Better, she said, when shed swallowed half a cup.
She sat down in front of the cart and picked up the folded newspapers. The first was a copy of USA TODAY. Underneath was the local Bahanian paper. She flipped it open, then screamed.
On the front page was a color picture of her under a headline announcing her engagement to Murat.
Chapter Four
She set down her coffee before she dropped it and shrieked her fury.
How dare he? Who does he think he is? Crown prince or not, Ill have his head for this!
She couldnt believe it. Last night hed been friendly and fun and sexy with his talking and touching, when the whole time hed been planning an ambush.
She stomped her foot. Hed kissed her. Hed taken her in his arms and kissed her. Shed gotten all gooey and nostalgic while hed known what he was going to do.
Bastard. No. Wait. Hes lower than that. Hes aa camel-dung sweeper. Hes slime.
She tossed the paper down, then immediately bent over to pick it up. There, in perfect English, was the announcement for the upcoming wedding along with what looked like a very long story on her previous engagement to Murat.
Just great, she muttered. Now were going to have to rehash that again.
She threw the paper in the air and stalked around the room. Are you listening, Murat? she yelled. Because if you are, know that youve gone too far. You cant do this to me. I wont let you.
There was no answer. Typical, she thought. Hes done it and now he was hiding out.
Just then the phone rang.
Ha! Afraid to face me in person?
She crossed to the phone on the end table and snatched it up. Yes?
How could you do this? a familiar female voice demanded.
Laurel?
A choke shook her sisters voice. Who else? Dammit, Daphne, you always have to ruin everything. You did this on purpose, didnt you? You wanted him for yourself.
It took Daphne a second to figure out
what her sister was talking about. You know about the engagement? she asked.
Of course. What did you think? That it would happen in secret?
Of course not. I mean theres no engagement.
How on earth had her sister found out? There was a major time difference between Bahania and the American East Coast. Shouldnt you be in bed?
Oh, sure. Because Im going to sleep after this. Her sister drew in a ragged breath. What I dont understand is how you could do this to Brittany. I thought you really cared about her.
I do. I love her. Probably more than her sister ever had, Daphne thought grimly. Thats why I didnt want her marrying Murat. Shes never even met the man.
You took care of things, didnt you? Now you have him all for yourself. I cant believe I was stabbed in the back by my own sister.
Daphne clutched the phone. This is crazy. Laurel, think about it. Why on earth would I want to marry Murat? Didnt I already dump him once?
Youve probably regretted it ever since. Youve just been waiting for the right opportunity to pounce.
Its been ten years. Couldnt I have pounced before now?
You thought youd find someone else. But you didnt. Who could measure up to the man whos going to be king? I understand that kind of ambition. I can even respect it. But to steal your only nieces fiancé is horrible. Brittany will be crushed.
I doubt that.
I never should have trusted you, Laurel said. Why didnt I see what you had planned?
There wasnt a plan. Except making sure Brittany didnt throw her life away, but Laurel didnt have to know about that. I told you, Im not engaged to Murat. I dont know what the papers are talking about, but its a huge mistake.
Oh, sure. Like I believe that.
Believe what you want. Theres not going to be a wedding.
Tell that to my heartsick daughter. Youve always thought of yourself instead of your family. Just know Ill never forgive you. No matter what.
With that, Laurel hung up.
Daphne listened to the silence for a second, then put down the phone and covered her face with her hands. Nothing made sense. How could this be happening?
She had a lot of questions, but no answers, and she knew only one way to get them.
She stood and crossed to the heavy gold doors.
Hey, she yelled. Are you guards still out there?
Yes, maam. Is there a problem?
You bet there is. Tell Murat I want to see him right now.
She heard low conversation but not the individual words as the guards spoke to each other.
Well pass your message along to the crown prince, one of the men said at last.
Not good enough. I want his royal fanny down here this second. And you can tell him I said that.
She pounded on the door a couple of times for good measure, then stalked back into her bedroom. Suddenly the phrase dressed to kill took on a whole new meaning.
Murat finished his second cup of coffee as he read over the financial section of the London Times. Then the door to his suite opened, and his father stepped in.
The king was perfectly dressed, even with the Persian cat he carried in his arms. He nodded at the guard on duty, then walked into the dining room.
Good morning, he said.
Murat rose and motioned to a chair. The king shook his head.
I wont be staying long. I only came by to discuss the most fascinating item I saw in the paper this morning.