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There was a unanimous chorus of her name from the guests and then everyone drank the toast.
Kadeem lowered the glass from his lips and looked at Eliana. She saw something flicker in his eyes. The barest hint of a sideways movement in the direction of her parents. Was that hesitation she'd just seen? Had all of this been preparation for some kind of gentle letdown? Was he just being polite and courteous?
But then she saw his brows furrow and he suddenly looked serious, full of intent. He gazed into Eliana's eyes and she saw genuine emotion in his eyes.
When he spoke, his voice was low, but filled with emotion. "Eliana. It has been an honor for me to get to know you. In spite of our obvious differences in the early days, and our occasional minor disagreement." He smiled. "Despite all of that, I can safely say that the last few weeks have been something I could not have expected. In the best possible way, of course," he said.
She gazed up at him and wondered how he was going to say what he had so obviously decided upon.
He leaned closer. "So, I would feel greatly privileged if you would do me the honor to consent to our being engaged to be married."
Emotion swept through her and for a long moment all she could do was look up into his dark, expectant gaze. Her heart was beating furiously. She knew all eyes were on her. She knew that everyone was waiting for her next words. This was where the last few weeks had been leading her, she told herself. To this choice. And last night had made it almost impossible for her to say anything else but the words which floated gently into her mind.
She smiled at Kadeem. "I consent to a formal engagement, Sheikh Kadeem," she declared.
Instantly, he smiled broadly at her. He extended his hand and she laid her own onto his, feeling the warmth of his fingers as they curled gently around her hand.
But he did not come closer to her. There would be no kisses. Not right now, at least. Protocols dictated how they should conduct themselves toward each other. Kisses had never been on the agenda. Perhaps later, she told herself.
There was an appreciative roar from the guests. Her parents came to her and murmured congratulatory words. Kadeem's parents did the same.
For a moment, she felt the world spin, and her legs felt weak as the meaning of what she'd agreed to began to sink in.
Her father's gaze was steady and impossible to read. Was he even happy for her? Didn't he realize the magnitude of what she'd done? If he did, why was he acting so calmly? With such diffidence?
Eliana felt Kadeem gently tugging on her. She followed him down off the platform. Guests came up to them, offering congratulations. It was all beginning to seem unreal. So much had happened during the last twenty-four hours. Everything had changed.
So, now, all she could do was wait and see how things would develop. The engagement process was laid out before them. She knew the various steps they would have to pass through before a formal arrangement of marriage was finalized.
There was so much to work out.
But, most of all, there was one thing she had to be absolutely sure of, in spite of what had just happened.
Whether she and Kadeem even had a real future together.
CHAPTER TWELVE
He couldn't find her and it was driving him crazy.
Kadeem had said goodbye to the last of the guests and he was making his way back into the palace. It was late in the afternoon. The only people remaining in the palace were their parents and himself and Eliana.
But he couldn't find her.
In the sitting room, he found Gretchen, Nalini and Zaeed talking with each other. They looked up at Kadeem as he entered. "Have you seen Eliana?" he asked.
He was greeted with puzzled looks from all three of them.
"I thought she was with you," his mother said.
Kadeem glanced at his father. For some reason, Kadeem felt his father knew something about where Eliana might be.
Kadeem lifted a brow. "Father?"
Zaeed nodded. "I saw Azem and Eliana talking a while back," he revealed.
Immediately, Kadeem felt an urgent jolt course through him. "Where?"
"I saw them walking toward the fountain," his father explained.
