The other girls, all from wealthy families, had initially treated her as a freak. A freak who barely spoke their languages. Who couldn’t even read or write.
She’d been a figure of fun, the butt of malicious jokes and cruelty. It had only been in her last two years, as the oldest pupil there, that she’d found her place and become a mentor for the younger girls. She’d worked hard and shown true flair in her passion for languages and history, even if her writing was still laborious.
‘You’re certain you don’t want to return?’ She looked up to see his eyes narrowed on her, his hard, handsome face close to a frown. ‘There hasn’t been a softening in your relationship with your aunt and uncle?’
Lina snorted at the absurdity of the idea, then ducked her head, apologising. People did not snort in front of national leaders.
‘I take it that’s a no.’
She looked up in time to catch a glimmer in his eyes that she couldn’t identify. It made him seem more approachable. More like the man she’d met years ago who’d been stern yet gentle. Instantly Lina sank back in her chair, relief buzzing in her veins.
‘I’ve had no contact with them since the day my uncle left me at the servants’ entrance to the palace.’ For all they knew she could have spent the intervening years warming the Emir’s bed as his concubine.
Heat swept Lina’s breasts and throat and she moistened her lips as her throat dried.
Not in embarrassment at the idea, but because the thought of sharing Sayid Badawi’s bed appealed too much.
She’d once glimpsed behind the serious visage and imposing title to the virile, fascinating, kind man beyond. And she couldn’t seem to cure herself of the yearning to know more of him. Experience more.
As if he’d be interested in someone like her!
His stare didn’t waver, nor did he feel the need to fill the silence. She wondered frantically what he read in her face.
Lina had devoured every story she could find about him. They painted a portrait of a strong, determined leader, a man with a vision for his country. And a man who, discreetly but definitely, had an eye for beautiful women.
Could he see how she felt about him? Did he sense that tickle of heated awareness? She’d never felt it with any other man. Only him.
As she watched, his hands gripped the arms of his chair. His ring of authority, a wide band of gold inset with a glowing cabochon ruby, caught the light.
Lina’s pulse throbbed but curiously, as she met that midnight gaze, her heartbeat seemed to slow, grow ponderous and heavy. The air thickened, making her lungs chug hard to draw in oxygen.
Though they didn’t sit close, Lina could swear she inhaled that spicy, sensual aroma she’d smelled only once before. Citrus and cedar wood with a darker note of something she registered as warm male skin.
Her skin tingled, as if from a phantom caress, and she swayed forward, drawn by the expression in his eyes.
Abruptly he moved. His gaze jerked from hers towards the door. Instantly Lina felt the current of energy holding her grow taut, snap and disintegrate as surely as if he’d flicked off a switch.
‘Very well. You’ll stay here at the palace for now. Later we’ll talk about your future and make some decisions.’
Still reeling from the impact of his stare, Lina was slow to speak. She should have said she’d already decided what she wanted to do with her future. She wanted to train as an interpreter. But he glanced at his watch and she kept her mouth shut. There’d be time enough later.
‘I’m informed you were a conscientious pupil.’ Was that a twitch at one corner of his mouth? A half smile? ‘I congratulate you, Lina. You did well when many would have found the transition too hard.’
‘It was hard.’ In the beginning it had been awful. Only the kindness of her teachers, and the knowledge that this was her one chance to pursue her dream, had kept her there. ‘But it was worth it. I can’t thank you enough.’ She moved forward in her seat. ‘Truly, it was a wonderful thing you did for me. I—’
‘Excellent. I’m pleased you found it valuable and that you made the most of it.’ He dismissed her thanks as if his generosity didn’t matter. But he’d opened a whole new world to her. She’d never forget that.
The Emir rose and so did Lina, stifling disappointment that their interview was so cursory.
‘See my secretary and he’ll brief you. You’ll begin by meeting staff from the Department of Education. I want you involved in their work with local communities. But we’ll see how it goes.’
‘That sounds wonderful. I’m looking forward to it.’ Lina smiled wide and saw him blink. Was he surprised at her enthusiasm? ‘I’m ready to help and I’m enthusiastic about the benefits of education. I’m sure it will work out well. I enjoy meeting people and talking with them.’
Under her uncle’s roof that had got her into trouble, but recently Lina had been delighted to discover others valued her ability to connect with people. At school they’d called her a people person, as if it were a positive thing instead of a flaw.
‘Good.’ The Emir inclined his head. ‘I look forward to hearing about your progress.’
* * *
But Lina learned he didn’t want personal updates. In the ten days that followed, as she found her way more confidently around the palace, and began to attend some of the school and community visits, she rarely saw the Emir.
Occasionally she’d see him stride down the corridor with that distinctive loose-hipped, shoulders back walk, full of confidence and athletic grace. Every time her heart would skip and her mouth would dry.
Occasionally he’d spot her and nod or raise a hand in greeting. But every time he’d be on his way somewhere, accompanied by his secretary or some official.
On the positive side, she slowly found her feet in this new world. She realised quickly that her role promoting education was a manufactured position. There were professionals who already did that. Clearly the Emir had created this job to give her something useful to do.
She hated being treated as a charity case, even if that was what she was. But she was grateful for the chance to salve her pride by contributing even a little to his schemes for the country. Gradually she began to feel as if she was helping.
When the Emir’s secretary, Makram, told her she was invited to attend a dinner in the grand dining hall, she thought at first it was a mistake. But Makram didn’t make mistakes. And unlike his predecessor, he didn’t look down on her, so this wasn’t a joke at her expense. Instead he advised on the dress code and referred to an allowance the Emir had set up for her at a local bank.
Lina’s chin lifted at that news. She’d accepted enough of the Emir’s generosity. She’d saved most of the spending money she’d been sent while overseas. She couldn’t accept more. Already she was housed in unimaginable luxury.
Now Lina stroked her hands down the silky dress she’d never before worn, watching the way it hugged her figure in the mirror. She swallowed hard. Did it cling too much? It hadn’t seemed to when she’d made it in Switzerland. She twirled, the knee-length skirt flaring a little, making her wish she could go dancing. No, the dress was feminine but not revealing. The scooped neck merely hinted at her cleavage, and she’d even covered her bare arms with a pretty shawl she’d found in the markets.
Excitement vied with trepidation and Lina grinned at the woman in the mirror. She was going to a royal dinner party, as a guest, not a servant!
Would he notice her?
Would he speak to her?
Her