The Nanny and The Sheikh

She would have preferred an alfresco meal on the veranda, with more talk about Qu’ Arim to enable her to learn more about the country. Maybe with another guest or two to round out the numbers. It was apparent the sheikh liked things formal. It was a good thing she was only here a week; the protocol would drive her crazy.

After dinner, she’d excused herself to wander in the gardens. They’d been illuminated with subdued lighting. She’d walked down one path and then another, exploring little nooks and thoroughly enjoying herself. It was such a change from wintery London.

Melissa began settling on the pillow, her eyes closing as she reviewed what she needed to remember for the morning. They would eat at seven and head for Surim’s offices where she and Max would meet with the contractor. Then they would—

A sudden shriek startled her. She sat up. What had that been?

Listening intently, she heard another shriek and then a child crying.

The sheikh wasn’t married, at least not that she knew. But that was definitely a child. She got up and found her robe, pulling it on as she hurried to her door.

Opening it, she could clearly hear the wailing. It came from the third floor.

Her heart hurt to hear a child cry so wretchedly. She ran lightly down the hall to the stairs she had seen earlier and quickly gained the third floor. Rushing to an open doorway, the light spilling into the hall, Melissa halted at the scene before her.

Surim had shed his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt. His hands were on his hips and he glared at three young children huddled on a sofa. An older woman stood near a door on the opposite wall, wringing her hands. The oldest child looked to be seven or eight, a toddler leaned against her. It was the little boy, about four or five, who was crying so hard.

Without a thought, Melissa stormed into the room.

“What is going on?” she asked. Moving past Surim, she gathered the little boy in her arms, brushing back his hair and hugging him as she sat on the edge of the bed. “What’s the matter, little man?” she asked in her most soothing tone.

The other two children looked at her with startled surprise, then glanced nervously at Surim.

Melissa turned, the little boy in her arms, and glared at the sheikh.

“These children should have been in bed long ago; it’s after eleven,” she said in her firmest nanny tone.

“That is what I have been telling them,” Surim said, his own voice showing his frustration. “Their nurse has been unable to control them. When Hamid awoke with a nightmare, he woke the others. Now they won’t return to bed. If they don’t behave, I’ll have to find new accommodations for them.”

“That’s the coldest thing I ever heard a father say!” she exclaimed.

“I’m not their father,” he returned.

The little boy rested his head on Melissa’s shoulder, quieting. She hugged him again and looked at the other two. They looked tired, scared and wary.

“Well, whose children are they and why were they left with you?” Melissa asked. The woman moaned slightly and lowered her gaze.

Surim lowered his hands and took a step closer, anger evident in his eyes.

“My household is not your concern. You are merely a guest. Here because Max requested it.”

“Children are my concern, however, and if you can’t take proper care of these children, I shall report you,” she replied hotly. The foolishness of the comment struck her. Surim was the leader of the entire country. To whom would she report him?

Surim narrowed his eyes, anger threatening to choke him. Then the absurdity of what she’d just said penetrated. His anger immediately cooled. For a moment he thought he’d challenge her on that. He looked at Melissa, then at the children. They shrank away from him. He was not a monster. He would never strike a child. Yet they walked as if on eggshells around him.

No wonder—he had no clue how to care for children. He’d hired Annis to watch them. But they were proving too much for her. Not that he had any intention of sharing that information with his guest. Maybe boarding schools were the answer.

He looked back at Melissa. She might be petite, but she looked as if she’d fight him to the death. And she didn’t even know the children.

“These are my cousin’s children. Nadia, Hamid, and Alaya. They have come to live with me recently and we haven’t found our way yet. I would prefer you not report me.” Surim let the humor of the situation defuse the tension. He had never heard anyone in Qu’ Arim threaten to report him before. The novelty was priceless.

“Perhaps they should return home,” Melissa said.

“Unfortunately, their parents were killed in a car crash and they have no home to return to. As their guardian, I now provide for them.”

