Diamond in the Desert

She was mad with herself. The very last thing she had intended when she first set out on this adventure was to be in awe of Sharif. She had come to rail at him, to demand answers, but now she was lost for words and all that seemed to matter was that they were together again. ‘You risked your life for me—’

‘I’m glad to see you up and well,’ he said, ignoring this. Removing his headdress fully, he cast the yards of heavy black silk aside.

‘I am very well, thanks to you.’

Dark eyes surveyed her keenly. ‘Do you have everything you need?’

As Sharif continued to hold her stare her throat seemed to close again. She felt horribly exposed in the flowing, flimsy gown and smoothed her hands self-consciously down the front of it.

‘Relax, Britt. We’re the same people we were in Skavanga.’

Were they? Just hearing his voice in these surroundings seemed so surreal.

‘You’ve had a terrible ordeal,’ he pointed out. ‘Why don’t you make the most of this break?’

‘Your Majesty, I—’

‘Please—’ he stopped her with the hint of a smile ‘—call me Sharif.’ He paused, and then added, ‘Of course, if you prefer, you can call me Emir.’

The laughter in his eyes was quickly shuttered when she drew herself up. ‘There are many things I’d like to call you, but Emir isn’t one of them,’ she assured him. ‘This might not be the time to air grievances—after all, you did save my life—’

‘But you’re getting heated,’ he guessed.

‘I am curious to know why you found it necessary to deceive me.’

‘I conduct my business discreetly.’

‘Discretion’s one thing—deception’s another.’

‘I never deceived you, Britt.’

‘You didn’t explain fully, did you? I still don’t know why you left in such a hurry.’

‘Things moved faster than I expected, and I wasn’t in a position to explain them to you.’

‘The Black Sheikh is held back? By whom?’

‘I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.’

‘Isn’t that taking loyalty too far?’

‘Loyalty can never be taken too far,’ Sharif assured her. ‘Just be satisfied that your sisters were not involved and that everything I’ve done has been for the sake of the company—’

‘And your deal.’

‘Obviously, the consortium is a consideration.’

‘I bet,’ she muttered. ‘I’m glad you find this amusing,’ she added, seeing his eyes glinting.

‘I don’t find it in the least amusing. When a company defaults on a payment risking the livelihoods of families who have worked for Skavanga Mining for generations, I did what I could to put things right as fast as I could, and while you were still in the air flying to Kareshi to see me.’

She knew this was true and blushed furiously beneath her veil. She was used to being on top of things—at work and with her sisters. She was also used to being told all the facts, and yet Sharif was holding something back for the sake of loyalty, he had implied—but loyalty to whom?

It hardly mattered. He wasn’t going to tell her, Britt realised with frustration. ‘Okay, I’m sorry. Maybe I did overreact, but it still doesn’t explain why you couldn’t have said something before you left the cabin.’

‘I’m not in the habit of explaining myself to anyone.’

‘You don’t say,’ she murmured.

‘It’s just how I am, Britt.’

‘Accountable to no one,’ she guessed.

The Black Sheikh dipped his head.

‘Well, whatever you’ve done, or haven’t done, thank you—’ She was on the point of thanking him again for saving her life, when Sharif held up his hands.

‘Enough, Britt. You don’t have to say it again.’ Glancing towards the curtained sleeping area, he added, ‘And you should take a rest.’

Her mind had been safely distracted from the sumptuous sleeping area up to now, and she stepped back, unconsciously putting some distance between herself and Sharif. She needed time to get her thoughts in order. Better do something mundane, she decided, drawing back the curtains. Task completed, she turned to face Sharif, who made her the traditional Kareshi greeting, touching his chest, his mouth and finally his brow.

‘It means peace,’ he said dryly. ‘And you really don’t have to stand in my presence, Britt.’