‘Absolutely. He’s trying to get the country back on track after the damage his brother did. That would be part of the reason he needs a wife with no scandal in her past. He’ll also need a woman who can hold her own in a traditional country as it modernises.’
Rosanna’s curiosity about Salim’s brother grew. The man was dead but his shadow lingered. It wasn’t in her remit but Rosanna couldn’t help wondering how Salim’s odious brother had affected him personally. The man she knew was capable, focused and at times arrogant but he seemed remarkably level-headed.
‘Now,’ Marian said. ‘Run me through his preferences again so we can consider how to broaden our field.’
Rosanna moistened her lips, her self-consciousness growing. ‘Salim is planning a break. He’s going to take a week off and doesn’t want to be bothered with matchmaking during that time.’
He’d been adamant that while they were together he didn’t want even to think about other women and that suited her completely. She paused, trying to still the telltale wobble inside. Her aunt was a clever woman and would grow curious if Rosanna sounded nervous. ‘I thought I’d take a few days off at the same time. See something outside the palace.’
Rosanna held her breath. She had a wonderful relationship with Marian and part of her yearned to confide in her and seek her advice. Except she feared she knew what Marian would advise. That she leave Dhalkur and Salim immediately. No matter how much she loved and respected her aunt, Rosanna couldn’t do that. Not yet. Not while she felt this way about Salim.
‘Excellent. A short break will do you good. But all the more reason to review our progress now.’
For Salim the days since that afternoon with Rosanna dragged.
Because he’d made himself keep his distance, knowing that if he didn’t there’d be no keeping the secret of their liaison. While his reputation wouldn’t be affected, he didn’t want her embarrassed.
So that afternoon, against every personal inclination, he’d led her to her room then left, despite the shimmering invitation in her eyes.
He hadn’t seen her since.
That had taken more determination, more stoicism in the face of physical discomfort, than his whole year of military service. He was on fire with wanting her. His body grew more taut and cramped by the day as his unrelieved tension built.
He’d known it would be impossible to take a break immediately. A royal schedule wasn’t easily cleared. But his patience wore thin as the days passed, each seeming longer than the last. The nights longer still.
Usually he had so much to do that the days were too short. Before he’d become sheikh he’d kept a hectic schedule, seeking out and developing international partnerships that could benefit his country. He’d been away on one such mission when his father took ill.
Since taking the throne he’d been busy, not merely with the normal business of the country, but undoing the morass his brother, Fuad, had made of the public finances and taking steps towards the changes he wanted to make.
Which meant every day was packed with meetings, paperwork, consultations and public events.
Yet now they dragged.
Had his father ever felt like this? Strung too tight and distracted because of a woman? It was hard to imagine.
Salim missed the old man. They hadn’t always seen eye to eye. His father had been cautious about many innovations Salim wanted to pursue, but he’d been a decent, dedicated man.
He’d have appreciated his father’s perspective right now.
Grimly Salim laughed and opened the last document before him. His father wouldn’t approve of his son making time for an affair with a foreigner when he should be choosing a spouse. His father had been a great one for ensuring the stability of the nation. Even Salim, who had no desire for a wife, knew it was imperative that he marry and start a family. He’d seen how dangerous instability could be and understood the mood of his people.
But the thought of wife-hunting made him feel sick in the gut. The only woman he could think of was Rosanna.
He glanced towards the window. The sun would be up soon and he wanted to finish his work before taking Rosanna to their secret rendezvous.
His pulse quickened as anticipation stirred.
Finally they could be alone. A whole week with her beckoned. He couldn’t recall ever feeling such elation at the prospect of being with a woman.
Maybe the anticipation was heightened because these days he was so hemmed in by court traditions and royal rules. Because he was no longer a private citizen.
Yet ever since the night he’d met Rosanna something had felt different.
Salim shoved aside such notions and read through the document to appoint a High Court judge. He signed with a flourish then added it to the pile.
As he sat back and rolled his stiff shoulders, he caught the first glimmer of grey lightening the eastern sky. A smile broke across his face. It was time.
Rosanna hunched into her jacket as the four-wheel drive sped along the highway, grateful that she’d known enough to understand that a desert could get cold at night.