"Our rooms now.When we get back tomorrow, we'll have your things moved here from the harem."

They were going to share rooms...and a bed. A strangled cry caught in her throat. She did her best to hold it back, and if her new husband heard the squeak that escaped, he didn't comment.

"Fatimatold me you were taking riding lessons," he said as he pushed the right-hand door open and led the way inside. "She said you wanted to be able to ride to our marriage tent. Do you feel ready, or would you rather take a Jeep?"

It was a reasonable question, she thought as she took in the large open living room with its magnificent view of theArabian Sea. She had a brief impression of comfortable furniture and lots of artwork before she forced herself to concentrate on the question.

"I can ride a horse," she said, hoping her voice wasn't shaking too much.

"I've been practicing. I'm not ready to race or take on one of the stallions, but with a well-tempered gelding and a not-too-fast pace, I'll be fine."

Jamal reached up and lifted the veil off her face. Then he tugged off her headpiece and tossed it on a nearby chair.

"Tell me again that you'll be fine," he said.

He, too, wore ceremonial robes. His were the same thick creamy, white material, although not decorated. His formalheaddress made him look dangerous and uncivilized, which didn't help her frame of mind at all. She was going to have to take her clothes off and let this man touch her and do those other things with her. Since she'd agreed to the marriage, she'd tried to ignore that reality, but that was impossible when it was standing right in front of her, so to speak.

"Everything is wonderful," she said through gritted teeth.

He smiled. "You're not a good liar, which is a positive quality in one's spouse." He jerked his head to the right. "You'll find your riding clothes in there. Go on and get changed. I'll meet you at the stable in fifteen minutes."

She did as he requested. The room she entered was small-obviously a dressing room. Her riding clothes and boots waited for her on a small table. There was also a brush and ribbon with which to secure her hair. She stared at the items. Jamal had thought of everything. He'd even left her alone to gather her composure, which was very nice of him. Obviously he was trying to put her at her ease. She wished it wasn't going to be such an uphill battle.

Heidi walked into the stable like a martyr approaching the stake. She held her head high, but Jamal could see she was shaking, and there was an air of panic about her, as if she might bolt at any moment.

He wanted to tell her that there wasn't all that much to fear, but he wasn't sure she would believe him. There was no delicate way to explain that while he fully intended to begin their journey toward intimacy, he didn't plan on them becoming lovers that night. Heidi was obviously inexperienced. He found her appealing enough that he wanted to make love with her, but there wasn't any rush. They were married-they would have the rest of their lives together.

He stayed quiet, giving her a few minutes to gather her composure. He took the time to study her. He'd only ever seen her in shapeless dresses. He was pleasantly surprised by the curvy shape her tailored blouse and riding breeches exposed.

She had the full breasts and hips of a woman born to please a man. Her waist was small, her legs long enough to make her both elegant and appealing. She was also wearing makeup for the first time he could remember. Her eyes looked larger, even with her glasses, and a dark stain emphasized her mouth.

He'd thought of Heidi as pleasant, intelligent and funny, but this was the first time he'd thought of her as sexy. He could imagine her naked, and the image pleased him.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm ready," she said, sounding as if she were preparing for an execution.

"Take you now, and get it over with?" he teased, meaning her death sentence.

Heidi paled and took a step back. "Here?In the stable?"

She looked around frantically. He wasn't sure if she was checking to see if they were alone, or searching for a way out.

"Calm down," he told her. "That isn't what I meant."

He motioned for one of the grooms to bring out their horses. After she'd mounted and adjusted her seat, he did the same,then led the way around the rear of the stable. There a dozen soldiers sat on their horses. The men were armed as if going into combat. Several held torches to illuminate their way in the early-evening darkness. As he and Heidi approached, they parted, making room for them in the middle of their group.

Heidi looked around in amazement. "You really were worried that I'd run away."

"Not exactly.Tradition dictates that we spend our first night out in the desert. But we're both members of the royal family. It makes sense to have a little protection."

