Page 11 of Desert King's Forbidden Temptation

‘Then how can you advise your friend properly?’

‘I don’t need to understand all your inner secrets to know if you’re capable of making her happy. It’s enough to see that you’re decent and kind.’

‘These are the traits you value most?’

‘What I value is beside the point. I’m only thinking of Elana.’

‘Of course,’ was his whip smart response. ‘And this is what she’s looking for in her marriage?’

‘Isn’t everybody?’

He pulled a face. ‘That’s quaint.’

‘You’re making fun of me?’

‘Perhaps I am.’

‘Why?’

‘People get married for many reasons, some considerably more mercenary and cynical than you’re suggesting.’

Her lips parted. ‘You take a dim view of marriage?’

‘I proposed to the Princess, didn’t I?’

‘Why did you?’ she asked, the question one she posed to satisfy her own curiosity.

‘As I said, with no siblings, the lineage is imperilled. Until my father died, that didn’t seem so urgent. Now, I’m the last remaining Sheikh. A situation I intend to rectify.’

‘I see.’ She dug her fork into a chickpea and prune curry, the fragrances making her stomach clench. She tasted it, then moaned, as delightful flavours assailed her. ‘This is wonderful,’ she said quickly.

‘You seem fixated on the issue of children,’ he said, ignoring her rapturous praise for the food. ‘Is there a reason for that?’

Her heart went into overdrive. ‘Such as?’

‘A reason you think this might be a problem for your friend?’

‘A problem? No, nothing like that.’ In truth, she knew Elana understood the necessity of children. But it would break her friend’s heart to bear those children to a man other than her late fiancé. It was a grief Eloise hated knowing Elana would need to go through. ‘We haven’t discussed it in years,’ she murmured. ‘But Elana has, as you pointed out, the same motivation as you. I’m sure she’ll be amenable to your schedule.’ She took another bite of food, then a sip of water, before hastily adding, ‘But I’m not committing her to that. Obviously, that’s a conversation the two of you will have to have, if you decide—’

‘I have decided,’ he said, quickly. ‘I want to marry her. The only remaining choice is hers.’

Something strange panged in Eloise’s side. She felt as though she were being pressed into with the sharp blade of a knife.

‘Why Elana?’

‘Why not?’

She pulled a face. ‘You can just tell me if you don’t want to answer a question, Your Highness.’

His smile was perfunctory. ‘Our cultures have a long, entwined history. It makes sense.’

‘Yes,’ she said, wondering at the emptiness in her gut. ‘It does.’

‘But you are English. Do you find the idea of an arranged marriage strange? Unpalatable?’

‘If you and Elana are in agreement, it hardly matters what I think.’

‘Nonetheless, I’m interested.’

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