Darker Side of Desire by Penny Jordan

Author:Penny Jordan
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373107469
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1984-03-14T18:30:00+00:00

to give their children fresh fruit, and we can only make progress very slowly. The

Badu are a proud people, fiercely independent, and to shut them away in a

reservation of the sort they have in America and Australia for their native people

would be to offer them a slow, tortuous death. However, children must be

educated if they are to fit into our modern world. They trust me and I do what I

can. They like you, wife of Raoul, and it pleases me to think that when I am gone

you will continue my work among them. You have much compassion, I think, and

not just for your own.’ She touched Saud’s head as she spoke and Claire

wondered how much those wise eyes had seen. Had she guessed the truth about

Saud? If so, the Princess would keep her own counsel, Claire was sure of that.

It was late when they left the oasis, dusk falling swiftly on the heels of the

flaming sunset, wrapping the landscape in darkness. Claire was still fascinated

by the glittering intensity of the stars in the desert sky, and peered out of the car

window at them, Saud a warm and heavy weight in her arms.

The place was bustling with activity as their car swept into the courtyard. An

unfamiliar black Mercedes made Claire’s heart thump. Raoul? Had he returned?

Refusing her offers of hospitality, the Princess explained that she had an

appointment in the city which she wished to keep. ‘We will meet again, wife of

Raoul, and until then I pray that Allah will watch over you.’

In silence Claire and Zenaide climbed the stairs to Claire’s quarters. She was

tired and hungry, but still alert enough to freeze when she heard the sound of

footsteps coming down the stairs towards her, angry determined footsteps which

she was sure could only belong to one person.

As Raoul turned the angle of the stairs, he saw them, a bitter oath splintering

the silence and making Zenaide tremble as she clung to Claire’s side.

‘So there you are! What happened, did you have second thoughts?’

‘Seconds thoughts?’ Unable to comprehend what he was talking about, Claire

stared up at him. He turned to Zenaide.

‘I wish to see your mistress alone. Return to your quarters. Come with me,’ he

ordered Claire. ‘I want to know exactly where you took Saud and why. Did you

think to double-cross us? To claim a large reward for Saud’s safety? Is that why

you stole away from here with him this afternoon?’

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