‘I feel privileged to see it,’ she murmured, watching as one of the tall doors opened and a man in a long white robe emerged.
Rosanna realised the car had stopped. She met the driver’s eyes in the rear-view mirror. ‘Aren’t we going to my hotel?’
She’d assumed he’d brought her here on the way to show her this special highlight.
‘My instructions were to bring you to the palace.’
Of course it was the palace. She should have realised when they passed the security checks. Perhaps this man approaching from the grand entrance was going to provide details of her accommodation.
Her door opened and her driver invited her to get out. Beyond him was an older man with proud features and a slight smile who introduced himself as the palace chamberlain.
‘Ms MacIain, welcome to Dhalkur. I hope you had a pleasant journey?’
‘I did, thank you very much.’
Rosanna stepped forward only to see him turn and head back towards the imposing entrance.
‘Excellent. Now, if you’ll please come with me?’
‘But I...’ She moved quickly to keep pace. ‘I thought I was going to my accommodation first.’
He paused, sweeping her with a quick, assessing look. ‘So you are. You’ll be a guest at the palace. It was thought more discreet and convenient.’
‘Of course.’
Rosanna was pleased to find her voice sounded calm, as if she took visits to royal palaces in her stride. Not just a meeting to speak to the sheikh or one of his trusted staff, but astayin a palace.
It will be the experience of a lifetime.
And she’d never been more daunted in her life.
She slid her damp palms down her lightweight trousers. It was one thing attending lavish social events organised by Marian’s clients. But as she stepped under the portico of magnificent arches and saw that the workmanship and materials were even more lavish than she’d imagined, a flicker of fear flared alongside exhilaration.
Were theyjewels, studded between the tiles? What sort of world had she entered?
Her steps faltered and the chamberlain turned, nodding when he saw her gaping up at entrance.
‘Forgive me,’ he said. ‘I forget the impact Her Majesty’s gate has on first viewing.’
Rosanna stared up at the thousands of exquisite tiles, finding images of flowers and birds picked out in iridescent colour. ‘Her Majesty?’
‘She lived several centuries ago. Story has it that the sheikh asked for her hand in marriage twice and each time she refused. It was only the third time that she agreed to marry, after he offered his heart along with his wealth and position. To celebrate he had this entrance made with three arches for each proposal, the last, and most beautiful, representing the joy of their eventual union. This was the entrance they used daily as they went out riding together.’ He paused and pointed. ‘He had her favourite stones, emeralds and lapis lazuli, set within the design.’
Not one or two but a king’s ransom in gemstones. No wonder the place was well guarded!
‘That’s very...romantic.’ And the last thing she’d expected in a country where, she’d thought, the sheikh had ultimate power. ‘She must have been a remarkable woman to say no to a king.’
The chamberlain spread his hands and lifted his shoulders. ‘As you say. But the sheikhs of Dhalkur have a reputation for strength and determination. Why would such a man want a weak wife?’
Which immediately made Rosanna think of her cache of files on prospective brides. Were any of them weak? She hadn’t thought so but she’d better do more homework. And on her client. Was he also a strong man who wanted a feisty wife, or did he seek someone who’d defer to him?
The chamberlain shot a look at his watch and ushered her forward. ‘I’m sorry to rush you, Ms MacIain, but you’re expected. We cannot keep His Majesty waiting.’
Rosanna hurried forward into a mosaic-floored hallway as wide as her whole flat. ‘His Majesty?’
‘Yes. When he heard you’d landed he requested you attend him straight away.’ Another look at his watch. ‘But I fear it will be a short audience. He has another appointment soon.’
Rosanna nodded and waited till he’d turned away to surreptitiously smooth her hair back and straighten her jacket as she walked. She wished she’d had time to change into something fresh before meeting her client. More to the point, she wished she’d finished her preparation.