Surim watched as Melissa shifted Hamid in her arms. He had to be growing heavy. At least she had been able to stop his crying, for which Surim was grateful. The nightmares came regularly and Annis seemed incapable of doing anything to stop them. Not that he himself had been any help. Yet Max’s little friend seemed to have the knack of quieting the child. He’d take any help he could get at this point.

He looked at her once more, surprised to see she was in a gown and robe. Her hair looked soft and touchable, her eyes sparkled with righteousness indignation. And the color that rose in her cheeks intrigued him.

Max had asked if his assistant could come, more for a holiday than for needed work. Was there something between the two of them? Surim had not seen anything. Which didn’t mean she was totally unattached. Was there a man waiting for her in London?

“Perhaps you’d help get the children settled for the night,” he said, dragging his speculation back to the matter at hand. With a glance at Annis, he shook his head. The nurse had proved most ineffective when dealing with these children. How hard could it be to put three children to bed at a reasonable time each night? Weren’t nurses supposed to be able to deal with nightmares and other problems Hamid seemed to have?

“Perhaps I should.” Melissa looked at the two girls. “Hi, I’m Melissa. Want to help me get Hamid to bed? Then I’ll tuck you both in and read you all a story.”

“Our room is across the hall,” the older girl said. “Hamid couldn’t hear the story from his room.”

“Then tonight why don’t we have all three of you sleep together, and then everyone can hear at once?”

“I wuv stories,” the littlest one said.

“They speak English,” Melissa said, looking at Surim.

“Their parents lived in England. They were all three born there,” he replied.

“Ah, I’m from England, too,” she told the children. “Let me tell you about the weather when I left, cold and rainy. They even thought there might be snow in the north before the end of the week. It’s much nicer here.”

Surim watched as the Englishwoman seemed to effortlessly gather the children to her and head them to the girls’ room. In a moment all he heard was her soft murmur.

“I’m sorry they disturbed you, Your Excellency. The boy had a nightmare and the girls awoke to come to his aid,” Annis said in Arabic.

Surim sighed. This was the fifth or sixth time since they’d arrived it had happened. When would it stop?

“It is to be expected, I suppose. We will discuss the situation in the morning,” he said.

The older woman scurried away. Surim wished she’d shown a little of the backbone Melissa Fox had when she’d taken him to task. Annis had come highly recommended, but Surim didn’t think much of her abilities with these children. Unlike Melissa Fox, who had miraculously charmed them all.

Himself included?

Report him, indeed.

He crossed the hall and paused near the opened door. The three children were snuggled together in the large bed. Melissa sat in a chair near the head, reading a story. Already little Nadia had her eyes closed. Hamid was fighting sleep.

Surim watched as Melissa seemed to calm them all, and bring much-needed rest.

He waited until she checked the children, gently closed the book, and turned off the light. She made it seem easy. Yet he had no idea of what to talk about to a child.

When she stepped into the hallway, she was surprised to see him.

“Thank you for getting them to sleep,” he said formally. He was embarrassed a guest in his home had had to involve herself with his responsibilities. But the quiet was much appreciated. He hoped they slept through the night this time.

“I apologize for speaking to you as I did earlier. It was not my place,” she said, equally formally, looking just beyond his left ear.

It was a perfect apology, but he didn’t believe she really meant it. From the stiff way she held herself, he had an idea she’d like to tear into him and berate him for not being a better guardian for the children.

“I hope they will not interrupt your visit a second time,” he said politely.

She flashed him an annoyed look and turned to walk down the hall. “Children don’t annoy me.”

Lucky her, that children didn’t annoy her. Or baffle her as they did him. He expected them to do as they were told, but had found in the three weeks they’d been in his home that expectation was not met more times than it was.

He glanced into the darkened room once more, feeling a sharp pang at the thought of his cousin Mara’s death. She and her husband had been too young. And he had never expected to be named guardian of three children under the age of nine. He knew nothing about children. He’d have his secretary begin researching boarding schools in the morning. There had to be some that would take children as young as two.

