The Sheikh and the Servant (12 page)

The two children turned their adorable wheedling on Noori, who pretended to be put out, but finally relented. “How can I refuse my masters?” He then lifted an eyebrow. “What proprieties do you speak of?”

“You have to wear robes and a turban,” Sawsan piped up.

“And sandals,” Massarah added, this being his most hated requirement. Even now he was barefoot.

“Robes? And a turban?” Noori pretended to shudder, smiling at the children and tweaking their noses. “You must really dislike me to subject me to such horrors.”

“Sandals are horrible!” Massarah stated seriously, running over to hide his face against Shahin’s knee.

“And turbans,” Noori teased, stepping closer and kneeling at the boy’s feet. He reached down to touch the top of a tanned foot. “And these feet are much too strong to hide.”

The sheikh snorted. Noori only encouraged his headstrong children, though they all enjoyed it so much, he hated to discourage it. “Enough jabbering. Sawsan, find your veil. Massarah, the
dreaded
sandals.” He looked down at Noori, who still knelt at his feet. “And the horrible turban,” he teased softly.

Noori looked up, a smile on his face. “As you say, my lord.”

Nodding, Shahin turned to help his daughter fasten her veil and then sat to fasten Massarah’s sandals, assuring the boy that he could remove them as soon as they left Mother’s tent later that evening.

Noori rose and dusted off his trousers, taking the time to change into a more formal robe. He then tied his turban, making a playful frown at Massarah as he did so.

Massarah giggled. “Why do you not like turbans?” the child asked.

“They make my head sweat,” Noori answered. “Why don’t you like sandals?”

Massarah turned up his nose. “They make my feet sweat.”

Noori laughed and nodded. “Shall I carry you so you do not sweat as much?”

Massarah held up his arms as a properly attired Shahin and Sawsan joined them at the tent flap. “Found yourself another camel?” Shahin asked his son wryly.

The young boy’s arms tightened around Noori’s neck. and he nodded. Shahin sighed and shook his head, but he didn’t comment further, gesturing for Sawsan to lead the way. “Mother is waiting,” he said.

Noori followed behind Shahin and Sawsan as they crossed the village to an opulent tent that was well-surrounded by guards. The guards all bowed to the sheikh, who nodded in acknowledgment. Sawsan went ahead, and Shahin glanced over his shoulder to see that Noori followed. Noori lowered his head as they crossed into the tent. He kept it lowered as Massarah squirmed to get down, and he lowered him to the carpeted floor.

Massarah ran forward to stand with his father before the low table. All three bowed before the surprisingly young-looking woman who waited for them. She regally nodded to them, and then Sawsan and Massarah swarmed over toward her, laughing and talking and hugging. Noori remained behind as the three family members stepped forward and greeted the woman they all so obviously loved and respected.

“So, I see you finally brought him to meet me.” The woman’s voice carried strongly across the table to Shahin.

“Mother,” Shahin answered in a low rumble, almost placating.

“It’s only been nearly eight months since he arrived,” she answered too sweetly.

“Mother,” Shahin said a bit more sharply, glancing to Noori.

The woman smiled sweetly and gestured to Noori. “Come; you are having dinner with us,” she said directly to him while Shahin sighed and gracefully sat on the pillows. “None of that, now,” the woman said to Shahin, who just narrowed his eyes at her. Sawsan and Massarah giggled.

Noori stepped forward when told to, lifting his head somewhat, but keeping his eyes averted respectfully.

“You shall sit next to me, and tell me about my wayward son, who does not visit as often as he should,” she said to Noori. “Come now.”

Shahin stifled another sigh. “Noori, this is Mother. Mother, you have obviously heard about Noori, an addition to my household.”

Noori bowed before the lady. “Many blessings upon you and your family, my lady,” he murmured.

Mother made a pleased sound. “He has manners,” she commented to Sawsan, who nodded. “Manners have their place, Noori. Here is not one of them. Come and sit. You are a part of the family tonight.”

