Harlequin Historical October 2016, Box Set 2 of 2 by Bronwyn Scott

Author:Bronwyn Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488024726
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Malik rose early, favouring a quick trip to his private hammam to an extra hour’s sleep. He was going to be spending the majority of the day on the back of a camel and the night on the desert floor, so he wanted his muscles to be as relaxed as possible before the trek ahead. It wasn’t as though he would have slept well anyway, his dreams had been invaded the last few nights by images of Rachel dressed as a scantily clad dancer. Every time Malik imagined something slightly different and after nights of interrupted sleep he was aching to know the truth. He wished he hadn’t tried to be so noble, so self-controlled, and had pulled Rachel’s covering sheet down and seen what lay beneath when he had had the chance.

Damn his sense of chivalry and honour, for once Malik just wanted to be a man.

He allowed himself thirty blissful minutes in the sweltering steam room, and after a dip in the cold pool he felt refreshed and revitalised.

‘Father, Ameera said I can’t ride my own camel,’ Hakim accosted him as soon as he exited his private rooms.

Malik smiled indulgently and felt a sense of well-being wash over him. A few weeks ago he would have stormed off to find his daughter and reprimanded her for dashing her brother’s hopes.

‘I don’t see why you can’t ride a camel,’ Malik said, ruffling Hakim’s dark hair.

Hopeful eyes looked up into his own.

‘All by myself?’

‘All by yourself.’

When planning the trip Malik had realised his youngest son would probably like a taste of independence, especially because they would encounter nomadic children even younger than Hakim who were more confident on camelback than walking on their own two feet. He had instructed one of the stable masters to find a saddle Hakim could be safely strapped into and to ensure the little boy’s camel was always tethered to his own. That way Hakim would feel like he was in control without things actually being dangerous.

Hakim scampered off, no doubt to find Ameera and correct her. Malik made his way to the entrance of the palace to see how the preparations were coming along.

* * *

At nine exactly Rachel emerged with all three of his children in tow. Their faces broke out into beams of pleasure as they saw the assembled camels and they ran towards him chattering excitedly. Malik couldn’t help but glance at Rachel and saw for once she was looking a little apprehensive.

‘There’s nothing to worry about,’ Malik said softly to her as she came to stand by his side. ‘Camels are gentle beasts. They will not try to throw you or hurt you.’

Rachel’s eyes met his own and for a few moments it was as though it was just the two of them. Malik was tempted to sweep Rachel up on to one of the camels and show her there was nothing to be afraid of, but he knew the proximity wouldn’t be good for them. He’d

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