Page 33 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

Razim nodded and was starting to make his way out of the reception room when Paige heard Ahmed's voice.

"Sheikh Al Kharif. May I have a word?" he asked.

"What is it about?" Razim replied.

Paige saw Ahmed glance at her.

"It is a delicate matter. One which I would prefer to share with you once the lady has left the room."

She was being dismissed!

Paige felt instant indignation and was about to reply when she reminded herself that she no longer had any place here. She was no longer the mistress of this palace.

Razim looked at Paige. Before he could say anything, she waved a dismissive hand. "I'm going upstairs," she snapped.

Then she headed for the hallway and started to quickly make her way up the stairs. It wasn't just to get away from the men in the room down there, she told herself. It was also to hide the fact that her tears had suddenly decided to make an unwelcome appearance.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"What did you wish to speak to me about, Ahmed?" Razim asked.

Ahmed tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. Razim could still hear the sound of Paige's footsteps as she made her way up the stairs.

Finally, they could hear her steps no longer. Apparently satisfied they could not be overheard, Ahmed started to speak in a low voice.

"I could not help but notice that you and the lady have been somewhat affected by the ceremony," he said.

"What do you mean?" Razim asked.

Ahmed grinned sagely. "Normally there is very little emotion expressed at these ceremonies," Ahmed explained. "Although I would also say that in most cases, relief would be the most commonly found sentiment."

"Are you saying that this hasn't been a typical annulment ceremony?"

Ahmed shrugged. "The ancient protocols have been followed to the letter," he said. "Although the lady's speaking of our Qazhar tongue left a little to be desired."

"I think she did fine, given the circumstances," Razim said defending Paige in her absence.

Suitable chastened, Ahmed nodded. "Of course. It is easy to forget she is not native born. But that, of course does not mean that the annulment of not legal. It is perfectly legal," Ahmed said. And then, with a sly look toward Razim, he added: "For now, at least."

Razim squinted at Ahmed. Razim paused for a long moment, trying to understand what the elderly man could be suggesting. "What do you mean?"

Ahmed went to the reception room doors and closed them. He came back to Razim, who was beginning to feel utterly perplexed by the elderly man's behavior.

Ahmed clasped his hands and peered up at Razim. "It is true that you are no longer married to the lady," Ahmed said.

"You can call her Miss Gower," Razim suggested. "That's her name from today." Just saying those words caused a sinking sensation in Razim's stomach.

"Miss Gower, as you insist upon calling her, may think she is free of any claims you could make upon her," Ahmed continued. Ahmed's eyes narrowed. "But, in fact, she is not."

"What!" Razim exclaimed. He reached out a hand and seized Ahmed's arm. "What are you talking about? You carried out the ceremony yourself."

"Indeed I did," Ahmed agreed. "However, you understand, Sheikh Al Kharif, that these customs go back many centuries. And that they are complicated. There are many fine details, most of which the modern era chooses to ignore."

"How has that got anything to do with what we did here today?" Razim asked abruptly. He was beginning to tire of Ahmed's evasiveness. Or maybe it was just that Ahmed was so used the dealing with these matters of tradition, that he felt no need to hurry himself.

"Everything, my esteemed Sheikh," Ahmed said using the formal term of reference usually reserved for high born families in the kingdom.

"Explain yourself," Razim ordered.

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