The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride (5 page)

Rafiq nodded to the guard posted outside Belle’s hospital room.

`Your Highness.’ A doctor hurried forward. Ì‘m afraid Ms Winters is sleeping now. You may wish to return later.’

`Then it will be a short visit,’ Rafiq replied, moving forward as the guard opened the door.

He didn’t pause to analyze this compulsion to see her.

All day he’d done his duty. Touring sites on the outer islands hit by the cyclone. Organizing the deployment of resources for disaster relief. Meeting with the Cabinet and national security advisors to assess the political fall out from the kidnappings and receive briefings on the search for those responsible. Each meeting, each need, more urgent than the last.

Now he did something purely for himself. Something he’d wanted to do ever since he’d relinquished Belle Winters into the charge of the medics on the helicopter. He breathed deeply and entered her room.

Shutters softened the late afternoon light, reinforcing the quiet.

Immediately his gaze fixed on the narrow, hospital regulation bed in the centre of one wall. Bright blonde hair framed a face that was far too pale. Her eyes were closed and she lay unmoving under the white cotton sheet.

Rafiq’s heart thudded hard against his ribcage. Surely she was too still? He couldn’t discern any movement, not even her breathing.

He strode across the room as the doctor murmured from behind him, `She’s been asleep for hours, Highness. She may not wake until tomorrow. We can contact you when she does.’

Rafiq stopped at the bedside, hands clasped tight behind his back.

It was a gesture he’d learned years ago from his grandfather. There were times when a man needed to take action. But a royal sheikh must always appear calm, unmoved.

So Rafiq schooled his expression as he stood looking down at her, skimming his gaze over the form that seemed so fragile, so unprotected, beneath the starched sheet. Finally he discerned the gentle rise of her chest as she inhaled, and the tension gripping him eased a fraction.

Of course she was alive. What had he thought? That the medical staff didn’t know their jobs? Exhaustion, they’d said. Exposure and dehydration. But not severe enough to be life threatening.

She’d been lucky.

Rafiq considered the bandages on her wrists, the blistered skin of her shoulders, the drip attached to her arm, the vulnerability of her slight form.

His hands clenched into tight fists as a surge of adrenaline flooded him. Hot fury twisted low in his belly as he contemplated the men who’d done this to her.

Lucky!

She was indeed lucky to be alive. Lucky her captors hadn’t returned to the island for a little sport. Lucky they’d decided to let their victims die an ugly, lingering death from thirst rather than finish them off with a blade to the throat. Or worse.

Lucky the gang’s ringleader hadn’t taken part in the kidnapping personally. Selim al Murnah was a connoisseur of cruelty. A man who wouldn’t miss an opportunity to indulge his sick whims on such a lovely woman.

The idea of Belle at Selim’s mercy was revolting. The bitter taste of bile rose in Rafiq’s throat as he recognized how narrowly she’d escaped death and torture.

His gaze roved her features, so familiar after such a short time. Her golden hair, her straight, determined nose, the sculpted, bone deep beauty of her face. Her lips cracked and dry, but undeniably seductive. A mouth created to please a man. A courtesan’s mouth.

A mouth that had tempted him, haunted him, since he’d first seen her in the glare of the torchlight half naked, beyond exhausted, and heartbreakingly brave.

`Highness?’ The murmured word made him start. He turned his head to meet the worried frown of the doctor.

`Very well.’ Rafiq inclined his head. Ì see you’re doing all you can for Ms. Winters. Be assured of my gratitude. She and Mr.

MacDonald are important guests. Keep me informed of their progress.’

The doctor nodded. Òf course, Highness.’

As Rafiq turned to leave something caught his eye. A tentative movement against the stark sheet. He looked across to see her brow pucker, her eyes slowly open. Something caught at his throat, restricting his breathing, as he watched recognition spark in her gaze, her eyes widen.

`You came,’ she whispered, her voice a hoarse whisper. At the sound of it some of the stiffness across his neck and shoulders melted.

He reached down and took her hand in his, squeezing gently, as if he could transfer some of his strength to her. Her hand was slim, cool, frighteningly limp within his grasp.

Òf course I came, little one. You didn’t think I’d abandon you?’

