Page 96 of Silver Angel
“You are much too indulgent where women are concerned. You should be—”
“More like you?”
They both laughed, and Jamil admitted, “I do have quite a few women to placate after your single-minded pursuit of the new favorite left them all neglected. It will take me at least a month to bring contentment back to my harem.”
“I hear you started last night.”
“Sheelah is and always will be my main concern. And, Allah be thanked, she understood. She also begs your forgiveness if she made things more difficult for you. She said she sensed your guilt in not being able to tell her the truth.”
Derek shrugged that off. “It’s over and everything can get back to normal, including my own life.”
“Yes, you have that fiancée waiting for you, do you not? And Shahar? Will you keep her, too?”
Derek’s lips turned up at the corners. “Now that you mention it, that’s not a bad idea.”
Jamil snorted. “As if you had not already thought of it. But will she agree?”
“I got around her aversion to you. I can get around her aversion to being my mistress. After all, she will see herself as ruined and unsuitable for a decent marriage now.”
“Is she?”
“As beautiful as she is? Are you kidding?”
Jamil grunted. They might be twins, but their tastes in women just weren’t the same. “I wish you luck, then. But as you say, you will have to get around her anger first.”
Derek made a face. “Yes, there is that.”
Chapter Forty-six
“Shahar, you are to pack your things. You are sailing on the evening tide with Jamil—you and Jamila.” Chantelle stared at Rahine as if she had lost her mind. “Did you hear me, child? You are going on a trip.”
“Where?”
“Where?” Rahine repeated. “What does that matter? This is an honor—”
“Where, Rahine?”
“Actually, I don’t know. Not even Haji could find out. But it really doesn’t make any difference. Jamil wants you to accompany him, and so you will.”
“And so will Jamila. If he’s taking her, he doesn’t need me along.”
“Are you jealous?”
“Certainly not!”
“Then you must be pouting because Jamil visited Sheelah last night.”
“Rahine—” Chantelle began warningly, only to have the older woman chide her.
“Then don’t sound like it. It’s you he’s taking with him, not Sheelah.”
“And Jamila.”
“Youarejealous!”
“No…I’m…not! She can have him. They canallhave him. He’s everything I first thought he was and more. I hate him!”
Rahine pursed her lips. “So you’re still upset about Mara? I tried to tell you there was more to it than just what she had told you.”
