Accidentally the Sheikh's Wife / Marrying the Scarred Sheikh. Barbara McMahon

      “No. He had rheumatic fever as a child and developed problems from that. The rest of us, including two of his older brothers, are fine.”

      More than fine, she thought, looking away lest she gave him insight into her thought process. Really, Bethanne, she admonished, you’ve seen other gorgeous men before. Just not so up close and interested in her—even if it was only pretend.

      “Ready to leave? We can take the walnuts with us. I want Teaz to drive us up the coast. There are some beautiful spots along the way. And some ruins from ancient times.”

      Settled in the luxurious limousine a few moments later, Bethanne knew she could get used to such treatment in no time. And she could gain a bazillion pounds if she kept eating the sweets. Just one or two more and she’d stop. Until later.

      Rashid gave a running commentary as they drove along one of the major highways of Quishari. With the Persian Gulf on the right and huge family estates on the left, there was a sameness that gradually changed as they went farther from the city.

      Soon they were surrounded by the desert, stretching from the sea to as far to the west as she could see.

      “The ruins are best viewed walking through them,” he said when Teaz stopped the car. The place was lonely, sandy and windswept, only outlines of the buildings that had once comprised a thriving village.

      “Lonely,” Bethanne said, staring west. Nothing but miles of empty land. And the memory of people now gone.

      “Once it was a lively trading port. You can see a few of the pilings for the piers in the water. It’s estimated these are more than two thousand years old.”

      “Makes America seem like a toddler. Most of our history goes back four hundred years—once the Europeans settled in. I’d like to see this from the air. Tell me more.”

      By the time the sun was sinking lower in the sky, they’d gone north almost to the border and turned to head for the villa. Bethanne enjoyed every moment. It was obvious that Rashid loved his country and enjoyed sharing his devotion with his guest. She learned more about the history of the area in their ride than she’d ever learned in school or from her father. Rashid had appeared surprised at the knowledge she did have.

      “Tomorrow we can take the plane up again. Fly over the ruins and maybe west. There are a few oases that are large enough to support small communities.”

      “Did your family gather at the villa for holidays?” she asked.

      “For some of them. Other times we met at my father’s home. But the family loved the villa. In the summer, my parents often spent several weeks visiting my grandmother and enjoying the sea. My brother and I loved those times.”

      Rashid escorted her to the door when they arrived.

      The butler met them, speaking rapidly to Rashid.

      “We seem to have company,” Rashid said to her in English. “My brother.”

      “Oh. Do you want me to go on upstairs?”

      “No, come meet Khalid.”

      When they entered the salon, a man sitting on one of the chairs reading the newspaper rose. For a split second, Bethanne stared. He looked just like Rashid. Twins!

      Then he turned to face them and the image was disturbed by the slash of burned skin going from just beneath his right eye, down to the collar of his shirt in a disfiguring swath. Bethanne caught her breath, trying not to imagine the pain and suffering that had resulted from such a burn.

      “Bethanne, this is Khalid.”

      “How do you do. Rashid didn’t tell me you two were twins.”

      Khalid nodded but stayed where he was, his eyes alert and suspicious.

      “He told me about your plan to fool the world. Stupid idea,” Khalid said.

      She blinked at the hostility, then glanced at Rashid, who shrugged. “So you say. If it holds off the wolves until the deal is signed, I’m good with it. What brings you here?”

      “I wanted to meet her,” Khalid said.

      Bethanne walked over and sat down. “Now you have. Questions?” She had spent her fair share dealing with obstreperous officers in the past. And some cranky clients. She could handle this.

      “Do not cross the line,” Rashid warned his brother.

      “What do you expect from this?” Khalid said, ignoring his twin.

      “A signed acceptance of the jet aircraft I delivered and a few days exploring a country I have long wanted to see,” Bethanne responded quickly.

      Rashid watched his brother ask more questions than he should have. He was looking for a gold digger and that was not Rashid’s assessment of Bethanne. She was more concerned with clearing her father’s name than getting clothes or money from him. Not that Rashid had any intentions of providing his visitor anything more than was needed to attend the events where he’d show her off. Khalid was worried for naught.

      “Did you get that oil fire out?” she asked at a pause in the interrogation.

      Khalid nodded. “How do you know about that?”

      “My dear friend Rashid tells me everything,” she said sweetly.

      Rashid laughed aloud. “Subtlety is not your strong suit. Leave her alone. I’m happy with the arrangement we have. No need to look for trouble where there is none.”

      Khalid studied her. Bethanne met his gaze with a considering one of her own.

      “We are dining in this evening—would you care to join us?” Rashid asked.

      He decided in that instance to stay for dinner. Maybe a few hours in Bethanne’s company would end his brother’s suspicions and gain his own cooperation in the situation.