Burdens that were so much heavier thanks to his brother’s instability and excesses. Instead of inheriting a stable kingdom, Salim had to deal with a level of fear and volatility that were legacies of Fuad’s period in control.
Yet Salim wasn’t searching for a soul mate. He didn’t believe in them.
Life had made him a loner. The early death of his mother. A decent but distant father, preoccupied with governing. A spiteful elder brother who’d resented him and found endless opportunities to torment and torture him. Salim had survived by drawing in on himself, becoming self-reliant, guarding himself by expelling obvious signs of weakness that could be exploited.
That meant he never opened up his deepest self to others. Survival had meant maintaining a level of reserve even with friends.
‘I want someone attractive, interesting, willing to listen but also to contribute to conversation as a hostess. By that I don’t just mean wearing fancy clothes and attending royal events. But someone who can put people at ease when, as you say, they might be daunted by royalty.’
Salim fixed Rosanna with a stare. Her earlier reference to him being daunting had been a thinly veiled personal jab.
‘Someone who can hold their own and keep an even temper in difficult social situations. But not a pushover. She must be strong enough to demand respect and receive it graciously.’
He paused, listening to the light click of computer keys. Really, there was too much to list.
‘I need a woman with an unblemished background. It’s absolutely vital she has no past scandals or gossip dogging her.’
Did he imagine that Rosanna stiffened? Surely that went almost without saying.
‘Someone who likes people. Who is patient with strangers wanting to see her or tell her their stories, even if she’s tired. There will be times, when we are touring the provinces, in particular, when the days will be long and the demands of the public high. I need someone who can be gracious and caring.’
‘She must speak your language, then?’
‘Ideally yes, or able to learn it.’
He watched her add a note. ‘Someone from this region then, or with linguistic skills to help her fit in.’
Salim shrugged. ‘That would be easiest, but if they fit the other criteria, I’m happy as long as they’re willing to learn and respect our ways.’
He wasn’t hung up on nationality. In fact, he’d always had more affinity with women he’d met outside his country, perhaps because they weren’t so obsessed with his royal position.
Personally he wanted a woman who wasn’t afraid to express herself, including when it came to seeking pleasure. But there were more important criteria to be satisfied first.
He looked up to find Rosanna waiting for a response. ‘Sorry?’
‘I asked if there was anything else. It’s quite a long list for someone initially unwilling to give specifics.’
Salim felt his mouth tug up in a smile. That was exactly what he meant. No Dhalkuri woman would talk to him like that. Rosanna MacIain made a refreshing change.
Not, of course, that she was on his list of potential brides.
‘In the interests of making sure you earn your salary, let me add a few more. Kindness.’ He ticked off his thumb. ‘I’d like to marry someone with a good heart. Reasonable intelligence and education.’ He ticked a second finger. ‘I don’t want someone who will flounder trying to understand the political, diplomatic and social issues around them.’
‘A very well-rounded woman, then,’ she said under her breath.
Did he detect a sour note? No matter. She’d asked what he needed and he was obliging. He raised a third finger.
‘Stylish, or with potential to be so with some assistance. As my queen she will be in the spotlight a lot. So, confident too.’ He raised a fourth finger. ‘A wilting violet won’t do at all.’
‘Anything else, Your Majesty?’
Yes, there was a definite crispness in her voice. Strange how much he enjoyed hearing it.
Everything he said was completely true. But he rather enjoyed setting the bar high and seeing her reaction. Would she rise to the challenge?
‘Now you mention it, yes. The most important of all.’
She looked up from her typing and, as her gaze met his, Salim felt a tightening deep in his body that took him straight back to Scotland and her total abandon in his arms. It made his next words emerge with a gravel edge.