CHAPTER TWO

MELISSA dressed in a navy suit and sensible shoes the next morning. She and Max were meeting with the contractor at Surim’s offices. Then they would all view the site again, with the foreman explaining each stage. She would begin to earn her salary today. That was if Surim would still let her work. Melissa sighed. She really shouldn’t have threatened him last night. Would he mention the incident to Max? She needed to watch her tongue and not blurt out things before thinking.

Breakfast was served buffet-style in the dining room. Max was sitting in the spot he’d occupied last night when Melissa entered. After a quick glance around, she breathed a sigh of relief. Surim was not present.

“Good morning. I hope I’m not late,” she said to Max.

“Not at all.” He looked up from the English newspaper he was reading, hot tea steaming by his hand. “Surim left a while ago. He’ll meet us when we get to the office. Help yourself to breakfast.”

Melissa didn’t know if Surim normally ate a hearty English breakfast or had had one set out for his guests, but she gladly dove in. The amount of food out on the sideboard for two people was staggering, yet she saw no sign of the children. She wondered if they’d slept through the night without further incident.

“What do you think of Qu’ Arim so far?” Max asked when she sat opposite him. He folded his paper and laid it aside.

Melissa smiled. “About what I expected with a country that has such strong ties with Europe. The downtown buildings are taller than I expected and much more modern. Overall it looks very prosperous. And I especially love the flowers that grow in such profusion.”

“Surim’s done a terrific job. He was telling me about his plans for expanding their tourist market, which is the reason for the resort. He has an aggressive schedule devised to lure in European and American money. If anyone can pull it off, he can.”

“That’s why he wants Bella Lucia?”

“Of course. Anyone from the UK will recognize the name. As we stand for the highest quality it will be a strong draw he wants for the initial guests,” Max said.

She nodded, glancing at the doorway as she strained to hear any sounds from the children. But the house remained silent. Were they still sleeping? She’d like to spend more time with them. She hadn’t realized how much she’d miss children until she’d taken this extended break between her old job and her new. It was the longest she’d gone without interacting with small children since she’d finished her training.

“I’m ready when you are,” Max said, folding his napkin.

Melissa took a final swallow of her coffee and stood. “Let’s go.”

They had the limo at their disposal and as they were driven through the city streets Melissa felt a hint of excitement at the thought of seeing Surim again. He hadn’t paid her much attention yesterday, and she’d been rude last night. Still, there was a fascination that hadn’t been quelled yet. She’d love to talk to him about his country, about how he felt taking the reins of leadership so young. What changes had he made? What were the plans for the future?

It wasn’t his looks alone that fascinated her. He was a challenge to talk to, seemed smarter than most men she had dated, and carried himself with confidence bordering on arrogance. Yet on him it sat well. She tried to pinpoint exactly why she felt drawn to the man. He definitely didn’t have a way with children. But many men left most of the child-raising to the wife. He had lots more going for him than being father of the year.

“Max, did you know Surim has three children living with him?” she asked.

“Umm? Children? I don’t think so; he’s not married. Though I heard he’s looking.”

“Maybe because he has those three children,” Melissa said. What did that mean, looking? Could she ask without giving the impression it was important?

“What children?” he said, looking at her.

“Their parents just died. They were raised in the UK and speak English as well as you or I do.”

Max looked at her in puzzlement. “How do you know this?”

“Didn’t you hear them last night? The little boy woke from a nightmare and was crying loud enough I heard him in my room.”

“I didn’t hear anything.” He looked pensive. “I can’t imagine Surim with children. Running a country, yes. Visiting Europe and squiring beautiful women around, yes. Kids, I don’t think so.”

“No surprise there. He didn’t seem to have an ounce of sympathy for the little boy.” She tried to maintain her indignation, but couldn’t help thinking of Surim’s side of things. If he wasn’t used to being around children, becoming an instant guardian to three would be daunting.

