‘I designed the ring for you,’ he explained. ‘There isn’t another like it in the world. We’ll choose something else to take centre stage in the exhibition...something huge and heart-shaped in celebration of Valentine’s Day, and far too cheesy for you.’
‘You arranged this all along, didn’t you?’ Lucy accused softly.
‘Guilty as charged,’ Tadj admitted, lips pressing down as he gave a casual shrug.
‘Is it always going to be like this?’ Lucy demanded with a mock warning frown.
‘I certainly hope so.’
Tadj’s mouth had curved in an irresistible grin that warned Lucy to be on her guard. ‘I will definitely need to keep my wits about me,’ she said, trying to sound stern.
‘But not your clothes, I hope...’
It was only a short stride for a strong man to carry his bride-to-be to the bedroom.
EPILOGUE
LUCY AND TADJ’S first wedding ceremony had been a small, intimate ceremony at King’s Dock on board the Blue Stone. They had delayed their marriage until the warmer, more optimistic days of spring had allowed everyone they were close to to attend, including Lucy’s mother, who had been home from her cruise and had looked at least ten years younger. The day had been everything Lucy had ever dreamed of, as well as a thrill for Miss Francine, whose laundry had received a complete overhaul, thanks to Tadj’s generosity. Miss Francine had taken a full part in the ceremony as one of Lucy’s maids of honour, and had been most ably escorted by Tadj’s courtly aide, Abdullah.
On that first wedding day Miss Francine had fussed over Lucy’s simple wedding gown, until Lucy had been sure it would be steamed out of existence. Much the same was happening today with a much grander dress, as Lucy and her friends and family prepared for the big public ceremony in Qalala. The youngest, and most important bridesmaid, was Lottie, as Princess Charlotte was known. A Christmas Day baby, Lottie had been delivered by Tadj, when she’d proved as impatient as her father. A turkey dinner would never be the same again, Lucy reflected with loving amusement as her mother held up Lottie for a kiss.
The streets of Qalala were packed with locals and visitors from across the world. Who could resist what had been dubbed ‘the love match of the century’? Lucy thought, smiling as she counted the minutes until she’d see Tadj. And then she did see him—reflected in her mirror. ‘You’re not supposed to be here,’ she scolded as he strode into the room.
Dismissing everyone, he embraced his wife. ‘You didn’t expect me to wait, did you?’
‘No,’ Lucy admitted, thinking what a magnificent sight he was in his robes of state.
‘You’re not supposed to be so beautiful,’ he teasingly complained, drawing her into his arms. ‘How am I supposed to resist you?’
‘You’re not,’ she said. ‘What’s this?’ she added as he handed over an official-looking sheaf of documents.
‘Your next commission,’ he said. ‘I intend to keep you working. My fellow Sapphire Sheikhs are jealous of my exhibition, and have asked if you would arrange something similar for them. You’ll be kept busy,’ he promised. ‘Though, not too busy...’
‘Tadj,’ she exclaimed, guessing that his intentions were far from honourable. ‘In a tiara and wedding dress?’
‘If that’s what it takes,’ he said with a shrug. ‘Though, please try not to move, or your crown might drop off...’
‘I hope you’re joking?’
‘Joke when I make love to my wife?’
Some time later, Lucy was forced to take a quick dip in the bath, complete with crown, before Tadj helped her to dress again in the fabulous gown he’d insisted on buying for her in Paris on one of their many trips.
‘You look beautiful,’ Lucy’s mother breathed, standing back to admire the daughter she knew would take care of her wherever she lived.
‘More than beautiful,’ Miss Francine added.
Tadj could only agree with everyone’s opinion of his stunning bride, and as Lucy walked towards him on her mother’s arm, down the long aisle that led to their future, he knew without doubt that he was the luckiest man on earth.
‘It seems like only yesterday that we were sitting across a Formica table, teasing each other,’ Lucy told him, long after the wedding feast had ended, and they were alone at last in Tadj’s apartment at the royal palace.
‘What’s changed?’ he growled as he dragged her close. ‘All this—’ he glanced around at the formal gilding and decoration, the marble pillars stretching up to colourful frescoes on a vaulted roof above the royal four-poster bed ‘—is just the icing on the cake.’
‘Are you suggesting I’m crumby?’
‘Anything but,’ he said, laughing as he removed her tiara and necklace.
In just her high-heeled white satin shoes and a skimpy lace basque, with fine silk stockings, Lucy had to ask the obvious question. ‘Would you like me to order coffee to go with your cake?’
‘Why waste time?’ Tadj demanded as she wriggled out of the rest of her clothes.
There were occasions when it felt good to assert her authority, and others times she was quite happy to let Tadj do all the work...and this was one of those times.
‘I love you,’ Tadj whispered later, much later, when she was sated and they were snuggled up in bed.
‘And I love you,’ she whispered, staring deep into his eyes.
‘For ever,’ Tadj murmured.
‘Not long enough,’ Lucy complained in a groggy, smiling whisper against his mouth.
‘My wife.’
‘My husband.’
‘My world.’
* * * * *
If you enjoyed Pregnant by the Desert King by Susan Stephens you’re sure to enjoy these other One Night With Consequences stories!
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