Kayleen bit her lower lip. “It sounds good.” She turned to As’ad. “You’d have to give your word that they would never be turned out or made into servants or married off for political gain.”

“You insult me with your mistrust.” The audacity of her statements was right in keeping with what he’d seen of her personality, but it was important to establish control before things began.

“I don’t know you,” she said.

“I am Prince As’ad of El Deharia. That is all you need to know.”

Lina smiled at her. “As’ad is a good man, Kayleen.”

As’ad resented that his aunt felt the need to speak for his character. Women, he thought with mild annoyance. They were nothing but trouble.

Kayleen looked him in the eye. “You have to give your word that you’ll be a good father, caring more for their welfare than your own. You’ll love them and listen to them and not marry them off to anyone they don’t love.”

What was it with women and love? he wondered. They worried too much about a fleeting emotion that had no value.

“I will be a good father,” he said. “I will care for them and see that they are raised with all the privileges that go with being the daughter of a prince.”

Kayleen frowned. “That wasn’t what I asked.”

“It is what I offer.”

Kayleen hesitated. “You have to promise not to marry them off to someone they don’t care about.”

Such foolish worries, he thought, then nodded. “They may pick their own husbands.”

“And go to college and not be servants.”

“I have said they will be as my daughters, Ms. James. You test my patience.”

She stared at him. “I’m not afraid of you.” She considered for a second.

“I can see that. You will be responsible for them. Do as you see fit with them.” He glanced at his aunt. “Are we finished here?”

She smiled, her eyes twinkling in a way that made him wonder what else she had planned for him. “I’m not sure, As’ad,” she told him. “In a way I think we’re just beginning.”