Mayhap so, the sheikh thought, but unfortunately the same could not be said for the rest of the evening.
Aretha, used to being wooed out of her anger, was furious at the way the sheikh ignored her petulant replies and instead engaged her father in conversation about business. This method had always worked for her, but now...
Incensed at the way Mik’hail continued to ignore her, the sheikh’s betrothed stood up and stalked out of the room without a word.
The sheikh, seeing the entreating look in Elizabeth’s eyes, shook his head and said in a gentle but firm voice, “I’m sorry, milady, but I will not go after her. It is essential my intended learns that I am not the type to reward tantrums with wooing and apologies.”
The older woman was visibly embarrassed, but she sought to defend Aretha’s actions nonetheless, saying anxiously, “Surely you see she only did that because she was concerned about your reputation?”
Richard was frowning at his younger daughter. “This is your fault, Aurora. You know how your sister is.”
Shooting the sheikh a pleading look when she saw that Mik’hail was about to contradict this, Aurora instead bowed her head to her father. “I’m sorry, sir.”
Richard and Elizabeth excused themselves as soon as plates from the last course were cleared from the table, and Aurora, seeing that this also angered the sheikh, quickly rose from her seat to take the one on the sheikh’s right.
She touched the sheikh’s arm gingerly. “Do not let yourself be troubled by this,akh.”
“It’s not right that your parents treat you in such a manner,” Mik’hail said grimly. And it was not right as well that, despite the innocence of her touch, his entire body had become acutely aware the moment her fingers grazed his skin.
“They only want me to do better.”
“Why do they treat you so?”
Aurora didn’t answer.
“And why are you letting them?”
She retrieved her hand, and although the loss of her touch left him feeling strangely hollow, the sheikh was more disturbed by the way she suddenly couldn’t seem to meet his eyes.
“Look at me, Aurora.”
When she shook her head, he cupped her chin and left her no choice but to do as he bid.
What he saw made him curse. “You’re crying.”
She wrenched her face out of his hold. “I’m not—”
“I will not stand for this.”
Aghast at the realization that the sheikh intended to have a word with her family, Aurora quickly stood up and hurried after him.
Mik’hail was about to reach the door when he felt slim arms wrapping around his waist from behind.
“No, akh, please!”
Her body pressed against his back, soft and warm and trembling, and he could feel the dampness of her tears soaking through his shirt.
The sheikh expelled his breath in an angry hiss. “Let go of me.”
But this only made Aurora tighten her arms around him, and every part of her seemed to mold against him in a way that made it impossible to think.
“Please,akh. Please. It’s as Mother said. My sister only wants to make sure that I do not accidentally shame you. Please do not be mad at any of them.” Her voice shook as she whispered, “Please, Your Highness, I’m begging you.”
When she begged him like that, he found himself unable to resist her. He gently took hold of her hands and unclasped them so he could turn around to face her. “It will be as you wished...for now.” He intended to tell her as well that she shouldn’t expect to always get her way, but before he could speak again, Aurora had already tiptoed to place a gentle kiss on his cheek.
The sheikh froze.
The kiss didn’t last for more than a second, but ah, the feel of those soft lips against his skin. His body stirred, something hot and restless awakening inside of him even though he knew it was forbidden.
