Rosanna lifted her hand to her throat, feeling her pulse flutter with nerves.
‘Believe it, Rosanna. It’s happening and I couldn’t be happier for you.’
She turned to meet Tara’s glowing green eyes. Her soon-to-be cousin, Her Most Royal Highness the Sheikha of Nahrat, resplendent in a gown of green and gold, looked genuinely thrilled.
‘I’ve never seen Salim like this,’ Tara went on. ‘He’s beside himself with pride and nerves.’
‘Nerves?’
He’d admitted to nerves on their way to the Queen’s Palace the first time, but she’d assumed he was just trying to allay her jitters. Salim took everything in his stride, even winning around his people to accepting his unexpected bride as their new queen.
Far from spending the month of their engagement busy with wedding plans, Salim had taken her around the country, showing her off like a proud fiancé and giving her a chance to get to know her new home.
‘Of course, nerves. The man’s head over heels in love.’ Tara squeezed her hand. ‘It’s a new and overwhelming concept for a man like him, strong yet sensitive and raised to think only of his duty. Believe me, I know.’
Her smile turned soft and she smoothed her hand over her just discernible baby bump. Rosanna realised she was thinking of her husband, the rather overwhelming yet surprisingly kind sheikh of neighbouring Nahrat.
‘Then he’d better get used to it. I’m looking forward to a very long, very happy marriage.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’
That deep voice, husky with emotion, made her swing around.
‘Salim!’
He stood in the doorway, the dearest, most handsome man in the world. He too wore silver, with discreet traces of gold edging, as if he’d dressed to match her.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘You didn’t think I was going to make you walk down the aisle alone, do you, in front of thousands of people and all that press?’
For Rosanna’s father was on crutches with a sprained ankle and couldn’t accompany her. Rosanna’s mother had considered doing so but knew it would lead to her husband hobbling down the aisle on his bad foot too and probably damaging it more.
‘Hey, she wouldn’t be alone, she has me, remember?’ Tara piped up, but there was a smile on her face.
‘I remember, cuz.’ He bent and gave Tara a swift peck on the cheek. ‘But this is all new to Rosanna and I want to make it as easy as possible.’
‘But surely that’s not the tradition?’ Rosanna queried.
Salim turned and the warmth in his expression undid the knot of nerves inside. She could do anything, even marry with the cameras of the world’s media turned on her, when Salim looked at her that way.
‘We’ll make our own traditions.’ His voice dropped to that low, raspy note she knew signified profound emotion. ‘My sweet love.’ He stepped towards her but, instead of embracing her, took her hand and pressed it to his mouth. ‘You look wondrous.’
‘So do you, my darling.’
He looked as if he were about to say more when there was a burst of sound from the next room.
‘What’s that?’
Rosanna turned as the noise coalesced into a babble, broken by the sound of barking.
Salim’s hand clasped hers. ‘I didn’t think you’d want to wait till after the ceremony to see them.’
Through the open door streamed her parents, siblings and her little nephews and nieces, all exclaiming. Then she was in her mother’s arms and her father’s, careful of his crutches. She was passed from one family member to the other, engulfed in familiar banter and loving reassurances until Salim announced it was time for the ceremony.
Finally, she and Salim were alone.
‘That was close,’ Salim said. ‘Layla and Qamar almost sneaked in with your family. My fault, your nephews begged to see them.’