Page 8 of At the Sheikh's Command
“No one but you, I suppose.” His tone was dripping in sarcasm.
She bridled under his assumption that she was both ignorant and arrogant.
“I think you underestimate me.”
He shook his head. “I can assure you I don’t. I believe you’re capable of anything.”
“I’m talking about my knowledge of the diamond and its history. I believe I know more than most, and have narrowed down the likely locations.”
“Why do you even think it’s here?” He was shaking his head in disbelief.
“Because the last sighting of it was when Lord Gleave was here, in Sifra. I’m convinced it’s here.”
“I think that tells you all you need to know. Your Lord Gleave wasn’t only interested inseeingother countries’ treasures, but in taking them away with him. The diamond is in England. It must be.”
“There’s no ‘must’ about it. Sure, it might be, but look at the facts. He founded Gleave College at the University of Oxford and had its hall created as a faithful replica of the throne room at Qasr Jabal. He was a proud man and an ostentatious one. If he’d had it, he would have shouted it to the rooftops.”
“Lord Gleave was reviled, I believe, in the last years of his life.”
“Yes, he was. And it wasn’t undeserved, certainly.”
“And yet your college continues, funded by the wealth he pillaged from other countries.”
It had always been a tough point for Leonora to justify to herself, and she certainly couldn’t find the words to defend it to Darrius.
“The facts are…” She stopped herself from using his first name just in time. “…Your Highness, that I wish to help solve this mystery and believe I can do so.”
He took another few paces towards her as if he couldn’t stop himself. “You are arrogant enough to come here, to my country, play around looking for a jewel which represents so much to Sifra, and then leave when it suits you. Seems to me you make a habit of dabbling in things which are nothing to do with you—desecrating them—and then leaving, not caring what you’ve stirred up. Just like your precious Lord Gleave.”
Within a few sentences, he’d moved from talking about the diamond to something much more personal. She could see it in the fire in his eyes and the emotion in his voice. She hadn’t imagined he’d still be so angry that she’d left him. She wasn’t under the illusion that anything other than his pride was hurt. After all, she’d never been a part of his future plans.
“I’m nothing like him. I came here to help solve a mystery.”
“Really? Is that the only reason you came?”
One nod of the head, one word—yes—was all it would take to stop the inquisition. But she’d never lied to him.
“Not exactly,” she said at last, hoping her vague reply would satisfy.
But it didn’t. He shook his head in disbelief. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again with a rough sigh and she suddenly understood. His breathing was coming hard, and he was flexing his hands. She felt like the desert prey being spotted by a falcon high overhead, knowing she had only minutes to extricate herself.
“Tell me why you really came here,” he said at last.
“To…”
“Tell me!” he shouted.
“I needed to forget you.”
Her quiet words slashed through the atmosphere. She was aware of a sudden stillness in him. Then his shoulders relaxed.
“You haven’t forgotten me,” he said in a quieter tone.
She shook her head. “No.”
“You wouldn’t have wanted to forget me if you’d stayed.” It was an admonishment, but not as angry as earlier.
“I couldn’t do that. And you know it. You had to marry a woman from your own tribe, your own country, someone who your people would approve of and who could give you children they’d approve of.”
