Carrying the Sheikh's Heir(58)

                Why had she used that word earlier? Because she’d been hurt, that was why, and she’d tried to cover it up. She’d blundered, and then she’d found herself stumbling down a path where her new husband had informed her that he wasn’t capable of love. It was not an auspicious beginning to a marriage.

                She’d half expected Rashid to stop her when she’d walked out on him earlier, but he’d not done so. When she’d walked out of his office, Daoud was there. And for the first time ever, he dropped to his knees and bowed his head.

                “Your Royal Highness.”

                Sheridan had started to shake then. “Daoud, please. Get up.”

                He’d done so, his dark eyes searching her face in a way that warmed her. As if he’d been looking for sadness and willing to pummel whomever had made her so. But then he’d dropped his head again and she’d realized that Rashid was in the hall behind her.

                “Take Her Highness to her room, Daoud. She needs to rest.”

                “Yes, Your Majesty.”

                So she’d rested. And when she’d finished resting, she’d gone to the stables to check on the puppies again. They were getting bigger by the day. Soon, Daoud informed her, they would be given to new homes and she wouldn’t get to see them anymore. She’d picked one up and held its soft furry body against her cheek before handing it back to the groom and returning to the palace.

                And now they were at dinner and Sheridan was trying to follow the conversation, though not doing a good job. They were speaking English, because Emily didn’t speak Arabic either, but the laughter and sound of voices just droned over her head while she wallowed in her own misery over her situation.

                She’d spoken to Annie earlier, and Chris. Annie was over the moon with excitement about seeing the specialist. Chris was more subdued, as if he knew what this opportunity was costing Sheridan. But he was grateful nevertheless. He expressed it adequately enough for them both, though Sheridan might have liked her sister to realize how huge a change was occurring in her life.

                For Annie, the prize was a baby of her own. Nothing and no one got in the way of that fact.

                Kelly had been shocked, but she’d taken it all in and started making plans for the future of Dixie Doin’s without Sheridan. That had hurt, but it was also necessary.

                “Sheridan. Sheridan?”

                She stirred after her name was repeated and looked up to find three sets of eyes looking back at her.

                “Are you ill?” Rashid asked. “Do you need to lie down?”

                She shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I was just thinking.” She smiled as she picked up her water glass. “Please don’t stop talking on my account.”

                Kadir shot his wife a look. “Actually, we were going to turn in. It’s been a long day.”

                “Yes,” Emily said. “I’m pretty tired. It’s been a lovely day, though.”

                Everyone agreed it had been a lovely day. And then they took their leave of each other with hugs and kisses on the cheek. The room was quiet when Kadir and Emily were gone. Oppressively so, just like before.

                “We keep finding ourselves alone together in spite of our best efforts,” Sheridan said cheerfully as she turned toward Rashid.

                “This is not necessarily a bad thing.” Rashid’s gaze was bright. Hot. And her stomach flipped even as her body began to melt at the promise in those eyes.