She didn’t answer, just stared up at him from those mesmerizing azure eyes. The impact of that look struck him in the solar plexus, sending a jolt of sizzling sensation through him. Then her eyelids flickered shut and her hand went lax in his. If I may, Highness?’

Reluctantly Rafiq relinquished Belle’s hand to the doctor, and stepped back while he took her pulse.

`She’s fine,’ the doctor said after a moment, answering his unspoken question. `Merely sleeping.’ He paused. `Perhaps she will rest better after seeing Your Highness? She seemed to take comfort from your presence.’

There was the faintest trace of speculation in his well modulated tones. But Rafiq knew enough about his people and the power of speculation to be prepared.

Ì was one of the team who found Mr. MacDonald and Ms Winters,’ he explained. Ì‘d be surprised if they didn’t recognize us.’

Às you say.’ The doctor gestured for Rafiq to precede him out of the room. Ìt would be remarkable indeed.’

Rafiq resisted the urge to turn, to look again at Belle. Instead he followed the doctor out into the corridor.

Duncan McDonald’s room was identical to Belle’s, but the shutters were open, letting in late afternoon sun that lit his red hair to flame. His leg was in traction, his arm connected to a drip and his chest bandaged. He’d been injured while trying to protect Belle Winters from the abductors.

A brave man. So why was Rafiq reluctant to meet him?

He crossed the room and waited while the doctor performed the introductions.

`Mr. MacDonald, it’s ‘gratifying to see you looking so much better.’

`Your Highness.’ Duncan paused, as so many Westerners did over the title. Ì must thank you. I understand you were responsible for our rescue?’

`There’s no need for thanks, Mr. MacDonald. We are simply glad you and Ms Winters are now safe.

`Belle! How is she?’ There was no mistaking the desperate edge in the other man’s voice.

`Ms Winters is sleeping. The doctor assures me she will recover completely.’

Duncan slumped back against the pillows and sighed. Ì feel responsible for her.’

Rafiq knew how he felt. At least MacDonald had the solace of knowing he’d done his best to protect her. It was for Rafiq to feel the full weight of guilt, since he was the ultimate cause of their danger. That realization was like a canker, eating at his peace.

Òn behalf of all Q’aroumis, may I express our deep regret at this terrible incident? Our security forces are scouring the country even now in search of your kidnappers.’

`They’ll be tried?’

Òf course.’ Rafiq’s smile was grim. `We no longer administer rough justice in Q’aroum. You can look forward to testifying at the legal proceedings against them.’

Duncan MacDonald nodded. Ìf you catch them.’

Òh, they’ll be caught.’ He’d see to it personally. Selim and his followers would be hunted down like rabid dogs. They wouldn’t escape justice after what they’d done.

Rafiq stifled the urge to pace. Political dissent was one thing. But violent plots couldn’t be tolerated. The kidnapping was part of Selim’s wider scheme to destabilize Q’aroum’s democratic system.

He hid behind extremist ideology but sought only personal power.

Ìf you hadn’t turned up when you did-‘ Duncan MacDonald began, but Rafiq cut him off with an impatient gesture. He didn’t want MacDonald’s thanks.

`You’d have survived. I’m sure Ms. Winters would have seen to it.

She’s a remarkable woman.’

Yet he knew how close the search had come to missing that one small atoll. Just as well he’d insisted on taking a personal role in the operation. His inside knowledge of Selim, his second cousin, had helped concentrate the search in the right area. If it hadn’t been for that…

`Tell me,’ he said, focusing again on the man before him. Ìs there anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable?’

`Well, there is one thing.’ Duncan MacDonald hesitated. `My girlfriend doesn’t have a visa for Q’aroum, and I know they take weeks to process.’

Rafiq felt his facial muscles stretch wide as he smiled. His first genuine smile since this business began; So MacDonald had a girlfriend back home in Britain.

Ì‘ll have it organized immediately.’ He paused, as if considering.

`We must ask Ms Winters when she wakes whether she has a similar request.’

Duncan MacDonald shook his head. `No need. Belle doesn’t have a boyfriend waiting at home for her.’

Ah. Now, that was interesting.

Belle sank back gratefully against the limousine’s soft leather seat.

At last she was on her way.

