‘She must be willing and able to have children.’
CHAPTER FOUR
WILLINGANDABLEto have children.
His words echoed in Rosanna’s ears for the hundredth time, making her insides roll over.
It wasn’t the memory of the gruff ultra-masculine timbre of his voice that made the fine hairs at her nape rise. Of course not. It was the sheer sense of arrogant entitlement embodied in his requirement. Willing and able to have children.
Would he insist on a medical examination?
It seemed outlandish and outdated. Yet, now she’d been here a couple of days and learned about the importance of the monarchy in Dhalkur, she understood the sheikh’s desire to have heirs soon.
Male heirs, of course.
What if his poor spouse only provided females?
On the upside, Rosanna suspected that his wife would find a good deal of enjoyment trying for those heirs. She could attest that Sheikh Salim of Dhalkur was a man who knew women and how to please them. His bride would probably consider intimacy with him one of the major pluses of marriage.
Rosanna flattened her lips, ignoring the shimmy of female reaction deep inside. It wasn’t her concern. Her concern was arranging for His Majesty to meet the woman of his dreams.
If that were possible!
Any woman who actually met all his requirements would be a paragon. Rosanna seriously doubted she’d find anyone who could meet every item on his wish list. For a man who initially demurred at stating his qualifications for a bride, he’d sure warmed to the task.
Her already difficult job seemed to grow tougher by the day. Especially as, after two days, Salim hadn’t been available for a follow-up meeting. Yet, until he gave approval, she wouldn’t make arrangements to invite any of the women she had in mind to Dhalkur.
‘His Majesty will see you now, Rosanna.’
She looked up to see the sheikh’s personal assistant in the doorway. Instantly she got to her feet. ‘Wonderful. Thanks, Taqi.’
He’d been an enormous help, clarifying details about the upcoming festival, Dhalkuri customs and royal protocol. As a result, Rosanna had been able not only to put together a list of potential brides, but a plan that would allow Salim to meet them without it being obvious he was looking for a wife.
Taqi inclined his head gravely and something about his assessing expression made her pause.
Did he finally recognise her as the woman his boss had been kissing that night in Scotland?
She’d recognised him because Salim had called him by name that night and it had stuck in her mind. Now she wondered if, despite the darkness and Salim’s attempt to shelter her with his body, his assistant knew about those moments of madness.
Heat flushed her throat.
‘Is everything okay?’ she asked.
‘Yes, of course. It’s just...’ He shook his head. ‘It’s been a busy few days for His Majesty. Try to keep it short.’
Reluctantly Rosanna nodded. There was a lot to discuss and she’d hoped to get sign-off on it all tonight. But she was aware Taqi had squeezed her in after the sheikh’s final official event.
‘I’ll do my best.’
He nodded, his face breaking into an approving smile. She realised he wasn’t just an efficient assistant. He genuinely cared about the sheikh’s wellbeing. Nor was he the only one. The other people she’d dealt with in the last two days admired and respected their sovereign.
As she followed Taqi down an unfamiliar corridor, she realised it made her feel good, knowing others approved of Salim. That had been her first reaction too. Not just that dazzle of sexual attraction, butliking. She’d enjoyed their banter, his insightful comments, wry humour and easy charm.
After he left she’d decided she must have been wrong about him. Just as she’d been wrong about Phil. Familiar doubts had surfaced about her flawed judgement in both cases, eating away at the fragile self-confidence she’d worked hard to rebuild since leaving Sydney for the UK.
That was one good thing to come out of this bizarre situation. Learning Salim’s identity and realising his sudden departure in Scotland was linked to his father’s death. He must have been called back that night to a deathbed. Her indignation and hurt at being so easily brushed aside vanished in face of that knowledge.
Taqi knocked on a door, opened it and gestured for her to enter.