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‘Shocked? Their ruling Sheikh is producing children two at a time? I should hope they’re rejoicing. We’re well on our way to founding a dynasty.
‘Joke?’ he said dryly when Lucy looked at him with concern. ‘Let the world believe what it will.’ He turned serious. ‘The main thing for me is my children’s health and happiness. Am I supposed to hide the fact that I’m delighted by the imminent arrival of twins?’
‘No, of course not,’ Lucy agreed faintly, except she didn’t appear to be included in his plans. A new fire was burning in Razi’s eyes. Since he’d discovered he was to be a father of two children his protective instincts were firing on all cylinders—and God help anyone who got in his way, including Lucy Tennant.
She couldn’t have been more surprised or delighted at the immediacy with which Razi had acknowledged their babies, but on the reverse side of that coin was the fact that Razi was a king and leader of a country, and while acknowledging their children was more than she had expected it meant living life on his terms, which in turn meant yielding her freedom, especially as she was not expecting twins. And if that wasn’t right for her, how could it be right for her babies?
‘This is the late sheikh’s palace,’ Razi explained, slowing the Jeep in front of some towering golden gates. ‘Until my new eco-palace is ready for occupation I’m afraid both I and my guest will have to put up with some unrestrained splendour.’
It was hard if not impossible to remain immune to Razi’s upbeat mood. ‘I’ll do my best,’ Lucy responded. But the joke was quickly over. They still had discussions ahead of them and the black-robed attendants with curving scimitars glinting at their sides didn’t exactly reassure her.
‘Welcome to the Palace of Bling unbridled,’ Razi commented dryly as they passed beneath a golden arch. He drove on down a broad avenue that glittered as if it had been sprinkled with gold dust.
For all she knew, it had, Lucy realised, feeling another jolt to her confidence.
‘Quartz crystals in the mix make the surface sparkle,’ Razi explained.
There were glorious banks of flowers either side of this glittering highway,
but what really claimed her attention was the massive structure rising in front of them like something out of the Arabian Nights. There were pink towers and white minarets standing like bookends either side of jewelled cupolas of beaten gold. If she’d been a tourist she would have been overwhelmed—she was still overwhelmed, but the last of her courage had just drained away and everything began to swim before her eyes. She felt faint and sick, knowing she didn’t belong, that she could never belong and that the discussions ahead of her could only be disastrous.
‘Modest, hmm?’ Razi murmured dryly. ‘But I call it home.
‘Lucy?’
Grabbing hold of her, Razi pulled into the side. ‘Drink,’ he insisted passing her some water and turning the airconditioning on full.
‘Sorry, I just felt—’
‘You don’t have to apologise,’ he insisted, still with his arm around her. ‘I understand this must be overwhelming for you.’ He waited until she had drunk the water and then pointed out of the window. ‘I’m going to open it to the public. What do you think?’
Of walls studded with sparkling jewels—or formidable battlements decorated with pennants bearing his royal insignia? ‘It’s too much to take in,’ she admitted, breathing a sigh of wonder.
‘I’m going to use this palace to showcase our heritage. There will be a museum, as well as an art gallery—and we’ll hold concerts,’ he added with a grin that carved a place in her heart. ‘You’ll like that,’ he teased. ‘Karaoke?’ he reminded her.
She bit back tears and smiled as if everything were wonderful, but Razi made her want so much—too much.
‘Feeling better?’ he confirmed. ‘Ready to go on now?’
She nodded her head and sat up, tilting her chin to show her determination. She would have to get used to these bouts of weakness as well as the pangs of longing, Lucy concluded as Razi drove them the last hundred yards.
He parked up in front of a wide sweep of marble steps and then came round to help her out before the attendants even had chance to reach her door. He lifted her down and steadied her on her feet in front of him. ‘Don’t look so worried,’ he murmured, touching her face, seemingly oblivious to the phalanx of soldiers lining up as a guard of honour. ‘You’ve had quite a day.’
‘And so have you,’ she pointed out, starting to feel queasy again.
‘Let me get you in the shade,’ he said, ushering her forward.
Razi guided her down vaulted corridors packed with treasures. She couldn’t even begin to take in such a wealth of gold and jewels and fabulous art. It would take a lifetime of visits, Lucy concluded. They came to a halt in front of an intricately decorated golden door. ‘The harem,’ Razi explained, holding the door for her. ‘No, really,’ he insisted when she looked at him in surprise. ‘Though these days you’re the only occupant—maybe I should do something about that…’ His lips quirked. ‘Triplets next time?’
There wouldn’t be a next time. She understood he was only being kind. They’d discuss practicalities and then she’d go home. She didn’t belong here. But at least it was cooler in the splendid golden room, though her cheeks quickly heated up when she noticed the erotic murals on the walls: beautiful women with sloe eyes and full, ruby lips, and handsome men with brooding faces. How could Razi settle for her? Not that he would. That had never been on the cards.
He led the way across a magnificent marble floor and through an archway that led into an inner courtyard where cooling breezes and a shimmering fountain added to the relaxing ambience. He suggested she sit on a gilded bench beneath the shade of a glorious jacaranda tree frosted with frowsy pink blossom. She didn’t need much persuading. The fat velvet cushions looked so inviting. But when she sat down and Razi joined her he took her hands in the type of grip a person used when they were about to tell you something you really didn’t want to hear. ‘Why do I think this is going to be bad?’
‘At a guess? You’ve just had the most stunning news of your life, and your emotions are all over the place?’
But by keeping hold of her Razi wasn’t helping her concerns. The fine stone fretwork blurred as she stared straight ahead, not wanting to hear anything he had to say. But she couldn’t silence him.
‘I want you to know everything, so you’re protected from cruel gossip and innuendo. There was a marriage contract—Let me finish,’ he insisted when she jerked away from him.
