‘I can’t arrive at the airport looking like this.’
The voice of the adult Lily cut through Khaled’s reverie. She stood barefoot in the aisle, fiddling with the torn hem of her dress. Outside the sky was bright with sunshine. They were less than half an hour from landing.
‘I look like I’ve been partying all night.’
The tender feelings evaporated. The girl might have evoked his compassion. Not the woman. They’d been forced together because of her attempted burglary. But she had a point. He wanted a low-key arrival.
A white dress shirt was retrieved from his luggage, and Stella leant her a pair of leather sandals.
The shirt swamped her. It fell almost to her knees and her hands were lost in the sleeves. But once she’d rolled them back, and knotted the shirttails at her waist, she looked more presentable. She’d tidied her hair, removed the dirt from her cheeks. It would do.
Besides, they’d disembark far from the public terminals of the airport, and his team would spirit her away to the anonymous apartment. Few people would see her. Fewer still would know that she was here as his ‘guest’. Essentially as a hostage to her stepbrother’s betrayal.
For now, Nate’s stepsister sat quietly in her seat, looking anywhere but at him.
Good.
Judging by his inconvenient reaction to her over the last few hours, it would be wise to put some distance between them. He’d be free of her company in about thirty minutes, and while he waited for Nate to be caught, and the money returned, there would be no need for further contact between them. This disturbing episode could be forgotten.
He relaxed, picked up the report he’d been trying to read throughout the flight, and was finally rewarded by the return of his errant concentration.
In front of the airport’s private terminal a dozen men in sharp grey suits and mirrored sunglasses stood in strict formation around a motorcade of five cars. At its centre were two shiny black limousines with darkened windows. Their royal pennants fluttered in the breeze.
Khaled swore.
Notthe anonymous four-by-fours he’d ordered.
‘A change of plan, Miss Marchant.’
‘Oh? I hope it’s inconvenient for you,’ she said tartly, from the other side of the plane.
‘I’m afraid it will be inconvenient for us both,’ he said, as he watched a woman step from one of the cars.
He knew in that instant that his plan to discreetly install Lily in the waterfront apartment was foiled. For out there waited the one person who would always happily interfere in his life—without doubt precisely why she was here now. Though why had she chosen to meet what was supposed to be a routine arrival?
Stella bustled past, gathering blankets and pillows to stow away. She saw his suspicious look. Blinked at him. This time it was she who blushed as she disappeared to the rear of the plane.
Of course. The family favourite had called ahead.
For the first time ever he’d brought a woman with him to Nabhan, and the figure out there, with her romantic notions, would be gleefully jumping to all the wrong conclusions.
He looked to the heavens. Was he to be beset with meddlesome females?
Lily dropped into the seat opposite his. She peered at the scene on the Tarmac for a moment. Looked more closely. Then blenched.
‘Is that who I think it is?’
‘Yes.’ He sighed, getting to his feet. ‘Unfortunately it’s exactly who you think it is.’
He smoothed his shirt and donned his jacket, glancing down at Lily, who was still staring nervously at the welcome party outside.
‘I suggest you prepare yourself and remember what I told you. Because, as you’ve realised, you’re about to meet the Queen of Nabhan.’
And worse, he thought, running a hand through his hair in vexation as he headed for the exit, much worse than that, they were both about to encounter the force of nature that was his mother.
CHAPTER FOUR
LILYTUGGEDNERVOUSLYat Khaled’s oversized shirt. Was she really about to be introduced to a queen? While dressed like a charity case herself?