‘Are you going to put a new system in place for their education?’ she demanded after taking a bite of her sweetened fig dessert.
‘It’s in my plans to make that happen within the year. I’m also in talks with other communities in and out of Shar-el-Aman too.’
‘I’m glad to hear that,’ she said.
Rahim nodded, thankful she’d finally got on track. ‘Not just the women, but for the children especially. But before I do that I need to attend to my personal...image overhaul.’
She frowned. ‘What has your personal image got to do with anything?’
Rahim paused, knowing he’d reached the delicate part of his negotiations. ‘A lot, as you probably know.’
Her spoon clattered to her plate. ‘Only if you intend to put your self-interest above that of your people,’ she replied sharply enough to turn a few heads.
Rahim smiled at their audience through gritted teeth, then rose from the table. The sign that the banquet was officially over sent his guests rising to their feet. Unfortunately, it also meant a slight prolonging of his hosting duties as he put an end to the celebration.
By the time he finished making sufficient rounds to satisfy protocol, Allegra stood stiffly to one side, a plastic smile stretched across her face. When he reached her, he bent low and whispered tersely in her ear.
‘Let’s go and have that talk now.’
At her stiff nod, he steered her out of the ballroom, aware that they were the cynosure of numerous eyes, but frankly uncaring too much of what they thought. He’d been right in thinking she was high maintenance. Already he’d grown tired of walking on eggshells around her, and the certainty that he needed her to help restore his image was fast being chipped away by the frustration eating at him.
His office was the nearest private room. He dismissed the aide who was stationed in the outer office and ushered Allegra into his large office.
Shutting the door behind him, he led her to a leather sofa grouped before a window overlooking his private courtyard. Once she was seated, he paced before her, suddenly at a loss at how to handle this without it blowing up in his face.
He was so lost in composing the right words in his head that he didn’t realise minutes had gone by.
‘Rahim?’
His name on her lips stopped him in his tracks. Inhaling deeply, he said, ‘It is clear that your reasons for coming to Dar-Aman don’t seem to collide with mine, but there’s no reason why we can’t make this work.’
A frown gathered between her brows. ‘I... What? I don’t understand...’
Rushing forward, he sat down next to her, then immediately acknowledged what a mistake that was. This close, he could see the rise and fall of her chest beneath the band of her bodice and the shadow of her cleavage was a sight he couldn’t drag his gaze from.
He forced his eyes up, and continued. ‘I know it’s not what you normally do, but I’m willing to foot the bill for that aspect of your work.’
Her frown intensified. ‘Sorry, I really have no clue what you’re getting at.’
Rahim gritted his teeth. ‘I’m not sure whether you’re deliberately being obtuse or...’ He stopped and took a breath. ‘You’re here on behalf of the Di Sione Foundation. I’m aware of the broad parameters of the foundation’s requirements. All it would take is a little streamlining to include PR work. If it’s payment you’re worried about, I’ll see to it that you’re fully remunerated for all your efforts.’
Her mouth dropped opened in a bewildered O, then firmed again as she fought to find the words. To refuse him most likely. A wave of futile anger spread through Rahim but he pushed it down. His personal feelings didn’t matter here. All that mattered was that she agreed to help him to help his people.
Before he could plead his case further she blurted, ‘I came to Dar-Aman because you have a box in your possession. A Fabergé box. I wish to purchase it from you. That’s my only reason for being here. If you would be so kind as to name your price, I’ll arrange for payment before I leave tomorrow.’
CHAPTER SIX
ALLEGRA WATCHED SEVERAL emotions criss-cross Rahim’s face. Then his brow thundered together in an incandescent frown. ‘A...box? You made this tri
p for the sake of a box?’ Puzzled disbelief hollowed his voice.
‘Yes. But it’s not just any box, I assure you. It has special meaning to someone very close to me.’
He reeled back in his seat, shock still lingering on his face, before he surged to his feet. ‘Let me get this straight. Your visit here has nothing to do with the Di Sione Foundation or the Dar-Aman people?’ he blazed at her, his eyes so dark they were almost bronze.
She swallowed, knowing she skated on very dangerous ground and needed to tread carefully. ‘My foundation may have an interest in Dar-Aman in the future. I’m willing to look at a proposal from you, but for now my immediate need is the box...’
‘May...in the distant future?’ His voice was cold to the point of freezing. ‘So you came here and took pleasure in condemning my kingdom just for the sake of your own amusement?’