Free Sheikh's Mail-Order Bride by Marguerite Kaye Page B

people. It was not true, but sadly there were very few people who shared my interests here in Murimon. We are a seafaring kingdom, and have not a tradition of learning.’
    â€˜You must have been very lonely,’ Constance said. ‘Though I have often dreamed of being locked away in a huge library for ever, I think I would very quickly become one of those people who mutter to themselves under their breath all the time. “Now, Constance, where did you put that book?” “Oh, Constance, surely we read that tome just the other day.” “For goodness’ sake, Constance, you’ve got crumbs in Dr Johnson’s dictionary, and you’ve forgotten to feed the cat.” Though I suppose if I had a cat in the library with me, I could talk to it instead. Dr Johnson had a cat, you know. Its name was Hodge. It is mentioned in Mr Boswell’s Life .’
    â€˜I know. I’m familiar with the work.’
    She made a face. ‘I’ve done it again, haven’t I? What did you call it, let you have my thoughts unedited. You’re looking at me as if— Actually, I’m not sure I can tell what you’re thinking.’
    â€˜I was thinking that I have never met anyone like you. You like to read, then?’
    â€˜Anything. Everything. We did have a huge library once, at Montgomery House, but Papa sold all the books. Some of them were very valuable. So now the library is home to a collection of cobwebs.’
    â€˜Meticulously catalogued by you, no doubt. Montgomery House is your family home?’
    â€˜In Surrey. It’s been in the family for hundreds of years, and will hopefully remain so for hundreds more, if my father makes good on his promise.’ Which would, Constance knew, be a small miracle. He had indeed promised, but Papa seemed to think promises made to a wife and daughter were not like real promises. Kadar was giving her look Number Two. The Mind Reader. She didn’t want him to ask her about this depressing subject, and besides, she was far more interested in him. ‘Do you have a library?’
    He hesitated, but then to her relief, he nodded. ‘A very substantial one. I have a weakness for books, and have had ample opportunity to collect many rare editions in the course of my travels. The bulk of them have not yet even been unpacked.’
    â€˜Did they travel far, then?’
    â€˜Is that your way of asking me where I have been since leaving Murimon?’
    â€˜Yes,’ Constance agreed, grinning back and pushing her hair away from her face.
    â€˜I made my home in Naples, though I have spent time in England...’
    â€˜Oxford, you said.’
    â€˜Yes, but most of my time was spent in London. Madrid, Lisbon and Paris I have also spent a great deal of time in. I have visited most of the great cities of Europe.’
    â€˜Visiting libraries?’ Constance hazarded.
    â€˜Mostly consulting with governments,’ Kadar said, smiling faintly. ‘I am one of the very few men who understand both the ancient and modern traditions and customs of Arabia and the east, and those which govern the west.’
    â€˜I’m afraid I don’t quite understand. Are you a lawyer?’
    Kadar shook his head. ‘No, but I advise those who make the laws. Governments. Diplomats. Large trading companies like the East India. When they want to expand their trade or their influence from west to east, then they ask me how to do so without getting into a war or, as they tend to put it, a little local difficulty.’
    â€˜Goodness,’ Constance said, eyeing him with renewed respect. ‘That explains a lot. The first time I saw you, in the Royal Saloon, I thought that you had an air about you, you know, that you were the kind of person who was used to having everyone listen to them, hang on their every word. I thought it was because you were a prince, but then you said you hadn’t been a prince for very long, and I