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ROMANCINGTHE CROWN:LEILA & GAGE
Two captivating stories of regal romance from two fantastic favourite authors
ROMANCING THE CROWN: LEILA & GAGE
Virgin Seduction
KATHLEEN CREIGHTON
Royal Spy
VALERIE PARV
www.millsandboon.co.uk
Virgin Seduction
KATHLEEN CREIGHTON
ROMANCINGTHE CROWN
The crown prince of Montebello is home at last. Now the Montebellan royal family extends itshand in friendship to the Tamiri sheikhdom and journeys to Tamir to celebrate a royalwedding or is thatweddings?
Leila Kamal: The youngest Tamiri princesss impulsive actions have stirred up a hornets nest. But what stings most is that her new husband has yet to make love to his wife!
Cade Gallagher: This brash American knows hes all wrong for a pampered princess. Still hes never seen anyone so lovelyor wanted a woman so much.
Dear Reader,
I was thrilled to be asked to participate in this wonderful series, ROMANCING THE CROWN, but I must confess that when I learned I would be writing about the princess of a mythical Arab kingdom, my first thought was, Who, me? But I dont do Arab sheikh books! How, I wondered, would I ever be able to write convincingly of a people and a culture I knew absolutely nothing about?
But as I began the research for Virgin Seduction, it suddenly came to me: this isnt a book about sheikhdoms and Arabs and Eastern Mediterranean culture, its the story of two complete strangers, who dont even know theyre in love yet, struggling to find a way to make a life together. Throw in the fact that they are already married to each other for a dash of suspense, I thought, and, lo and behold, here are all the elements I love most to write about! From that moment on, Virgin Seduction truly became for me a labour of love.
Now perhaps you, too, will fall in love with Princess Leila and her handsome Texan, Cade Gallagher, as I did, as they seek their very own happily-ever-after.
All the best,
Kathleen Creighton
Prologue
Sheik Ahmed Kamal, absolute ruler of the Mediterranean island kingdom of Tamir, had reason to count himself among those whom Allah has richly blessed. Indeed, he was the happiest of men as he stood in the modest but beautifully appointed mosque that was his familys traditional place of worship and prayed for divine guidance and blessings for his youngest son, Hassan, on the solemn occasion of his marriage.
Before him were the bride and groomat this moment, at least, appropriately separatedwith eyes downcast as befitted such a solemn and worshipful occasion. Today the brideas well as many of those assembled for the Nikah ceremony, and Sheik Ahmed himselfwas modestly veiled and dressed in the traditional costume of her husbands people. In Ahmeds opinion, it was a much more pleasing mode of dress to both the eye and the spirit than the Western styles hed grudgingly adopted in recent years.
A fine woman, Elena Rahman, Ahmed thought to himself. Hassan had chosen wellor so Ahmed had been assured by Alima, his wife, whose judgment in such matters he had learned to trust. To be honest, hed had reservations about the girl at firstshe was, after all, an American. And the daughter of a terrorist! But as Alima had pointed out, she was at least a true believer by blood and birth. And it must not be forgotten that Elena Rahman was CEO of one of the most prosperous oil refining companies in the American state of Texas. Yes, thought Ahmed, who had ambitious plans for his countrys own oil resourcesHassan had made a very good choice, indeed.
As he began the first of the required Quranic verses, Ahmeds gaze expanded to include the two people standing with the bride and groom as witnesses, and his heart grew near to bursting with pride and thanksgiving. His eldest son, Sheik Rashid, and Rashids wife, Princess Julia of Montebello, were only recently wed themselves, and parents of Sheik Ahmeds first grandchild, Omaralready the apple of his grandmothers eye, and, it must be confessed, of his grandfathers as well.
As serene and happy as the couple appeared today, the truth was that Rashid and Julias union had come about only after much intrigue and extreme peril. In the end, it had brought about the reconciliation of a century-old feud between their respective countries, and as a result, prospects for a future of prosperity and mutual cooperation between Tamir and Montebello had never been more promising.
