‘The press won’t leave her alone. They want the inside story on her heartbreak.’ Asim spoke through gritted teeth and Jacqui reached to cover his hand. Instantly he turned his, meshing their fingers and holding tight.
Funny how that small gesture stopped Jacqui’s breath.
He was a remarkable man, the Sultan of Jazeer. His modern country still adhered to many ancient traditions. She imagined a lot of men in his situation washing their hands of an unmarried sister whose love life was so public, or who even had a love life.
As if reading her mind, he spoke. ‘She’s an adult and she makes her own choices. Living overseas seemed to suit her. She was so excited about her textile and design course. She excelled at it too.’
He paused, watching a pair of tiny birds flutter in the trees.
‘Then she fell in love.’ His voice rang hollow on the word. Clearly he despised the man Samira had fallen for. How could he not? ‘To say it wasn’t a good match is an understatement, but despite her gentleness my sister is stubborn.’
‘Possibly it runs in the family.’ His head swung around, eyebrows lifting, and Jacqui shrugged. ‘Both you and your grandmother have decided views, even if your grandmother isn’t quite so...’
‘Domineering?’
She saw the gleam in Asim’s eyes and smiled. ‘There are times when that can be quite invigorating.’ Jacqui’s gaze slid towards the entry foyer where he’d just taken her so thoroughly.
He laughed and the sound shivered through her, a rare treat.
‘But not all the time?’ His expression sobered. ‘Suffice to say she fancied herself in love with the louse.’
There it was again, that condemnation on the word ‘love’.
‘When he betrayed her it came out of the blue and her world crumbled.’ Asim scowled, his expression rough hewn. His fingers tightened on hers, almost to the point of pain, and she sensed suppressed violence.
Samira’s ex-lover was incredibly lucky Asim hadn’t exacted revenge. It would be in character, unless Samira had pleaded with him for mercy. Even the few minutes she’d seen brother and sister together had revealed Asim’s strong feelings for Samira. If she’d begged him to stay his hand he would have done it.
‘What you don’t know is that there’s more to the story than a love affair gone wrong.’
Late sunlight sneaked through the branches and gilded Asim’s jaw. It might have been cast in bronze for all the softness she could see. A pulse beat rapidly at his temple. Once more she was reminded of an ancient warrior, eager for combat.
He drew a slow breath and eased his grip. When he turned she saw heat in his eyes, but regret too.
‘Samira is recuperating from more than the shock of his betrayal.’ He paused and for the first time ever Jacqui sensed him hesitate. ‘I can’t betray her confidence by saying more, but I want you to know and be prepared. Samira isn’t strong, either physically or emotionally. More perhaps than is obvious.’
Concern etched Asim’s features. She respected him all the more for not sharing his sister’s private affairs without permission.
Her mind whirled. What could have made such an appalling situation worse? But it was none of her business.
‘You need to know, to take that into consideration as you get to know her.’
Startled, Jacqui stared up at him. ‘You seem very sure that’s going to happen.’
Amusement lightened his stern features. ‘I know you, my little firebrand, and I know my sister. Now you’ve met, there’s no chance of keeping you apart.’ He pulled her hand onto his thigh and clamped his palm over it so she felt the flex and bunch of hot muscle through his trousers. ‘It would be counterproductive trying to keep you apart.’
Jacqui tilted her head. ‘Because it’s not worth the argument?’
He shook his head. ‘Because you’re good for her. She’s been in hiding too long. I heard you telling her she was talented and should pursue her work. You talked about her gift of creating beauty and she listened. I saw it in her face.’ His voice roughened.
‘You have no idea how hard it’s been to break through to her. Or perhaps it’s that you’re an unbiased outsider, so your words count more. Whatever the reason, I want to thank you for what you did today.’
Warmth filled Jacqui. When he looked at her that way the world brightened.
‘You brought a breath of fresh air with you. I saw it as soon as I walked in on you two. It’s the first time in ages I’ve seen roses in her cheeks.’
‘When she smiles your sister is breathtakingly lovely.’
Asim didn’t smile in agreement. To Jacqui’s surprise, his mouth tightened. ‘It’s a burden she’s carried all her life. Just like our mother.’
‘A burden?’ To Jacqui it seemed a benefit.
‘Beauty like that doesn’t guarantee happiness. It attracts trouble. Stunning women become invested in their looks and how people view them. As they age it undermines their sense of themselves. They panic and become demanding, needing more attention, more proof of their beauty.’ He shook his head. ‘It would need to be a very secure and confident man to marry a gorgeous woman. Otherwise he’d spend his life fretting over whether she’s unfaithful.’
Jacqui opened her mouth to ask how he knew so much about it. But of course he did. His mother had been one of the beauties of her age. Jacqui had seen the press photos. Plus she’d skimmed reports linking his mother to one eligible bachelor after another, stories hinting all wasn’t well in the Jazeeri royal marriage.
‘Hopefully one day your sister will fall in love with a man who values her for herself, not just the way she looks.’
Asim snorted. ‘Love?’
‘You disagree?’
‘I don’t believe in it.’ Jacqui felt him tense beneath her touch. ‘At best it’s a fool’s dream, something the weak hang onto.’
Jacqui frowned, disturbed more than she could say by his dismissive attitude. ‘Your grandmother doesn’t strike me as weak or foolish yet she believes in love.’
‘My grandparents lived in a different time.’ He lifted his shoulders. ‘Maybe love was possible then.’ He shot her a dark stare. ‘Why? Do you believe romantic love can solve all your woes?’ His look was sharp, almost accusing. She felt it cut, despite the comfort of his hand on hers.
‘I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about it.’ She’d never dreamed of Mr Right sweeping her off her feet. She’d never allowed herself to dream, except about achieving her next professional goal.
Suddenly it struck Jacqui how wonderful it would be to have more than her career to look back on when she was old. How wonderful to share your life with one special person.
‘What is it?’ He leaned close, as if he could read the lightning-bolt flash that momentarily blinded her.
What would it be like to share her life with Asim? The trembling shock of the idea couldn’t douse effervescent delight. A lifetime spent getting to know Asim, discovering his secrets as he uncovered hers. A lifetime feeling more special, more alive, than she’d ever been before. The idea was so heady she felt dizzy.
‘Jacqueline?’
She met his probing gaze and found herself wondering if his children would have the same dark eyes, like black velvet.
She tried to tug her hand free. Asim simply tightened