The Sheikh and the Christmas Bride. Susan Mallery

at the back of Kayleen’s mind, before bursting free. Father? As in the king?

      She jumped to her feet and motioned for the girls to do the same. Once they were standing she didn’t know what to do next. Bow? Curtsy?

      As’ad glanced at her, then the girls. “Father, this is Kayleen, the girls’ nanny.” Then he introduced each of the sisters. “Ladies, this is my father, King Mukhtar.”

      Three mouths dropped open. Kayleen kept hers shut by sheer force of will.

      The king nodded graciously. “I am delighted to meet all of you. Welcome to the royal palace of El Deharia. May you live long, with happiness and health in abundance. May these strong walls always protect you and provide solace.”

      Kayleen swallowed. As greetings went, it was a really good one.

      “Thank you so much for your hospitality,” she murmured, still trying to accept the fact that she was in the presence of a real live king. Which meant As’ad really was a prince.

      She knew he held the title, but she didn’t think of him as royal or powerful. Yet he was.

      The king motioned to the table. “May I?”

      Kayleen felt her eyes widen. “Of course, Your Highness. Please. We weren’t expecting you, so the meal isn’t exactly…traditional.”

      The king took a seat. As’ad motioned for them to resume theirs. Mukhtar studied the various serving bowls, then scooped some macaroni and cheese onto a plate.

      “I haven’t had this in years.”

      “It was my pick,” Pepper told him. “It’s my favorite. They make it really good here. Sometimes, at the orphanage, Kayleen would sneak us into the kitchen and make the kind in a box. That’s good, too.”

      The king smiled. “So my chef has competition.”

      “Not really,” Kayleen told him. “His food is amazing. I’m honored just to eat it.”

      As’ad looked at his father. “In an effort to fill her day, Kayleen went down to the kitchen and offered to help. It did not go well.”

      Kayleen felt herself flush. “He was a little insulted. There was a crash. I’m guessing he threw stuff.”

      “Was that the night my soufflé was burned?” the king asked.

      “I hope not,” Kayleen told him.

      He smiled. “So what conversation did I interrupt?” he asked.

      “We were talking about horses,” Nadine told him. “We rode and took lessons at the orphanage.”

      The king looked at his son. “Horses. I believe we have a stable, do we not?”

      As’ad glanced at the girls. “The king is teasing. The palace stables are world famous.”

      Dana leaned toward him. “Do you have horses that go fast?”

      “Faster than would be safe for a novice rider.”

      She wrinkled her nose. “If we took more lessons, we would be experts.”

      “Exactly,” As’ad told her.

      The king nodded. “I agree. All young princesses should know how to ride. I will speak to the head groom myself and arrange lessons.” He glanced at Kayleen. “For all of you.”

      “Thank you,” she murmured, because it was expected.

      “You do not look excited,” As’ad whispered to her.

      “Pepper wasn’t kidding about me falling. It happens all the time.”

      “Perhaps you need more personal instruction.”

      She stared into his eyes as he spoke and found herself getting lost in his gaze. It was as if he had an energy field that pulled her closer. She had the oddest feeling he was going to touch her—and she was going to like him touching her.

      “Riding is an enjoyable way to get exercise,” the king said.

      “Has anyone asked the horse about that?”

      She spoke without thinking—something that had often gotten her in trouble back at the convent. There was a moment of silence, then the king laughed.

      “Very good,” he said. “Excellent. I like her, As’ad. This one may stay.”

      “I agree,” As’ad said, still looking at her in a way that made her thighs feel distinctly weak. “She will stay.”

      Would she? Kayleen wasn’t so sure. She still had her life plan to fulfill and that included leaving El Deharia in a matter of months. A situation complicated by As’ad and her promise to the girls.

      Chapter Four

      After the king left and dinner was finished, Kayleen sent the girls back to their suite while she lingered behind to speak with As’ad.

      “There are just a couple of things I need to discuss with you,” she told him when they were alone.

      “I’m learning that with you, there always are.”

      She wasn’t sure what he meant by that, so decided to ignore the comment. “It’s only about six weeks until Christmas,” she said. “We have to start planning. I don’t know what happens here at the palace, but this is the girls’ first Christmas without either of their parents. We have to do something.”

      He studied her for a long time. “El Deharia is a very open country. All faiths are celebrated here. No one will object if you wish to set up a tree in your suite.”

      “It’s more than that,” she said, telling herself there was no reason to be afraid, even though As’ad was much taller than her and having to look up to meet his gaze gave her a crick in her neck. “You need to participate.”

      He looked shocked. “I do not.”

      She’d had a feeling he would be difficult.

      “You’ve always had family,” she pointed out. “Your brothers, your aunt, your father. These girls have no one. The holidays are going to be sad and scary and they’re going to feel so alone.”

      Kayleen spoke from experience. She still remembered waking up on Christmas morning and feeling an ache in her chest. No matter how many presents had been donated to the orphanage, no matter how the nuns tried, there hadn’t been family.

      She hadn’t even had the dream that a wonderful couple would find her and want to adopt her. She had plenty of relatives—just no one who wanted her.

      “They need traditions, both old and new,” she continued. “They need to feel welcome and loved.”

      His expression tightened. “Then you will take care of that.”

      “But you’re their father now.”

      “I am someone who agreed to let them live here. Kayleen, these girls are your responsibility, not mine. Do not cross this line with me.”

      “I don’t understand. You were so great with them at dinner. Are you telling me that was just an act? That you don’t care?”

      “I have compassion. I have honor. That will be enough.”

      Was he kidding? “That’s not enough. It will never be enough. We’re talking about children, As’ad. Lost, lonely children. They deserve more. They deserve to be loved.” She wasn’t just talking about the children—she was talking about herself. The difference was she’d already given up her dreams.

      “Then they will have to find that love in you.”

      She took a step back. Her throat tightened and her cheeks were hot. “You’re saying you don’t plan to love them?”

      He might as well have said he was going to kill them in their sleep!