Kingdom of Betrayal

  Kingdom of Betrayal

  The Sheikh’s London Lovechild

  Billionaire Romance of The Kingdom Series

  Sara Greene

  Thank you for downloading my eBook. Now is the time to let go of all inhibitions as you allow yourself to fall deep into the world of Kings of the Desert Romance.

  Don’t hesitate to find yourself lost and discover a new life of dreams.

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  I hope you enjoy this book!

  Sara Greene

  Make sure to catch up with book 1, 2, and 3 in this series if you haven’t already: click here for book 1: The Sheikh’s London Love Child, or go to http://amzn.to/1LU4X3c or click here for book 2: Of Bastards and Kings or go to http://amzn.to/1pnkymY and finally click here for book 3: Royal deceit, Love worth waiting or go to http://amzn.to/22ommu9.

  My other books on amazon are on available through my author page at: http://www.amazon.com/author/saragreene

  Noble from the Outside

  Chapter 1

  The ceremony was a short one as both Riza and Vanessa did not want to prolong it. A footman clad in flowing robes walked serenely up to the dais carrying a golden cushion with a crown designed intricately with diamonds and rubies, Vanessa gasped when she saw it and looked at Riza, who smiled and nodded taking the crown from where it lay on the golden cushion. There was the sound of trumpets as he reverently placed the crown on Vanessa’s head and turned to the guests. “I now present to you Her Royal Highness Queen Vanessa Al Ahamed, you new Queen.”

  There were cheers and applause as Vanessa arose from her chair and took Riza’s outstretched hand. She felt as she was being crowned Miss World as the stepped down from the dais.

  Shanaz who was standing to Mumtaz’s right looked at her former mistress and smiled. “She looks so beautiful,” mouthed Mumtaz and Shanaz nodded.

  The celebrations began almost immediately after Riza and Vanessa wed. Everyone was in great spirits, but somewhere deep down Vanessa knew that she was not worthy of the crown. She felt nervous as she looked around expecting goblins of her past to appear through the walls of the palace.

  “What are you thinking of?” asked Riza as he watched beads of perspiration line Vanessa’s upper lip. “Oh nothing Riza. It is just that I am overwhelmed by all this,” she said with a sweep of her hand. Riza nodded and smiled. “You will get used to it habibti,” he said loving. He was determined to make this marriage work.

  Mumtaz walked toward Vanessa and both girls hugged each other again. “You look extremely pretty Van,” said Mumtaz. “And you look extremely pregnant pretty.”

  Shanaz who had walked up to Vanessa with Mumtaz, jumped when her mobile vibrated in her pocket. She excused herself and moved to a side to take the call. “Who is it?” she asked. “Is that Shanaz?” “Yes it is and who are you?” asked Shanaz. “Sister, I am William your brother.”

  “William? Oh William where are you? It is only I who know how much I looked for you. Before Mama died she told me everything about you, but I could not find you. My brother where are you?” she asked tears pouring down her cheeks. Mumtaz moved to Shanaz's side and put her arms around the other girl. “Shanaz, let’s go out. No one has still seen you cry and there will be questions asked later on,” whispered Mumtaz as the other girl let herself to be guided out of the reception hall.

  Vanessa looked in shock as Shanaz walked out of the reception hall. “William, who is William?” she thought to herself. “How come Shanaz is speaking with a man who has an English name and whom she calls brother? The beads of perspiration reappeared on the top of Vanessa’s lip.

  The only William she knew was from her past and not a very colorful past either. Can it be the same William that Shanaz was speaking to? Vanessa shrugged. “Silly me. How many Williams would there be roaming this earth and I am worried about one skeleton from my past,” she thought as she turned and smiled at Mumtaz who had come back and was watching Vanessa and wondering why she seemed to be nervous.

  Chapter 2

  Mumtaz touched Vanessa’s hand and she almost jumped. “I know you are nervous, but you have been quite close to Riza for a long time. Get rid of your nervousness and prepare to leave for the desert.”

  “Leave for the desert?” Vanessa asked looking shocked. “But I thought that we were going to stay here?” she asked.

  Mumtaz shook her head. “No Vanessa, traditionally your wedding night has to be spent in the desert,” said Mumtaz shaking her head.

  “Oh but where will we stay?” said Vanessa panicking.

  “Come on Van, didn’t Riza tell you about it?” asked Mumtaz turning to look at Riza as he chatted to Farook.

  Vanessa shook her head. “No one told me anything,”

  “Oh dear, then I shall tell you,” said Mumtaz. “But before that shall we go to your room so that you could change and be ready to leave?” Vanessa nodded and the two of them walked out of the reception hall. Riza turned to watch them and smiled to himself.

  Once they were in the room, Vanessa turned to Mumtaz. “I want to know everything. This is all so new to me,” she said. “And I don’t see why we should go through all this when we even have a child and that too out of wedlock.”

  Mumtaz shook her head. “Van you have to change your style of looking at things here. Our traditions and customs are vastly different to those of the West. Our elders, specially the women folk look eagle-eyed at everything that takes places at a royal wedding.”

