Page 9 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

"They're waiting for the tribal elder," he explained.

He saw a flash of defiance in her eyes, and for a moment he thought she was going to stand up but she just sighed heavily. "Can you get me out of here?" she breathed.

For a moment he was taken aback by the abruptness of her question.

He shook his head, but said nothing. He saw her shoulders slump and her brows furrow. This woman had a strong spirit, he told himself. That thought triggered a flicker of excitement in him, but he didn't allow his features to betray how he felt.

"The elder is a wise man. I have known him many years. He will make the right decision," Rashid said.

Nicole's eyes narrowed. "Which is what?" she asked sharply.

"That the wedding should not be allowed and that you should be able to return home safely," he said.

Nicole looked surprised at his words. Hadn't she expected him to say that?

"Can you make sure I get home?" she asked.

What could he tell her? It wasn't as simple as she might assume.

"We'll need to wait until after the elder's decision."

"Who are you?" she asked gazing intently at him.

"My name is Sheikh Rashid Al Khassan." He said it with a habitual pride, one that had been ingrained into him since childhood. She saw her eyes widen, and she seemed to be scrutinizing him more closely. Had she been impressed by the imperious way he'd announced himself?

She didn't hesitate to let him know. "Wow! That sounds grand," she said with a hint of sarcasm.

"It is not meant to be taken sarcastically," he replied.He had been slightly offended by her response and it was difficult to disguise his disappointment.

She seemed taken aback by his sudden reaction. "I didn't mean to offend you," she said quickly. "It's just that all thesheikhs in this country seem to have very high opinions of themselves."

Rashid bowed his head, agreeing with what she'd just said. "It's true. Every family in this country of ours has a history to be proud of. Each sheikh knows where he has come from. His heritage. Each understands what must be honored." He looked at her and narrowed his eyes. "I see no reason why anyone to be ashamed of that."

Nicole leaned back on the sofa. She seemed more relaxed now that she knew who he was. "Where do you live, Sheikh Rashid?" she asked. He liked the sound of his name on her tongue, the way her accent made the words seem so alien.

He pointed in the general direction of North, his instincts for direction infallible as usual. "My palace is a short horse ride from here. Sheikh Hakim and I have territory which borders upon each other."

"You two don't seem to get along," Nicole said.

Rashid tilted his head to one side. "He and I have a long history of disagreement. We've had our differences."

"I guess I'm lucky you came along, then," Nicole said.

"You could look at it that way," he agreed.

She smiled at him, the first time she had really done that since his arrival.

Nicole's eyes widened. "Do you think Hakim will arrange for me to go home if the elder refuses him permission?"

Rashid shrugged. "I am not sure. He is a man of principle and he does value all of our ancient traditions. But Hakim did bring you here under false pretences. That is unforgivable."

"Does Hakim include abducting women and marrying them against their will in his list of pastimes?" she asked. Her eyes flashed with sudden indignation.

"I understand the strength of your feelings about this, Miss Summers," he said.

"Do you?" she asked sarcastically.

"I do not agree with these old traditions." He looked at her, as if trying to make sure that she understood he was being completely genuine. "It is time we moved on from such things."

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