She shrugged. “Then ask your questions. This is your home. Your party. Your guests.”
“And you’re my fiancée.”
Her chin lifted a fraction. “Yes, I am.”
He studied her for an endless moment. “Who are you, Emmeline?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re so different now. Makes me wonder if you’re even the same woman.”
“What a strange thing to say.”
“But you are different. You look me in the eye now. You have opinions. Attitude. I almost think I could get an honest answer out of you now.”
“Try me.”
His eyes narrowed, strong jaw growing thicker. “That’s exactly what I mean. You would have never spoken to me like this a year ago.”
“We’re to be married in ten days. Shouldn’t I be forthright?”
“Yes.” He hesitated a moment, still studying her. “Romantic love is important to you, isn’t it?”
“Of course. Isn’t it important to you?”
“There are other things more important to me. Family. Loyalty. Integrity.” He looked into her eyes then, as if daring her to disagree. “Fidelity.”
Her brows pulled. “But doesn’t romantic love incorporate all of the above? How can one truly love another and not give all of one’s heart, mind, body and soul?”
“If you loved a man, you’d never betray him?”
“Never.”
“So you don’t condone affairs … no matter how discreet?” “Absolutely not.”
“You don’t hope to take a lover later, after we’re married and you’ve fulfilled your duty?”
Hannah was appalled by his questions. “Is that the sort of woman you think I am?”
“I think you’re a woman who has been pressured into a marriage she doesn’t want.”
Her jaw dropped slightly, and she stared at him unable to think of a single response.
Zale leaned closer, his deep voice dropping even lower, his amber gaze intense. “I think you want to please others, even if it comes at a terrible price.”
“Because I’ve agreed to an arranged marriage?”
“Because you’ve agreed to this marriage.” His eyes held hers. “Can you do this, Emmeline, and be happy? Can you make this marriage work?”
“Can you?” she flashed, flustered.
“Yes.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I have discipline. And I’m older by ten years. I have more life experience and know what I need, and what I want.” “And what is that?”
“I want prosperity for my country, peace in my home and heirs to ensure succession.”
“That’s it? Peace, prosperity and children?”
“I’m a realist. I know I can’t expect too much from life so I keep my desires simple. My goals attainable.”
“Hard to believe that. You were the star footballer that carried Raguva to the finals of the World Cup. You don’t achieve success like that without big dreams—”
“That was before my parents’ death. Now my country and family come first. My responsibilities to Raguva outweigh everything else.”
The fierce note in his voice made her tremble inwardly. He was intense. So very physical. Everything about him screamed male—the curve of his lip, the lean cheek, the strong masculine jaw.
“I need the same commitment from you,” he added. “If we marry there will be no divorce. No room for second thoughts. No means to later opt out. If we marry it’s forever, and if you can’t promise me forever, then you shouldn’t be here.”
Zale abruptly pushed back his chair and extended a hand to her. “But that’s enough serious talk for one evening. We’re supposed to be celebrating your arrival and the good things to come. Let’s mingle with our guests, and try to enjoy the evening.”
The rest of the night passed quickly with everyone vying for an opportunity to speak with King Zale and the glamorous, popular Princess Emmeline.
But finally by ten-thirty, with the last guests departing, Zale escorted Emmeline back to her suite on the second floor.
It had been a strange evening. Perplexing, he thought, glancing down at her golden head with the delicate diamond tiara.
He’d been ambivalent about her arrival. He’d needed her here for duty’s sake. Raguva needed a queen and he needed heirs. But at a purely personal level, he knew she wasn’t the woman he would have ever picked as his wife.
Zale knew his faults—hardworking, no-nonsense, intensely dedicated—but he was loyal. It was a trait he respected in himself, and valued highly in others.
He realized belatedly that Emmeline might not.