‘Mentioning me?’
She couldn’t imagine why and, seeing the discomfort on Zarah’s face, suspected something unpleasant.
Salim nodded. ‘The Minister has taken an interest in you and especially your relationship with your ex-fiancé.’
At his words Rosanna froze in horror. She felt again that terrible plunging sensation, as if her stomach went into freefall. Once, back in Australia, she’d felt that way all the time.
‘I was about to enlighten him about the actual situation but since you’re here perhaps you’d care to.’
Salimknew about Phil? She hadn’t told him any details. It was a part of her life she preferred not to remember.
Yet as she stood gaping she registered the tension in the small group before her and the martial light in Salim’s eyes. Yes, he knew about Phil. The question was whether he knew the truth. Was that anger directed at her?
Suddenly she realised how quiet it was. Conversations around them petered out as people leaned closer. Heat flushed her cheeks as she realised it wasn’t only the Minister for Finance who’d heard something of her past.
Taking a deep breath, she said slowly and clearly, ‘I was once engaged but I broke it off. I discovered the man I’d trusted was a thief and embezzler. He’s now in prison and I have no contact with him.’
The minister frowned, still looking supercilious. ‘I’m surprised you weren’t implicated too, given your close relationship. Wasn’t it true that you were questioned by the police?’
Rosanna swallowed down the sour taste on her tongue. She read malice in his stare and knew he was deliberately making trouble.
But before she could respond Salim spoke, his deep voice carrying. ‘Since you’re so interested, I can tell you the police investigation discounted that possibility completely. There was never any question that Ms MacIain was involved. She was a victim too. To suggest otherwise is slander.’
Rosanna suppressed a gasp. She wished she’d had such powerful allies at the time when there’d been speculation about her involvement.
‘Of course, Your Majesty. Forgive me.’ The man gave a half-bow. ‘I’m naturally concerned that anyone working in the palace is entirely trustworthy.’
He turned to Rosanna, his mouth tight. She hadn’t liked him the first time they met. Now his stare made her shudder. ‘It’s strange you were taken in by him. You work in recruitment. Surely that requires the ability to judge character.’
‘It does.’ Rosanna held his eyes, her chin lifting. ‘I’ve learned a lot since then. I’ve learned not to trust too easily and definitely not to let my emotions cloud my judgement. I let a person’s actions speak for them, not the lies they tell or insinuations they make.’
You could have heard a pin drop in the silence. But Rosanna refused to back down, despite his scowl. He knew she referred to him as much as to Phil.
Just as she expected another verbal attack, she felt warmth encompass her fingers. She looked down to discover Salim had moved closer, his hand enfolding hers.
Did she imagine a hushed murmur through the crowd?
Her pulse beat hard and fast, pumping heat through her stunned body. She didn’t dare look at him but that touch, that reassurance, meant everything.
Rosanna had fought her own battles for so long she wasn’t used to having others stand up for her. Her family had been a thousand kilometres away when the debacle with Phil broke. They’d been supportive but she’d faced each day alone.
Salim spoke, his voice cold and carrying. ‘That’s an important skill. To mistrust plausible, unctuous people who are motivated purely by self-interest rather than the common good.’
Now there was no mistaking the whispered conversations around them. Or the way the minister’s face paled.
He’d been assessed and publicly found wanting by his sheikh. No one listening to Salim could be in any doubt that he was referring to the minister.
Stiffly the man bowed and withdrew, taking his niece with him, and Salim turned to the curator standing nearby as if nothing untoward had happened.
Except he kept hold of Rosanna’s hand as he introduced her to the curator and others. Nor did he release his hold as they moved through the building, viewing the exhibition.
Rosanna barely spoke, her emotions too close to the surface as she struggled to maintain her poise. But she couldn’t miss the way others reacted to the sight of her standing close by Salim, her hand tucked in his.
Surely aligning himself with her complicated everything?
He’d dumped her. He’d also made it clear earlier that he didn’t relish the idea of being associated with a woman who brought scandal in her wake. Admittedly he’d been talking about a wife, not a short-term lover, but surely the same principle applied.
Rosanna found herself biting back a slew of questions as they slowly progressed through the building and spoke with what seemed every VIP in attendance.