  “Did….did you and Riza go to the desert after your marriage?” asked Vanessa.

  Mumtaz nodded. “Yes we did…..but it was more like a holiday shared with one of my siblings and not my husband. We chatted, laughed, explored the desert and really had a ball, except that we did not make love or anything like that,” said Mumtaz smiling as she remembered how much Riza and she had enjoyed the desert, that even thinking of it now brought a smile on to Mumtaz’s face.

  “Will Azam go with us too?” asked Vanessa.

  Mumtaz laughed. “Oh no, Azam will be with Adilah and Shanaz.”

  “I don’t understand this Mumi. I feel scared.”

  “You don’t have to be. Like I said before, you need to get used to all this.”

  Vanessa nodded, but deep down she felt differently

  She changed into a Chanel ivory trouser suit which fitted her perfectly. The large diamond ring glinted and glittered on her finger. It felt so heavy, but not as heavy as her heart-felt.

  “Van, I can’t help but notice that you are very nervous. Is there anything that is bothering you?” asked Mumtaz. Vanessa looked at the other woman sadly and shook her head.

  “Of course not, it’s just that I am overwhelmed by all this. I don’t know whether I would ever get used to this,” said Vanessa sweeping her hands in a gesture that troubled Mumtaz.

  “Listen, let’s go and join the celebrations. You will definitely feel differently when you are back in the palace.”

  “I hope so,” said Vanessa as she followed Mumtaz.

  When they arrived at the reception hall, Riza was talking animatedly to a man who had missed his flight to Zemaba and as a result missed the wedding ceremony. This man was standing with his back to Vanessa and Mumtaz, but Riza saw them and said something to the man.

  The other man turned and Vanessa froze. “Oh my God,” she said to herself. “What is Mark doing here?” Mumtaz looked at her in surprise. “Do you know him?” she asked. Vanessa nodded num
bly.

  Mark Daniels was the owner of Jakes Restaurant in London, a place patronized by both the middle class and the élite, as the food and drink were excellent and the ambience totally relaxing. Vanessa was not aware that Riza was a good friend of Mark. But she had met Mark when she visited Jakes many times. It was through Mark that she had met William and what happened after that was history or so she thought.

  But right how she saw history unraveling itself before her like an ugly cobweb strung tapestry which had all this while been in a dilapidated storeroom.

  Vanessa’s legs felt like jelly as she walked toward Riza and Mark.

  Mark looked even more surprised when he saw Vanessa, as he did not expect to see her in the palace. He knew she worked for Riza, but that was all. He did not know that she was the new Queen of Zemaba and Riza’s wife, as Riza had only told Mark that he was getting married and not told him to whom.

  “Hi Van, this is indeed a surprise,” said Mark.

  Vanessa twisted her fingers together and felt like a kid who had been caught doing something naughty.

  “Oh…. Hi ….. Mark,” stammered Vanessa.

  “I never expected you to be here for Riza’s wedding,” said Mark. Obviously Mark was not aware that Riza had married Vanessa only a few hours before.

  Riza looked from Mark to Vanessa and then at Mumtaz, who stood beside them looking nonplussed.

  “You two know each other?” asked Riza not seeming too pleased about it.

  Mark nodded. “We have known each other for years.” Riza nodded.

  Mark looked questioningly at Vanessa, and something in her eyes told him to keep quiet. He nodded and smiled. “Oh well this is indeed a small world.”

  “Riza I can’t wait to meet your bride.”

  “You are looking at her Mark.”

  Mark looked at Vanessa and she could see shock written all over his face.

  “She…Vanessa…is your wife?” asked Mark pointing to Vanessa and grinning. “Yes and is that an offence?” asked Riza grinning and making light of the conversation. “Oh no offence at all, it is just that I am shocked and surprised,” said Mark and he was quick to say, “And very happy for the two of you.” Riza looked at Vanessa and saw how nervous she was, but he put it down to bridal nerves, although he felt it in his gut that it was not bridal nerves, but something else. He did not want to spoil things then, but made a mental note to ask Mark how he knew Vanessa.

  Vanessa tried to smile and be happy, but she failed miserably as goblins and ghosts of the past danced before her eyes. Riza moved away from them to talk to Reffai and Mumtaz walked toward Rafeek who was chatting to her sister, as if they were long-lost friends, leaving only Mark and Vanessa together.

  “I didn’t know that you were a couple,” said Mark.

  “Mark please do not tell Riza anything about….you know who,” she said.

  “Of course not, but do you know that William is over the moon that he has located his sister Shanaz and she is supposed to be here in Zemaba,” said Mark.

  Vanessa’s heart literally stopped beating for a second and she felt herself swaying. “Are you alright Van?” asked Mark. “Oh I am…… fine, “stammered Vanessa. “You don’t look fine to me. Can I get you a drink?” asked Mark. “No… thanks Mark I will be fine.”