It was time now to conclude the ceremony with the traditional prayers for the bride and groom, for their families and friends and for the community at large. As he intoned the beautiful and time-honored words, Ahmed raised his head and his arms to encompass them all: his two sons and their wives; his own beloved Alima, still as lovely as the day of their own Nikah ceremony; their three daughters, Nadia, the eldest; gentle Samira; and Leila, the youngest and secretly his favoriteand most vexingchild.
The ceremony was almost concluded. Quickly, Ahmeds eyes continued their sweep of those assembled inside the mosquea small, select group, for the most part close family and friends, according to the traditions of his people. There in the back, he caught sight of Butrus Dabir, his trusted advisor andwho knows?perhaps soon-to-be son-in-law, if only Nadiastubborn daughter!would see fit to accept him.
But that small cloud over the sheiks happiness passed quickly.
Also among the guests assembled in the mosque were the brides two guests, from Texasthat rather outspoken woman who was Elenas friendwhat was her name? Oh yes, Kitty. And the tall and somewhat mysterious man who had come as the brides guardian and protector. According to Elena, the man was her adopted brother and only family, although, since there was no actual blood tie between Cade Gallagher and Elena Rahman, and Ahmed being a suspicious and extremely traditional man by nature, he thought it a strange relationship.
Near the front of the assembly, dressed in well-tailored Western-style suits, was the contingent from Montebello. Several, including Ahmeds new ally and in-law King Marcus Sebastiani and his firstborn son, Prince Lucas, stood with heads respectfully bowed. The day after tomorrow, to conclude the weekends festivities, there would be a state dinner and reception to celebrate the joyous occasion of the princes miraculous return from the dead as well as the new alliance between the two countries as personified by the marriage of Rashid and Julia.
But firsttomorrow would be the Walima, the feast given by Hassan to celebrate the consummation of his marriage to Elena Rahman. The palace would be ablaze with flowers and light and alive with laughter and music. There would be an abundance of good food, good friends and good conversation, all of which Ahmed most especially enjoyed. It would be a joyous occasion. On this day, all was well with the Kamal family. Tamir was at peace, and prospects for its future prosperity were bright.
Yes, thought Sheik Ahmed as he uttered the final words of the Khutba-tun-Nikah, life is indeed good.
Allah be praised.
Chapter 1
From a balcony overlooking the palace gardens, Leila watched the man in the dove-gray cowboy hat stroll unhurried along tiled pathways. Shed watched many people traverse the garden that morning, but she particularly liked the way this man movedconfidently but without arrogance. The way he seemed to study everything around himthe flowers, the fountains, the colorful mosaics at his feetwith unselfconscious interest reminded her of a child at the zoo.
She laughed out loud as a brightly colored bird flitted across the mans path, startling him. He lifted his head to follow the birds flight, revealing a deeply tanned, hard-boned face, cheeks creased, teeth bared in a smile. For several seconds he seemed to look right at Leila, and her breath caught, stifling the laughter. Oh, she knew he couldnt really see her. She was well concealed behind the balconys intricately carved screen. It was just that he had such a nice smile.
That one, she said in a conspirators whisper to the woman beside her. Who is hethe one in the hat? I saw him yesterday at the wedding. He must be an American.
Oh yes, Princess, he isand not only that, but from Texas. The servant Nargis threw a guilty glance toward the divan where her mistress, Leilas sister Nadia, had her noseand her attentionsafely buried in her sketchbook. She lowered her voice anyway. His name is Cade Gallagher. The princesserMrs. Elena invited him. Salma heard her tell Madam Alima that he is her guardian.
Leila made a derisive sound, forgetting to whisper. Do not be silly. Elena is an American. In America women dont have guardians. She couldnt keep a note of envy out of her voice. Her new sister-in-law was only four years older than Leila, but so smart and sophisticated, and the head of her own company! And still she had managed to attract and win the love of a handsome and powerful man like Hassan.
Nargis shrugged. It is what I heard.
