Chapter 4
Raven stepped into the office and looked around. It was impressive, with the large windows and a massive, ornately carved, wooden desk. The walls were white and the curtains an interesting shade of blue. The walls were decorated with both abstract art as well as centuries old words that could only be viewed in art books.
However, Raven had to admit that the man sitting behind the desk was even more impressive. Too bad that she felt nothing for him because Sheik bin Aristi seemed like a really great catch. Even without his wealth and power, the man was…intriguing.
Unfortunately, he was only interesting in her mind. Raven wanted more. She wanted sparks and excitement. She wanted a man that listened to her and would sit beside her at the end of the day and discuss everything that had happened.
Sheik bin Aristi was interesting, but she didn’t fascinate him.
Raven wondered what she’d do if she ever came across a man that excited her on more than just an intellectual level. She snorted, causing the man sitting behind the desk to look up from whatever he’d been reading.
“Ms. Markley,” he said, dropping his pen and standing up. Coming around his desk, he gestured towards the sitting area. “I understand that you’ve narrowed down the number of candidates?”
Raven stepped forward, wondering what it would be like if she were attracted to the man. Alas, she had only platonic appreciation for his attributes and intelligence. Besides, from what she could see and from the rumors she’d heard, the man was already taken.
And now, it was time to set her plan into action!
“Yes, Your Highness.” She moved forward, handing him a smaller stack of files than she’d originally started with. “I’ve spoken to several of the women already via zoom calls. I’ve researched their friends and surveyed their online activities.” She nodded to the stack of folders again. “My cover story for each of these conversations is that I’m a reporter doing a story on current fashion trends, women’s issues, or dating advice.” She paused when he chuckled, then continued. “I’m slowly narrowing down the women that don’t have any obvious red flags.”
He gestured to the leather chair and Raven sat down, perching on the edge as he took a seat on the sofa. She set the folders down onto the low coffee table, then watched as the man started flipping through the files. “Ms. Weston?” he asked, lifting a dark eyebrow after glancing at the attached picture . “I remember speaking to her at some event about a year or two ago.” He nodded, laying the folder down. “What makes you think that she would be a good candidate?”
Raven crossed her legs, then intertwined her fingers over her knee. “She’s twenty-four years old and the daughter to the Earl of Manford. She has a degree in communications, plus, she comes across via cameras well.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m not looking for someone who will work well with the media. I’m looking for a woman who would be compatible with me and someone who is interested in having a large family.” He flipped the folder closed. “I enjoy children, Ms. Markley. I don’t want someone who wants to hold off on having children so she can pursue her career.”
Raven smiled politely and explained Ms. Weston’s accomplishments. “However, I need to say that it’s possible for a woman to have both a career and children, Your Highness. It doesn’t have to be either-or.”
He looked at her over the next file folder. “Tell me about Ms. Clemanti,” he ordered firmly, although his tone was polite.
Raven went through each of the candidates and offered her initial insight into each one. She clasped her hands together, bracing herself for the moment when he flipped open the last file folder. It hadn’t been in the original stack of candidates, but Raven knew with absolute certainty that this particular woman would be perfect for him. And the sheik was perfect for her as well. Their personalities would clash, of course. But after speaking with both, she knew that an occasional clash was exactly what they each needed. They were both mature enough to come back together afterwards and talk things through.
Plus, the sexual tension between them was impossible to ignore.
He opened the last file folder, then his eyes lifted, staring at her with…Raven couldn’t discern the emotions in those dark depths. “Ms. Sullivan?” he asked.
Raven watched him carefully so she didn’t miss the softening of the muscles around his eyes or the slight upward curl of his mouth.
She was right! He was attracted to Mandy! And Mandy definitely wanted him! They would be one of the best matches she’d ever arranged.
If she could make it happen.
“What makes you think that Ms. Sullivan would be a good candidate?”
Raven smothered her rush of triumph, but she was secretly relieved that he didn’t reject her suggestion outright.
“Ms. Sullivan is a little older than most of the candidates,” Raven started out. “But she’s strong and determined. She’s not afraid of taking a chance. The fact that she started her own accounting firm and has built it into a raging success in such a short period of time is proof of that. I’ve heard her on the phone with some of her other clients. Several of them are very important women and men in business, and all of them are intimidating. But Ms. Sullivan handles them with calm professionalism. She isn’t intimidated by anyone, apparently.” She paused briefly, then grinned. “And you, Your Highness, are a terrifying person!” She laughed at his upraised eyebrow.
“She likes to argue,” Zahir interjected.
Raven almost laughed at his statement, wondering if he realized the intense note of satisfaction that came through in his tone.
“And you respect her more when she doesn’t bow down to your commands.” Raven leaned forward slightly, absolutely confident now. “You like being in charge, Your Highness, but when you hear an argument that contradicts your opinion, you don’t just assume you must be correct. Mandy is the same way. I’ve watched the interactions between you two over the past week, Your Highness. That’s why I included her in the list of candidates.”
“However, as you mentioned, she just started her own accounting firm a year ago. She’s not going to want to give that up to have children.”
Raven tilted her head slightly. “Yes, you’re right. She’s not going to want to give that up. She loves her job. You haven’t seen it yet, but when she’s working and she finds something important, Mandy lights up. Plus, she’s been doing an excellent job of managing her fledgling firm from a distance. Not only that, but I can help her find an excellent candidate to take over the day to day management of her firm while she builds up her business from here.”
