Scandal: His Majesty's Love-Child

‘He and Jasmine…You remember Jasmine?’

Tahir nodded. His eldest brother had been besotted by her when he was eighteen.

‘He’s given up the throne to marry her and they’ve gone back to Qais to live.’ At Tahir’s stare he continued. ‘Jasmine can’t have children, and Kareef knows it’s the King’s duty to produce an heir.’ He shrugged. ‘You know how seriously he takes matters of duty.’

Tahir sank back against his pillows, absorbing this astonishing news. ‘Looks like you’ve got a change of lifestyle ahead of you, big brother.’ He’d seen a few articles about Rafiq’s phenomenal business success in Australia. ‘You’ll have to move back here permanently. When do you take up the role of monarch?’

Rafiq paused before replying. He paused long enough to make Tahir frown again. That inkling of something wrong was back again, stronger than ever.

‘That’s one of the things I need to talk to you about.’ There was no laughter lurking in his eyes now. ‘I’m refusing the crown too, and moving back to Australia. Giving up the crown for love seems to be a family trait.’

‘I don’t believe it.’ What sort of mess had he walked into?

‘Believe it, Tahir. And as for the reason the doctor keeps calling you sire…? That would be because you’re now King of Qusay.’

CHAPTER SEVEN

TIREDNESS took its toll and Annalisa’s pace slowed as she walked along the wide esplanade in the capital, Shafar. She’d started out briskly from her aunt’s house, needing to walk off her excess energy.

Her lips twisted ruefully. It wasn’t excess energy but shock at the news she’d just received.

Yet part of her had expected it. Ever since she’d missed her period. Lately there’d been nausea, and a slight tingling in her breasts when she crossed her arms.

She’d thrust from her mind hints that her body was changing, telling herself it was the whirl of organising her overseas trip that had thrown her system out of balance.

What other cause could there be for her unaccustomed moping, her keen sense of distress?

A shudder marched down her spine at how wrong she’d been about Tahir. She’d known they were from separate worlds. Yet she’d believed herself…connected to him.

She told herself grief had made her turn to him for comfort. Wasn’t she glad he’d shown his true colours? The return of his memory had revealed a man vastly different from the one she’d thought she’d known.

Demanding, dissatisfied, selfish.

She swallowed a knot of rising pain and stared dazedly towards the huge ornate gates set in the wall just ahead.

It didn’t matter that their night together had been the most wonderful experience of her life. Was one night with an arrogant stranger, albeit a heart-stoppingly magical lover, worth the price she paid?

Her hand slipped across her flat stomach. It felt hollow because she’d been unable to face breakfast.

She’d imagined having children after marrying a man she loved. She mightn’t be a traditional Qusani woman, but neither had she dreamed of being a single parent.

More than ever she felt the loss of her beloved parents and her grandfather. Her cousins were kind and caring, but they’d be shocked to the core by her news.

She shook her head, rocked by the emotions bombarding her. Excitement, fear, confusion and renewed grief.

Putting a hand to the wall beside her, she braced herself, fighting nausea as her stomach roiled.

It will be all right. Women have babies all the time.

Yet Annalisa felt bereft and shockingly alone.

‘Are you all right, my dear?’ The gentle voice made her turn her head.

A few metres away a silver limousine had stopped across the pavement, before turning into the massive open gates. In the back seat sat an older woman, with a severe yet chic hairstyle, gentle eyes and a fortune in pearls.

Hastily Annalisa straightened.

‘Thank you,’ she said, a flush scorching her throat. She felt exposed, as if she’d inadvertently displayed her private fears and worry. ‘I’m fine.’

The woman regarded her carefully. ‘If you’ll forgive me, you don’t look well. You’re pale. Were you on your way to the palace? Did you have an appointment?’

Annalisa’s head jerked round at her mention of the palace. She’d been so absorbed she’d barely noticed which way she’d walked. Now, through the ceremonial gates, she saw the royal enclosure’s majestic gardens and the massive domed palace roof.

Her stomach tumbled over. Had she subconsciously come this way because of Tahir? What were the chances of him still being here? It was more than a month since…