Why did the idea of Laurel leaving before she had given them time to get acquainted make his gut clench? He should concentrate on something besides her. “We are passing the state entrance, where we were earlier. It is only used for visiting dignitaries.”
“And, apparently, weddings,” Laurel murmured.
“The main family entrance is on the west side of the palace. The King and his family have one on the east.”
She craned her neck to look up. “How many people live here?”
“There are over a hundred staff members. Each member of the royal family has their own apartments.”
Nasser turned under an archway into a courtyard and pulled to a stop in front of the door. Tariq helped Laurel out of the car. “Welcome, Princess.”
The shocked look on her face made him chuckle. “I see you had not thought of that. Yes, you are considered a princess now.” He cupped her cheek briefly. “I think you will make a lovely one.”
Stunned, Laurel walked into the cool of the palace entrance. The tingle of Tariq’s caress still lingered. Her fingertips brushed briefly over the spot he had touched. What was this reaction she was having to him? It needed to go away.
Her heart had broken for Tariq earlier when she had discovered what he hadn’t wanted to reveal—his guilt. What an unnecessary weight he carried. The self-contained man didn’t want her sympathy, hadn’t intended her to see what he considered his weakness. Did his family know?
An opportunity like the one the royal family offered didn’t come around often in medicine. Laurel tingled at the thought of the advances that might be gained from her research. Maybe through her work she could ease Tariq’s pain, whether or not her work was done in America or here.
Laurel looked down the long passage of whitewashed walls and dark wood flooring. She stood in a palace. A palace. She was a princess. Her siblings would laugh themselves silly at the idea. Although she had never been overly impressed with splendor and wealth, the grandeur of the place awed her. It was so unlike anything she had ever seen before. Just the age and design alone was fascinating. Laurel couldn’t shake the silly notion she was Cinderella and something special was happening to her. She pushed that notion away. Wasn’t she here to do a job? Not pretend she was someone she wasn’t.
“This way, Princess.” Tariq indicted with a hand.
“Please just make it Laurel. I don’t think I’m princess material.”
“I believe you might find differently.”
Tariq escorted her through a network of hallways until they came to wide arching double doors with a pointed flourish at the top. He opened them, revealing a jewel-blue-toned room. A huge canopy bed set in the center of the room, covered with a dark blue spread laced with silver threads. The drapery above and around the bed was also silver. Windows echoing the door design flanked the bed. The bedside tables were laden with lamps, the shades of which were trimmed with beaded braid.
A couch and two chairs created a sitting area on one side of the space. A blue oriental rug covered the white marble floor beneath the furniture, including a cabinet she suspected concealed a TV behind its ornate doors. On the other side was a large cream-colored desk complete with lamp and visitor chairs before it. Laurel couldn’t believe all of this splendor was hers.
The room was the most luxurious she’d ever been in. Her father worked in a manufacturing plant in a small town. He could never have afforded anything like what she was seeing. Even with her medical degree she didn’t make enough money to have the funds for such a fine living space. “This is wonderful.”
Going to one window, she looked out. Below was a lush green paradise. This place she could learn to like, if she planned to stay, which she didn’t. This wasn’t her world. Outside her research this was all make-believe, storybook stuff.
“Your bath is through here.” Tariq indicated a smaller door on the same side of the room as the desk.
Laurel entered to find a gleaming gold-plated, freestanding footed tub with a white plush mat in front of it. The vanity was white marble with gold hardware. Behind a silk screen with an outsized blue bird embroidered on it was the commode. Laurel had never been in a more luxurious bathroom. She had to remind herself she was in a palace.
“I hope you will be comfortable here.”
She turned to Tariq in amazement. “I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t be.”
He nodded. “Now I will show you how to get to the garden. The pool is at your disposal. Also, you are free to have your meals here or come to the dining room where something is always available.”
“I don’t imagine I’ll spend much time here. I’ll probably eat most of my meals at the lab.” She was uncomfortable with the idea of people waiting on her.
“If not, all you have to do is pick up the phone and let whoever answers know you wish for food and tell them what you want.”
Just like that. There was a short-order cook always on call?
“Now let me show you the garden.”
They exited the suite, going along the hallway and down a few steps. From there they came to a door that opened to the outside. She could only describe what she saw as an oasis of lush green leaves, chirping birds and bright flowering plants. A heavenly scent filled the air. It was the most divine place she had ever been in. She followed Tariq along a stone walk around a curve to an oval pool sparkling in the late afternoon sunlight.
“This is amazing.” She didn’t try to keep her awe out of her voice.
“The family uses the pool and you’re free to as well, of course.”
She was considered part of the royal family? Unbelievable. When had her life turned into a fairy tale? The minute Tariq had walked into her lab.
Nasser approached. “Sir, they are ready for you.”
“I am on my way. You have my papers?”
Nasser handed him a folder.
To her Tariq said, “Can you find your way back to your room?”
She gazed around at the lovely place, hating to leave it so soon. “I can, but I think I will stay here for a while.”
“You are welcome to. I shall see you this evening.” He gave her one last unreadable look and swiftly walked away. His flowing robes made him look every bit the royal he was.
Nasser nodded and quietly disappeared behind him.
Half an hour later Laurel took one more longing look around the garden before going to her room. The walk convinced her that if she ever deviated from her original path she would surely be lost. Who would she call? Anyone who cared about her was thousands of miles away. Straightening her shoulders, she decided she wouldn’t think about that now. Soon funding would come through and she would be back where she belonged.
In her room she found that her bags had been unpacked and all of her clothes put away. Thankfully, there was a tray of food waiting. She freshened up and pulled on her nightgown and robe then settled on the sofa to make a few notes about what she wanted to accomplish the next day at the lab.
As the sunset turned rosy her eyelids drooped. Apparently the jet lag that Tariq anticipated had found her. She would just close her eyes for a few minutes and rest.
* * *
Tariq tapped on Laurel’s door. No answer. Was she exploring the palace? Nasser had not mentioned her requesting anything.
His meeting had gone longer than planned. Before he started on yet more work that evening, he wanted to assure himself Laurel was happy with her room and let her know he would be going with her to the clinic the next morning.
He knocked again. Still there was no answer. Now he became worried. After rapping a third time, he called her name. No response. What if something had happened to her? Had she fallen?
Tariq opened the door, Laurel’s name on his lips, to see her curled into a ball asleep on the sofa. Relieved, he should have backed out but went to her instead. After a hard day she would sleep better in
the bed.