see her father again. All these years, and she still felt the loss. She couldn’t imagine losing her mother as well.

The opulent drawing room began to fill. Melissa stood on the sidelines, watching the elegantly dressed women and splendidly attired men enter, talking, laughing softly. It was a wonderful gathering. She wondered whom among them Surim counted as close friends. Did he do what her friends did—go clubbing, or skiing? Was he a water buff, living so close to the Gulf? Or did he prefer more challenging activities like mountain climbing? Did he ever go into the desert and watch the stars from places far from man-made lights? She wished she knew more about her enigmatic host. For a moment she was lost in a daydream of Surim taking her to a quiet, secluded spot to share his thoughts and dreams with her.

“Madam?” A stately gentleman stood next to her.

“Yes?” Melissa smiled. He appeared to be in his late seventies, but still had a luxurious head of thick gray hair. His skin looked like burnished teak.

“His Excellency said you are from England. I am to make myself available to you for anything you may require,” he said with a slight bow. “I am Asid ibn Tarvor at your service. I spent many years in England. I am especially fond of your Lake District.”

“As am I,” Melissa said with a smile. “How nice to meet you.”

“Have you been long in Qu’ Arim?”

“No, only a few days, and I’ve been working with the sheikh, though I have managed a few afternoons at the beach. What I’ve seen of the country is amazing.”

Asid took her around, introducing her to others. After a brief exchange each time, they’d move on to the next group until Melissa felt she’d met everyone there.

They stopped near a small alcove.

“Have you visited one of our pearl farms?” Asid asked.

Melissa shook her head. Just then she caught a glimpse of Surim escorting a lovely woman whose dark hair was elaborately coiffed and who wore a beautiful golden gown that enhanced her voluptuous figure.

Asid noticed her glance and smiled. “Ah, Delleah. She is lovely, do you not think? It is time Surim took a wife.”

Melissa nodded politely at the comment. Was this the woman he would marry? Or was he still looking?

She hoped the latter; she’d hate to think he was promised to someone and kissed her! But, if Delleah was the woman Surim chose, she would make a beautiful wife. They were a stunning couple.

“I see Asid found you,” Surim said as he and the woman at his side stopped in front of Melissa.

“Indeed, it was most kind of you to think about me. I would have been fine on my own, but Asid and I have had a most delightful discussion.” She smiled politely at the woman at his side.

“May I present Delleah bin Attulla. Delleah, a friend from England, Melissa Fox. She is proving invaluable in the work we are doing at the new resort.”

“Hardly that,” Melissa said, greeting the woman.

Delleah’s flashing dark eyes and pout did not bode well for an instant friendship. She shook Melissa’s hand rapidly, then tucked her own into the crook of Surim’s arm. “I’m sure Surim appreciates your working with the Englishman to facilitate the building of his pet project.” She smiled at him. “Do let’s move on—I want to talk to the ambassador.”

Surim inclined his head slightly, then turned to escort her to a small group nearby.

“Beautiful woman,” Asid said. “She will make him a fine wife and give him many sons.”

“Always with boys,” Melissa grumbled, feeling a tad jealous as she watched them walk away. She knew there could never be anything between her and Surim, but earlier he’d kissed her hand and told her she was beautiful.

Good grief, girl, she told herself, get a grip! She should be soaking up every moment of this fabulous gathering and not pining over something that could not be.

“Ah, but Surim needs sons to carry on the ruling of our country. He was an only child. What would we do if he dies before he had an heir?”

“Elect someone new,” she said.

Hearing the intake of breath at her comment, she looked at Asid and smiled ruefully. “Sorry, western thinking. Let’s hope Surim lives many more years and has a dozen sons.”

“Perhaps that would be excessive,” Asid murmured, his eyes twinkling.

Melissa laughed. “Tell me about your favorite spot in the Lake District,” she said.

