"I'm ready. Thank you for bringing me here. It is a special spot." And would forever remain so.

The drive back to Quraim Wadi Samil was silent. Bethanne hugged the sensation of his kiss to herself as the desert scenery whizzed by. Before long the roof lines of the buildings could be seen. They drew closer by the moment. As she and Rashid drew further apart. It had been a whim, an alignment of circ.u.mstances-the scare in the plane, the worry about the pilot, being away from home. It meant nothing beyond they were glad to be alive.

She wished it had meant something.

Dinner that evening was again on the terrace of the small hotel. Fatima joined them and the sheikh kept the conversation neutral, translating back and forth between the two women. Bethanne wasn't sure if she were glad Fatima was present or not. It kept things on an even keel, preventing her from reading more into the afternoon's outing than warranted. But it also meant she had to share the precious time with Rashid. And of course the topic of conversation remained focused on Alexes. The doctor had been cautiously optimistic.

Rashid had obtained the report upon their return to the hotel. It looked as if it was a small stroke.

"But he'll fully recover?" Bethanne asked when Rashid told Fatima.

"That's what the tests are a.s.sessing. I hope so. But I don't know if he'll ever fly again."

Bethanne nodded. "Or at least not as a solo pilot," she said. "If he were copilot, there'd be someone else in case of another emergency." Her heart hurt for the man. Flying was a way of life; how sad if it ended prematurely.

Rashid nodded. "However, I do not want my family or employees put in any danger if unnecessary. Alexes has served us well for many years. He will not be abandoned."

Sending up a quick prayer for his recovery, Bethanne asked if he would be released before they returned to Alkaahdar.

"Unlikely. We will return in the morning. He'll need care for several days."

Fatima spoke.

"She wonders when she will return home," Rashid said to Bethanne.

"She doesn't need to stay on my account," she replied.

"I believe my mother is more comfortable with her as your chaperone. Otherwise, you might have to stay with my mother."

Bethanne stared at him in dismay. "You can't be serious."

"If we are to continue the pretense, we need to be authentic. I would not have a woman in a home I owned without a proper chaperone-not if I were serious about making her my wife."

"That's totally old-fashioned."

"We are an old culture. We have certain standards and procedures that have served us well for generations. One is the sacredness of the marriage bond. And the high standards we hold for women we make our wives."

"So you might have a fling with someone in another country, but once in your own, it's old-world values all the way?"

He nodded, amus.e.m.e.nt showing at her indignation.

"I protect whom I'm interested in. There would be no gossip or scandal. The full authority of the al Harum family would be behind the woman I showed interest in-as it would for Khalid's chosen bride."

"Is he also getting married?"

"Not that I know of. He's not the older son."

Bethanne thought it over for a moment. In an odd way, it was interesting. Old-fashioned and a bit chauvinistic, but romantic at the same time. A woman who truly caught Rashid al Harum's interest and affection would be cherished, cosseted and treated like royalty at every turn.

Lucky girl!

The next morning Bethanne piloted the plane back to Alkaahdar. Rashid sat in the copilot's seat. Alexes had been declared out of danger, but the doctor in charge wanted him to remain a bit longer for observation to a.s.sess his reaction to medications. He would be transported home in another company plane in a few days' time.

As she flew back, Bethanne was lost in thought as she studied the landscape, so different viewed from the air than on the ground. There were endless miles of sand beneath them, no signs of life. Yet she'd felt the vibrancy of the desert when they'd stopped yesterday.

In a short time she saw the high-rises of the city on the horizon.

"I can't imagine living down there without the modern conveniences," she said.

"My brother likes the challenge. He goes to the desert a lot. I'm like you. I prefer modern conveniences-especially air-conditioning."

"Funny that twins would be so different."

"More a difference in circ.u.mstances. When Khalid was burned so badly, he withdrew. I know the woman he thought to marry was horrified and did not stand by him. I thought he was better out of that arrangement, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow. It was after that he began seeking solitude in the desert."

"Can't the burned skin be fixed with plastic surgery?"

"He had some operations, decided against any more. He says he's satisfied."

Bethanne knew even with the badly burned slash of skin, Khalid was as dynamic and appealing as his brother. "Too bad."

"It could have been worse. He could have died."

Once they landed at the airport, the familiar limousine slid into place near the plane.

"I have work to do. Teaz will take you to the villa. I'll see you for dinner around seven?" Rashid said.

"I'll look forward to it," she said, disappointed they wouldn't spend this day together. "I'll double-check things on the plane before leaving."

Since Rashid would be tied up until later, she'd revisit the cafe in the square near where her father once lived to see if his friend had shown up. The longer she was around Rashid, the more she wanted to clear her father's name. It grew in importance as her feelings for the sheikh grew.

CHAPTER FIVE

SAt.u.r.dAY Bethanne rose early. Today was the polo match, followed by a dinner dance in the evening. She hoped the dress she'd brought for the actual match was suitable. The light blue cotton had appealed to her the moment she'd first seen it. It was slightly more casual than the dresses Rashid had bought. Suitable for outdoors and easily cleaned if something spilled on it. She hoped she'd chosen well. The sparkle in her eyes and the blush of color on her cheeks showed how excited she was with the excursion. Bethanne rose early. Today was the polo match, followed by a dinner dance in the evening. She hoped the dress she'd brought for the actual match was suitable. The light blue cotton had appealed to her the moment she'd first seen it. It was slightly more casual than the dresses Rashid had bought. Suitable for outdoors and easily cleaned if something spilled on it. She hoped she'd chosen well. The sparkle in her eyes and the blush of color on her cheeks showed how excited she was with the excursion.