After three days in hospital she’d been climbing the walls with impatience. But the medical staff had been insistent she mustn’t leave until they were sure there were no complications, until she’d recovered her strength. Anyone would think they’d had orders to keep her immured there. It had only been when she’d threatened to leave without a formal discharge that the doctor had agreed to release her.

And now this. She surveyed the sumptuous interior of the vehicle with a frown. Surely an ordinary taxi would have done? She wasn’t a VIP.

She stared out of the window as the engine purred into life and they swept out of the hospital forecourt. She should be excited at the prospect of returning to her lodgings. Of resuming work again.

After all, she’d made marine archaeology the centre of her life for years now was just starting to build a modest reputation as an up-and-coming researcher in her field.

There was so much to catch up on. She’d call the maritime archaeology centre and discuss a replacement for Duncan. And she’d better check the wreck site to see if the cyclone had damaged the ship or covered it again. It had been in remarkable condition for a vessel that had been underwater for two millennia. She couldn’t bear the thought of it being destroyed just as they found it.

And tonight she’d make another long call home, to reassure her mum. Then a hot, soothing bath. Bliss!

She shifted on the padded seat. Why wasn’t she more excited to be on her way? There was a niggle of tension in the pit of her stomach that she’d tried to ignore ever since she’d left her hospital room. A niggle that had grown alarmingly into a tight, hard knot of fear.

Fear that alone in the expedition team’s house she might not be safe. That masked men might burst in, brandishing guns.

She’d relived the nightmare of abduction so often that she could barely believe it was over. Surely it was over? The doctor had spoken of political strife, had implied she and Duncan had been merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet still the anxiety lingered.

Belle wondered if she’d ever lose it.

She stared out at the brightly lit streets, finding some comfort in the quaint and vibrant old city. They passed a huge square where the colorful night markets were in full swing. She loved the medieval town, with its maze of streets and its unexpected open spaces.

The car took a sharp corner and Belle looked up to see the palace, illuminated like a fairytale castle. It reminded her of long buried fantasies. Of Arabian nights and genies and magic carpets. On two sides, facing the sea, it was a brooding fortress, its centuries old walls a solid bastion against invaders’ cannon. But from this side the royal buildings were an Arabian fantasy: gardens and fountains, pavilions, gilt domes, arches, and screens adorned with delicate carved tracery.

`Hey, you can’t go in here!’ Belle scooted forward on her seat as the car turned into the private palace road.

The driver ignored her, pulling to a halt at the ornate iron gates barring their way. A man in uniform stepped out of the shadows and spoke briefly to the chauffeur. Then, to Belle’s amazement, he waved them on as the gates slid open.

`What are you doing?’ Her voice was husky with disbelief. `This isn’t where I’m going.’

The driver’s voice was calm. Ì was told to bring you here, ma’am.

There’s no mistake.’

She sank back in her seat, her heart thudding as the car proceeded towards the palace. As the lights grew closer, and her pulse raced faster, Belle forced herself to face the only logical explanation she’d been brought here to meet him. The man she’d known as Rafiq. Who had turned out to be a royal prince, ruler of Q’aroum.

The man she’d spent the last few days trying to forget.

The man who’d seen her at her weakest, who’d recognized her despair and comforted her with his body and his soothing words.

Who knew her vulnerability and her needs almost better than she did. Who’d read the raw, physical hunger in her eyes when she’d looked at him and had been repelled by it.

She swallowed. Did she have any hope of avoiding this interview?

Of course she didn’t.

The car slid to a halt and a man in long pale robes came forward to open the door for her. Quickly she smoothed her hair, ignoring the fine tremor in her hands. She was hardly dressed for a royal interview but then, what was new? At least this time she was dressed. She tilted her chin up, hoping bravado would overcome embarrassment.

Rafiq al Akhtar had saved her life, and she owed him her thanks. It would be humiliating, facing him, reading the knowledge in his eyes, but it would soon be over. And then she’d never have to see him again.

`Masa’a alkair, Ms Winters. Good evening. You are welcome.’ It was Dawud, the man who’d brought Duncan back to safety. He looked different, in flowing robes and a turban. She wondered if he wore his knife concealed beneath the swathed cotton.

`Masa’a alkair, Dawud.’