Asid proved to be entertaining, and Melissa enjoyed their conversation. She was very aware of Surim whenever she spotted him across the room, however, and once stopped mid-sentence to stare when he laughed at something someone had said. It was the first time she’d heard him laugh. His face softened a fraction, lost that austere façade she was used to seeing. And made her heart flip over. She turned so she couldn’t see him.

“Would you care to walk in the garden? It grows warm in here,” Asid said.

“I should love to. I’ve been in it a couple of times at night. The lighting makes it easy to walk through and the cooler night air is wonderful to enjoy.”

Once away from the crowd, it grew quiet.

“You leave for England in the morning, I believe Surim told me,” Asid said as they strolled among the flowers.

“That’s right,” Melissa said. “I shall be sorry to return to rain and cold after the wonderful climate here. But duty calls.”

“You work with Max Valentine, I believe.”

“Only temporarily. I’m filling in until my new job starts in February. I’ll be going to America then.”

“The women in our country are not so well traveled as in England.”

Just then a wail sounded from the upper floor.

She turned, searching the windows, seeing a light go on on the top floor.

“Hamid,” she said quietly. “Excuse me, Asid. I think I’ll go see if I can help. Thanks for your company. I enjoyed myself tremendously. But a little boy needs me.”

Without waiting for him to respond, Melissa turned and fled to the house, only slowing her pace to a rapid walk through the gathering of guests, then almost running up the stairs.

The closer she approached the nursery, the louder the screams sounded. She burst into Hamid’s bedroom to see Annis standing beside the bed, shaking his shoulder in an attempt to awaken him, speaking in Arabic. Alaya bumped into Melissa, peering into the room.

“He woke me,” she complained.

Melissa went to the bed, gently moved Annis aside and sat on the mattress, gathering the little boy into her arms.

“There, there, sweetie, it’s all right. Wake up. You’re having a nightmare, but you’re all right. Wake up, Hamid,” she crooned as she rocked him back and forth.

He pushed back a little and quieted down, then snuggled against Melissa. Soon his crying eased.

“Mummy?” he said bewildered.

“No, sweetie, it’s Melissa. You’re at your cousin Surim’s house, remember?”

“I want Mummy,” he wailed.

“Shh. Your sister is here and I’m here. You’re fine.”

“What is going on?” Surim asked from the doorway. Delleah stood beside him, looking around the room, and then at the children.

Annis spoke rapidly in Arabic. Delleah listened avidly.

“Enough,” Surim said in English.

“The sooner you send them off to boarding school, the better, Surim,” Delleah said.

Hamid stopped crying and looked at Surim.

Alaya turned, stunned. “You’re sending us away?” she asked.

Melissa could have slapped Delleah. How cruel of her to make that comment, especially in English. She looked at Surim. He couldn’t send them from this safe haven. They’d lost their home, their parents—he couldn’t split them up so they lost each other as well.

“Surim,” she began, not sure what she would say, but something to plead for the children.

“I said enough!”

Surim turned to Delleah and spoke to her in Arabic. “I told you that in confidence. Is this how you treat such information?”

She looked stricken. It was well he knew this before their relationship moved any further. Trust was important to him. No matter what Delleah’s agenda, and he had a strong suspicion what that was, it did not excuse such a lapse.

“I misspoke. I apologize,” she said.

“If you will excuse me, I will deal with my cousins. You may return to the reception. Do not tell anyone of what went on here. Can I trust you this time?” He knew Annis listened, but didn’t care. She would be discreet. And his anger was growing that Delleah would deliberately try to force his hand by speaking in English in front of the children.

He was equally aware of Hamid and Alaya drawing closer to Melissa. She held the little boy on her lap now, soothing him. All three stared at him as if he were a stranger.

“As you wish, Surim,” Delleah said in a subdued voice. She turned and left without another word.

“What happened?” he asked Annis.

“The boy was screaming, I came in to waken him, but he was sound asleep, screaming. Ayyeee, it was terrible. Then miss came in and spoke to him in English and woke him up.”

“You speak English; why didn’t you talk to him in that language?”

“My English is not so good. And when I get upset, I forget it,” she said, her eyes downcast.