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‘No!’ She spun around, hugging her arms to herself. ‘It was a mistake to kiss me. You’re getting married. I have a b…I have a boyfriend. It’s wrong.’
‘You appeared to have no trouble forgetting your so-called “boyfriend” just then. Or do you just make a habit of forgetting him whenever it suits you?’
‘Of course not!’ she insisted. She had never been unfaithful to Paolo, never even thought about another man until now, when their relationship seemed stalled and their differences all the while harder to broach.
Though that wasn’t the entire truth. She’d never considered any other man until Khaled had stormed onto the scene and into her life, all rampant testosterone and masculine force. ‘Although you make a veritable art form of regularly forgetting you will soon have a wife.’
He came up quickly behind her and by the time she’d turned in surprise he had one arm planted firmly either side of her, trapping her against the long workbench. ‘I don’t forget,’ he said, leaning into her, his voice tight and betraying a rising sense of fury. ‘If you must know, I’m very much looking forward to it.’
He dropped his arms and wheeled away, leaving her breathless and dizzy, her mind scrambling to make sense of his words.
‘I must meet with Saleem. Afterwards we will dine together—Azizah will show you the way. Meanwhile there is one more room,’ he said, thrusting out an arm to indicate a door opposite. ‘Do you wish me to show it to you?’
‘What’s in there?’
‘Your bedroom.’
She swallowed, feeling solid colour infuse her cheeks. ‘No, thank you. I’ll manage.’
She could still recall the amused look on his face at her prim response, long after he was gone.
Dinner was a subdued affair. Saleem ignored her for the most part, directing most of his conversation at Khaled, which suited her just fine. Not that she was interested in chatting too much to Khaled either. While there were questions she wanted to ask, about his family and the history of Jebbai, she was still too shaken by the episode in the workroom. The last thing she needed to do was show him any encouragement.
It was easier to look more interested in the food. The array of spiced meats, salads and dips was laid out invitingly on the low table between them as they reclined on colourful silk cushions. She tried to focus on the spread, to sample the different tastes, all the while biding her time until she thought it was safe to excuse herself and withdraw to bed.
But her thoughts were elsewhere. She’d flung her relationship with Paolo in Khaled’s face, a convenient defence in fending off his unwelcome advances, but she’d stumbled over the word ‘boyfriend’ as if it had been an effort. Why didn’t that bother her more when it hinted that the problems they’d dredged up during their argument were more deep-seated than she’d thought? Why was it so hard to even think of Paolo as her boyfriend now?
They would talk some time after her return, he’d promised. She should hold that thought. Instead, on some deeper, instinctive level, she suspected their relationship was already beyond salvage.
Her thoughts in turmoil with the stresses of the last few days, she allowed herself one tiny cup of thick, sweet coffee before she sensed her opportunity to excuse herself. She stood, hoping to make a smooth getaway.
‘Sapphire, you’re not leaving us already?’
‘I’m sorry, Khaled,’ she replied, trying to ignore the long, hard glare she earned from Saleem, ‘it’s been a long day and I wish to get started early in the morning.’
‘Of course,’ he said, ‘I should have realised. Is there anything else that you need?’
‘Only some idea when I might get to meet your bride. It would be good to at least talk to her about the design before I get too far along the process.’
Saleem uttered something rapid-fire and urgent in Arabic. Khaled answered simply and briefly in English, ‘No,’ at which response Saleem’s nostrils flared and he rose from the cushions, muttering a few more words in his cousin’s direction as he stormed out without another glance at her.
‘Did I say something wrong?’ she asked, recalling Khaled’s warning not to upset his cousin.
He shrugged. ‘Saleem is…anxious, as are we all, for the welfare of the bride. Now is not a good time. I will let you know when she is available.’
‘Is she in the palace?’
‘Oh, yes,’ he said, his eyes sparkling. ‘She is already here, but she is not yet ready for the excitement of the wedding. It is too early. I will tell you when.’
‘But it will be soon?’
He nodded. ‘Indeed, it will be soon.’
It would have to do. She bade him goodnight and turned to go. Work on the dress would have to commence as best it could. And some time soon she’d have to hope for a series of fittings, while there was still time to make any adjustments if necessary.
‘Oh, and one more thing.’
‘Yes?’ she said, looking over her shoulder.
