aunt, in her fifties, was still an attractive and vibrant woman. Her dark hair was cut in a sleek style that brushed the collar of her tailored turquoise Chanel suit.
“She is wonderful, no?”
“She is—something.”
“Why? What is wrong?” she asked, frowning. She set aside her work.
“She fell asleep on the couch in my office.”
“Poor thing. In her defense I have to say it’s quite a comfortable couch.” She clucked sympathetically. “A grueling trip. I was told the dear child insisted on beginning work as agreed. Wouldn’t hear of postponing her start even for a day.”
“I want her beheaded.”
“Certainly a fitting reward for her dedication.”
“I’m joking.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Farrah laughed. “The government outlawed that form of punishment many years ago, even before I was born.”
“Cutting out her tongue would be more appropriate, I think.” He paced in front of her. “Yes. Excellent idea if I do say so myself. Make the consequences fit the crime.”
“My dear nephew, what crime has she committed?”
“She is—” He stopped, unable to find the words to describe his feelings. “A woman.”
“Ah,” his aunt said, as if that explained everything. “You are bemused by her.”
“Certainly not. I’ve never met a woman I couldn’t understand.” The lie was a very small one. He hadn’t ever met a woman he couldn’t understand. Until today.
“So you’re intrigued.”
“Nonsense.” He shook his head and turned away, staring out the French doors to her balcony that looked out over the ocean. “Completely, utterly absurd.”
“Rafiq, have you ever been in love?”
He didn’t know how to answer the question. Many women had charmed him. Certainly infatuation had been involved, but love?
“Don’t start with me, Aunt. Love is a luxury not permitted a prince of the royal blood. It’s all about duty. I will marry and produce heirs.”
“When?”
“When I am ready.” Glancing over his shoulder, he said, “But I fail to see what this has to do with Penny Doyle.”
Farrah clasped her hands together in her lap. “Because of your mother’s tragic premature death, I can’t help feeling as if your education in this regard has been sadly neglected. Servants, tutors, boarding school…”
“I had an excellent education. Now, about this small American—”
“Penny. I found her a breath of fresh air. But it’s just as well you don’t agree.”
He turned and steeled himself against the knowing expression on his aunt’s face. He reminded himself that she was a woman, his elder, a cherished family member and deserving of his respect, honor and protection. But the gleam in her eyes made him wonder if he might not be the one in need of protection.
“Why would I agree? She’s a small, insignificant young woman from Texas.” He walked to the French doors and stood with his hands clasped behind his back. “It was my understanding that things from Texas were much larger.”
“Yes. Penny is the exception, I assume.”
“Penny. Even her name is trifling.”
“Have you ever heard the expression ‘find a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck’?”
“Perhaps. Penny Doyle—rhymes with oil,” he murmured, unable to stop his mouth from curving up at the memory of her words. He was glad his back was to his keen-eyed aunt so that she didn’t see.
Behind him she coughed. He turned and noticed the glitter of amusement in her black eyes. “Are you all right?” he asked. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was laughing at him.
“I’m absolutely marvelous.”
“And why is that?”
“Your reaction to Penny is just what I’d hoped. Now, I don’t have to warn you to keep your distance.”
“If you’re concerned about it, Aunt, then why did Father take my own assistant and give me a woman?”
She shifted slightly. In anyone less regal, it would have been a squirm. “He needed someone experienced. And he is the king. Penny is perfect for your…needs. Business needs,” she added. “If I were you, I would think twice before questioning your father.”
“All right then. But I’m wounded that you feel it’s necessary to question my behavior.”
“Aside from your reputation as a bit of a rogue with women, I’m concerned about Penny.”
“Why? She could talk the ears off an elephant,” he pointed out.
“She was badly used by a man.”
Rafiq frowned. Penny was vexing, but in an impish sort of way. “How?”
“She told me the whole horrid story in New York. Her mother died when Penny was twelve or thirteen. The woman was single, a teacher. Yet she managed to leave her daughter an inheritance that was put into trust. The dear child planned to open a preschool until that unprincipled scoundrel romanced her in order to abscond with her money. She’s unlikely to trust a man ever again,” she finished.
“He is not a man. A man would not treat a woman so. Especially a woman like—”
“Like what?” his aunt asked, one eyebrow lifted.
“Never mind. I would like to meet this man,” he said through clenched teeth. “Horsewhipping would be too good for him.”
“I agree.” She nodded grimly, then the look was gone, replaced by a serene smile. “But Penny is here now and we will take care of her. That is, I will look after her. In my opinion, things couldn’t be better,” she said.
“On the contrary.” When he left the young woman, he was merely bemused by her. After learning her story, he found himself mildly intrigued. It made him a bit uneasy, something he normally didn’t feel around women. Without a doubt he could also say he didn’t much like the feeling. Perhaps he could change his aunt’s mind about assigning to him this particular woman.
“What is it, Rafiq?”
“Things could be much improved if father would return my assistant. Then you could have your Penny Doyle—with my heartfelt approval and best wishes that your sanity and hearing remain undiminished.”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid that returning your assistant won’t be possible for some time.”
“Why