Perhaps Elena only wished to honor the customs of our country, said Leilas sister Samira in an appeasing tone, laying aside the needlepoint shed been working on and coming to join them. You know that since the death of her father, she has no family of her own. This man may be a distant relative, perhaps a friend or even a business associate. Anyway, she added, gently chastising, if Hassan has agreed to have him here as a guest, there can be nothing improper about it. You should not gossip, Leila.
Leila hooked her arm through her sisters, not in the least chastened. Oh, but look at him, Sammido you not think he is handsome? But at the same time she was thinking that the word handsome really did not suit the tall man in the gray suit and cowboy hat. It seemed too pale and feminine a word, somehow.
He seems veryrugged, said Samira after a moments consideration, voicing Leilas very thoughts. Quite imposing, really. She tilted her head sideways as she thought about it. It would be difficult not to be intimidated by such a man.
Oh, I know, Leila teased, rolling her eyes, youd prefer someone more suavesomeone smooth, someone sophisticated she pointed like that one therethe dark, beautiful one with the impossibly gorgeous eyes. And much too aware of how gorgeous they are, she thought with disdain. She didnt know quite why, but she found something about the man vaguely unpleasant. Rather like food that had been cooked in too much grease. Andis he not the one I saw talking with you yesterday?
That is Desmond Caruso, Princess, Nargis interrupted eagerly, pleased to be the bearer of information that would make her once more the center of attention. He is one of the Sebastianisyou see, that is Duke Lorenzo with him. And the woman with the red hair is Duke Lorenzos new wife, Eliza. She is an American, too, you know. Her voice dropped to a gleeful whisper. A newspaper reporter.
Really? As always, Leilas interest perked up at the mention of America, and she did not stop then to wonder why Samira had suddenly gone so pale and silent.
Reallyyou three are the worst gossips, said Nadia, making a tsk-tsking sound. But she said it good-naturedly as she, too, came to join them at the screen.
There was a little silence while the four women watched the shifting patterns below in the gardenspeople gathering, greeting, moving on. Sounds drifted up to them on the balconythe tinkle of water in the fountains, snatches of laughter and the murmur of conversation.
Well, Leila said flatly, I do not trust a man who is that handsome. A small, involuntary shiver surprised her. Funnythe same thing had happened to her when she had seen him talking with Samira yesterday in the corridor near the great hall. Something about the man was definitely off, but Leila did not mention it. No one would take her seriously anyway. She smiled with lowered lashes and added in a voice like a purr, I much prefer the tall American. Do you not think he looks like a cowboy? Even dressed in a business suit?
Samira smiled indulgently. Oh, Leila, you just like Americans. You have a fascination with that country.
Why not? said Leila, tossing back her long, black hair. America is fascinating.
How do you know? Samira asked with a trill of laughter.
Leila could feel her cheeks growing warm. Hassan evidently thinks so. And Elena has told me about Americaespecially Texas. Since Elena is from there, it must be a very wonderful place, must it not? She is so smart, so She caught herself before she could say the word in her mindfree!and instead turned her back on Samira and addressed the sister on her other side. Nadia? Wouldnt you like to visit America?
Nadia gave an indifferent shrug. What is so special about America? It is justvery, very big. But, said Leila eagerly, that is what makes it special. She threw her arms wide. It is so big. And Tamir she brought her hands almost together is so small. She finished with a sigh. It is hard to imagine a place so enormous.
Oh, but Leila could imagine it. If she closed her eyes she could see herself mounted on one of her brother Rashids polo ponies, riding like the wind across the green-gold fields of his farm on the outer island of Siraj, with the wind blowing back her hair and the sky cloudless and blue above and all around her and the land seeming to go on and on forever.
Only it did not go on forever, of coursehow could it, on Siraj or even Tamir? Very quickly the land ended and there were the cliffs, and below them the white sand beaches and blue-green water. Someday, she thought with a sudden and intense yearning, I want to go to a place where the land does not stop.