The Inherited Bride Read Free Page B

French, Arabic—obviously English.”
    “You’re quite well-educated.”
    “I’ve had a lot of time to devote to it.” Books had been her constant companion, either at the family home,or for those brief years she’d gone to an all-girl school in Switzerland. Her imagination had been her respite from the demands that her parents had placed on her. From their constant micro-managing of her actions. In her mind at least she’d been free.
    But it hadn’t been enough lately. She’d needed more. An escape. A reality apart from the life she’d led behind the palace walls. Especially if she was expected to go and live behind more walls, to be shut away again. Set apart. Isolated even when surrounded by hundreds of people.
    She shivered, cold loneliness filling her chest, her lungs, making her feel as if she was drowning.
    “It’s nice to know all those languages when you move in the type of circles my family do. I’ve gotten to practice them with various diplomats and world leaders.” During their frequent trips to Italy they’d always met with politicians, wealthy socialites. The same kind of person, the same sort of conversation. Always supervised. She clenched her fists. “So, what have you used your linguistic skills for?”
    Probably for seducing women all over the world …
    “They have been a matter of survival for me. In my line of work, understanding the words of the enemy can be a matter of life and death.”
    A chill settled over her, goosebumps rising on her arms. “You … that’s happened to you?”
    He gave her a hard look, one void of expression, but conveying an intense amount of annoyance over having to carry on this extended conversation with her. “Yes. I am in the service of my country. My king. It’s my job to protect him, and now to protect you.”
    The fierce loyalty in Adham’s voice shocked her. She didn’t know if there was anything in the world she felt so much passion for. She’d lived her life by the rules untilrecently, but she hadn’t followed the rules out of any great love for them. She had just done it. Existed. Her future, her marriage, was a given—her duty to her people. But there was no fire of conviction there.
    “Is that why you’re here? To protect me?”
    “He trusts you with me. He would not send just any man to search for his fiancée. He was concerned for your safety. And I will protect you. I will bring you back to him.”
    “Why is it that everyone seems to think I can’t walk from room to room without someone holding my hand?” Frustration pulled at her, making her feel she might explode.
    His jaw tightened. “Because you present yourself in such a way that suggests it.”
    “That isn’t fair. I’ve never been given a chance to make my own decisions. It’s assumed I’m incapable.”
    “If you show as much maturity in the rest of your life as you have with your decision to run from your duty, I can see why.”
    “I’m not running from my duty. I understand what’s expected of me. I even understand why. But I realized something a few weeks ago. I’ve never been alone.
Ever.
Not really. I’ve always had a security detail following my every move, chaperones making sure I never put a toe out of line, dressers telling me what to wear, teachers telling me what to think—all leading up to a future that was predestined for me and that I have no control over.” Her throat tightened. “I just wanted time. Time to find out who I am.”
    A buzzing sound echoed in the room, signaling the arrival of their food. Adham stood and walked to the door, punching in a security code that she assumed allowed the delivery man access. In a few moments Adham returned,holding two bags that looked as if they were packed full of food.
    She tried to find some of the optimism she’d felt earlier, when she’d first boarded the train from Italy. She only had this one night of freedom, and a very limited amount tomorrow. There would be a lot of time for her to cry later.