The maid knocked on the door before nine and told her Rashid was waiting.

Grabbing her small purse and the wide-brimmed hat Rashid has bought in Quraim Wadi Samil, she hurried down to greet him.

He was waiting in the foyer, dressed in jodhpurs and a white shirt opened at the collar. He watched as she ran lightly down the stairs while she could hardly take her eyes off him. He looked fabulous.

"I'm ready," she said as she stepped onto the tile floor.

"A good trait in a woman, always being on time."

"Comes from pilot training, I expect," she said as they went outside.

A small sports car stood where the limousine normally parked.

"I will drive," Rashid said, escorting her to the pa.s.senger's side.

Bethanne loved riding in a convertible-especially beside Rashid.

Within twenty minutes, they had reached the polo field. The bustle of activity reminded Bethanne of horse races in Texas. Lots of people walking around, studying horses, reviewing printed programs, laughing and talking. Clothing varied from designer originals to the jodhpurs and white shirts that Rashid wore. Once in a while she spotted a man in more traditional robes, but for the most part she could be in England or France, or Texas.

Rashid parked near a stable and Bethanne went with him to one of the stalls where a groom already had a beautiful Arabian saddled.

"This is Morning Star," Rashid said with affection, patting the arched neck of the horse. His glossy chestnut coat gleamed. His mane and tail had been brushed until they looked silky soft.

"He's beautiful," she said, reaching out to pet him as well.

"He is one of four I have. Come, we'll look at the rest, all great animals. But Morning Star is the one I ride most often."

Bethanne loved the entire atmosphere of the event. She was introduced to other players. She petted a dozen or more beautiful horses. She watched as the grooms prepared horses for the event.

Khalid was also riding and they visited him shortly before Rashid escorted her to the viewing stands. His welcome wasn't exactly warm, but better than his mother's was likely to be, Bethanne thought.

"My mother is already in the royal box," Rashid said as they began to climb the stairs.

Bethanne's heart dropped. She had not known she'd be spending time with Madame al Harum. It was enough to put a damper on her enthusiasm. Still, with any luck, the woman would be so busy rooting for her sons, she would ignore the unwelcomed woman her one son was entertaining.

There were several guests in the al Harum box, and Rashid made sure everyone was introduced to Bethanne before he left.

"See you later," he said, with a special caress on her cheek.

She played the part of adoring girlfriend and told him to win for her.

Smiling at the others, she took a seat left for her on the front row and focused on the playing field and not the chatter around her. Not that she could understand it. Just before the match began, Madame al Harum sat in the seat next to her.

The game was exciting and Bethanne was glad Rashid had gone over the main points so she had a glimmer of an idea how it was played. Often she saw a blur of horses and riders when the players vied for the ball. Other times Rashid would break free and hit the ball down the field. Or Khalid. His horse was a dark bay. That wasn't the only way she could tell the men apart, but it helped. She seemed tuned in to Rashid and kept her eyes on him for most of the game.

When the match ended, Rashid's team had won by two points. The people in the box cheered and Bethanne joined right in.

"Come, we will meet them for celebration, then return home to change for tonight's fete," Madame al Harum said, touching Bethanne on the shoulder. The older woman walked proudly to the area where the winners were celebrating.

When Rashid saw them, he broke away and crossed swiftly to them, enveloping Bethanne in a hug. She hugged him right back, enthusiasm breaking out.

"It was wonderful! You looked like you were part of the horse. And that one long drive...I thought the ball would never stop."

"Well done, Rashid," his mother said, watching in disapproval the animation on Bethanne's face.

Khalid came over, hugging his mother and standing with his arm around her shoulders as he greeted Bethanne again.

"Great match," she said with a smile.

He nodded.

"Don't you ever worry you'll get hit by the maillot?"

"It's happened. Glad you enjoyed it. Your first match?" he asked.

"Yes. I hope not my last," she said. Rashid had mimicked his brother with his arm around Bethanne's shoulders. She tried not to be self-conscious, but she knew his mother did not approve. She didn't care. She would not care. It's not as if they'd made a lifelong commitment to each other. The older woman would find out soon enough.

"Come to the dinner tonight," Madame al Harum said to Khalid.

"Not tonight. I have other plans." He gave her a kiss on her cheek, sketched a salute to Rashid and Bethanne and left, weaving his way through the crowd.

His mother watched with sad eyes.

"He never comes," she said.

"Let him find his own way, Mother," Rashid said gently.

After Rashid checked with the groom on the state of his horse, he escorted Bethanne to the sports car.

"So how often do you play? When do you find time to practice? Do you ever have games away from Alkaahdar?" she asked, fascinated by the sport.

He answered her questions as he skillfully drove through the city traffic, giving Bethanne a fascinating insight to more of his life.

"I'll pick you up at six-thirty," he said when they arrived at the villa. "Dinner starts at seven. And the party will last until late."