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And George would have a powerful ally against Khaled’s reforms in the shape of the conservative King of Qaydar.
‘I’ll leave you to ponder on that. Perhaps we could meet later, to discuss what you’ve decided? Shall we say before dinner this evening?’
Without waiting for a response, George ended the call.
First the theft. Now this. Hyde-Wallace was using whatever means he could to try and control Khaled.
As for Lily...
So be it. It was a passing infatuation anyway.
And that stab of anguish at the thought of letting her go? That would pass, too.
He’d make it appear that their affair had ended. Suggest they’d had a falling-out. A terminal one. But while the theft remained unresolved it would be safer if she stayed in Nabhan. He’d leave her in the palace with his family, say that she was staying on as a guest of his mother and sisters while he removed himself from the country.
He wasn’t due in New York for another three weeks. But there was little in his diary before then that he couldn’t just as easily do using New York or London as his base. It was almost a month before he’d need to return for his father’s anniversary party. A month ought to do it.
He swept up the phone again, to instruct Sabir to make the arrangements.
He was leaving for Europe tonight.
‘No bones broken, young lady. It’s just a sprain and should mend in a few days.’ The doctor gathered his bag, getting ready to leave Lily’s suite. ‘Alternate ice and heat to help with the swelling, and walk as much as you can, hmm? Use that if necessary.’ He pointed to the crutch just delivered from the palace sick bay.
Lily wondered if he could have so easily prescribed something for her other symptoms. The racing heart, the breathlessness, the feeling that she was on the edge of a precipice and could just as easily fly as fall...
Why,whyhad she been so stupid as to kiss Khaled again? Because now she could think of nothing else. Her plan for revenge had seriously backfired.
She left the twins, who were busy organising ice packs and footstools for her neatly bandaged ankle, and hobbled to the bathroom, to change and wash away the grime from the beach.
When she re-emerged, she found Eleanor had arrived and Amal was excitedly recounting the details of her accident.
‘Khaled brought her back on his horse.’
Eleanor’s eyes glowed. ‘On Mu’tazz? Oh, that is romantic.’
Eager to change the subject, Lily said, ‘Hanan mentioned you’re having a beach barbecue tonight. That sounds lovely. I hope I can get there?’
‘Don’t worry—Khaled can carry you!’ Hanan sniggered.
‘If he joins us at all. Girls, why don’t you go and invite him? You might be able to persuade him.’ Eleanor’s indulgent smile for her daughters became wistful. ‘We know he’ll work all evening otherwise.’
‘I’ll go,’ Lily said, reaching for the crutch.
‘Are you sure, dear? He’ll be in his office. It’s quite a walk.’
‘The doctor said I should try to use the ankle.’
She took a few tentative steps. With the crutch it wasn’t so hard. Either way, she needed to move.
She felt so restless. A thrilling image of Khaled carrying her to the beach had come too easily to mind. She knew precisely how it felt to be in arms, how easily he could lift her, the potent strength of him.
She stabbed the crutch down. Ridiculous to be salivating over how strong he was when she should be remembering the pertinent facts in all this. He’d used her to force another monarch back to the negotiating table so he could wring better terms from the man.
Even so, she was ashamed of how she’d behaved this afternoon. Playing the same trick on him he’d used on her didn’t make things right. She needed to apologise.
But she’d badly overestimated how far she could walk. By the time she reached the office suites her ankle was in agony. It must have shown on her face. The guard on the door took pity on her, leading her straight into Khaled’s office.
It was empty, though she was assured the Prince had only stepped out for a moment. On his desk sat an open laptop and a scatter of papers.
