Pregnant by the Desert King

‘I’d prefer it if you were in charge.’

‘Really?’ He huffed a grim smile. ‘Should I be flattered by this sudden reversal in your opinion?’

‘Only if you’re desperate,’ she said.

They were back to the teasing banter. Good, that worked in his favour. Things would be so much easier if they were back on good terms.

‘Stop frowning. My first officer will make sure we stay on course.’

‘Are we back on course?’ she countered fast.

‘Shall we?’ Losing no time to conversation, he jerked his chin towards the rear of the aircraft.

She stared at him for a moment and then left her seat.

‘I have a suite of rooms at the back,’ he explained as he led the way aft.

‘Of course you do,’ Lucy murmured with amusement.

‘And a private study,’ he informed her, ‘as well as a rather comfortable bedroom, a sitting room, and a screening room—it’s up to you.’

‘The study?’ she said.

‘For a serious discussion?’ he suggested.

‘Absolutely,’ she confirmed.

He’d had something else in mind, but if he learned more about Lucy’s experience of her stepfather, it would be useful, not to mention that a part of him was very disturbed by Lucy’s fear of the man. He also needed to reassure Lucy that as long as she was under his protection—and what greater protection could he offer than to make her his mistress?—she had nothing, and no one, to fear. And that protection would naturally extend to her mother. He’d had the man checked out, of course, but first-hand information was always welcome.

He opened the door on an informal and very comfortable seating area.

‘This is your study?’

He indicated the desk. ‘Relaxation as well as my business needs are provided for here. Take a seat,’ he invited.

She had everything she wanted to say to Tadj set out in her mind, and it would be a relief to fill in the gaps, but as she dredged up facts about her stepfather she thought Tadj should know about, she was frustrated to notice her hands were shaking.

‘That bad,’ Tadj murmured as he propped a hip against the desk.

‘You have no idea,’ she admitted, knowing that they were on the same wavelength as always.

‘I have some,’ he said.

Dipping his chin, he left a space for her to fill, so she told him everything: the violence, the fear, her stepfather’s unexpected release from prison that had left her mother so vulnerable.

‘She’s in a refuge now,’ Tadj stated calmly.

‘How do you know?’ she asked with surprise.

‘With guards who’ll look out for her,’ he added. ‘She’ll come to no harm. I can promise you that.’

There was a tense silence as Lucy took this in, and then she guessed softly, ‘Your guards are looking after her.’

‘You didn’t expect me to sit on the information and do nothing, did you? Your mother will be transferred safely to her own home as soon as I receive confirmation that your stepfather, who broke a court order to approach and threaten your mother, and, through her, you, is back in jail where he belongs.’

Lucy’s mouth worked as she tried to take this in, but no words came out, until at last she admitted, ‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘Don’t say anything. Bullies have to be dealt with, and I’m lucky enough to have the resources to enable me to do that.’

‘Thank you.’ It didn’t seem enough, when what Tadj had done without seeking any thanks at all had almost certainly saved her mother’s life.

‘No thanks are necessary,’ he said in the same even tone. ‘And now you’re safe too,’ he added.

And massively in debt to Tadj, whom she loved and believed she was starting to know. Tadj’s brain was rigidly compartmentalised with the biggest section devoted to duty to his country and its people, and the next devoted to justice. He would never break the laws of Qalala, which left Lucy finely balanced between self-determination and gratitude. Needing time and space to think, she stood.

‘Sit,’ he insisted.

‘I’d rather stand, if you don’t mind.’

‘And even if I do, I’m guessing,’ he suggested dryly.

He towered over her, all-powerful and compelling, making her wish she had sketch pad handy to record the moment that Lucy Gillingham confronted the Emir of Qalala.

‘You’ve been through a lot,’ he said.

‘So have many people.’ Tipping her chin, she stared him in the eyes. ‘The fact that we both have should make it easier to talk about the future of our child.’

Tadj made no reply, but this was a good place for them to talk, as there was no escape, Lucy thought. ‘In six months time we’ll be parents, responsible for a new life. I’m thrilled. I hope you are?’

‘You want to know how I feel about becoming a father?’ Tadj said in a voice she couldn’t read. ‘Ecstatic? Is that what you want to hear?’

Was this the Emir of Qalala or Tadj speaking? Lucy’s emotions were so messed up, she couldn’t tell. All she knew was that they were at an impasse with no tidy answers, and no way she could think of to make this right. There was only one constant, Lucy concluded as she folded her hands protectively over her stomach. She loved this man, and would always love him, and she grieved for the fact that they couldn’t be like other couples, and share equally in this greatest joy of all.

CHAPTER TEN

HE WAS ECSTATIC at the thought of becoming a father, but there remained a lot for them to set in place to protect those he cared about. Lucy’s expression was wounded. She didn’t know what to expect of him. Perhaps that was for the best. He still had many facts and consequences to absorb and consider. The days of keeping royal lives private were long past, which was a good thing, in his opinion, and an idea was already starting to take shape in his mind.

‘It’s a long flight,’ he said factually, ‘and I think you should take advantage of the bedrooms on board.’

Was that an order, or an invitation? Lucy wondered as she rose to her feet.

‘You mentioned we’d be staying in a palace in Qalala? I wasn’t sure which one,’ she admitted. ‘I didn’t realise you owned so many. I really should tell Miss Francine which one I’m staying in to reassure her...’

Tadj shrugged. ‘We’ll be visiting my fort in the desert. It isn’t a prison,’ he added when Lucy pulled a face, ‘but a building of historic importance that has been completely renovated and refurbished, and I now consider it to be one of my most luxurious and well-equipped homes. Architects and historians worldwide seem to agree with me, as Wolf Fort has recently been designated one of the wonders of both the modern and the ancient world. I always find a stay there refreshing, and I’m sure you will too. It will give you chance to rest as you absorb another part of your baby’s heritage.’

‘Our baby,’ Lucy said. ‘Sounds great, but now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to lie down...if someone would be good enough to show me to my bedroom.’

She was mentally exhausted and emotionally drained, Lucy concluded as Tadj picked up the phone, but at least everything was out in the open.

‘One of the flight attendants will show you the way,’ Tadj said coolly. ‘I’ll make sure you’re woken up before we land.’

A moment of pure panic hit, when she realised that the Emir of Qalala could arrange for her to be hustled off the plane and locked away until she had her baby. She’d taken so much on trust, Lucy thought as she snatched a look over her shoulder to see if anything of the guy in the café remained.