Shahin watched Noori carefully, wondering how he would react. He knew Mother would act like this tonight, which was partly why he had told her about Noori and how he had grown used to the other man’s presence. Noori knelt before sitting on a pillow near the lady. He finally lifted his gaze, taking in his surroundings. He gasped as he caught his first glimpse of the lady’s timeless beauty.

She smiled widely and laughed lightly. “Now that is the best of compliments,” Mother said. “I like him, Shahin.”

“Of course, I am pleased, Mother,” Shahin answered, amused.

Several servants entered to serve dinner, offering child-size portions to Sawsan and Massarah, who exclaimed happily over the treats. Noori waited until the family started eating before he took a bite of food. He ate slowly and quietly, listening to the conversation. Mother watched Noori with a half-smile as Sawsan talked about her dancing lessons. She also watched her son watching Noori. Shahin did not miss the twitch of her lips. Once Sawsan finished, Mother praised her and then turned to Noori. “Tell me, Noori, how will you serve the tribe once you earn your freedom?”

Shahin’s head snapped up, and he focused on Mother, eyes narrowed.

“In any way our lord wishes, my lady,” Noori offered in a polite tone. “I enjoy my duties as an assistant to Karam, but I shall understand if that position is allotted to our lord’s next purchase.”

“Karam, nice boy. Is he married yet?” Mother looked to Shahin, who shook his head. Noori frowned slightly at the change in topic, but he hid it well, taking a sip of wine. Mother turned her attention right back to him. “And you, Noori, any prospects for marriage?”

Shahin pressed his lips together, looking down at his plate, trying not to snicker. He knew Mother was like a force of nature. Noori very nearly spewed wine. He blushed and lowered his face. “One with a past such as mine finds himself lacking in prospects and offers.”

Mother waved dismissively. “A past such as yours is not one to be ashamed of. We are all given trials in life for a reason. I myself was a harem girl before I caught Shahin’s father’s eye,” she shared.

“I am afraid that there are few princesses who will beg their fathers’ mercies to wed me,” Noori murmured. He took another sip of wine before continuing. “And as such, I am content as I am.”

Mother smiled. “Perhaps princesses are not in your future,” she said mysteriously.

“I’m a princess!” Sawsan piped out, drawing a smile from her father.

Noori cast a questioning look at the sheikh’s mother before smiling at Sawsan. “I do not think your father would approve a marriage between you and I, lovely one.”

“Of course not! You’re old!” Sawsan said, as if there were no truer words.

“Sawsan,” Shahin said in warning. “Mind your manners.”

“But it’s true, Father,” Sawsan said.

“But we are nice to our friends, aren’t we, Sawsan?” Mother said chidingly.

The little girl hung her head. “Yes,” she said quietly.

“Noori is a valued member of the household. He deserves your respect as much as I do,” Shahin said gently.

Sawsan looked up, lower lip trembling. “I’m sorry, Noori. You’re not
that
old.”

Mother stifled a giggle behind her napkin while Shahin rolled his eyes and glanced to Noori. Holding a hand to his heart in mock hurt, Noori finally conceded with a smile. “I am likely older than your father, so I will take no offense to your comment.”

Shahin frowned slightly at Noori’s comment, but he did not speak up, instead helping Massarah with his dinner. It seemed as if every other comment from Noori was fraught with some unhappiness Shahin could not divine.

Mother turned to Noori. “It is a different way we teach our children and people, here, I know,” she said. “I had a very difficult life until I was married, and I instilled in my children that just because you serve does not mean you are a slave.”

“You have raised a lovely family, my lady. I could not ask for a more suitable family to serve,” Noori said.

Smiling widely, Mother gestured for dessert to be served, laughing as Massarah abandoned his pillows for his father’s lap. Noori’s eyes widened at the variety of sweets that were set upon the table. Choosing a small cookie for Massarah, Shahin held it for him while nodding to the tray, making eye contact with Noori. A small smile encouraged him.

