‘Well, it does a man good to be thwarted once in a while. Khaled is far too used to getting his own way. Though not with you, I think?’ She sent Lily a disconcertingly knowing look. ‘I doubt it was just my turning up unannounced that got him in such a temper.’
‘Well, he’s... We’re...’ Recalling Khaled’s warning not to divulge any information, Lily fell silent.
‘Don’t worry. I won’t pry,’ Eleanor said, patting Lily’s hand. ‘But if he’s been high-handed you mustn’t let it bother you. Under that gruff exterior he’s actually a kind and thoughtful man. He puts everyone else’s comfort first. Everything he does is for his family and his country. Since his father’s illness he’s worked so hard...’
Eleanor’s voice trailed away sadly.
There was truth, then, in the stories of Khaled’s punishing schedule since the King had suffered a series of heart attacks.
The cars had cleared the airport now, and joined a broad modern highway. Desert stretched away to far-off mountains in the west, and to the east was sparkling turquoise ocean. The motorcade sped north, towards the modern glass towers and the redbrick old town of Nabhan City.
Eleanor chatted...pointing out landmarks, putting Lily at her ease.
They’d reached the bustling suburbs. Men in long white robes sat drinking coffee outside roadside cafés, while women in vibrant headscarves gossiped on street corners. A group of schoolchildren ran along the pavement, waving at the cars and their royal occupants. Lily even spied a camel sitting sedately in the rear of a flatbed truck, travelling south.
All around her lay a new landscape, far removed from the sleepy green countryside she’d grown up in, and despite her worries for Nate she felt excitement ripple through her.
‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’ Eleanor said. ‘I still remember how I felt the first time I encountered all this. We arrived late afternoon and came along this very road. The sun was setting beyond the mountains. I’d never seen anything so affecting.’ She gave a wistful sigh. ‘There’s something about Nabhan that gets under one’s skin. Of course, it helps that the men here are as sexy as hell.’
She chuckled at Lily’s startled expression.
‘Forgive me. I was remembering how Khaled’s father looked, sitting right where you are now. Bassam was quite something... But then you’ve seen the son. I’m sure you can imagine.’
Again there was that penetrating look.
Lily turned away to hide her blush. Yes, the son was spectacular—but she’d rather not dwell on that, or the physical effect he seemed to be having on her.
Their car slowed and passed through gates flanked by saluting soldiers. The motorcade swept past them and up a wide drive, climbing through an avenue of soaring date palms. Then came the palace. Built of pale rose sandstone, the sprawling two storey Family Wing and the adjoining Royal Court buildings still managed to convey the sense of a family home.
Lily felt welcome the moment she set foot inside the cool entrance hall. A grand curved staircase led to a first-floor landing, while beneath her feet the white marble floor shone like glass, with a perfect reflection of the high domed ceiling above and the vast chandelier that hung there.
‘Khaled’s grandfather built the palace and he was fond of putting on a show,’ Eleanor said, following the direction of Lily’s gaze. ‘But this hallway is rather beautiful. I know I’m truly home when I step into it.’
Lily stared in awe.
‘What did you expect, Miss Marchant?’ a deep voice drawled behind her. ‘Tents? Huts built of earth?’
Khaled’s car had arrived. Unfortunately his mood hadn’t improved during the journey.
‘Of course not,’ she retorted. ‘Nate has told me how beautiful your home is, but his descriptions haven’t come close to the real thing.’
‘Khaled!’
A delighted yell came from the top of the stairs as a blur of denim-clad coltish limbs and streaming ebony hair slid down the banister and launched itself at him.
‘Amal,habiba.’ He caught the slender girl and placed a kiss to the top of her head. ‘Have you been good while I’ve been away? How are your studies progressing?’
Amal groaned. ‘Why do you never ask about anything interesting—like, maybe, who’s coming to Daddy’s anniversary party?’
Then Amal saw Lily, and her eyes widened in surprise.
Khaled disentangled himself and set his sister in front of him. ‘Please forgive the informal arrival, Miss Marchant, and allow me to introduce Amal—one of my baby sisters.’
Amal rolled her eyes. ‘We’re fourteen—and I’m the elder by ten minutes.’
On the landing above, a second figure appeared.
‘Hanan, get down here!’ Amal said in an excited stage whisper. ‘Khaled’s brought an actual girl home.’