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  Defying the Sheikh

  Michelle Hughes

  Defying the Sheikh

  Michelle Hughes

  © United States 2012

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  ©2012 by Michelle Hughes, Inc.

  1st Edition 2012

  Printed in the United States of America

  Hughes, Regina Michelle 1969-

  Defying the Sheikh: a novella by Michelle Hughes

  DEDICATION

  To my grandmother who shared her love of Harlequin romances with me and opened my eyes to a world of fantasy that I have never forgotten.

  Defying the Sheikh

  Michelle Hughes

  A Writer’s Pad Approved Novel

  in association with

  http://www.thebooksdebut.com/

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  1

  The Meeting

  2

  Demands

  3

  Claiming

  4

  Vows

  5

  Storms

  6

  Harem

  7

  Lessons

  8

  Wedding

  9

  Understanding

  10

  Confession

  Epilogue

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I would like to thank all my friends at the Writer's Pad for encouraging me to try my hand at historical romance. As always, thank you to my wonderful family for all their love and support. A big thank you to Jimmy Thomas, at Romance Novel Covers for the great couple photo. And most of all thank you to the readers, I hope you enjoy my first venture into historical romance!

  1 The Meeting

  Michaela fought back a yawn as she watched the pristine ballroom swarm with eager young women attempting to gain the attention of the foreign royalty that had arrived this evening. Looking over them, she had no understanding of why any woman would choose to flaunt themselves before men in such an inexcusable way. As far as she was concerned husbands were no different than fathers, they controlled your future and kept you pregnant with their children so you could never have a single thought of your own. The thought of having to obey another man sickened her, and she would be happy to be labeled a spinster and remain at home until the last breath was drawn.

  She had loved her father, God rest his soul, even though they had barely spent any time together as his work took him all over the world. The greatest kindness he had done was to leave her in the hands of his older sister, as her thoughts toward marriage were compatible with her own. Aunt Gertrude had given her a coming out party last year, because it was the acceptable thing to do, but she never made any arguments about Michaela keeping her unmarried status. Gertrude had been widowed five years ago and had never desired to make another match.

  The only reason they were making an appearance at the ball this evening, was because Gertrude's uncle was the one hosting it. The Baron was a recently widowed man himself and Gertrude had great affection for him as he helped her maintain the properties her late husband left in his care. Edwin, the Baron of Rosewood, had arranged Gertrude's own marriage and had great respect for the love that kept his niece unwilling to sully the memories of her belated husband with another.

  "My dear at least attempt to look enthralled," Gertrude chided her niece softly. Shaking her head she could only smile at how Michaela seemed so uninterested in the many men looking her way. The girl was incredibly beautiful, she thought to herself, but there were few men that would accept the intelligence that was hidden behind her lovely emerald green eyes.

  Forcing a smile to her face, she only hoped that this event would end quickly so she could get back to her studies. There was a library full of books and worlds waiting to be explored. As far as she was concerned, nothing here could compare to such intrigue. "Forgive me Aunt Gertrude; I will attempt to try harder."

  Gertrude tsk tsked her quietly, but was very pleased that her niece had no interest in leaving her. She had lost so much and Michaela was all she truly had left to keep her enjoying life. She knew it was selfish to not push the girl into finding a husband, but it was apparent none of the young men she had met interested her in the least. A loveless marriage was the last thing she wanted for her

  Armon smiled politely as he was introduced to dozens of wide-eyed young females vying for his attention. Some of the women were indeed lovely, but he had no intention of courting them. He had enough troubles to deal with back home with the escalating violence, and adding a woman untrained in his way of life was just not a responsibility he was willing to take on.

  He had traveled to the British Island many times at his father's side and even had an English tutor to round out his education. In his opinion, the women here were spoiled and headstrong and could not compare to the women of his world that knew exactly how to address their betters. He looked forward to concluding his business and returning to his homeland. Hiding his boredom through years of practicing social skills, he glanced toward the front door eager to make his escape.

  "My dearest Michaela, you simply grow lovelier each time I see you," Edwin walked over to his great niece and marveled at how much she had matured in the last year.

  "Uncle Edwin, you flatter me," Michaela smiled back genuinely. She had always found her Uncle Edwin an inspiring man as he shared his ideas about the world with her. He was one of the few men that would speak to her of things outside the boring idle conversation that most of them felt was befitting of a lady.

  "No my dear, I only speak the truth," he smiled warmly. "I cannot have you being a wallflower at my ball my dear, so come let me introduce you." Wrapping his feeble arm around hers he led her into the crowd.

