Page 12 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

CHAPTER FOUR

When he left the tent Rashid saw that everyone had arrived. Solomon, the tribal elder was seated on the platform. Hakim's men surrounded the platform.

Before he went over to join them, Rashid went to his horse and led it around to the rear of the tent. He was relieved that no-one paid much attention to him. It was best they didn't see him doing this.

When Rashid came back around he strode over toward the group of men. He could tell the conversation was becoming heated. Hakim was already trying hard to persuade the tribal elder of the rightness of his case. As he passed the entrance to the tent Rashid saw that Hakim had stationed a guard there.

Rashid had to suppress a laugh. What did Hakim think Nicole was going to do? Did he really think she would make a run for it?

Rashid had already come to the conclusion that Nicole was way too smart to do something as stupid as that. He had to admit that coming out here with Hakim hadn't been the smartest move she would ever make.

But, in spite of that, there was no denying Nicole's fierce intelligence, and her obvious determination. Rashid already knew what he had to say to the tribal elder. It was time these ritual marriages came to an end. The world had changed. Forced marriages were no good for anyone, especially the women concerned. Rashid knew that from bitter experience.

He sighed as he made his way toward the waiting men. There was no use thinking about that, right now. It was all in the past. Maybe, if he put this situation right, it would make up for the mistakes he'd made all those years ago.

Rashid composed himself. He needed to be at his best, his most persuasive in the next few minutes. The American woman deserved that at least.

"Sheikh Rashid," Solomon cried out as Rashid pushed his way through the crowd of men surrounding the tribal elder. The elderly man was dressed in traditional white robes and seated, cross-legged, on the makeshift platform.

Rashid hadn't spoken to Solomon for a long time, although they went way back, all the way to Rashid's childhood. Rashid's family had had many dealings with the tribal elder. There was already a familiarity between the two men, and when they shook hands in the traditional manner, clutching each other's forearms firmly, the shared moment of familiarity drew looks from Hakim.

"How are you, Solomon?" Rashid asked. "It's been a long time."

Solomon smiled sagely. "Indeed it has, Rashid. You've spent too long living the solitary life in that palace of yours.Have you finally decided to emerge from your self-imposed exile?"

Rashid did not answer that question, but merely shrugged and gave Solomon a smile wry. There were too many men listening. Rashid wanted to keep his private life exactly that. Private. He knew that people talked about him, wondered why he had turned his back on the outside world. But, right now, that didn't matter.

"We have serious business to discuss," Rashid said to Solomon.

Solomon's gaze drifted to Hakim and Rashid saw Solomon nod. "I have already spoken with Hakim," said Solomon. "He has tried to tell me of this woman."

"She has been brought here under false pretences, Rashid said. "And she is an American woman."

Solomon's brows lifted. "Does that make any difference?"

Rashid nodded. "I believe it does. And she is the daughter of an ambassador. If she is forced into this, there will be repercussions."

Hakim snorted. "That is of no consequence. She knew what she was getting into."

Rashid peered at Hakim. "That's not true. Granted, she asked to be brought here. And that wasn't the wisest thing to do." Rashid turned to Solomon. "Especially deciding to come here with Hakim," he added.

Rashid heard Hakim grunt with outrage. "She demanded I bring her here. What is it to me that she was ignorant of our ancient traditions."

"Traditions which should be left where they belong. In the past," Rashid stated firmly.

Solomon's eyes narrowed. "Tradition must be respected, Rashid," he replied.

Rashid shook his head. "But not in a case like this. She is a true outsider. The rules don't apply to the likes of her."

Hakim took a step forward. He was clearly impatient. Maybe he felt the argument was slipping away from him. "It is clear to me what should be done," Hakim said. He glaredat Rashid. "The sheikh has no authority here. I have merely followed what the tradition dictates in choosing this woman to be my bride."

Solomon shook his head slowly. "That may well be the case Hakim. But you know the rules. Sheikh Rashid here has merely questioned your choice. It is his right to do so."

Hakim grunted. "But it is not his right to prevent this marriage from taking place."

Solomon peered at Hakim. "That is not why I was called here," Solomon said. "Sheikh Rashid can challenge your choice of bride."

Rashid could see that Hakim was starting to get agitated. Perhaps he felt that Solomon had already decided upon preventing the marriage from taking place. If that was the case, then Rashid had made the right decision in coming here.

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