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As the sun began to cli chill, Jaul paced the sand, oblivious to the anxious watch of his guards He could not escape certain devastating conclusions: he had virtually wrecked Chrissie’s life and, worst of all, he had not just done it once, he had done it twice The first tinant and without support and the second ti their e a second chance How did any ht did he have to try and hold onto a woman he knew he didn’t deserve?

While being angry and hostile at the outset, Chrissie had coiveness and understanding But she didn’t owe hiiveness An honourable o free, Jaul reckoned, perspiration da his lean dark features in the heat of the sun An honourable ive her the freedoo

It was themoment to discover that he was evidently not an honourablelife without Chrissie and the twins by his side was not one that Jaul could bring himself to even contemplate

He had screwed up, he had screwed up so badly, he reasoned fiercely, that he could only do better in the future But the shaed in his chest He watched Chrissie curl up on a seat in the shade while fruit and rolls were brought to her for breakfast Her shining hair was loose round her lovely face and she wore not a scrap of ly clad in khaki capris and a plain white tee She was his wifebut for how ht every muscle in his lithe, powerful body

CHAPTER TEN

‘WHAT HAPPENED TO that horse you idolised?’ Jaul asked lazily

‘Hero’s in a sanctuary close to the farm where I used to live with Dad,’ Chrissie told him as they rode back to the oasis enca to chase the coolness froht, appreciative of the surprising and colourful beauty of the barren landscape at dawn ‘I’ and looking after the twins, it was just iet up there for a visit but maybe next time we’re in London I could make a special trip to see him’

‘Why’s your horse in a sanctuary?’ Jaul pressed with obvious incomprehension

‘Because, Mr Spoilt-Rotten-Rich, when er had anywhere to house Hero and no money to pay for his upkeep either Then, luckily for ave the sanctuary an endowive Hero a hoently stroked the neck of the beautiful Arabian‘He’s safe, well-looked-after and happy It was the best I could do for him’

Their time in the desert was al back to the palace as soon as they returned to the camp The palace stables were packed onderful horse flesh and Jaul had had his stallion and her gorgeous high-steppingat dawn and at dusk when the desert heat was at its coolest She had adored those quiet tie that theirthey could share But although Jaul had been endlessly attentive and reassuring she could not escape the suspicion that so was amiss with him

While Jaul had endured long s with the tribal sheikhs, who had arrived every hout the day, Chrissie had spent the ti people and learning about their lives and with Zaliha to translate she had held story-telling sessions with the children and all formality had been abandoned while she entertained them Jaul had called those sessions an ‘unqualified success’ and had complimented her on her easy manner with his people He had even asked her to consider working with the professionals on a nursery education develop out this was her area of expertise His request had filled her with pride and pleasure, yet in spite of his praise and satisfaction she re between them