blew away the last of the lingering wistfulness in her eyes. He watched, fascinated, as her practical façade slid into place. ‘You’re right, we’re not living in a fairy tale. Shall we continue with the tour?’
Like a true diplomat, she made the right noises, and admired the rich frescoes and endless rows of jaw-dropping chandeliers once they reached the bazaar room, but after examining a few ornaments set on the long sideboards lining the walls, she was ready to move on. The library that had been his grandfather’s pride and joy also received praise, but it wasn’t until they reached the throne room, where all the coronations in Dar-Aman had taken place, that her eyes lit up with true interest.
‘All the crowns from the very first ruler of Dar-Aman are kept in this room.’
‘If I remember correctly, it’s also the room that holds your mother’s most extensive collection of antique treasure boxes, correct?’
He smiled. ‘Correct, although there’s another smaller, private collection,’ he replied.
Before he could give a further history, she let go of his arm and moved to the first cabinet. Rahim watched her carefully examine each ornament, enquire as to its pedigree before moving to the next.
He offered further snippets of information, but she seemed oblivious to him, her engrossment in the cabinets complete.
When a discreet cough alerted him to Harun’s presence, he turned. Nodding at his advisor’s silent signal, Rahim turned to her. ‘Your presence as guest of honour is required.’
She hid her disappointment well, but he saw it. ‘Can we return later?’
‘If you wish,’ he murmured, his instinct sending a veiled warning he couldn’t quite decipher yet. She didn’t take his arm again, and she seemed almost reluctant to leave the throne room.
When they reached the Mariam Ballroom, named after his grandmother, he made it a point to introduce her to as many dignitaries as possible. Allegra conversed intelligently, but through it all Rahim could sense her distraction, like she was wearing a mask that she was growing weary of donning.
Puzzled, he tried harder to engage her, to steer her round to what he wanted to discuss with her. It was only when he mentioned the women of Nur-Aman that she focused fully on him.
‘Are you going to put a new system in place for their education?’ she demanded after taking a bite of her sweetened fig dessert.
‘It’s in my plans to make that happen within the year. I’m also in talks with other communities in and out of Shar-el-Aman too.’
‘I’m glad to hear that,’ she said.
Rahim nodded, thankful she’d finally got on track. ‘Not just the women, but for the children especially. But before I do that I need to attend to my personal...image overhaul.’
She frowned. ‘What has your personal image got to do with anything?’
Rahim paused, knowing he’d reached the delicate part of his negotiations. ‘A lot, as you probably know.’
Her spoon clattered to her plate. ‘Only if you intend to put your self-interest above that of your people,’ she replied sharply enough to turn a few heads.
Rahim smiled at their audience through gritted teeth, then rose from the table. The sign that the banquet was officially over sent his guests rising to their feet. Unfortunately, it also meant a slight prolonging of his hosting duties as he put an end to the celebration.
By the time he finished making sufficient rounds to satisfy protocol, Allegra stood stiffly to one side, a plastic smile stretched across her face. When he reached her, he bent low and whispered tersely in her ear.
‘Let’s go and have that talk now.’
At her stiff nod, he steered her out of the ballroom, aware that they were the cynosure of numerous eyes, but frankly uncaring too much of what they thought. He’d been right in thinking she was high maintenance. Already he’d grown tired of walking on eggshells around her, and the certainty that he needed her to help restore his image was fast being chipped away by the frustration eating at him.
His office was the nearest private room. He dismissed the aide who was stationed in the outer office and ushered Allegra into his large office.
Shutting the door behind him, he led her to a leather sofa grouped before a window overlooking his private courtyard. Once she was seated, he paced before her, suddenly at a loss at how to handle this without it blowing up in his face.
He was so lost in composing the right words in his head that he didn’t realise minutes had gone by.
‘Rahim?’
His name on her lips stopped him in his tracks. Inhaling deeply, he said, ‘It is clear that your reasons for coming to Dar-Aman don’t seem to collide with mine, but there’s no reason why we can’t make this work.’
A frown gathered between her brows. ‘I... What? I don’t understand...’
Rushing forward, he sat down next to her, then immediately acknowledged what a mistake that was. This close, he could see the rise and fall of her chest beneath the band of her bodice and the shadow of her cleavage was a sight he couldn’t drag his gaze from.
He forced his eyes up, and continued. ‘I know it’s not what you normally do, but I’m willing to foot the bill for that aspect of your work.’
Her frown intensified. ‘Sorry, I really have no clue what you’re getting at.’
Rahim gritted his teeth. ‘I’m not sure whether you’re deliberately being obtuse or...’ He stopped and took a breath. ‘You’re here on behalf of the Di Sione Foundation. I’m aware of the broad parameters of the foundation’s requirements. All it would take is a little streamlining to include PR work. If it’s payment you’re worried about, I’ll see to it that you’re fully remunerated for all your efforts.’
Her mouth dropped opened in a bewildered O, then firmed again as she fought to find the words. To refuse him most likely. A wave of futile anger spread through Rahim but he pushed it down. His personal feelings didn’t matter here. All that mattered was that she agreed to help him to help his people.
Before he could plead his case further she blurted, ‘I came to Dar-Aman because you have a box in your possession. A Fabergé box. I wish to purchase it from you. That’s my only reason for being here. If you would be so kind as to name your price, I’ll arrange for payment before I leave tomorrow.’
ALLEGRA WATCHED SEVERAL emotions criss-cross Rahim’s face. Then his brow thundered together in an incandescent frown. ‘A...box? You made this trip for the sake of a box?’ Puzzled disbelief hollowed his voice.
‘Yes. But it’s not just any box, I assure you. It has special meaning to someone very close to me.’
He reeled back in his seat, shock still lingering on his face, before he surged to his feet. ‘Let me get this straight. Your visit here has nothing to do with the Di Sione Foundation or the Dar-Aman people?’ he blazed at her, his eyes so dark they were almost bronze.
She swallowed, knowing she skated on very dangerous ground and needed to tread carefully. ‘My foundation may have an interest in Dar-Aman in the future. I’m willing to look at a proposal from you, but for now my immediate need is the box...’
‘May...in the distant future?’ His voice was cold to the point of freezing. ‘So you came here and took pleasure in condemning my kingdom just for the sake of your own amusement?’
‘No, that’s not why I came here, but I can’t just switch off who I am because I’m not officially on duty. The foundation is not just my job. It’s my life.’
‘Then prove it.’
She