  She did not tell Mark that Shanaz was her baby’s nanny. If she did, then things would have got out-of-place, as Mark would have informed William and everything would have been in turmoil. She would wait until they returned from the desert, but would things have changed by then? She did not have an answer to that question.

  “Look Van, I am very happy for you and you can rest assured that nothing adverse will happen,” said Mark. But Vanessa was not convinced by Mark’s subtle declaration of secrecy.

  She knew that somehow Riza or for that matter even Reffai will get to know of her damning past and then everything would blow up in seconds.

  “Are you staying long?” asked Vanessa.

  “Yeah, I wanted to explore a little of Zemaba. May be put up a restaurant here,” he said. “But there is no alcohol sold in Zemaba,” said Vanessa weakly.

  “Oh I know that Van. The restaurant will be totally halal and cater only to the needs of the people of Zemaba. That is if Riza would let me open one,” he added. “I know the rules of an Arabian country.”

  Vanessa nodded and sighed. Things were not going to be smooth sailing as she thought they would be. She knew that at some point her past would be scraped up and the stink it would give……..would be terribly nauseating. She thought of Azam and her heart cracked in emotion. “Azam needs to be protected,” she thought to herself as she watched Mark walk toward Riza and put his arm around the other man. It was very obvious that Mark and Riza were good friends and Vanessa shuddered when she thought of what might be.

  Chapter 3

  The evening was cool as a light breeze blew across the desert. Thin sand rose and fell in tiny waves. Vanessa looked out of the 4-wheel drive in awe as she scanned the expanse of the desert.

  “This is beautiful Riza,” she whispered. “I am glad you like it. Whoever likes the desert will please my ancestors no end,” he said smiling.

  “Your ancestors do their spirits roam the desert?” asked Vanessa her eyes as large as saucers. “Some of them do,” he said nodding.

  “Oh but aren’t you afraid?” she asked astonishment lacing her question.

  “Why should I be afraid?” he asked grinning.

  Vanessa shrugged.

  “Listen Van, I once came out to the desert with Farook and Shafeek. That was when my father was quite ill and we stayed in our tents that night. All of a sudden I heard the tinkling of bells and wondered from where it came. I quietly slipped out of the tent and stood in the cool breeze and what do you think I saw or rather who do you think I saw? My mother; she was dancing and the bells on her ankles tinkled,” he said.

  Vanessa looked at him in surprise and fright. “Do you think she would be here still?”

  “Who knows,” shrugged Riza. An involuntary shudder zipped through Vanessa’s body and she pulled her coat closer as she hugged herself. Riza watched her and grinned. “Are you afraid?” he asked.

  “Oh no as long it is your mother, why should I be afraid, but if it is your father who wants to do the hula then I would be extremely frightened,” she said grinning back at him. Riza threw his head back and roared with laughter. “This is one of the things I love in you, your sense of humor.”

  Riza turned on to a paved road and Vanessa gasped when she saw what lay ahead of them. Tents were up and the entire area looked as if a festival was in progress. Bright lights in different colors adorned the top of the tents and light music played in the background.

  “This is beautiful,” whispered Vanessa, all thoughts of Mark and William taking a back seat in her mind.

  “I am glad you like it habibti?” he whispered in her ear making Vanessa jump. She turned when a female voice spoke in Arabic. “sahib alssumuww laqad han liaittikhadh sahibat alssumuww almalaki 'aw laha hammam” (“Your Highness, I have come to take Her Royal Highness for her bath.”).

  “Salaam Jamila and how are you?” asked Riza. Vanessa watched as the elderly woman looked at her with kindly eyes.

  “Vanessa, this is Jamila. She will be your personal maid and will look after all your needs and she will travel back with us the day after tomorrow when we prepare to return to the palace. Jamila has been with us for years.”

  Vanessa smiled at the kindly woman who bowed low and turned to lead the way up to a tent which was a tinge smaller than the others. But Vanessa was wrong as when she entered it, she found herself standing in the middle of a gigantic bathtub where spirals of smoke arose from the hot water.

  “Her Royal Highness will now remove her clothes,” said Jamila handing a huge bath towel to Vanessa. Although the older woman looked at Vanessa, she could not help but think that Jamila was talking to some unseen being. “You want me to change into this?” Vanessa ask
ed Jamila who nodded. “Once you get into the bathtub for you bath, the towel will be taken away.” Vanessa’s eyes grew wide. She had never been bathed before by anyone and she was certainly not going to let Jamila bath here.

  “I can take care of myself Jamila,” she said. Jamila looked hurt and Vanessa felt sorry for the old woman.

  “But this is our tradition,” said Jamila.

  “I will speak to Riza. Can you ask him to come in here?” said Vanessa. Jamila shook her head firmly.

  “Your Highness, you cannot go to your husband, until you have had your bath,” said Jamila.

  Vanessa sighed. She knew just looking at Jamila that if she did not agree to get into the bathtub, she would be bodily hauled into it.

  “Oh alright,” said Vanessa as she began to remove her clothes. Jamila nodded in satisfaction. “Your Royal Highness you will have to get used to all this,” she said.