The limo stopped in front of a large high-rise glass and steel skyscraper. Max led the way and Melissa hurried to keep up. Tall people never seemed to consider that those not blessed with extraordinary height would have trouble keeping pace.

Entering a mirrored elevator, they were soon whisked to the top floor. Stepping out onto a luxurious carpet, Melissa gazed around, noting the old paintings on the walls, the elegance of the furnishings and the quiet hum of business.

She and Max were ushered into a conference room. The outer wall was of glass, offering a spectacular view of the Gulf. Melissa wanted to stand there and drink in the sight, but Surim was already at the large table with three other men. Introductions were quickly made—the contractor and his assistant, and Surim’s project manager. All the men from Qu’ Arim spoke French, so they used that language, Melissa translating into English for Max.

When she wasn’t speaking, she studied Surim. He had the capacity to totally focus on the situation at hand. Did he bring that focus to his new children?

Would he bring that focus to a woman? She could imagine being the center of his attention; his eyes would gaze into hers. His conversation would be on topics she liked. And the woman would feel like a queen. Not that she would ever know. Not that she wanted to even venture there. She’d been burned badly by Paul and had no intention of flirting with a friend of Max’s. Max had trusted her enough to bring her as his assistant; she would do nothing to damage that relationship. How awkward it would be if Surim complained Melissa was flirting with him. She cringed at the thought.

But she couldn’t help glancing his way again. And came up against his gaze focused on her. He didn’t read minds, did he?

When it was time to go to the construction site, Melissa rode with Surim in his private car, which he drove. Max went with the others in the limo.

“I wished to speak to you privately,” Surim said as they merged into traffic.

“About?” For a moment, despite her best efforts of keeping a businesslike demeanor, her imagination soared. Would he reach out and take her hand? Tell her he was delighted she’d joined Max and would she spend time with him alone before they returned to England? Maybe she’d like to see a quiet place only he knew?

“To thank you for calming young Hamid last night. He has been troubled by nightmares a great deal.”

Her bubble popped.

“Not unexpected if he just lost his parents,” she said, feeling foolish after all. Thankfully no one else knew of her dumb daydreams. She really had to get control of her emotions. Paul should have cured her once and for all of getting ideas about rich, powerful men and their interest in a nanny. Especially with the cultural differences added in.

Surim nodded, focused on driving.

“Perhaps. I hope they won’t bother you tonight,” he said.

“No bother. I’m sorry they are going through such a trying time. It was fortunate they have family to take them in.”

“My cousin’s mother, Tante Tazil, is not well. She is unable to care for them. But I don’t believe they will remain with me for long. I have my secretary looking into boarding schools.”

“What? They’re too young to be sent away!” Good thing she didn’t have any illusions about the man; this would have shattered any lingering ones. Who would think of sending babies to boarding school?

“I went to boarding school when I was nine, in England—which was a foreign country to me. We are looking at schools in England. That is their native country, even though their parents were from Qu’ Arim. They have been raised there and I thought it would make them feel better to be back there.”

“Nadia is still a baby, Hamid can’t be five yet and Alaya is still too young to be sent away. Think, Surim, they are children. They have just suffered a horrific loss of both parents. Being here took them away from the only home they knew, and now you’re proposing to shunt them off to some school—if you can even find one that will take them that young.”

“I’m sure that will not be a problem.”

The arrogant statement caused Melissa’s blood to boil. Men who were obscenely rich thought money could buy everything. But not family ties, not love and loyalty, nor negation of his responsibility to his cousin’s children.

“Maybe not to you, but think of them,” she said. “It would be horrible.”

“They are unhappy and disruptive. During the day they run wild around the house, yelling and breaking things. At night Hamid has nightmares and awakens the entire household. Their nurse cannot control them. I believe a more structured environment would be beneficial. It is not open for discussion; I was merely informing you of my plans.”

