contract is for a year. Whatever happens to me.’
It was like a slap on the cheek, but a necessary one, and it put her back in business mode.
‘And if it goes in your favour?’
‘Then it is time for me to step up.’
And, whatever way it went, Felicia knew things would never be the same.
‘We need to sort out—’ Kedah started, but she interrupted him.
‘Not now.’
Felicia wanted to curl up on her sofa and hide from the building panic. She wanted a night spent with chocolate, convincing herself that she couldn’t possibly be pregnant.
She had been right never to mix business with pleasure, because she was finding it impossible to think objectively now—and that was what he had hired her to do after all.
‘I need to go home and think this through.’
‘You can think it through with me.’
‘No.’
She couldn’t.
Because when she was with him feelings clouded the issue. A part of her didn’t even want Kedah to be the rightful King, because if he was not that meant there might a chance for them.
Oh, surely not?
She had become Beth, Felicia realised, or one of the many others who had hoped against hope that things with Kedah might prove different for them. She had fallen head over heels, even with due warning, and had hoped he might somehow change.
One day she would laugh, she decided.
One night in the future she would sit with friends, sipping a cocktail, and make them laugh as she told them how, even as he’d spoken of his future bride, even as he’d told her not to worry about her contract, she had hoped—stupidly hoped—there was a chance for them.
‘I’m going home.’ Felicia stood. ‘I’ll think about it tonight...’ And then she did it. She offered the lovely wide smile that she gave to all her clients. The one that told them she’d handle this, that they could leave it with her. ‘I’ll come up with something.’
And Kedah said nothing. He just stepped aside as she brushed past.
He hadn’t been asking her to come up with a solution! Conversation and something rather more basic would have sufficed. He’d never needed anyone in his life, yet tonight he needed Felicia Hamilton.
And she had walked off.
She’d had no choice but to.
It had been walk away or break down and cry—something she had sworn never to do in front of someone else, especially Kedah.
And so she headed for home, turned the key in the door, and stepped into the flat that had once felt familiar but no longer did.
She felt upended now.
At the age of twenty-six Felicia had fallen in love.
Real love.
KEDAH ARRIVED FOR work a little later than usual the next day, and stepped out of the elevator to the aroma of coffee.
It had been a long night.
As much as it galled him to admit it, Mohammed had made a very good point—how could he marry when one day his title might be held up for question?
Kedah was proud, and the selection of royal brides from whom he would choose all expected him to one day be King.
His problems had kept him awake for most of the night, and this morning, just as he had been leaving, Omar had rung to try to persuade Kedah to call off the meeting. But he had refused.
It would just delay the inevitable.
He headed towards his office and there was Anu at her desk, drinking coffee. ‘Good morning,’ he said, and it took him a moment to register that Felicia wasn’t there. Her office door was closed and the light was off.
‘Good morning.’ Anu went to stand up. ‘Would you like coffee?’
‘Later,’ he said, and waved her to sit back down. ‘You look tired.’
‘I couldn’t sleep,’ Anu admitted. ‘My mother called late last night and said there are reports that the Accession Council are meeting.’
‘On Friday.’ Kedah nodded and thought of Felicia’s response—Where does that leave me? ‘Anu, whatever happens your job is safe. I shall be keeping all my hotels and—’
‘I’m not worried about my job, Kedah,’ Anu said. ‘Well, a bit... But my mother was upset and my father is too. I worry for my country. Growing up, we all looked forward to the day you would be King...’
‘And I shall be,’ Kedah said, though he could see that Anu wasn’t convinced.
She would have grown up on the rumours too.
‘I would like to fly back to Zazinia tomorrow, some time midmorning,’ he told Anu. ‘Can you arrange that, please?’
Tomorrow was Thursday. He could possibly have left it another day, but he wanted some time in his country to prepare for the meeting. Perhaps he would go to the desert and draw on its wisdom. He was very aware that tonight would be his last in London for the foreseeable future.
‘Can you ask Felicia to come and speak with me as soon as she gets in?’
‘Felicia’s not coming in today,’ Anu said. ‘She just called in sick.’
Oh, no, she didn’t!
Kedah walked into his office and, closing the door behind him, immediately picked up his phone.
The first time she didn’t answer, but he refused to speak to a machine and so immediately called again.
Felicia stared at her phone and something told her that if she didn’t pick up then Kedah would soon be at her door.
‘Hi.’ Felicia did her best to keep her voice crisp, but she had woken in tears and they simply would not stop.
‘Are you crying?’ Kedah asked.
‘Of course not. I’ve got a cold. I’ve already explained that to Anu.’
‘It’s summer,’ he pointed out.
‘I’ve got a summer cold.’
‘You were fine yesterday...’
‘Well. I’m not today. Look, I’m sorry it’s not convenient, but I really can’t work. I need to take the day off.’
