Her mind buzzed with questions about his family circumstances which she wouldnotbe asking. No matter how much she wanted to know. As for him choosing a woman, she’d been on the receiving end and could vouch for the fact it was indeed very private. Despite telling herself not to, she still hoarded that particular memory to herself as if it were precious.
‘I totally understand your discomfort at discussing such personal matters. Though I work in the field I’m not sure how easy I’d find it to use a matchmaking service.’
She’d always assumed she’d simply meet the right man, they’d fall in love and everything would be straightforward. That had happened, except Phil hadn’t been the right man and it had been anything but straightforward.
Rosanna’s flesh crawled at the memory and she forced her thoughts to Salim, watching her steadily. She liked his direct stare, she realised, even when it made her self-conscious. Better a man who looked you in the eye than...
‘I assure you my questions are solely so I can get the right outcome for you.’ Rosanna spread her hands. ‘As for this being an outmoded industry, you’d be surprised.’
She had been, when she’d started working for her aunt.
‘Matchmaking has been around for thousands of years and probably will be in the future. It offers cool logic and careful assessment. As well as introducing people who might not otherwise meet, it’s a safety mechanism when so many people rush into marriage because of lust or blind hope.’
Salim sat forward. ‘That sounds almost...disenchanted. Don’t you believe in love? Or attraction as a starting point for a relationship?’
Do you?she wondered. But she already had her answer. Love wasn’t on Salim’s agenda.
His dark stare captured hers and Rosanna felt that familiar fire ignite in her body. It took all her discipline not to squirm in her seat and reveal her discomfort. Because even now he made her feel things, urges and wants, no other man made her feel.
‘Not disenchanted.’ More disappointed, but she wasn’t going there. Rosanna refused to relive the fiasco of her private life with Salim. ‘Just sensible and careful. Our aim is to do our best so our clients are happy in the long-term, not just in the beginning.’
He looked like he wanted to ask more. Could he sense she avoided a direct answer? But to her relief he eventually nodded and turned his attention to the screen.
‘So, tell me about the princess. Why you think she’s such a good match?’
Rosanna dragged in a relieved breath. Being in the spotlight of that searing scrutiny made her simultaneously nervous and thrilled. Would she ever be able to meet him andnotreact like a smitten woman?
‘Princess Amina is a strong contender. She’s well educated. She’s from a neighbouring kingdom so knows the region and the politics, has diplomatic skills and is used to being in the public eye. She meets your requirement of looking good in public and from what I’ve been able to find she’s kind and has a sense of humour, both pluses in a partner.’
Salim inclined his head. ‘Youhavedone your homework. I wouldn’t have thought of her.’
Rosanna frowned. That seemed odd. Had he assumed she would only put forward western women? Could it be that was why she’d been hired? Maybe all his years abroad had given him a preference for foreign women.
And maybe that’s wishful thinking.
‘Anything else?’
Rosanna looked at her notes, not that she needed to. ‘She also seems to be in good health.’
That was as far as Rosanna would go towards speculating on her ability to bear children.
‘Unfortunately you’ve missed one major consideration.’
‘I have?’
She frowned. She’d spent hours not just looking up the princess’s CV but trawling for references to her character and interests.
Salim nodded. ‘Her older sister.’
Rosanna shook her head. ‘Well,’ she said slowly, ‘youcouldconsider her. However, from what I gather she wouldn’t make an attractive spouse.’ By all accounts the elder sister was selfish, overindulged and petulant. ‘I’m not sure she has the qualities you’re after.’
Salim’s mouth curled into a smile that was as devastating as it was sudden. It was so full of amusement that Rosanna felt her lips twitch in response. Those ebony eyes beckoned with humour, banishing any last trace of formality between them.
A tiny inner voice cried outdanger. Yet her body listed closer, drawn by the crackling current of energy between them.
‘That’s the understatement of the decade.’ His eyes danced in a way that did strange things to Rosanna’s internal organs. ‘She’s moody, self-important and very pushy. She’s also convinced she’d make a perfect queen for Dhalkur, despite my views on the matter.’
Rosanna felt her eyes widen. ‘She tried...?’