She wasn’t going to get any more out of him. She knew it from the way he angled his body determinedly towards the door and expected her to fall in line. She knew it from the way Fawzi guided her towards the helicopter the moment she stepped out while Zaid said his goodbyes to the Tujullah elders. She knew it when he took his seat beside her and immediately activated his satellite phone.
As they soared into the air and the pilot pointed the aircraft towards the capital, Esme became blindingly aware of one thing. Whether her pregnancy had been confirmed or not didn’t matter to Zaid. While his heir was even a possibility, he was going all out to lay his claim on it.
* * *
Zaid observed his small council of advisors as the monthly meeting came to an end. He knew the last un-itemised point of the meeting was about to be brought up because it had been broached, sometimes subtly, sometimes boldly, at each meeting for the last six months.
This time, though, he wasn’t as disinterested by or dismissive of the subject as he’d been on previous occasions. In fact, there was a hum of anticipation within him that had been present ever since he’d walked into the room.
It had been ten days since he’d returned to the Royal Palace with Esmeralda. Ten days during which he’d tried to get to grips with the poss
ibility that he might be a father. He hadn’t sought confirmation yet, since his initial research had advised that it might still be too early. But, like he’d told Esmeralda, decisions needed to be made. And the more he’d weighed up all his options, the more he’d realised he had only one. More than that, though, was the realisation he couldn’t keep avoiding the decision he’d been putting off. Whether Esmeralda was pregnant or not, he would have to marry some time in the near future.
He couldn’t deny that marriage to a woman from an allied kingdom would bring another layer of stability to Ja’ahr. But marriage and the announcement of an heir would be even more welcomed by his people.
Either way, it was a decision that needed to be addressed. So why not now?
And why not Esmeralda and the possible child she might be carrying?
Two birds...one stone...
He tented his fingers and focused on the oldest member of his group of advisors, an ageing man in his seventies who’d been a good friend and aide to his own father. Zaid trusted him because, aside from the sound counsel he’d given him, Anwar Hanuf was also the man who’d risked his life to save him the night his parents had been assassinated.
Anwar cleared his throat, and the room fell silent. ‘At the risk of repeating myself for the umpteenth time, I think it’s time you solidified your position as Sultan and married, Zaid.’
Zaid kept silent, an action that surprised Anwar since this was usually the time Zaid waved him away, stood up and brought the meeting to an abrupt end.
Anwar, seeing his opportunity, ploughed ahead. ‘Our neighbouring states are dying to form firmer alliances through commerce, but one or two are also hoping for a much stronger alliance through marriage.’ He stopped, and eyed Zaid. When Zaid nodded for him to continue, he hastily opened a dossier and reeled off a list of possible candidates.
Zaid shook his head after the fourth one. ‘No. As much as I accept that arranged marriages forged in the name of stronger alliances have a good success rate among our people, that isn’t going to work for me. I won’t marry a woman I don’t know, neither do I have the time to date and get to know one well enough to propose. But I do accept your argument that marriage will help stabilise our country.’
Anwar sat up straighter, keen black eyes probing Zaid. ‘Do you also accept that it needs to happen sooner rather than later?’
‘Yes. And I may already have a candidate,’ he supplied.
The group exchanged glances. Anwar voiced the question blazing through their minds. ‘The English woman?’ he asked, a little deflated.
Zaid’s eyes narrowed. ‘Do you have a problem with her?’
‘Of course not. Her suitability isn’t the issue. But we are concerned about her father, your potential father-in-law.’
Zaid’s jaw tightened. ‘His fate lies with a jury of his peers, not with me. Whatever the verdict, we will deal with it.’
The men fell silent, absorbing his resolute reply. Anwar cleared his throat. ‘There’s concern that our enemies might use her father’s situation to stir up trouble.’
He stiffened, recalling his conversation with the chief of police. ‘Then they will be dealt with the same way we deal with criminals—using the letter of the law.’
Anwar nodded. ‘Very well, Your Highness. We look forward to your instruction on when we can make a formal announcement.’
Zaid remained in the room after the men had departed. Had he jumped the gun a little where Esmeralda was concerned?
No.
Whether she was pregnant or not, his argument for marriage was a sound one. They were compatible both in bed and out of it. She’d proved in a short time that she could be very good for his people, her ability to adapt to his country and it customs stunningly impressive.
She was intelligent enough to know what was at stake. He was confident she would see that saying no to him wasn’t an option.
* * *