A Sheik's Spell by Eboni Snoe Page B

Obviously, Waheedah had expected her to come to dinner in one of the servant’s uniforms, her face showed such great surprise. Na’im, standing by her side, appeared a little stunned, though he recovered quickly. Felicia felt as if she had struck a direct hit against her enemy in their silent little war.
    “I must agree with Felicia. I’ve never been a man to disagree with anyone who looks as perfect as she does tonight,” Na’im smiled approvingly.
    The awkward silence that followed was broken by the servants serving tea. Waheedah insisted upon dominating all of Na’im’s attention after he had openly complimented Felicia. Felicia, in turn, felt more at ease conversing with Fatimah and Ilyas. Actually, Fatimah served more as an interpreter, since Ilyas spoke very little English.
    Occasionally, Felicia felt Na’im’s magnetic eyes on her face. His look smoldered with more than the heat from the small cup of tea.
    One of the servants entered the room, excused herself, then spoke briefly with Na’im.
    ‘ ‘It seems we will be having guests for dinner,’ ’ Na’im announced.
    No sooner had he spoken than three men were shown into the drawing room. The ambiance immediately changed from restrained and quiet to an exuberant display of old friends being reunited
    “Fil-ly!” Phillip exclaimed as he hugged and kissed Felicia, nearly picking her up off the floor. ‘ ‘Let me look at you. You are tres magnifique. Egypt agrees with you,” he proclaimed in English accented heavily by his native tongue, French. “I expected to find you scrawny and sad looking, not looking like a princess.”
    Felicia hugged Phillip for dear life. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed him. Tears came to her eyes as he held her at arms length, still chiding her.
    “Ooh la la. Had I known you’d miss me this much, I would have stayed away from you sooner,” he grinned.
    Dear Phillip. Being nothing but his old devilish self and meaning no harm. When she had first met Phillipe Moncharde, they became very good friends. His fun- seeking personality made it easy, but after awhile he’d made it known that he wanted to be more than friends. Felicia had just broken up with Alvin, and she was not ready for another relationship. At the time, Phillip said he understood. But from time to time, in his playful manner, he still reminded her of how she had rejected him.
    “Hello, George and ...William Ashley, isn’t it?”
    The older man nodded his compliance. In her jubila tion at seeing Phillip again, Felicia had completely forgotten her manners.
    ‘ ‘Oh, excuse me, please. Phillipe Moncharde, I’d like to introduce you to Na’im Raoul Rahman. His family owns die estate here where we will be working. Na’im, this is George Mercer and William Ashley, the other research team members.”
    Na’im responded graciously to the introductions, but Felicia detected a hint of resentment in his eyes as he shook hands with Phillip.
    Everyone else was introduced after that, and in good time, because dinner was ready to be served.
    Numerous wall sconces were lit in the informal dining room, which featured an eight-piece dining room set with gilded armchairs. Fatimah informed them the formal dining room could seat as many as fifty people. Everyone appeared to be duly impressed, except Waheedah.
    “It is customary in our country for families with status such as the Rahmans to be prepared to entertain visitors from other sheikdoms. We are a people rich in more than tradition.”
    Na’im was seated at the head of the table, with Felicia at his right and Waheedah on his left. By now, Felicia had made up her mind that the less attention she gave Waheedah, the better off she’d be. She found the woman to be completely annoying and stuck on herself. And if Na’im intended to marry her, good for him.
    Several dishes were placed in the center of the table.
    ‘ ‘So what do we have here?’ ’ Phillip inquired, pointing at a pastry-type