Page 30 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

"About what?" she said abruptly. "That you set me up in a business that will probably last me the rest of my life? Something that would never have happened if I hadn't married you?"

He shrugged. "It was the least I could do," he said in a matter-of-fact voice. She thought he sounded pretty pleased with himself. For some reason, that annoyed her.

She glared at him. "Don't patronize me," she said sharply.

"I'm not," he replied. "I mean what I say. It was a privilege to give you that. I know how important your independence is to you."

"It has nothing to do with my independence," she retorted.

He smiled and shook his head. "You're just about the most independent woman I've ever known."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

He tilted his head. "You can take it any way you like."

Paige moved abruptly away from him, and folded her arms. "This isn't going to get us anywhere," she announced. "I think it's better I go inside and wait for the him to arrive."

Razim gazed at her for a long moment. "So, you're going ahead with it," he said in a flat voice. He sounded hurt. But, what did he expect? Hadn't she made her intentions clear?

They faced each other. Paige drew in a deep breath and then sighed. "I am," she declared.

There was a long silence, and then Razim nodded slowly. Suddenly, his entire demeanor had changed. He looked disconsolate. She wondered why he hadn't put up more of a fight. Maybe he was just trying to give her what he thought she really wanted.

To be free of him.

Paige started to turn away from Razim, but he stopped her with one last statement. "You know this isn't what I want, don't you?"

Paige smiled wanly at him. "I know that, Razim. But it is for the best. You'll see that after I'm gone."

And then she turned and walked back into the palace dining room, desperate not to look back.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Later, there was a knock at the door to Paige's room. She opened it, half expecting to see Razim. But it wasn't him. Instead, he had sent one of the servants to let her know that it was time.

After the servant had left, Paige glanced at herself in the mirror. The plain blue dress she'd worn at breakfast would do, she told herself. There was no sense in getting dressed up for something like this. This wasn't a day she would ever want to remember.

With one final check of her hair, Paige left the room and made her way downstairs. She halted at the foot of the stairs and listened for a moment. She could hear two male voices from inside the reception room. Razim's and the other, an elderly sounding voice.

Paige drew in a deep breath and walked into the reception room. The doors to the terrace were open and a fresh breeze was sweeping into the room.

Razim was standing by the table. Alongside him was a stooped figure in traditional Qazhar robes and headdress. Paige estimated the elderly man must be seventy years old. He turned and peered at Paige. She thought the man looked at her with a disapproving expression. But, she dismissed it as a figment of her imagination.

Razim and the man walked toward her.

"Paige, I'd like you to meet Sheikh Ahmed," Razim announced.

The elderly man bowed ceremoniously. Paige looked at the wizened figure. His aged features exuded control and authority. "It is an honor to meet the wife of Sheikh Al Kharif," he said slowly. Paige was surprised he could speak English.

Paige felt herself bristle. Had he just said that with a thick layer of sarcasm? It had certainly sounded like it to Paige's ears.

Paige glanced at Razim to see if he'd noticed, but his expression was blank.

Ahmed gestured toward the table. "If you would follow me, I have prepared the necessary document." Ahmed lifted a brow. "I take it you are familiar with the ceremony."

Razim cut in before Paige had a chance to say anything. "I've described to Paige just what is expected."

Ahmed nodded approvingly. "That is good." He looked at Paige. She felt as if she was being assessed. Scrutinized. Did Ahmed have opinions about her? His gaze was filled with a mixture of curiosity and obvious disapproval.

---