Rescued by the Sheikh: Osman

Author:Jennifer Lewis [Lewis, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, Suspense, Contemporary, Fiction
ISBN: 9781939941077
Publisher: Mangrove
Published: 2014-07-22T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Sam struggled to keep up with Osman now the crowd pressed around them down at ground level. “So you need to get married as soon as possible?”

“He does.” A rich male voice behind her, made Sam spin around. She recognized Osman’s brother Zadir, dressed in a long, sashed gray robe.

“And so do we.” Amahd, the youngest brother wore a cinnamon-colored robe. “So we’re here to make sure Osman doesn’t get distracted.”

Sam looked from Amahd to Zadir. Was she the distraction? Perhaps they saw Osman’s interest in her as an impediment to the more serious duty of choosing a royal bride, and they’d come here to put a stop to it.

Indignation stirred in her heart. Who were they to tell Osman whom he could pursue? Of course she wasn’t suitable material for an Ubarite queen — not that she’d want to be one — but it rankled to be told that to her face.

“Who is he supposed to marry?” It felt odd asking the question when her lips had locked with his in a passionate kiss only a few hours earlier.

The brothers glanced at each other, and she saw Osman glare hard at them. “I will marry the woman my heart chooses.”

“Very sensible,” murmured Sam. “Though I’d imagine you’re under some pressure to marry a strategically positioned noble’s daughter or perhaps the daughter of an ancient enemy you seek to pacify.”

Osman regarded her steadily. “You see marriage as a game of chess, in which each move is carefully planned for maximum effect?”

“Not for myself. Allan and I…” She stopped and swallowed. Allan and I was a relic of the past. It was hard to believe that a relationship she’d nurtured for two years could crumble so fast. Apparently her brain hadn’t quite caught up with reality yet. “I intend to marry for love and companionship.”

Osman’s brow darkened. “You will not marry Allan.” He spoke the name with distaste.

Her hackles rose. “I hardly see that it’s any of your business.”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Zadir and Amahd nudge each other. What were they up to?

A blast of trumpets tore through the air and made her jump. “The ritual dancing is about to begin.” Zadir glanced from Osman to her. “This should be fun to watch.”

Sam peered at the crowds, wondering where Allan had gone. Hopefully, he captured good audio of the trumpets, because that would be hard to re-create.

“This way.” Osman gestured toward the north end of the marketplace, where red-and-yellow banners waved in the wind. Sam shifted her purse on her shoulder and started to walk with the throng, when she felt Osman’s hand at the base of her back, resting and guiding.

Heat melted from his palm to her core. She wanted to tear herself away and end the inappropriate and unsettling sensation, but was afraid to draw attention to herself. What did he mean by touching her in public? Possibly it was to defy his brothers, who wanted him to focus on choosing a proper bride, not waste his time with an American who’d soon be gone.

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