Murad’s son and daughter-in-law were now the palace caretakers while Murad lived in his village several kilometres away.
‘I’ll see them, but I came to see you, Your Majesty.’ He gestured to the open door beside them. ‘If you will.’
Knowing it was useless to protest the formal title, Salim entered the stables.
‘Oh, how gorgeous!’
Rosanna saw the puppies at the same time he did. Murad opened the stall and she hurried forward as a tumbling bundle of fur resolved itself into a couple of puppies. They already showed fair to mature into the elegant, long-legged hunting dogs so familiar to him. At the moment their plumed tails seemed out of proportion, like their oversized paws.
Memory hit Salim. Of the pedigreed dogs who’d always lived at the royal palaces. They’d been his father’s pride and joy. To Salim, who’d spent hours in the kennels and stables, they’d been playmates. His chest tightened as he recalled being abroad when Fuad cleared both stables and kennels in their father’s last days.
‘They’re fine-looking animals.’ He bent to stroke one silky ear then watched indulgently as the pup wriggled enthusiastically and tried to nip his fingers.
‘Bred from your father’s finest stock.’
‘Really? You managed to save them?’
‘Some.’ Murad shook his head sadly. ‘Some trusted people helped rescue others.’
Rosanna looked up from where she squatted, playing with a pup.
‘Thank you, Murad. I appreciate it.’
Murad inclined his head. ‘Since they’re from the royal kennels I wanted to present one to you. That’s why I’m here, with the two finest pups of the litter.’
Strangely, Salim felt his throat tighten. The gift was generous when a dog with such a pedigree would fetch a lot of money. More, it was the reminder of his dead father and of times gone by that hit him. And recognition of Murad’s role in his own life as mentor and friend.
‘Thank you, Murad. That’s a generous gift indeed.’
‘I’m pleased you think so.’ Murad paused. ‘If you permit I’ll let my family know I’ve arrived while you make your choice.’
The old man might have been a diplomat, for he’d surely guessed at Salim’s sudden upsurge of emotions, though Salim was sure his expression had revealed nothing. He’d been taught to conceal his emotions as befitted a prince. But the old man knew him better than most. He knew how much he admired his father, despite the formality that had existed between them.
Salim hunkered down and was immediately mobbed by two eager puppies. He grinned, his hands sinking deep into soft fur.
‘You’re a dog person.’
He shrugged. ‘We always had dogs and horses in the palace.’ He looked up to see Rosanna’s keen-eyed stare fixed on him. ‘So are you. You’re a natural with them.’
‘With four children in the family there were always pets at home. Always at least one dog and a couple of rabbits. There was a blue tongue lizard too at one stage and several mice.’
Salim like the sound of it, informal and fun. ‘It sounds like quite a menagerie.’
‘Says the man who grew up with kennels and stables.’
Her generous smile conveyed only humour, not jealousy.
That set her apart from many. Often people’s view of him was tinged by his privileged upbringing. It was true he’d never lacked for food, shelter or money. Yet the demands of royal life and expectations meant he’d missed out on the more informal joys of normal family life. Not that he was complaining. It was just a difference between him and others. Yet Rosanna teased him as easily as if there were no gulf between them. He liked that.
‘Did you have a dog of your own?’
The question dimmed his burgeoning smile. ‘For a short time.’
It had been a pup like these, with bright eyes and feet too big for its body. Salim had adored it.
‘I’m sorry. Not a good memory?’
Salim shrugged as a pup, the one with the remarkable black colouring so rare in its breed, licked his hand. The raspy caress unlocked something inside him he’d almost forgotten. Or maybe it was Rosanna’s silence. He knew she was curious but she didn’t push for details. Whatever the reason, suddenly he wanted to share.