Ashraf started forward but a voice in his ear said, ‘No. Wait.’
It was Bram.
‘Is there a problem?’ his army friend asked, craning to look past the crowd.
‘Only a little one,’ said Bram. ‘Not worth worrying about. Besides, I think... Yes, it’s taken care of now.’
He was right. Whatever poison the older couple had tried to spread clearly hadn’t worked. Tori was speaking now and his nemesis looked discomfited, his wife embarrassed. Then Tori and the foreign woman began chatting again. Colour flushed Tori’s cheeks but otherwise she looked serene.
‘Nevertheless, I’ll make sure,’ Ashraf murmured. ‘If you’ll excuse me?’
He reached the group and all eyes turned to him. The Minister opened his mouth to speak but Tori was faster.
‘Your Majesty.’
Tori said it as easily as if she called him by his title daily. Her eyes glittered bright as diamond chips, and the slight flare of her nostrils hinted at displeasure, but otherwise her expression was calm, her smile welcoming.
‘I don’t believe you’ve met Ms Alison Drake, the new American ambassador.’ She turned to the slim brunette, ‘Alison, I’m pleased to introduce you to His Majesty Sheikh Ashraf ibn Kahul al Rashid of Za’daq.’
Not by a flicker did Ashraf betray surprise at her remembering his full name, or at her deft handling of the introduction. Hadn’t she spent her youth at her father’s side, mingling at official functions?
‘Ms Drake, it’s a delight to meet you.’ He shook her hand, preventing her from curtseying. ‘I understood your flight had been delayed? I expected you tomorrow.’
‘The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty. Apologies for my very late arrival. I managed to get an alternative flight and was advised...’ she glanced at her companion from the embassy ‘...that it would be okay to attend—though I haven’t yet formally presented my credentials.’
The Minister for the Interior cleared his throat but Ashraf silenced him with a look. He had no role in diplomatic matters and he’d tried to stir up trouble for Tori and Azia. Ashraf wouldn’t tolerate that.
‘Of course. It’s a pleasure to welcome you. We’ll leave the formalities till tomorrow. In the meantime, I hope you’re enjoying yourself?’
‘Oh, yes. I’ve had such a wonderfully warm welcome to your country.’
He didn’t miss the way her eyes flickered towards the older man. Or how Azia bit her lip and focused on adjusting her shawl. His curiosity deepened.
‘Excellent. Let me introduce you to some more people.’ He looked across the crowd to Bram, who was already ushering forward a number of dignitaries to meet the ambassador.
Ashraf turned to the couple standing stiffly to one side. ‘Minister, your wife looks very tired.’ He offered her a charming smile and watched her swallow nervously. ‘You have my permission to leave. We’ll talk tomorrow.’
* * *
It was hours before Ashraf could be alone with Tori.
The guests had been encouraged to leave and the staff had shut the doors, leaving them the sole possessors of the audience chamber. They stood before the large arched windows looking over a city washed in the national colours of crimson and gold from a final flourish of fireworks.
But Ashraf’s eyes were on Tori, not the view. She’d never looked more beautiful. Nor had the connection between them, invisible as spun glass but strong as the desert sun, been more palpable. She’d spent the last part of the evening at his side and it had felt right.
It was where she belonged.
Tonight, for the first time in a week, he dared to hope she felt the same. The way she smiled at him, the sense of understanding, the fizz in his blood when their eyes met, had to mean something.
Any fear he’d felt that she might be scared off by the pomp of a royal event had been short-lived. She’d shone. She was charming and interested in people. Those qualities had endeared her to his people on their excursions. Plus those years of supporting her father had stood her in good stead.
‘You were magnificent tonight.’
He caught and held her hands. Their eyes met and he felt the impact square in the centre of his chest.
She shook her head, her mouth curving up. ‘That was you, Your Majesty. Magnificent.’
He tugged her closer, almost close enough to kiss. But there was one matter to clear up first.