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‘Obviously you never had a choice,’ Chrissie commented quietly ‘That was cruel’

‘When I wouldn’t give way and return to Marwan on his terain until he was in his twenties and although he let me tell him my story, he wouldn’t accept it Lut was an enore and he haranguedfoul lies to besmirch his father’s memory’

Chrissie sighed ‘I’ll discuss this with Jaul He’s not remotely like his father’

‘Are you absolutely sure of that?’ Lady Sophie prompted with a worried look on her face ‘I can tell you that in terrandfather and such sensitive issues as concubines are not discussed here where the King is omnipotent’

Chrissie thanked her hostess for the tea before she departed with her thoughts in turmoil She was convinced by the old lady’s story, she acknowledged uneasily But how did she know for sure that there were no longer concubines in the vastness of the royal palace complex? Was it even possible that she herself should need to fear such a situation? Could Jaul have honed his superb talents in the bedroom with nameless women in some hidden, never-discussed harem? Could it even provide an explanation for hislove to his wife? Or was she being insane in nourishing such a fantastic suspicion?

The question that she was deterrew on the drive back to the palace How likely was it that Jaul kept concubines like his not so very westernised grandfather? In this day and age not very likely, her rational mind assured her as she ht to see the twins

Thirty ed in the doorway, stunning eyes dark as coal and steady in the taut lines of his lean, darkly handsome face as he studied her

‘You knohere I’ve been’ Chrissie sighed as she scraht to follow Jaul into the room next door

‘You went against my wishes Naturally I arinding together with the strain of suppressing his temper as he stared down at her

Of course he didn’t want his wife connecting with a bitter old woman he had heard described as a fantasist! Of course he didn’t want his grand hatred of his family! Chrissie already had all too -awaitedwith Yusuf due to take place that very afternoon, Jaul was ready to confront the last of the devils that had haunted hiy, but quite understandably on edge at the prospect Only when he was convinced that he knew everything could he talk honestly to Chrissie There would be no more secrets between them, no unanswered questions or doubts His wife deserved that from him at the very least

‘I visited Sophie because I hoped that in soht be able to heal the family rift,’ Chrissie told him ruefully

‘A corittily ‘What did she tell you about my family?’

Chrissie breathed in deep, randfather had concubines while he was married to her’

Jaul looked at her in wonderment ‘She told youthat? Seriously?’

Chagrined by his patent disbelief, Chrissie murmured quietly, ‘And I believed her’

Jaul threw back his broad shoulders, his anger as instant and shattering as a sudden clap of thunder on a hot, hueous calumny!’

‘Is it?’ Chrissie almost whispered because the aten were being sucked into a void ‘Because, naturally, after being told that I have to ask you if you—’

‘Don’t you dare ask that ofher into sudden silence Outright fury had charged his lean, hard-olden arrows aiet

Chrissie had lost colour She hadn’t even got the actual question voiced but he knew exactly what she had been about to ask hi she had ever seen in him before