He wanted a woman who could function in formal settings and not be intimidated. From what he saw, it would take more than a mere monarch to intimidate the good doctor.
‘The facility won’t just help your country,’ she continued, ‘but the whole region. The medical research centre, with the funding you’ve announced, has potential to become a world leader.’ She paused. ‘And to have maternal and infant health as a priority area...’ She shrugged. ‘I could say it’s far-sighted but I believe it’s long overdue.’
She began to compare regional statistics for infant illness and life outcomes.
The doctor was outspoken but in this case for good reason. The need was great, especially as Salim’s brother had removed money from the health budget to fund a pet project to design and manufacture luxury cars in Dhalkur. As the project had been inspired by enthusiasm rather than careful planning, it had died a swift, expensive death. Leaving Salim to make up the shortfall in medical services.
He admired Ingrid’s focus. He needed a wife who could stand up for herself. The doctor, one of the women on Rosanna’s list, combined brains, beauty and an air of competence that ticked several boxes.
Yet, as he listened, his gaze flicked across the room again to Rosanna.
She looked slender and understated in a dress of darkest green overlaid with a sheer layer of smoky grey that reminded him of the mists he’d seen rising off Norwegian fjords. There was an air of subtle enticement about her.
All night he’d been aware of her, as if some internal radar kept signalling her presence.
He’d barely seen her since that night in his rooms. When he made the mistake of touching her and she’d shied away.
As if she felt the same inexplicable connection and rejected it.
His mouth flattened.
Salim had been sensible and circumspect these last ten days. He’d kept their meetings to a minimum and always in his office rather than his private suite. But that didn’t stop the buzz of awareness under his skin whenever he saw her or thought about her, which was far too often.
He’d only meant to pick up her laptop. Yet when his hand touched hers something changed. He hadn’t consciously reached for her, but when his hand encircled her wrist and he felt that wildly fluttering pulse, it called to something just as wild in himself. Something untamed and primitive that didn’t sit well with the self-contained man he’d trained all his life to become.
With his mother’s early death, a busy father who had little time for his sons and a strict upbringing designed to make him a man who might one day rule the nation, self-denial was second nature.
That had been reinforced by life with a cruel older brother always ready to exploit signs of weakness or tenderness. Since returning to Dhalkur Salim had slipped back into ingrained behaviours, re-erecting personal barriers as easily as putting on clothes.
Salim never let emotions rule him. Not when his country needed his full attention. He was ever conscious of the need to prove himself more reliable, more serious and stable than Fuad, whose passions had weakened him and Dhalkur. The country needed him strong and focused.
Salimcouldn’tindulge himself with Rosanna. He’d hired her. The imbalance of power meant any approach by him would be sexual harassment. Besides, she was finding him a wife! What sort of man started an affair in those circumstances?
Yet he hadn’t been able to banish that idea from his mind, no matter how he tried.
When he read reports he fancied he saw her sultry grey eyes on the pages. During long meetings he thought he heard her soft voice coaxing him to kiss her again. And at night...
‘Ah, the intriguing Ms MacIain. It’s good to meet you.’
Rosanna smiled even as a warning grazed the bare skin under the long, translucent sleeves of her dress. This man was trouble. His steely stare belied his greeting.
Dhalkur’s Minister for Finance was powerful and reputedly eager for even more power, if the hints she’d heard in the palace’s administration wing were to be believed. Taqi, Salim’s assistant, was careful what he said but Rosanna suspected he wasn’t a fan of the politician.
‘I’m pleased to meet you too, sir. Though I fear I might disappoint. I’ve never thought of myself as intriguing.’
He nodded briskly before she’d finished even speaking. He definitely had an agenda.
‘So what brings you here? Someone just pointed you out, saying you’re working closely with our sheikh. But they didn’t know what you’re advising him on. Something personal, perhaps?’
His curiosity had an unpleasant edge as he leaned over her. Reflexively Rosanna stood taller, refusing to shuffle back when he tried to dominate her.
Was he jealous that someone else might have the king’s ear? Or did he suspect the sheikh was seeking a bride?
Salim was adamant that their project be secret. He wanted no rivalry between powerful families. If they discovered he was choosing a bride, each would put forward their own candidate.
Fortunately Marian’s company had a discreet online presence with no staff names included. No one searching would connect Rosanna to a matchmaking business.
‘As to that—’