The Sheikh & the Bride Who Said No by Susan Mallery Page B

Kardal and they live, ah, out of the country. Zara, his other daughter, is married to Rafe . Zara didn’t know the king was her father until a few years ago.”
    “I remember reading about that. Very romantic.”
    “I thought so,” Cleo said.
    Billie groaned. “You think everything is romantic.”
    Emma sighed. “These two argue a lot. I think they’re too much alike. The fighting doesn’t mean anything, but sometimes it gets a little old.”
    “I’m ignoring you,” Cleo said to Emma.
    “Me, too,” Billie added.
    Daphne couldn’t help grinning. “Do you three live in the palace?” They could certainly make her brief stay more fun.
    “They do,” Emma said, pointing to the other two women. “As I said, I’m married to Reyhan , and we spend much of our time out in the desert. Reyhan inherited a house there from his aunt. Billie and Jefri and Cleo and Sadik make their home in the palace. Billie and Jefri are involved with the new air force. Billie’s a flight instructor. She flies jets.”
    Daphne couldn’t imagine the big-haired sex kitten flying anything more complicated than a paper airplane. “You’re kidding?”
    Billie grinned. “Never underestimate the power of a woman.”
    “I guess not.”
    Emma continued. “I’m in town for a few days while Reyhan has some meetings. We brought the baby.” Her face softened as she smiled. “We have a daughter.”
    “That’s two for two,” Billie said. “I have a daughter, too. Wouldn’t it be funny if there weren’t any male heirs?”
    “Not to the men in the family,” Daphne said.
    “Good point,” Billie said. “So Zara and Sabrina will be out in a few weeks to meet you. They said to say hi for them in the meantime.”
    Talk about overwhelming, Daphne thought. “You’re very sweet to visit me.”
    “Not a problem,” Cleo said. She fluffed her short, blond hair. “Besides, we want all the details. This engagement has come about very quickly.”
    “That’s subtle,” Billie said.
    “Well, it has,” Cleo insisted.
    Emma cleared her throat. “I think what she means is how wonderful that you and Murat have found each other.”
    Daphne hated to burst their bubble, but she wouldn’t pretend to be something she wasn’t. “Murat and I haven’t found anything. I don’t know why he announced we’re engaged, because we’re not. And there isn’t going to be a wedding.”
    The three women looked at each other, then at her.
    “That changes things,” Cleo said brightly.
    Daphne smoothed the hem of her skirt. “I know it sounds terrible.”
    “Not at all,” Emma said.
    “Sort of,” Billie said.
    Daphne couldn’t help smiling. “You guys are great.”
    “Thanks,” Cleo said, preening a little. “I like to think we’re pretty special.”
    Daphne chuckled for a second, then sobered as she thought about her impossible situation. “My family is big into politics and power,” she said. “Years ago I was traveling through Europe during a summer break from college and I met Murat.
    I didn’t know who he was and we hit it off. When he invited me back here, I was stunned to find out I’d been dating the crown prince.”
    “I know that feeling,” Emma said. “ Reyhan isn’t going to be king, but he’s still royal. I had no idea.”
    Billie put her arm around Emma. “She’s our innocent.”
    Daphne sighed. “Then you can imagine my shock. Before I knew what had happened, we were engaged and everything was moving so quickly.”
    Billie frowned. “Were engaged. Obviously you didn’t get married.”
    “I think I remember reading about that,” Billie said. “Ten years ago I was a serious tabloid junkie.”
    “You still read the tabloids,” Cleo said.
    “Yeah, and then you steal them from me.”
    “Ladies,” Emma said, holding up her hand to stop their bickering. “I believe Daphne was talking.”
    Cleo smiled at her. “Go on, Daphne.”
    “There’s not much else to say. Things didn’t work out and I left. My family was