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arms across her chest, “Then this guest will not eat!”
    She turned her back on them and headed for the window. She’d briefly looked out on the grounds the day before, and did so again, trying to ignore her protesting stomach. She was hungry, but she was upset enough and to eat such a heavy meal this early in the day was sure to make her sick. This is all Mahil’s fault! And he’s not even here for me to take my anger out on!
    She had asked to speak with him earlier in the morning, but had been politely informed that Mahil was already gone about his business of the day. When she’d asked when he was expected to return, she’d gotten shrugs of shoulders and shakes of heads. 
    She could hear the women talking to one another behind her, their language foreign to her ears, and yet having a nice melodic tone to it.
    “Miss?”
    Carolyn looked over her shoulder to see the maids all staring at her. Turning to face them, she nodded her head, “Yes?”
    “It would not please the Sheik for his guest to go hungry. If we show you where the kitchen is, will you promise to eat?”
    Carolyn was shocked, “You mean I can come out of this room today?”
    “Yes. Sheik Mahil left two guards to stay with you. You are free to explore the main house.”
    Carolyn’s stomach clenched as she thought about food and she nodded her head, “Fine. Show me the way.”
    She followed the maids down to the main floor and to the back of the large house. She knew there were two men following her, but she tried not to acknowledge their presence. She didn’t need guards but she did need food.
    “Will this kitchen be sufficient?” Jessenia asked.
    Carolyn looked at her and questioned, “What would you do if I said no?”
    “Tell you to deal with it,” Jessenia answered her back, a small teasing glint in her eyes.
    Carolyn smiled and nodded her head, “Good answer. This is perfect. Thank you.”
    “Everything you need is either in the refrigerator or the pantry behind you. When you are ready to return to your room, step outside these doors and the guards will take you back upstairs.”
    Of course, they will! But I’m not a prisoner? Yeah, right!
    Carolyn held her tongue and as soon as the last of the maids had left the huge kitchen, she got to work. She found plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit and began cutting them up. The vegetables went into a skillet with some butter and the fruit went into a bowl with a bit of sugar.
    She stirred the vegetables around and then pulled some eggs from the refrigerator. She whisked them together and was just getting ready to add them to the skillet when the kitchen door opened and Mahil sauntered in.
    She glared at him and then went back to adding the eggs to the pan.
    “I was informed I would find you down here.”
    “Oh, were you looking for me?” she asked, feigning indifference to his presence.
    “Most assuredly. I am pleased to see that you are in a better mood today.”
    Carolyn felt her temper start to rise and she bit back the retort that sprang to mind.
    “The maids inform me you are refusing to let them do their jobs,” Mahil told her, coming around to stand across the counter from her.
    “I am not an invalid and do not require their assistance.”
    “It is their job. Would you deny them the opportunity to work?” Mahil asked, figuring she had a healthy respect for women who were working to provide a better life for themselves.
    “No, but I’m sure in this big place they can find somebody else to bother.”
    “They are not bothering you; they are trying to help you. I want you to enjoy your stay here.”
    “Then you should have asked me whether I wanted to come here in the first place!” Carolyn bit her lip, stalling whatever else she had in mind to say to him.
    Mahil came around the counter, standing only a few feet away from her now, “I already explained my reasoning for bringing you here. I will not waste time explaining myself again.”
    Carolyn gaped at him and then shook