‘Even though she’s cousin to a king and grew up at his court, she confessed she’s not comfortable with formal events. She’s happier mixing with people in the country than at official receptions. That won’t do for my wife.’
Rosanna sighed. ‘Another who wasn’t quite straight with me. I do apologise.’
She looked so downcast Salim felt sorry for her. She’d worked hard and done a good job. But he was determined to take only the right woman as his bride.
He needed someone who could hold her own in both formal and informal settings. Someone who could appear soignée yet welcoming at formal functions.
His thoughts strayed to Rosanna in misty green at that recent reception. She’d been beautiful and assured but engaging. He’d seen her talking animatedly with many of his guests and wished he could join her.
But even an outsider as confident as Rosanna would find it impossible to adapt a royal life full-time. He needed someone whose family circumstances or training equipped them for the demands of royal life. He’d spent a lifetime preparing for it and still sometimes his new position felt overwhelming. As if, just for a short space, he craved the chance to be simply Salim, not the ruler everyone looked to for solutions and leadership.
Salim snapped his mind away from fruitless thoughts. ‘Who’s next?’
‘Princess Eliana.’
‘No.’ He saw Rosanna open her mouth ready to protest and raised his hand. ‘She’s pretty and clever and probably very nice, but she finishes my sentences. Do you have any idea how annoying that is?’
‘I—’
‘Very annoying. I couldn’t live with someone who did that.’
‘I’m amazed she had the temerity.’
Salim stared at Rosanna with her downcast eyes and nimble fingers making yet more notes. Was she laughing at him?
But even Rosanna’s snarky observation was nothing compared to the frustration of having someone put words into his mouth.
‘I don’t mind a spirited conversation.’ He drew himself up. ‘But not someone pretending to know my thoughts.’
‘No, of course not.’
Yet he read the smile lurking at the corners of her mouth. To his chagrin he felt his own mouth curl. His was a valid complaint yet Rosanna made him see the amusing side of it.
‘What about Ingrid—’
‘The doctor,’ he said flatly. He’d had hopes of the beautiful, aristocratic Scandinavian, but they’d been deflated. ‘Definitely not.’
‘It would help to know why. She’s beautiful, talented, presents well and speaks several languages.’
Salim shrugged. ‘She’s totally focused on her research.’
‘You said you admired women who pursued careers.’
‘Not to the exclusion of all else. Whenever someone raised a subject that wasn’t to do with her specific area of interest she listened politely but had nothing to say. I want a wife who’s interested in people, makes them feel welcome.’
‘I’m sure if you gave her another chance...’
Salim shook his head and turned back to the window. ‘No. I’ve made my decision. She’s not the woman for me.’
‘Okay then. What about Sylvie? She’s got the diplomatic and linguistic qualifications you wanted and is very capable.’
Salim shook his head. ‘She won’t do. All the time I was with her I felt like I was being assessed so she could tailor her conversation to fit. I could almost hear the wheels turning in her mind.’
Rosanna didn’t say anything and her silence eventually made him turn to look at her. She was looking across at him, frowning, her mouth a flat line.
‘That’s unfair. Of course she was thinking about what might interest you. She was trying to get to know you.’
‘It was more than that. It just felt too...contrived. She lacked spontaneity.’