Page 54 of At the Sheikh's Bidding
A soft, misty rain had begun to fall, but neither of them wanted to retreat into a taxi. Instead, Amare purchased an umbrella, and they walked, his arm around her, sheltering her from the rain through the darkening streets of Paris. She pressed her cheek against the damp shoulder of his jacket as she laughed at a story he was telling her about one of the few times he got into trouble with his grandmother. She didn’t think anything, or anyone, would ever quash his spirit. Except maybe ghosts from the past who he’d thought he’d failed. But she’d make sure he left those behind him. Just as he seemed determined to make sure her fears were banished.
“Look!” He said as he drew to a halt half-way along the Pont Louis-Philippe. He pointed across the tree-lined River Seine, ruffled by the passing shower, toward the far bridge, beyond which was another bridge. He sighed. “I fell in love with this place the first time I came here as a teenager. I knew it was where I wanted to live.”
Captured by the look of sheer pleasure on his face, it took her a few moments to drag her gaze away and look out at the view. “What was it that got you? I mean, Paris has so many things which are wonderful, but what exactly was it that got to you? All the water and bridges? The beautiful buildings?”
“What got to me about Paris? I don’t know. I can’t analyse that, and even if I could, I suspect I’d never figure it out. All I know is that when I’m in Paris, I get the same feeling as when I look at you.”
She suddenly felt shy under his gaze. She opened her mouth to make a quick retort. Anything that would deflate the seriousness of the moment. But he shook his head, as if he knew what she was about to do.
“It’s like I’ve found where I belong.WhoI belong with.”
“Oh, Amare,” she breathed, all thought of humor gone.
He stroked her cheek. “I need to know, Janey. I really need to know.”
“What?” she asked, understanding his question, but needing to be clear.
He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a black velvet box. Her heart missed a beat as he opened it to reveal a large diamond ring.
“I need to know if you’ll allow me to love and cherish you for the rest of our lives. If you’ll give me a chance to show you I can do that without making you feel stifled, without controlling your every move.”
She pressed her hands to her mouth, trying to blink back the tears and pinch herself that this was for real.
“Please, Janey, put me out of my misery. Will you marry me?”
She looked up at him, but his face was hazy as the tears sprung into her eyes. She nodded. “Yes,” she said, flinging her arms around his neck and pressing kisses against his lips. “Yes,” she said again. “I thought you’d never ask,” she said with a smile as he slipped the ring on her finger.
He kissed her again, and then they turned and walked across the bridge and into their future. Knowing there would always be more bridges to cross, but that, together, they could do it.
EPILOGUE
“Rosana?” Janey asked, straining to hear her colleague’s voice above the sound of the laughter and shouts from the party on the rooftop terrace. She waved to Amare, who nodded and continued talking to Zaire. They’d agreed that she’d leave it to Amare to break the news to Zaire that there was yet another academic about to arrive in Sifra. Because what Janey hadn’t realized was that Rosana was known to the brothers. And Zaire, in particular, didn’t seem to think too highly of her. When she’d asked Amare why, he’d just waved his hand and said something vague about Rosana being autocratic. Janey could believe it.
“Hey Rosana, sorry about that. Look, the reason I’m ringing…” She grimaced, knowing that Rosana had hoped that either she or Leonora would have succeeded with the task of finding the diamond, making her trip unnecessary. “Looks like it’s down to you.” She winced at the sound of her friend’s resigned groan. “Hey, I’m sorry, but you know…”
She listened to Rosana’s brief comment. But she couldn’t hear properly, as the door had opened, and some kids had come running through, followed by a barking dog.
“Hey! Look, I’ll call later and I’ll tell you everything you need to know. It’s gotten too noisy in here.”
But, as she finished the call, she wondered whether she should tell her everything. Because things had changed since Rosana had agreed to the scheme. Darrius was no longer the king. Zaire was. And if Zaire knew about Rosana, no doubt that knowledge was reciprocated. But Rosana had always been one to keep herself to herself. She was proud, private, and a confirmed feminist. Janey couldn’t help wondering how that would sit with the all-powerful King Zaire. Amare’s brother was nothing like Amare. Zaire had none of Amare’s urbane charm and conversation. After all, like Darrius, he’d been raised under the watchful eye of his parents in a traditional manner.
Janey visualized Zaire and Rosana like two opposing forces. She just hoped that Amare would be able to broker some kind of peace between them—at least until Rosana had completed the research.
She looked up as Amare appeared from the terrace.
Janey shot him a questioning look. “How did he take it?”
Amare pulled a face. “Not good. But at least he’s agreed to allow her into the country and he’s given her permission to carry out the research.”
“I guess that’s something,” she said, putting her arms around Amare’s neck. “I swear you could sweet-talk anybody into doing anything.”
“Is that right? Then perhaps I should ring Rosana?”
“No,” she said too quickly.
He cocked his head to one side. “No? I like the sound of that. Is my fiancée getting jealous?”
“Your fiancée may indeed have found a streak of jealousy she didn’t know she possessed. But, aside from that, I really don’t think there’s much point in your talking to Rosana.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because I think it will take a lot more than charm for Rosana and Zaire to get on.”
“They’ll be fine,” said Amare. “Don’t worry. Besides, I know for a fact that Zaire—”
Whatever Amare was about to say was swept away by a tennis ball hitting Amare’s arm. He turned around and chased the giggling child outside, leaving Janey to follow. She was going to about to ask him what he’d been about to say, when she stopped herself. It could wait. Besides, she very much doubted there was anything she could do to influence the situation from Paris. No, it was down to Rosana now.