She glanced at the men and swallowed. "You don't do anything by halves, do you?"

She'd given him a great opportunity to tease her about wanting to finish every job he started. But he didn't. For one thing, she wouldn't get the joke. For another, she was already so skittish that she might make good on her desire to take off running.

He called out to the men,then released his tight hold on his stallion's reins. Immediately the large black horse began to trot. The animal shook his head, trying to get Jamal to let him streak across the desert as they did most mornings on their ride, but Jamal was careful to keep him under control. Heidi might have been taking riding lessons so that she was reasonably comfortable in the saddle, but he knew she wasn't ready for a mad dash at a full gallop.

She kept pace with him, and the soldiers fanned out around them. The early-evening air was still stiflingly hot.

"Can you talk and ride?" he asked. "Or do you need to concentrate?"

"I'm a woman," she called to him. "I was born to multitask."

Jamal grinned. "We're going to have to work on your prejudices. It's bad form to hate an entire gender."

"I don't hate men," she said, giving him a quick glance before returning her attention to keeping her horse in line. "I think you're a bit overrated, butthat's not hating . Men have ruled women and the world by virtue of their gender for several hundred years."

"Cream always rises to the top," he replied.

"This isn't about cream. It's about ruling through physical and mental intimidation. We all have strengths and weaknesses. The difference is,most women are willing to discuss both, while most men only want to talk about their strengths."

"That's because we don't have any weaknesses. We're perfect."

She rolled her eyes. "Give me a break. If you're so perfect, how come your gender hasn't figured out a way to have children on yourown. Then you could free yourself from the weaker sex."

"You shouldn't say such negative things about yourself. I don't think of you as weak...or unintelligent."

She lunged for him, which made her horse shy. Heidi yelped,then got back her control.

"You didn't answer the question," she said.

"Why would men want to do without women? We adore women."

"Because they serve you," she grumbled.

"No.Because they complement us. And I mean complement with an e,not an i.

Women are our other halves. Men need women."

Heidi looked at him. "I wouldn't have thought of you as needing anyone."

He didn't. He never had. For a brief time he'd thought he might want to love a woman, but Yasmin had taught him the error of his ways.

They crested the hill leading into the valley where they would make camp.

Instead of responding, he pointed to the large white tent in the distance.

"Want to race?" he asked.

"Only if I get a significant head start.You're a better rider, and I suspect your horse is faster."

"How much of one do you want?"

She laughed. "Why don't you stay here until I get to the tent? Then you can start."

Before he could answer her challenge, she'd urged her horse into a canter, then a gallop. She leaned down, hugging the animal's neck. Her shirt billowed out around her, and her braid snapped like a flag.

Jamal watched her for a few seconds,then decided he was less concerned about keeping to her rules than having her break her neck. He let his stallion have its head and went streaking after her.

He caught up with her nearly halfway to the tent, and they rode into camp together. Heidi laughed as she reined in her horse and slid to the ground.

"That was great," she said. "I've been practicing, but only in a ring. I haven't been out in the desert since I was twelve or thirteen. I'd forgotten how much fun it was."

Torches encircled the camp. Their flickering light illuminated the high color on her face and the pleasure in her eyes. She'd forgotten to be nervous, he thought, pleased that she was relaxed.

"I go riding most mornings," he said, motioning for her to precede him.

"You're welcome to join me whenever you would like."

She smiled at him over her shoulder. "That would be very nice. Thank you."

She pushed through the main entrance into the tent. A smaller structure stood inside the larger. She made her way into the second tent and stopped.

Jamal followed her.

The preparations were much as he expected. Tapestries lined the walls, and thick rugs covered the canvas floor. There were stacks of pillows, a large bed on a dais, and trays of food on low tables. Rose petals had been scattered all over the room, and an open bottle of champagne awaited them.

It was romantic, private and unique.

Heidi hadn't moved since she'd walked into the tent. He circled around until he was in front of her, then saw that her good spirits had faded. The color had fled from her face, and she was shaking again.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I really think I'm going to be sick."