AllFreeNovel
Share Us
At that moment Roji broke away from Zara and ran to him. Going down on his knee, Tariq met the five-year-old with open arms.
“Uncle Tariq, I rode my horse today.”
Tariq lifted the boy, who had already lost so much in his short life, into his arms. “You did?”
Roji nodded. “He leaned over the fence and touched me here.” Roji placed his hand on top of his head.
“He did? It must have thought you were something good to eat.” Tariq tickled Roji’s stomach, earning a giggle.
Tariq glanced at Laurel, who watched him intently. Seconds later Zara joined them. “Roji, leave your uncle alone. He is busy.”
“Zara, he was just telling me about his day.”
“You spoil him, Tariq. We take up too much of your time.”
“You and Roji are family and family always comes first.” Tariq meant that. He put Roji on his feet then said, “I wish you to meet Dr. Laurel Martin.”
Zara extend a hand and Laurel offered hers. “It is a pleasure. I am glad Tariq has found someone to love.” The women released hands. Zara looked at him. “Even though he kept you a secret.”
Laurel’s gaze met his. He gave her a reassuring smile. “Go with Zara. I must speak to someone and I will see you again in a few minutes.” He feared Laurel would balk but instead she went with Zara, who held Roji’s hand.
* * *
Laurel looked around her without truly seeing. It was far too overwhelming to take it all in. The beauty of the place, the vastness and the fact she would be married to Tariq in only minutes. She’d always been so practical until Tariq had entered her world and now she walked around in a daze as if she no longer understood her own mind. Here she was following some beautiful woman to put on clothes she’d never seen. Life had become surreal in a blink of an eye.
Zara pushed open the thick wooden door and entered. She motioned for Laurel to follow. “This is the royal lounge of the palace. We use it for these types of occasions and meeting dignitaries of state.”
The room had a high ceiling with whitewashed walls and a large stained-glass window. The light from the outside reflected colors off the wall, reminding Laurel of a kaleidoscope.
Zara didn’t add any confidence to her feeling of inadequacy. The tall, dark, willowy woman dressed in a perfectly tailored dress that flowed around her legs made Laurel feel self-conscious of how little attention she’d paid to her appearance in the last few years. Laurel admired Zara’s English, which was as flawless as Tariq’s. He and his sister-in-law shared a similar accent but Zara’s wasn’t near as sexy as Tariq’s. Having no Arabic in her vocabulary, Laurel felt at a disadvantage.
“These women are here to help me dress you.” Zara indicated the women standing at attention near a tall mirror. “Roji, I need you to play nicely. I brought you cars. They are in a bag over there.” She pointed across the room. The boy eagerly headed after them.
Laurel had watched the sweet moment between Tariq and Roji with a smile on her lips. The boy obviously adored his uncle and Tariq returned the admiration. How wrong she had been in her first impression of the lordly Prince. The more she learned about him, the more she found to appreciate. She had no doubt he would be a doting father. Her stomach took a dip. Why would she be having a thought like that? About him?
In an effort to gain some control in the situation Laurel said, “Princess, I don’t need help dressing.”
“Please, call me Zara. And I think you will be surprised.” She waved at the women and they moved behind a nearby screen.
Laurel nodded, sure that she wouldn’t be seeing Zara often enough to ever be on that friendly of terms.
One of the women returned with a long gown draped across her arm. It was made of a wispy fine cream fabric embroidered in tiny gold flowers. The other carried a matching headpiece.
Laurel’s breath caught. It was the most stunning piece of clothing she had ever seen, even in pictures.
Zara moved beside her. “It is beautiful, is it not? It was Tariq’s mother’s and hers before her. He wishes you to wear it.”
Tears filled Laurel’s eyes. If the guilt wasn’t heavy enough where her family was concerned, it was compounded now. After all, she and Tariq were frauds. They had his family believing this was real. It was wrong. Laurel shook her head. “I can’t wear that.”
Zara ignored Laurel’s words and took her hand. “Tariq waits. You must meet him in something besides what you have on. We will see how it fits.”
Over the next few minutes Laurel did little more than stand there as Zara and the women fussed over her, removing her clothes and replacing them with the elegant traditional costume. With great reverence Zara placed the headdress on Laurel. It covered most of her forehead, and the veil landed at her elbows.
Zara stepped back and studied her. “Perfect.”
The two women smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Now, come and see.” Zara led Laurel out to the mirror. She turned her around.
Laurel couldn’t believe the woman looking back at her was her. Where had that plain person gone? Laurel’s shoulders straightened. She not only looked beautiful but for the first time in a long time she felt it as well.
Zara gave her a light squeeze. “Tariq will see it too.”
Laurel wasn’t sure what that cryptic statement meant but she didn’t have time to ask before Zara announced, “It is time.” She hustled Laurel out of the room and back the way they had come. “I will walk with you to the door then I will leave you to meet Tariq by yourself.”
Laurel almost grabbed her hand and begged Zara not to abandon her. But how would that look for a bride to not want to meet her groom?
As they walked Zara whispered, “You are marrying a great man with a large heart. He has taken care of Roji and me since my husband, Rasheed, died. It was hard on Tariq as well, as they were the best of friends. Maybe now that you are in his life he will move on, not carry the pain so heavily. Not fear the disease will take all he loves.”
Laurel glanced at her. “Disease?”
“My husband had the bleeding disease. He was in a car accident and they did not find him in time. Now enough of the sad talk. It is a happy day. I leave you now to go to Tariq.”
Laurel stopped as Zara hurried to the front of the room where seats were set in rows. When Laurel no longer heard the clip of her shoes she forced herself to take a step forward. Tariq stood tall and strong ahead of her, looking so sure while she was a puddle of insecurity. He’d exchanged his headdress for a gold one. His gaze captured hers as he extend a hand. On shaking legs and with trembling hands, she walked toward her make-believe groom.
Not soon enough for Laurel, the ceremony was almost over. She wasn’t sure she could have remained standing if it hadn’t been for Tariq holding her securely to him. For that she was grateful. Finally, the moment she hadn’t let herself think about arrived. Tariq turned her to face him. His gaze meet hers, held, then questioned. With an expression so serious it was as if he had made a decision of state, his mouth slowly found hers.
She assumed it would be a peck just for show, and it was at first. Yet with exquisite gentleness their kiss turned into a joining that sent warmth cascading throughout her body to leave a throb of desire deep within her. She returned it. Too soon, Tariq pulled away. Laurel’s eyes rose to meet his. Satisfaction that reminded her too closely of Larry’s look when he’d climbed out of bed and announced he was done with her filled Tariq’s eyes. He had been testing her?
As they ended the ceremony, she said, “May I see the lab now?”
His lips thinned as his jaw hardened. Had she hurt his feelings? How? They had agreed this was in name only.
“As soon as I introduce you to my family and change. You look lovely, by the way.” But the words seemed stiff, as if he was forcing himself to say them.
It stung. What would it feel like to have
a man like Tariq actually believe she was pretty? “Thank you. The gown is beautiful. I hope I didn’t shame it by wearing it for this type of marriage.”
“Enough of that talk. We must meet my family.”
Tariq led her to the small group of people assembled a few steps away.
Zara gave Laurel a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Your Majesty.” Tariq bowed his head before both men stepped into a hug, slapping each other on the back. Was this the same serious Tariq who’d had such a fortress around him just moments ago? She was having a difficult time meshing the two.
