marched down her spine at how wrong she’d been about Tahir. She’d known they were from separate worlds. Yet she’d believed herself… connected to him.
She told herself grief had made her turn to him for comfort. Wasn’t she glad he’d shown his true colours? The return of his memory had revealed a man vastly different from the one she’d thought she’d known.
Demanding, dissatisfied, selfish.
She swallowed a knot of rising pain and stared dazedly towards the huge ornate gates set in the wall just ahead.
It didn’t matter that their night together had been the mostwonderful experience of her life. Was one night with an arrogant stranger, albeit a heart-stoppingly magical lover, worth the price she paid?
Her hand slipped across her flat stomach. It felt hollow because she’d been unable to face breakfast.
She’d imagined having children after marrying a man she loved. She mightn’t be a traditional Qusani woman, but neither had she dreamed of being a single parent.
More than ever she felt the loss of her beloved parents and her grandfather. Her cousins were kind and caring, but they’d be shocked to the core by her news.
She shook her head, rocked by the emotions bombarding her. Excitement, fear, confusion and renewed grief.
Putting a hand to the wall beside her, she braced herself, fighting nausea as her stomach roiled.
It will be all right. Women have babies all the time.
Yet Annalisa felt bereft and shockingly alone.
‘Are you all right, my dear?’ The gentle voice made her turn her head.
A few metres away a silver limousine had stopped across the pavement, before turning into the massive open gates. In the back seat sat an older woman, with a severe yet chic hairstyle, gentle eyes and a fortune in pearls.
Hastily Annalisa straightened.
‘Thank you,’ she said, a flush scorching her throat. She felt exposed, as if she’d inadvertently displayed her private fears and worry. ‘I’m fine.’
The woman regarded her carefully. ‘If you’ll forgive me, you don’t look well. You’re pale. Were you on your way to the palace? Did you have an appointment?’
Annalisa’s head jerked round at her mention of the palace. She’d been so absorbed she’d barely noticed which way she’d walked. Now, through the ceremonial gates, she saw the royal enclosure’s majestic gardens and the massive domed palace roof.
Her stomach tumbled over. Had she subconsciously come this way because of Tahir? What were the chances of him still being here? It was more than a month since…
Hastily she looked away.
If you’re pregnant I want you to tell me. Promise me.
Tahir’s voice was so real Annalisa shivered, her arms automatically wrapping around her torso.
‘Are you here to see someone?’
‘No!’ The word shot out instantly. Then she paused.
She’d have to tell him. Even though she was almost certain he’d expect her to terminate the pregnancy. A father had a right to know he had a child. That much she knew.
And the fact that she wanted this baby, come what may.
The certainty warmed her, strengthening her weary body. Of course she wanted this child! She’d barely absorbed the news of her pregnancy, but that one fact tugged her lips wide in a smile of pure joy.
‘That is…’ She looked again at the woman in the car, so patiently awaiting her response. Was she a diplomat, or a friend of the royal family?
Tahir was connected to the King. Perhaps she knew him?
Annalisa took a few diffident steps forward, feeling gauche, yet impelled to follow this opportunity. ‘I’m sorry, I’m a little…’ What? Confused? Upset? Pregnant? She stifled a bubble of hysterical laughter.
‘It’s kind of you to ask,’ she started again, pinning a polite smile on her face. ‘I was hoping to contact someone at the palace. He’s called Tahir. I don’t know his family name. Tall, lean, bright blue eyes? He was injured in a helicopter crash.’
The woman’s expression didn’t alter and Annalisa’s
She told herself grief had made her turn to him for comfort. Wasn’t she glad he’d shown his true colours? The return of his memory had revealed a man vastly different from the one she’d thought she’d known.
Demanding, dissatisfied, selfish.
She swallowed a knot of rising pain and stared dazedly towards the huge ornate gates set in the wall just ahead.
It didn’t matter that their night together had been the mostwonderful experience of her life. Was one night with an arrogant stranger, albeit a heart-stoppingly magical lover, worth the price she paid?
Her hand slipped across her flat stomach. It felt hollow because she’d been unable to face breakfast.
She’d imagined having children after marrying a man she loved. She mightn’t be a traditional Qusani woman, but neither had she dreamed of being a single parent.
More than ever she felt the loss of her beloved parents and her grandfather. Her cousins were kind and caring, but they’d be shocked to the core by her news.
She shook her head, rocked by the emotions bombarding her. Excitement, fear, confusion and renewed grief.
Putting a hand to the wall beside her, she braced herself, fighting nausea as her stomach roiled.
It will be all right. Women have babies all the time.
Yet Annalisa felt bereft and shockingly alone.
‘Are you all right, my dear?’ The gentle voice made her turn her head.
A few metres away a silver limousine had stopped across the pavement, before turning into the massive open gates. In the back seat sat an older woman, with a severe yet chic hairstyle, gentle eyes and a fortune in pearls.
Hastily Annalisa straightened.
‘Thank you,’ she said, a flush scorching her throat. She felt exposed, as if she’d inadvertently displayed her private fears and worry. ‘I’m fine.’
The woman regarded her carefully. ‘If you’ll forgive me, you don’t look well. You’re pale. Were you on your way to the palace? Did you have an appointment?’
Annalisa’s head jerked round at her mention of the palace. She’d been so absorbed she’d barely noticed which way she’d walked. Now, through the ceremonial gates, she saw the royal enclosure’s majestic gardens and the massive domed palace roof.
Her stomach tumbled over. Had she subconsciously come this way because of Tahir? What were the chances of him still being here? It was more than a month since…
Hastily she looked away.
If you’re pregnant I want you to tell me. Promise me.
Tahir’s voice was so real Annalisa shivered, her arms automatically wrapping around her torso.
‘Are you here to see someone?’
‘No!’ The word shot out instantly. Then she paused.
She’d have to tell him. Even though she was almost certain he’d expect her to terminate the pregnancy. A father had a right to know he had a child. That much she knew.
And the fact that she wanted this baby, come what may.
The certainty warmed her, strengthening her weary body. Of course she wanted this child! She’d barely absorbed the news of her pregnancy, but that one fact tugged her lips wide in a smile of pure joy.
‘That is…’ She looked again at the woman in the car, so patiently awaiting her response. Was she a diplomat, or a friend of the royal family?
Tahir was connected to the King. Perhaps she knew him?
Annalisa took a few diffident steps forward, feeling gauche, yet impelled to follow this opportunity. ‘I’m sorry, I’m a little…’ What? Confused? Upset? Pregnant? She stifled a bubble of hysterical laughter.
‘It’s kind of you to ask,’ she started again, pinning a polite smile on her face. ‘I was hoping to contact someone at the palace. He’s called Tahir. I don’t know his family name. Tall, lean, bright blue eyes? He was injured in a helicopter crash.’
The woman’s expression didn’t alter and Annalisa’s
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