Susan Mallery - The Sheik And The Christmas Bride

“Three pretty girls,” As’ad told Kayleen. “We’re going to have to watch them closely. There will be boys at these parties.”

“Am I pretty, too?” Pepper asked. Her eyes were big and she sounded doubtful, as if expecting a negative answer.

Kayleen remembered Darlene’s harsh assessment and wanted to bonk her mother on the head for it.

As’ad crouched in front of the little girl. “You are more than pretty. You are a classic beauty. Never doubt yourself. You are to be a princess.”

Pepper smiled widely. “When I’m a princess can I chop off people’s heads if they’re mean to me?”

As’ad choked back a laugh and straightened. “No, but you will have other powers.” He took Kayleen’s hand. “We must leave. Be good tonight.”

“We will,” Nadine told him.

Kayleen waved as they left. This being a palace, there was always someone to babysit.

They walked the length of the long corridor, then went down a flight of stairs. Once on the main floor, they joined the milling crowd walking toward the ballroom.

While Kayleen had toured the palace many times, she’d never seen the ballroom anything but empty. She was unprepared for the thousands of lights glittering from dozens of massive chandeliers or perfectly set tables set around a large dance floor.

The room was like something out of a movie. Well-dressed couples chatted and danced and sipped champagne. She’d never seen so many jewels in her life. Each dress was more beautiful than the one before, each man more handsome. As they walked into the ballroom, she waited for the sense of not belonging to sweep over her. She waited to feel awkward or out of place. Instead there was only contentment and the knowledge that she belonged here.

The burst of confidence bubbled inside of her, as if she’d already had too much champagne. She enjoyed the sensation, knowing this was her world now. She would marry a wonderful man and together they would adopt the girls. In time she would have children of her own.

As’ad led her to the dance floor, then pulled her into his arms. “Now what are you thinking?” he asked.

“That I’m Cinderella and I’ve finally arrived at the ball.”

“So you leave me at midnight?”

She stared into his eyes. “I’ll never leave you.”

He stared back. “Good. I do not wish you to go. I need you, Kayleen. I will always need you.”

Happiness filled her until she felt as if she could float. The music was perfect, as was the night. They danced until the king arrived, then As’ad led her around and introduced her to several of the guests.

The sound of loud laughter caught her attention. She turned and saw Darlene leaning against a much older, heavyset man. The man’s attention seemed locked on her barely covered chest.

“The Spanish ambassador?” Kayleen asked As’ad.

“Yes. Do you wish to meet him?”

“Not especially.”

He watched Darlene. “So that is who she has chosen?”

“Apparently.”

“He’s very rich, but alas, he is married. His wife does not accompany him when he travels.”

Married? Kayleen looked at her mother. Did Darlene know?

“I should tell her,” she said.

He frowned. “Why?”

“Because she’s looking for security in her old age and he’s obviously not the way to find it.”

“Do you care what happens to her?”

“She’s my mother. I can’t not care.” Which didn’t mean she’d changed her mind. She still wanted her mother gone. Not that she’d figured out how to make her go.

“I think it is time I dance with my new sister.”

Kayleen turned and saw Qadir, As’ad’s brother, standing next to her.

“Assuming you don’t mind,” Qadir told As’ad.

“One dance and don’t flirt.”

Qadir laughed. “I flirt as easily as I breathe. Are you so worried that I will steal her away?”

“A man always guards what is precious to him.”

Kayleen held in a sigh. “Flirt away,” she told Qadir. “My heart belongs to your brother.”

“Then he is a lucky man.” Qadir led her to the dance floor. “You are beautiful tonight.”

“Just tonight? Am I usually a troll?”

He laughed. “So this is what has charmed my brother. There’s a brain.”

“I have all my organs. Unusual, but there we are.”

He laughed again. They chatted about the party and the guests. Qadir told her outrageous stories about several people, including a rumor about an English duchess who complained about not being allowed to bring her dog to the event.

When the dance was finished, Kayleen excused herself. Qadir was nice enough, but not the person she wanted to spend the evening with.

She walked around the edge of the room, and saw As’ad speaking with her mother.

“That can’t be good,” she muttered to herself and crossed the room to where they were standing.

