Page 26 of At the Sheikh's Command
She turned to the most handsome man in the room, whose gaze stripped her naked. She blushed, but when she looked at Darrius, he was scowling. She had an urge to explain to Darrius that her blush was nothing more than a reaction to how exposed she felt under Amare’s gaze. She was no more attracted to Amare than she was to any other handsome man. It was nothing to what she felt for Darrius, but his glare extended briefly to her before he invited her to be seated between Zaire and himself, with Amare opposite.
She sat down, feeling instantly uncomfortable. Apart from the fact she knew everyone was looking at her, wondering why she’d received special treatment, including Zaire—who didn’t hide his amusement and interest—there was Darrius. Her physical proximity to him made her deeply uncomfortable. She was aware of his thigh so close to hers, and his long fingers—which had been inside her—tapping on the table. She swallowed and looked up to meet his gaze. The scowl was gone in an instant as he devoured her with his eyes.
Zaire cleared his throat loudly and leaned toward them. “You might want to find somewhere more private to gaze at each other like that, or focus on the business at hand.”
They both looked up at Zaire, as if surprised to see anyone around them.
“Business,” Leonora repeated faintly.
Darrius clasped his hands on the table in front of them, as if to keep them under control. “Indeed.” He nodded his thanks for the reminder to his brother. “Amare had some information about the diamond, and I thought you might be interested in talking with him.”
“Yes, that would be great.” She was surprised, because she had no idea that Amare was also interested in the diamond.
“My grandmother once told me about the harems our ancestors had here in the palace,” said Amare.
Darrius raised an eyebrow. “And no doubt, your interest was piqued.”
“Indeed.” Amare grinned. “If only we still had royal harems, I’d fight you for control of the throne.”
“There wouldn’t be much of a fight,” said Darrius.
“And why is that?” asked Zaire, the middle brother.
Darrius shook his head, refusing to answer, but there was something in his expression which made Leonora wonder if he wouldn’t be more than happy to give the throne to Zaire.
“Amare, tell Leonora what Grandmother told you,” Darrius said, before rising to farewell a guest.
“Well, Leonora, it looks as if Darrius is happy to leave me with you, which means he believes my legendary charm won’t have any effect on you.” He looked at her shrewdly. “And it can’t be because my charm has ceased to work. I refuse to believe that. Which means it’s you.”
“Me?” She raised her eyebrows.
“Yes, you. You love him, don’t you?”
“I…”
Amare grinned. “Sorry, I’ve put you on the spot. Ignore me. Now, I’d better tell you what our grandmother told me.”
“Please,” said Leonora gratefully.
“She said she’d heard the rumor from her parents that the diamond was connected with the harem. It was hidden there to protect it from overseas interests.”
Leonora knew he meant Lord Gleave. She nodded.
“That is a possibility,” she said. “One of my colleagues, Janey, is researching harems and that line of inquiry. And if my theory proves fruitless, she will—with the king’s approval, of course—come to Sifra and investigate her theory, and yours, further.”
Amare shrugged, as if he had little interest in the theory.
“I think you mistake the theory as mine, and the interest as mine. It’s simply something my grandmother told me about.”
“Would you mind meeting with Janey to discuss this?” She shrugged. “I mean, hopefully I will locate the diamond and further investigation won’t be necessary. But, if it is, I’m sure she’d like to meet you.”
“I’d be delighted,” he said.
“Excellent. I’ll let her know.”
“Sure, no problem,” he said, looking spectacularly disinterested. Leonora thought Amare might become more interested after he met the long-legged Australian academic, who’d modelled in her spare time to fund her education.
“That’s great, thanks.”