  Michaela would never dishonor her great uncle by refusing, but she had to bite back a groan at being paraded around to his peers. She kept a smile pasted on her face as she was introduced to man after man, looking forward to resting her tired feet soon. The shoes she wore were fashionable, which meant very uncomfortable.

  "There is one last introduction my dear and I do believe you will find him very impressionable." Edwin knew that his niece enjoyed being around those of more intellectual disposition, and the Sheikh was one of the most knowledgeable men he had met in recent years.

  He led them to the edge of the ballroom where a man with his back toward them was dressed in a traditional suit, but his head was covered in a keffiyeh. She had recently studied a book on Saudi Arabia, and fought to keep a look of disgust off her face on how they treated their females.

  Armon turned and was faced with the most beautiful woman that had ever graced his eyes, and for a moment he could only stare. Her rich auburn hair was artfully piled on top of her beautiful head with a few curling tendrils falling across her bare shoulder where the white ball gown allowed his eyes to gaze on her flesh. Her face was a lovely porcelain frame that boasted eyes the color of emeralds with a fringe of dark lashes. As his eyes moved to the fullness of her lips, he felt his body respond almost instantly.

  "Sheikh Abdul Armon Hanbali, may I present my great niece, Lady Michaela Rosewood," Edwin spoke kindly in respect.
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  Lifting the woman's small hand in his he could not force his eyes from her lips. "Please call me Armon," he was mesmerized by the vision before him.

  Pulling her hand from his forcefully, she fought to hide the disgust she felt. "Sheikh Armon," she gave a brief nod of her head in acknowledgement before looking around the room, ignoring him. The man was definitely handsome, she thought to herself. Only one quick glance did she allow at the perfection of his face and even that look made her heart race. She was not pleased with how her body reacted and decided to leave his presence quickly.

  "You did not tell me you had such a lovely niece, Baron," Armon was angered that the woman shunned him but demanded himself to remain polite.

  "You honor me Sheikh," Edwin smiled in pride. "She has definitely been a great joy." He couldn't understand Michaela's rudeness and hoped to put the Sheikh at ease. He had never known his niece to be undiplomatic and wondered just what he was missing.

  "I have heard you will be attending the festivities in my country next month," Armon felt his ire grow as the woman continued to look anywhere but at him, still he forced his upset to remain internal.

  "Ah yes, I must say there is great excitement in being invited to such a ceremony." Edwin had been more than pleased when the invitation to the Palace had arrived.

  "We will be most pleased to have you and perhaps your lovely niece would enjoy accompanying you as well?"

  "I would not even consider...", Michaela uttered the words before she thought and was instantly embarrassed at her bad manners. "Forgive me," she gave him a look that spoke of how much she detested him," what I meant was that Aunt Gertrude could not be without me for such a long period of time." Allowing her gaze to look over his face insultingly she then turned her back on him. "The air is a little tainted at the moment, please forgive me, I must excuse myself." Without thought to decorum she almost ran out of the ballroom and into the huge garden.

  "Forgive my niece," Edwin had never been so shocked by such behavior. "She must indeed be feeling unwell." He hoped his shame did not show, he had come to respect the Sheikh and could not understand why his great niece seemed in such a hurry to get away.

  "Please, it is of no consequence," Armon said politely but inwardly he was fuming. Never had a woman dared to reject him in such a way and he did not appreciate it in the least. "The hour grows late," he forced a smile to his face, "I believe I shall retire." With a quick bow to the Baron he made his way out of the mansion.

  Michaela knew that she would have to walk back inside, but the thought of being faced with the Sheikh again was not resting well in her soul. He was a monster, all of the men from his country were, that was why her heart had raced, she told herself. Anger for the way they abused women, it was nothing more, she was almost convinced.

  Armon found his servant and instructed him to bring the carriage around. His rage was growing stronger with every moment and he planned on putting as much distance between him and the woman that had dared insult him in such a way. She needed to be taught manners and shown how to respect those that were above her. When the object of his reflection walked up, he felt as if reality had taken a backseat in his mind.

  "I will assume you have come to apologize for your rudeness," he refused to call her Lady, she didn't deserve the title in his opinion.

  Michaela was startled as she almost walked right into the chest of the giant she had been avoiding. His tone of voice irritated her and she felt her own ire rise. "Perhaps you should apologize for the horrible way you treat the women of your country," pointing her finger at his chest she poked him deliberately. She had no inclination to back down from this brute.

  "You dare instruct me girl!" He was incredulous that this little woman thought she had the right to teach him anything.

