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Over her head, the equerry sent him a pained look, part apology, part sympathy.
Khaled was left to seethe. She’d snubbed him in every way possible. Breaking protocol by speaking to him before he’d addressed her, interrupting him, and then walking away instead of waiting politely for him to move off first.
And as he wrestled with which impertinence to be most offended by she presented him with the final insult: a view of her departing back.
His mouth went dry. From that angle it was as if the dazzling dress had vanished and there was nothing but delicate spine and endless bare flesh. A male guest leant in to hear something she’d said, placing his hand just where the fabric ended and her naked skin began.
Anger, jealousy and desire churned into a lethal cocktail, and a menacing, barely human sound rumbled up from Khaled’s chest.
Eleanor arrived beside him. ‘I know you two aren’t an item any more,’ she said. ‘But I do hope you haven’t said something to upset Lily?’
‘Meupsether?’ It took every atom of self-control he possessed to not tell his beloved, interfering mother to go to hell.
‘I wouldn’t want her evening spoiled. She’s been magnificent tonight. Everyone’s talking about her.’ Eleanor’s gaze rested on Lily. ‘Watching her work the room, you’d think she was born to it.’
Khaled snorted. ‘It’s only one night. Doing it day after day is the real test.’
‘Oh, I suspect Lily is a natural. She’s charming everyone.’
‘Not quite everyone,’ he muttered. ‘I’m sorry, but I’m required elsewhere. I’m expecting a call. I’ve made my apologies to Father.’
Her face fell. ‘But you’ve already worked so many hours today.’ She placed a hand on his arm. ‘Perhaps you could come back later for the firework display? It’s supposed to be particularly dramatic this year.’
Not if he could help it. He’d had his fill of drama for one evening.
An hour later, his call concluded, he sat alone in a darkened anteroom. Sprawled on a sofa, head thrown back, he was quietly fuming.
It had been a failed conversation and it was his fault. He’d been distracted and short-tempered when he should have been conciliatory and diplomatic. He hadn’t been able to focus. All he’d been able to think of was Lily in that stunning dress. Surrounded by men feasting their unworthy eyes on her, probably having the same lascivious thoughts he was. He couldn’t stand it.
He heard the finale of the evening getting under way in the parade ground. Every year local schoolchildren laid on a musical extravaganza for the King. Massed drums, pipers and scores of dancers performed traditional Nabhani songs. Afterwards fireworks would be set off from barges in the bay, for everyone across the city to enjoy. Guests and staff alike would be crowding into every vantage point, leaving most of the palace deserted.
Thank God for that, at least. He was in no mood for company.
A light step fell in the doorway.
He lifted his head to see a figure slipping into the room. In a shaft of lamplight from the courtyard he caught a flash of green silk and an expanse of pale skin.
Beneath his breath, he cursed.
Unaware she had an audience, Lily bent to slip off her shoes, groaning as her bare soles made contact with the marble tiles. There was such an erotic quality to the sound Khaled’s entire body tightened.
The drumming from the parade ground grew more thunderous, with the pipes picking up in a mesmerising melody, and—heaven help him—she began swaying her luscious behind in time with the rhythm. Her hands joined in, floating upwards. Her spine arched, her head fell back, and she abandoned herself to a sensuous dance that reignited every forbidden fantasy he’d had about this woman.
Another step sounded outside. A heavy tread. Male.
His gaze snapped to the doorway.
She was meeting someone. Right under his nose.
Not in this lifetime.
Blind jealousy propelled Khaled to his feet and across the room before his rational mind had time to stop him.
A hand across her mouth stifled the scream before Lily could make it. An arm lifted her clean off her feet as she was swept backwards to the rear exit of the room.
She struggled—until a growled, ‘Be still!’ identified her captor and her fear became righteous anger instead.
She’d slipped away from the party to have a few minutes in which she could stop smiling and pretending that her heart wasn’t breaking.
