CAROL MARINELLI - Bound By The Sultan's Baby

‘I shall.’

He gave her the key and further instructions and pretended not to notice that she swiped a bottle of champagne as they walked from the dining room.

Yasmin was very protected and afforded none of the freedom that Alim and Kaleb had been.

She deserved a little fun during her time in Rome, Alim thought.

So he led her to the stairwell and warned her again to stay low and to be quiet.

‘Thank you, Alim!’

‘Don’t make trouble! Watch for a little while and then go to bed.’

Alone now, it was Alim who wanted to see his brother on this his wedding day.

And he also wanted to speak with Gabi.

Alim was a very astute businessman and he recognised Gabi’s talent. He had worked very hard to bring the hotel up to standard but was aware that there was still much to be done. Marianna was very set in her ways and the more he thought about it, the more he wanted Gabi to be a part of his team.

Alim did not use the main entrance to the ballroom, for he wished to be discreet. Instead, he walked out through a courtyard and breathed in the cold air.

It was snowing and he stood for a moment listening to the applause as the speeches ended. The master of ceremonies was telling the guests that there had been another couple who had married here some sixty years ago and was leading into the first dance for the newlyweds.

Holding the wedding here and all that entailed had been the least he could do for his half-brother.

The staff might discover his royal status perhaps, but that was a small price to pay for being able to be somewhat involved in this day.

He wondered how his father felt, upstairs in the Royal Suite, as his eldest son married downstairs.

Alim walked in through the French windows and looked over at Fleur, who sat, a part of the bridal party yet somehow remote.

Alim held nothing against her—in fact, he felt for her. She had been a good mother to James and had never caused any problems for his family.

He, himself, was causing problems for a certain someone, though.

His entrance, however unobtrusive, could not have come at a worse time for Gabi.

Of all the moments that Alim could have chosen to check on proceedings, Gabi would have preferred that it was not this particular one.

Often he arrived with an entourage, but on this night he had slipped quietly into the ballroom just as the happy couple were about to take to the floor.

And that was the problem.

An old-fashioned gramophone had been set up and a microphone discreetly placed over it so that in this delicious old ballroom history would tonight be repeated.

Of course, there was a back-up recording to hand should the needle skid across the vinyl or start to jump, or should the assistant wedding planner’s hand be shaking so much just at the sight of Alim.

He made her a quivering wreck simply by his presence.

He came in from the cold and, though impossible from this distance, she felt as if the cool air followed him in, for she shivered.

Do not look over, Gabi told herself. Just ignore that he has come in.

Under Bernadetta’s less-than-reassuring glare, Gabi placed the needle on the vinyl and the sounds of yesteryear crackled into life. It was not the bride and groom who took to the dance floor—it was the bride’s grandparents.

Tenderly, the elderly man held his wife and it was the perfect pastiche as the younger couple joined them.

It was an incredibly moving passing of the baton and just so utterly romantic to watch the elderly couple and the newlyweds dance side by side that it brought a tear to Gabi’s eyes.

Oh, it made all the sleepless nights worth it, just for this.

She glanced up and saw that the photographer was snapping away.

They would be beautiful photos indeed.

Gabi went through her list on her tablet and saw that for now she was up to date.

Everything really had gone seamlessly.

‘Another Matrimoni di Bernadetta success,’ Bernadetta said, and Gabi’s jaw gritted as her boss came and stood by her side. ‘I hope that I can trust you to take it from here.’

Bernadetta made it sound as if she was bestowing a great favour when in truth she was skiving off early and leaving it all to Gabi.

All of it had been left to Gabi.

Bernadetta had flown back from her vacation just this morning and had spent most of the day staying warm in her luxurious car.

Gabi stood there, biting back tears as Bernadetta waltzed off, though of course she took time to network. Bernadetta knew very well which side her bread was buttered on, and was sweet and charming to anyone who might assist her ascent. She walked up to Alim, and Gabi saw her put her hands up in false modesty as she no doubt accepted congratulations from Alim for another hugely successful wedding.

And Gabi stood there, dreaming of one day going it alone.

Just dreaming of the day when she could call a night such as this her success and be the one Alim congratulated.

And that was how he saw her.

Lost in a dream.

Alim walked towards her and as she turned and looked towards him he smiled. She felt that she shone.

Criticism and fault were gone when she was held in his gaze.

No man had ever made her feel like that, no man had ever made her feel as if there was nothing, but nothing, that she needed to change.

He did that with just one look.

‘I was wondering...’ Alim said in that smoky voice of his, and so lost in her dream was Gabi that she put down the tablet she held and stepped towards him on instinct.

‘I’d love to.’

And then she wished the ground would open up and swallow her.

Of course his arms were not waiting for her. Gabi had thought, stupidly thought, that he was asking her to dance, but instead, as he sidestepped, it was just a cringe-inducing faux pas.

Of all the embarrassing moments she had lived through, this was Gabi’s worst.

‘We’re working, Gabi,’ Alim said politely.

But no matter how skilfully he deflected or made light of her gaffe, not even he could save her from her shame as he told her the real reason that he had approached.

Of course he hadn’t been about to ask her for this dance.

‘I was wondering,’ Alim repeated, ‘if I might have a word.’

CHAPTER THREE

OH, THE SHAME!

Gabi wanted the dance floor to open up and swallow her whole.

Instead, she stood there as Alim gestured with his head, indicating that they move out from the ballroom.

When Alim asked to speak with someone, they tended to say yes, even if they would have preferred to run.

‘The bride might need me.’ Gabi floundered for an excuse. ‘Bernadetta just left.’

‘I know that.’

Alim had a word with one of the staff as they made their way out and told them where they could be found. ‘If anyone is looking for you, you will be told.’

She retrieved her tablet and he led them out of the ballroom to a table and chairs, and as she took a seat he put up his hand to halt a waiter as he approached.

This was business.

Yet her navy eyes were shining with embarrassed tears and there was a mottle to her chest from the mother of all burning blushes.

Poor thing, Alim thought.

He was terribly used to women liking him, even if it was a more sophisticated sandpit where he usually played.

Gabi would know that.

Surely?

* * *

‘The wedding and the celebrations have gone very well,’ Alim said.

‘Matrimoni di Bernadetta put a lot of effort into it,’ Gabi duly responded.

‘I think we both know,’ Alim said, ‘that Bernadetta put precisely zero effort into this wedding.’

Gabi blinked at his forthrightness.

‘Bernadetta isn’t here,’ Alim interrupted, ‘so speak to me, Gabi.’