  "Apparently someone needs to," she glared up at him, her breasts heaving as her hatred for his type overwhelmed her.

  "You insult me and my country!" Without thinking his hand reached out and grasped her arm pulling her toward him. "You would be beaten for such an offense, were we on my lands."

  "We are not on your lands, you barbaric beast, now take your hand off of me!" She wanted to slap the condescending look from his face and fought to restrain herself.

  Edwin arrived outside and was horrified at the commotion in front of his estate. "Michaela, you will cease this at once!" He had no idea what had gotten into the girl and knew that her behavior could fuel a greater gap between the Sheikh's and their country. "Offer your apologies to the Sheikh!"

  Armon held up his hand to stop the Baron's word. "An apology will not suffice for the insults she has cast upon me," he glared down at the woman wishing he could take her over his lap for her insolence. "The price I demand is ownership!" He was shocked as the words escaped his lips, and even more so by the feeling that surged through his loins at the thought.

  "I will not be owned by you, you overbearing swine, to the devil with you!" Michaela was furious at the man's attitude and even though she knew that she was making a spectacle of herself, she refused to back down.

  Gertrude could not believe the change in her normally pliant niece and knew that she had to diffuse this situation immediately. Walking over with purpose she took Michaela by the arm and led her to the carriage. "You will keep quiet until we are away from here," she warned softly. The servant opened the carriage door and she quickly ushered her niece inside. "Forgive me my Lord, I have no idea what has come over Michaela this evening."

  Edwin gave a quick nod of his head in acknowledgement, the shame that filled him at having such a disaster happen at his event apparent on his face. He could only breathe a sigh of relief as the carriage disappeared into the night. Turning back to his guests he gave a small smile, "Please forgive the interruption my friends, and enjoy the rest of your evening." He was pleased that the crowd moved back inside but now he was left alone to deal with the Sheikh.

  "I cannot beg your forgiveness enough," Edwin's head bowed in shame not knowing how he could fix this terrible wrong.

  "The girl has no restraint, Baron," attempting to diffuse his anger he spoke more calmly than he felt.

  "She has never behaved in such a way before, you have my word." He knew that his words meant little and could only hope that the Sheikh would be able to forgive him.

  "Your niece has dishonored me greatly, Baron." He would not let this end without gaining what he desired now. "I request that you grant her to me."

  "As in marriage?" Edwin was shocked. Why the Sheikh would even want his niece after her horrible behavior this evening was confusing to him. He knew that Michaela would never readily agree to such a union. "She would never accept such a proposal, Sheikh."

  "And you would allow her the choice?" He was incredulous that the girls' behavior would be allowed to continue and he wasn't willing to concede. "You would put our countries at war over a mere girl," he knew that would never happen but he would have the girl. She needed a firm hand, and he was just the man to tame her.

  "Of course not," Edwin was shocked and felt himself overwhelmed at such a thought. He could never allow the events of this night to affect the peace of two nations. "I will grant your request," his voice sounded defeated to his own ears. He knew that Michaela could be headstrong but even she could not wish war.

  Armon nodded and allowed his rage to cool. "My ship will be leaving in one week's time; I expect our vows to be said before we set sail." He turned to his servant and waited for the carriage door to be opened. Without giving the man any further words he drove off.

  Edwin knew that all hell was about to be set loose. He had no choice but to move forward with his agreement, but how would he convince his niece. Surely she could be reasoned with, he hated to be high-handed with the spirited girl, but she had created this burden on her own. He moved back inside to his guests, his heart heavy with the burden he was to bare.

  2 Demands

  Michaela was furious as she allowed her servant to help her undress. Her aunt had remained u
ncharacteristically quiet on the ride home, and she was grateful for the reprieve. It was completely unlike her to forget her manners, but something about the Sheikh's demeanor, and the thought of how her body had reacted to merely being close to him, had her dander up. She would need to write a formal apology for her behavior, and the thought galled her. She would much rather slap his handsome face, she thought to herself. She fell into a restless sleep as her ladies maid left the room and her dreams were filled with a handsome prince of the desert showering her with gifts from his land.

  The dawn came too soon and as her curtains were opened she bit back a groan. Her rest had been disturbed to say the least, and she knew that her aunt would demand an explanation for her behavior after allowing her temper to cool. Michaela had no excuse to offer and in the light of day she could only feel remorse for the way she had tarnished the family name. Her uncle must be beside himself with shame, she thought wearily. It would take many months to find herself in his good graces again, but she vowed mentally to do just that.

  "My lady, your aunt has requested your immediate presence in the study," the servant gathered her morning clothes and waited for her to leave the bed.