“You will leave,” As’ad said as Kayleen approached.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Darlene told him. “The girl is my daughter. Who are you to come between her and her family?”

“A man who is willing to pay you to leave.”

Kayleen caught her breath. No. As’ad couldn’t do that. It wasn’t right. She moved forward, but neither of them noticed her.

“You will not see her again,” he continued. “If she contacts you herself, that is fine, but you will not have contact with her directly without her permission.”

“So many rules.” Darlene smiled. “That’ll cost you.”

“I would think a million dollars would be enough.”

“Oh, please. Not even close. I want five.”

“Three.”

“I’ll take four and you’ll consider it a bargain.”

The room went still. Oh, sure, people were dancing and talking and Kayleen was confident the orchestra kept playing, but she couldn’t hear anything except the conversation of the two people in front of her.

“I’ll wire the money as soon as you get me an account number,” he said.

“I can give it to you tonight.” Darlene patted his arm. “You really care for her. That’s sweet.”

“She is to be my wife.”

“So I hear. You know she’s in love with you.”

Kayleen’s breath caught.

“I know.” As’ad spoke quietly, confidently.

“I’ll bet that makes things real easy for you,” Darlene said.

“It does.”

Her mother tilted her head. “You think she’s foolish enough to think you love her back?”

“You are not to tell her otherwise.”

“Of course not.” Darlene smiled again. “But I think I should be allowed to keep the dress and the jewelry then. As a token of goodwill.”

“As you wish.”

“Then she’ll never hear the truth from me.”

Kayleen didn’t remember leaving the party, but she must have. When she finally looked around, she was in the garden-the one place she always seemed to retreat to. It was mostly in shadow, with lights illuminating the path. She wandered around, her body aching, her eyes burning, neither of which compared to the pain in her heart.

As’ad didn’t love her. While he’d never specifically said he cared, she’d allowed herself to believe.

“I’m a fool,” she said aloud.

He’d dismissed feelings as nothing more than a convenience. He’d admitted that their marriage would be easier for him, because of her feelings. He was using her. Nothing about their engagement mattered to him. She didn’t matter to him.

She hurt. Her whole body ached. Each breath was an effort. She wanted to cry, but she was too stunned.

Her hopes and dreams continued to crumble around her, leaving her standing in a pile of dusty “what could have been.” She’d thought she’d found where she belonged, where she could matter and make a difference. She’d thought so many things. But in As’ad’s mind, she was little more than a comfy ottoman, where he could rest his feet. Useful, but not of any great interest.

She turned, trying to figure out where to go, what to do. Light caught her engagement ring and made it sparkle. She’d been such a fool, she thought bitterly. So stupidly innocent and naive about everything. Her mother had been right-why on earth would a man like As’ad be interested in a country mouse like herself? She’d wrapped herself in the fantasy because it was what she wanted to believe. Because it was easier than accepting the truth.

She heard a sound and looked up. One of the doves shifted in its cage. Willingly trapped because they either didn’t understand they could be free or weren’t interested. They took the easy way out, too.

Anger joined a sadness so profound, she knew it would scar her forever. Because whatever mistakes she’d made, she truly did love As’ad. She always would. But she didn’t belong here. She couldn’t stay and marry a man who didn’t love her.

That decided, she made her way into the palace. Her mother’s door stood partially open. Kayleen stepped inside without knocking to find her mother supervising two maids who were packing her suitcases. Darlene had already changed out of her evening gown into an elegant pantsuit. When she saw her daughter, she smiled.

“Oh, good. You stopped by. That saves me writing a note. Look, I’m leaving-just like you said I should. I’ve had a great time. I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to get to know each other better. Next time you’re back in the States, you’ll need to look me up.”

Everything about her was false, Kayleen thought emotionlessly. From her bleached hair to her fake smiles.

“You’re leaving because As’ad is paying you four million dollars,” Kayleen told her. “I heard the conversation.”

“Then you know I got what I came for. A secure future. It’s not a fortune, but I know how to invest. I’ll live well enough and maybe find someone to supplement my excesses. It doesn’t compare with your haul, of course, but we can’t all be that lucky.”

Lucky. Right. To fall in love with a man who didn’t care about her.