If they had to exist in close quarters, she should make the best of their time together for however long it might last. If they jointly decided their marriage was over, she would make more memories to carry with her to override the bad.
If luck prevailed, the Shakirs' family home would be a happy place perfect for new beginnings.
* * *
"This isn't a house, it's a fortress."
Nasira tore her gaze away from the massive white stone structure to glance at Sebastian. "And this veritable limousine you've leased goes quite well with it."
He sent her a half smile. "It's a Jaguar, Sira. Only the best for my bride."
She didn't bother to ask how he had acquired it simply because she did not care. She only cared about meeting the mysterious man who resided in the residence. And of course, the woman who had been worthy of his rescue.
As soon as Sebastian pulled to a stop beneath the portico, a dark-haired, dark-skinned man dressed in black shirt and slacks emerged from the double iron doors. Nasira recognized him from the photograph she had seen at the Texas Cattleman's Club-Darin Shakir, sheikh extraordinaire.
He opened her door and greeted her with an intense look and a guarded smile. "Mrs. Edwards."
"Sheikh Shakir," she said as she slid out of the luxury sedan. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
"The pleasure is mine," he said with a nod.
Sebastian rounded the hood and offered his hand to Darin. "I truly appreciate your offer, Sheikh Shakir."
"You may call me Darin," he replied. "I have never embraced my royal status."
Nasira had also learned that about him, which could explain how he had settled in a place like Texas. Then again, so had her brother.
Darin showed them into the house where they were met by an attractive woman with red spiraling curls and bright green eyes. "Welcome to our home, you two. I'm Fiona Shakir."
"I am Nasira Edwards, and this is my husband, Sebastian," she said, beating her spouse to the punch.
At that moment, three dark-haired little boys entered the room and stood between the Shakirs like miniature soldiers. "These are our sons," Darin said. "Halim, Kalib and Samir."
Fiona rested her palm on the youngest one's head. "Otherwise known as Hal, who's ten, Kal, eight, and Sam, five."
The pitter-patter of footsteps echoed in the marble entryway, drawing everyone's attention to the little girl dashing into the foyer, her auburn-tinted curls bouncing in time with her gait. She immediately threw her arms around Darin's legs, leading him to sweep her up. "And this is Liana, our youngest," Darin said. "She will be three years old in three months."
When the little girl touched her father's face, and the stoic sheikh gave his daughter the softest look, Nasira's heart melted. "You have a beautiful family."
Fiona patted her belly. "Thank you, and in about five months, we'll be expanding it with another boy."
Nasira experienced a sense of awe and a slight sting of envy. "Four boys should be interesting."
"Very interesting," Sebastian said. "How do you manage caring for so many children?"
Fiona slid her arm around Darin's waist. "With a lot of love and sharing."
"And our nanny, Amelia," Darin added.
"A part-time nanny," Fiona amended. "When Amelia isn't here, I've learned to be extremely organized out of self-defense. Otherwise the house will be utter chaos and I'll be a raving maniac."
Darin pointed behind him. "Boys, return to the playroom." No sooner than he commanded it, the Shakir sons departed.
Fiona gestured toward the hall beyond the foyer. "Come inside and I'll show you around."
"I would enjoy seeing the livestock," Sebastian said to Darin. "We can leave the wives to tour the house and talk about us when we're out of earshot."
Darin finally smiled. "I would be glad to show you the stables."
"Take Liana with you," Fiona said. "She'll throw a fit if you walk outside without her."
Sebastian looked somewhat alarmed. "Is it wise to take a child around the horses?"
Fiona smiled. "She's fine as long as she's supervised."
Darin shifted Liana from one hip to the other. "We have several Arabians if you and your wife would like to ride."
"It would be a pleasure," Sebastian began, "yet I'm afraid my wife would probably balk at the idea."
But Sebastian was wrong. "I would love nothing more than to go for a ride. I spent much of my youth on the back of a horse."
Sebastian frowned. "You've never told me that in our ten years together."
"You never asked."
"Ten years?" Fiona interjected as if she sensed the tension. "Darin and I have been married that long. Do you two have children?"
Nasira swallowed around the nagging lump in her throat. "Not yet."
"We have a very busy life in London," Sebastian added. "And we both enjoy traveling. Nasira is involved in charity work and my shipping business requires quite a bit of time."
Fiona shrugged. "Children are definitely time-consuming."
"And wonderful," Nasira said, determined to get her point across to her husband. "I definitely want at least one or perhaps two."
Sebastian regarded Darin. "Shall we begin the tour of the stables? We wouldn't want to detain you in light of your upcoming vacation."
Leave it to her husband to avoid the topic of children. And that gave Nasira pause. "I am very much looking forward to seeing the rest of the house."
"Right this way," Fiona said as she gestured Nasira forward.
They made their way through a large formal lounge with gleaming dark wood floors and several seating areas containing multicolored leather furniture and assorted club chairs.
She already felt at home surrounded by such opulence. "This is very grand but comfortable."
"Thank you, Nasira." Fiona nodded toward the sweeping staircase. "We have five bedrooms upstairs and our other family room, which is always a mess. So I'll concentrate on the downstairs for now. But feel free to explore when you're here."
Provided they decided to stay there, though she had to admit she would love it. "We so appreciate your hospitality."
"You are so welcome," Fiona said as she took off at a fast clip. "The two guest bedrooms are down here."
Nasira admired the luxury of the first bedroom Fiona showed her. It was accented in whites and grays with a plush king bed and gorgeous en suite bath. The second was equally remarkable though the color palette featured differing shades of blue. Nasira welcomed the fact that if serious conflicts arose during their time her, she could have one room and Sebastian could have the other.
"Amelia usually stays in one these rooms when she spends the night," Fiona began, "but we're taking her with us. Darin and I could use a little alone time, if you catch my drift."
Nasira was not familiar with the term, yet she did understand the meaning behind it. "I have no doubt enjoying private moments with your husband must be difficult in light of the children's needs."
The redhead grinned and winked. "We women have needs too."
Something Nasira had realized all too well last night. "Yes, we do."
Fiona led her out into the corridor and waved her forward. "The housekeeper, Annie, will be in every day if you decide to stay with us. And she prepares wonderful meals."
"That would not be necessary."
"I insist," Fiona said as she stopped in the great room. "Besides, Annie would be lost if she didn't have something to do. I promise she won't be in the way. In fact, you won't even know she's here most of the time."
A phantom maid was quite a novel idea. "Well I would not want her to feel unwanted."
"I can show you our bedroom if you'd like," Fiona began, "or we can take a look at the kitchen."
"I would love to see the nursery," Nasira blurted without thought.
"Then follow me."
They crossed to the opposite end of the house and walked down another long hall until Fiona paused at a door with a keypad. "This is the elevator to the upper floor. I'll leave the code in case you need it."
She could not imagine why they would. "Did I not see a staircase?"
"Yes, you did." Fiona smiled as they continued on side by side at a much slower pace. "We use it to get to the second floor fast if one of the kids needs us during the night. Darin is usually the one who hops out of bed first. He's a very light sleeper."