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Her eyes went to hiarb, the absence of a tie, the open-necked shirt, the turned-back cuffs, all creating that raffish look, looking so sensual
She felt a ripple of ultra-awareness go through her like a frisson As if every nerve-ending were suddenly totally alert—quivering And as she stood beside hi musky, sweet-spiced and aromatic, that went perfectly with this desert landscape,the oh-so-feminine version of the perfuht her senses, increasing the tension that was vibrating silently through her as she stood beside hi she only had to lean a little sideways for her arainst his For his ar out over the darkening desert
From somewhere deep within her another emotion woke One she should pay heed to One that called to her to listen But she would not listen She refused to listen Refused to heed it She would only go on standing here, nestled into the strong, protective curve of Nikos’s ar out over the desert that surrounded the the world beyond far, far away
She sipped her chaht had wrapped the, ht itself Overhead, stars had started to blaze like s into a fiery furnace beyond Behind theth of the terrace, and several braziers, too, to guard against the growing chill of the desert night, and the flickering firelight danced in the shadows all around them
She turned, and realised that through the archways that pierced the inner border of the terrace ht—and the characteristic sweetly aromatic scent of Middle Eastern cuisine
‘Ready to dine?’ Nikos asked her with a sry
Lunch seeo
Because this surely wasn’t real, was it? Nikos as her very own desert prince, dark-haired, dark-eyed, and she, gliding beside hiown fit for royalty, her train swishing on the inlaid marble floor
Servants were guiding the theht as they entered It was a dining room, the interior constructed out of wood, fretted and inset with tessellations which glinted in the light of the dozens of candles that were the only illu in sconces on the walls and pillars all around, and on the table set for the, it seerance of frankincense from hidden burners
‘Ja her hands in delight and indicating the exquisite room
The servants bowed and se carved wooden chairs, lined with silk cushions, for her and Nikos She took her place carefully, and Nikos sat opposite her
The meal that folloas as exquisite as the roorant Middle Eastern food, with delicately spiced charcoal-baked oat and camel, and who knehat else besides, as tender as velvet, all served with rice enhanced with nuts and dates and raisins, sweet and savoury at the same time
As a own Diana had called for a shawl to be brought, which she’d swathed around her upper body while she ate
‘I couldn’t bear to ht ‘I doubt it could ever be cleaned—and even if it could the cost would be terrifying!’ She looked at itto have an opportunity to wear it again’
He answered instantly ‘When we entertain at Greyrand ball—and you shall wear the Princess’s gown for it’