Page 34 of Unknown Royal Baby

And they’d been left outhere? Something wasn’t right. Quite apart from the unsuitability of leaving them in the heat, the palace was full of comfortable rooms.

Avril covered her concern with a smile and inclined her head. ‘I’ll be back shortly.’

She hurried to the double doors, the temperature dropping deliciously as she stepped inside. The man who’d shown her into the garden was hurrying away. He didn’t pause when she called him, as if not hearing.

She hesitated, knowing she couldn’t leave the women in the heat any longer. They needed drinks but they needed to be in the cool too. But where?

More footsteps sounded, coming down a long corridor from the opposite direction.

Avril rushed to intercept a man carrying a bulging file. He looked slightly familiar, as if she’d seen him in the distance during her tour of the palace. ‘Excuse me.’

‘Yes, madam?’

‘Can you help me? I need a room, large enough to seat a group of about fifteen guests in comfort. Not on hard seats but in comfortable chairs. Is there something like that in this part of the palace?’

‘Well, I’m sure if you put in a request—’

‘I’m afraid there’s no time for a request. The room is needednow.’

Avril read his surprise and feared that if she didn’t press her case he might leave, like the servant who’d pretended not to hear. One of the old ladies hadn’t looked well and Avril worried. She stood straighter, lifting her chin and sweeping off her sunhat.

‘There’s been an unfortunate mix-up. The Sheikh has guests who have been left waiting outside in the heat for more than an hour.Elderlyguests. It’s not appropriate. We need a room for them, the more comfortable, the better. We need drinks immediately. A couple of them look particularly fatigued and I’m worried about dehydration.’

The man opened his mouth to speak but Avril pressed on. ‘And food too, please. We also need to inform His Majesty so he can see them as soon as possible. Can you do that?’

To her relief, instead of arguing, he gave a small bow. ‘You can rely on me. This way.’

He led her down the corridor, opening a door onto a spacious, opulent sitting room. The couches looked comfortable and there were small tables that would be perfect for drinks.

‘Will it do?’ He nodded to doors on the far side of the room. ‘Bathroom facilities through there.’

Avril grinned, relieved. ‘Thank you, it’s perfect.’

His rather stern features transformed as he smiled. ‘Excellent. You bring the guests and I’ll see to the rest. When I speak to the Sheikh, who shall I say arranged this?’

She hesitated, feeling she shouldn’t broadcast her name to a stranger since she didn’t want to stir gossip. But it was too late. ‘Ms Rodgers. Thank you so much, Mr—’

But he was already hurrying away, pulling out his phone.

Ten minutes later the women were all comfortably seated. Scant moments after that a parade of staff brought trays of cold drinks, delicate fruit ices and platters of finger food. They circulated among the women, offering refreshment and delicately embroidered napkins.

Soon after, hot drinks arrived including mint tea, cinnamon tea and coffee. Platters of hot food arrived after that, all provided by smiling, attentive maids.

Avril straightened from moving a small table closer to one of the guests, and looked around, satisfied.

‘Very nicely done, my dear.’ It was the tall woman who’d since introduced herself as Hana Bishara. ‘I couldn’t have done better myself.’

This was obviously high praise. ‘Thank you. Though the kitchen staff have done all the work.’

The food looked and smelled delicious, reminding her she’d skimped on breakfast and she was starving. As soon as Isam arrived, or someone from his office, she’d leave to get her own lunch. Her breasts felt tight too, a reminder that Maryam would need feeding soon.

‘You obviously have a talent for organisation, and the authority to make things happen here.’

Again Avril recognised curiosity in Hana’s expression.

‘Not authority. I just pointed out to the staff that there’d been some mistake, and requested refreshments.’

‘If you say so. Ah, here’s His Majesty.’

---