“The pastries are Shahin’s favorite,” Mother said. “But the honey-glazed fruit is very nice, as well.”

Noori took one of each, nibbling at the treats. His eyes flicked up to watch Shahin, who had lifted one of the sticky pastries in one hand while holding Massarah in the other. He took a bite of the end, catching the filling on his tongue, trying to keep from dropping any of it. He glanced to Noori when he heard a gasp.

Noori had dropped a piece of glazed fruit down the front of his robe. He glanced up, catching the lady’s eyes. “My apologies, my lady!” Mother chuckled and held out a napkin for him. He dabbed at the front of his robe, watching as the glaze smeared further. “I am sorry, my lady. I fear I am doing more harm than good.”

Shahin glanced over, having missed the exchange as he tried to keep Massarah’s dessert off his own tunic with little success. Smears of fruit glistened against the black fabric, and he smiled ruefully, shifting the now-dozing boy in his lap.

“How is it that we are messier than the children, my lord?” Noori asked.

Shahin chuckled and shook his head. “Time for bed, Sawsan,” he said quietly, hefting the snoring Massarah to his shoulder.

“Father, may I stay with Mother?” Sawsan asked.

Shahin nodded. “Should Mother allow it, you may.”

“I will allow it,” Mother said happily, obviously pleased.

Sawsan smiled happily and ran around the table to hug her father’s leg. He slid a hand around her shoulders and through her hair, lovingly.

Noori bowed to the lady. “My thanks for a lovely evening, my lady. Both the repast and the company were beyond my wildest dreams.”

Mother smiled, gathering Sawsan on her lap. “Please, come visit me again sometime soon,” she invited, turning up her cheek for her son’s kiss.

Noori nodded. “As our lord wishes.”

The corner of Shahin’s mouth turned up. “As Mother wishes,” he corrected as he turned to lead the way out. Mother just beamed.

Chapter 12

Noori
bowed once again and then hastened to follow Shahin. “Shall I carry him?” He motioned to Massarah.

Shahin stopped and let Noori take on the sleeping burden. He shook his arm, obviously trying to get the blood flowing again. “He’s heavy,” he cautioned quietly.

“But a precious burden he is,” Noori murmured as they once again resumed their journey. “I enjoy spending time with your family, my lord.”

Shahin grunted in reply. Strolling slowly as they made their way back to the nursery, Shahin watched Noori and the careful way he held Massarah. He thought perhaps Noori would be a very good father, certainly better than himself, who stayed so busy. His thoughts turned inward.

“If you do not mind, Master, I may spoil your children,” Noori said. “I will not have any of my own.”

These words caught Shahin’s attention. “You have the opportunity,” Shahin pointed out. “Servants may marry and start families, should they wish it.”

“’Tis not that I do not wish it, my lord, but I have long since known that my passions lead me toward those who are unable to bear children,” Noori whispered.

Since Noori had alluded to such before, Shahin was not surprised. He thought about it for a long moment. “There are women in the village who would bear a child should a man offer to support them, without an offer of marriage. ’Tis not done often, but it happens.” He fell quiet for a moment. “Were you to want children, but not a wife,” he added.

Noori shook his head. “I do not think I am meant to be a father.”

“I thought the same once,” Shahin murmured as they stopped in front of the nursery. He bent to kiss Massarah’s forehead and then nodded so that Noori would allow the woman waiting to take the child.

“But you were wrong,” Noori murmured.

Shahin watched the woman carry his son away before looking to Noori and finally nodding. “Though I would change many things, my children are not counted among them. They are precious to me.”

“As they should be. They are precious beings,” Noori agreed, walking toward Shahin’s tent. “You do not mind if I share your pallet tonight?”

Shahin stopped midstride, blinking at Noori, wondering why he would ask now, of all times. “No,” he replied cautiously.

Noori smiled, and, tilting his head, Shahin shook his head, not understanding.