They had reached the site of the hotel and he turned to park beside the row of cars and trucks near the building. The activity at the site was a stark contrast to yesterday. The lot was crowded with workers. Trucks of cement were dumping their loads. Men and machines worked as if choreographed, building a structure that would reflect the desires of their sheikh to expand tourism for his country.

Melissa ignored it all, however. She was so angry she could spit! How dared he mess those children around like that? They needed stability and love, guidance and assurance that they were part of a family—not to be sent away from the only relative who was apparently able to look after them.

She reached out and caught his arm, stopping him from exiting the car.

He looked at her with some surprise.

Amazed at her own audacity, she nonetheless held onto her courage. “There has to be other alternatives. Think, please. They’re babies. They need comforting, love. You are their cousin, their guardian. Spend time with them or find other family members who can care for them. Don’t send them to some institutional school so far away.”

“I believe I know what is best for the children.” He slipped his arm from beneath her hand and climbed out of the car.

“I don’t think so,” she muttered, opening her own door and getting out before he could come around to assist. Her opinion of the man dropped significantly! How could he do that to those precious children?

Max had said he was looking for a wife. Maybe his attitude was one of the reasons he wasn’t already married.

Yet her heart ached for those sweet children. Maybe she’d find a way to make him change his mind.

Melissa was tired by the time she and Max returned to Surim’s house in the late afternoon. Dinner would not be for a couple of hours. She quickly showered and put on some casual, light trousers. No one had said she couldn’t visit the children, so she went up to the third floor.

They were sitting in front of a television, the program in Arabic. Why weren’t they outside in the sunshine?

“Hi,” she said, stepping inside the room.

All three kids scrambled to their feet and rushed to greet her.

“You came back,” Alaya said in perfect English. “I didn’t think we’d see you again. I’m sorry Hamid woke everyone up last night.”

“I had a nightmare,” the little boy said.

Nadia held up her arms and Melissa scooped her up, hugging her gently, then resting her on her hip.

“What are you doing inside on such a gorgeous day? I heard there’s a path to the beach,” Melissa said. She smiled at the older woman sitting with crochet work in hand.

“Do you mind if I take the children out for a walk?” she asked in French.

With the nurse’s agreement, she told the children to get ready. “We’ll walk there and back. But only on the condition you are on your best behavior,” she admonished, remembering what Surim had said about their running wild.

“We haven’t been outside except to the gardens. Annis doesn’t like to go far. She’s old,” Alaya ended in a whisper.

“Well, I’m not and I’m up for a walk to the beach. Sun cream first and then we’ll leave,” Melissa said. The nurse wasn’t that old—she looked to be about fifty—but to a young girl she probably did seem elderly.

The outing proved to be full of fun. Melissa forgot about being tired and held Nadia’s and Hamid’s hands. Alaya walked on the other side of Nadia, chatting freely.

“We’ve been here a long time it seems and never seen the beach. Our parents died, you know. I really miss Mummy. Is the water cold?” Alaya asked.

“I think it’s warm. We’ll find out together.” Melissa found the gate leading out of the garden and followed the neatly kept path. In only five minutes they reached a pristine stretch of beach totally empty in both directions. The children ran toward the water.

“Don’t go in until I get there,” Melissa called, running after them. It felt so good to be free of office clothes, to be running in the sunshine. The laughter of the children warmed her heart. She was glad she’d followed her instincts and sought them out.

The children kicked off their shoes and waded in the warm sea. Melissa quickly followed, getting the bottoms of her trouser legs wet, but she didn’t care. She was happy to enjoy the excitement of the children.

“I want to go swimming,” Hamid said, splashing his sisters.

“Whoa, not so much water. Another day we’ll ask about swimming. How about we race along the water’s edge? Who can run the fastest?” Melissa said, looking to channel some of their energy. They probably got into trouble in the house from sheer curiosity and exuberance. She’d make sure they got enough exercise to sleep soundly tonight.

“Me,” little Nadia said.

“I can,” Hamid said.

They were off, running at the edge of the water, splashing and laughing. Alaya took off after them, with Melissa following.