His eyes narrowed at that last bit. “And she’s amenable to the idea of marrying me?” he asked.
Raven released the air she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
“Actually, I haven’t told her that I was including her as a potential candidate.”
He grunted and Raven wasn’t sure how to interpret that sound. But she watched his body language and it took a great deal of effort not to lift her fist into the air in triumph. He was very interested. And probably more accepting of his interest than Mandy, who Raven suspected wouldn’t agree easily. Something was holding Mandy back. And it didn’t have anything to do with her agency.
He put Mandy’s folder down on top of the stack of candidates. “You’ve done an excellent job, Ms. Markley. I agree with all of your points.” He checked his watch and stood up so Raven stood as well, then gathered up the folders. “I believe that the palace events coordinator, Ms. Astra Hammel, has already set up a series of parties and social events that will allow me to meet the women in question in an environment that won’t give away my intentions.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Give those names to Ms. Hammel so that she can finalize the guest lists.” He turned to go back to his desk and Raven walked to the door.
She’d just touched the doorknob when she heard his voice.
“And Ms. Markley?” he called out.
She turned, looking at him curiously over her shoulder. “Yes?”
He hesitated for a moment, then gave her a slight smile and nodded. “Excellent work.”
She smiled in return and nodded. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Raven walked back to the office that she shared with Mandy, a new bounce to her step. Searching for soul mates was a thousand times better than hunting down serial killers! She adored this job and finding the perfect mate for Sheik bin Aristi would seal her reputation!
However, it might be a challenge to get Mandy to stop thinking of him as a possible enemy. Something had happened in Mandy’s past that clearly made her distrust anyone with money and power. Now that the sheik had given her the go ahead to add Mandy to the candidate list, it was time to dig deeper and learn what had caused Mandy’s distrust.
Although, Raven wasn’t sure how to do that without invading Mandy’s privacy or betraying their budding friendship. A friendship that Raven already treasured, now that she’d gotten to know Mandy.
She’d figure it out, Raven told herself firmly, sitting down at her desk.
“Everything okay?” Mandy asked, pulling her eyes away from the screen of numbers that would have made Raven’s eyes go cross-eyed. How could the woman make sense of all that?
Pulling her eyes away from Mandy’s screen, Raven nodded, focusing on her own challenges. “Yes. He agreed with all of the candidates I selected,” she replied. An instinct warned her not to tell Mandy she was included in the list. “Thanks for the financial information on everyone. Now, I can focus on the new list while you investigate the financial issues.”
Mandy pointed to her computer screen. “I’ve already finished a preliminary review. But I can now start digging into the more serious details to confirm my initial review on each candidate.”
Raven was about to reply when there was a knock on the door. Since the door was open, they both turned their heads to find a stunning dark-haired woman stepping into their office. While Raven’s hair was silky straight, this new woman’s hair was more like a cloud of softness surrounding delicate features. And when she smiled, there was something about her expression that instantly seemed to lighten the mood.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I was told you had a list of people that I needed to include in the upcoming social events?” she asked.
Raven stood up with a nod, extending her hand. “You must be Astra Clemens, the palace events coordinator.”
The woman smiled and nodded. “That’s me. I love organizing parties!” She leaned forward and, in a conspiratorial whisper added, “Fair warning though! I have a bit of a control issue.”
Mandy and Raven laughed, not just because they liked the woman immediately, but because they had a few control issues of their own.
“I guess we all have that in common,” Mandy replied, standing up and extending her hand. “I’m Mandy. I’m doing the financial investigations.”
Astra smiled and Mandy noted that she had a firm handshake. A good sign! She was always annoyed when women had a limp handshake.
“And I’m Raven. I guess we will be working closely for the next few weeks.”
Astra grinned and nodded. “This is going to be exciting!” She pulled a grimace. “I just wish that I was interested in His Highness. He seems like a hottie.”
“You’re not?” Raven asked, tilting her head.
Mandy immediately recognized the motion. Raven was in assessment mode. It was a shock when Mandy felt a spurt of jealousy at the thought of Raven adding this stunning brunette to the list of candidates. No way!
Astra shrugged. “I respect him, but he’s not the type I’m looking for.” She looked around at the ceiling and walls. “First of all, I love the four seasons.” She leaned forward and whispered, “I hate the constant heat here in Sidrina!” Then she leaned back. “Also, as much as I love organizing a party, I would hate the constant attention that will be required to be the sheik’s wife.”
Raven nodded, but didn’t relent. “But wouldn’t there be some advantages that would outweigh those issues?”
Astra thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. “Nope.”
Mandy’s tension eased up at once, but she tried to be subtle about it. She was fully aware by now of how much Raven observed. The woman could read body language and other non-verbal clues at a glance!
Thankfully, Raven moved back to her desk and picked up a piece of paper. “Here’s the current list of candidates.”
Astra’s eyes moved down over the names, then she nodded. “Got it. I know His Highness doesn’t want anyone outside of his security personnel and the three of us to know that he’s currently searching for a new fiancée. So I will ensure that the invitations to these women are carefully planned so that they aren’t aware that they are being vetted.”
“That would be great!” Raven replied.
Astra turned to leave, then hesitated. “I don’t know if either of you are interested, but there is a great bar two blocks from here. A few of us head over there on Fridays after work for a drink and dinner. It’s a nice way to get out of the palace and away from the sometimes stifling formality for a while.”
Raven and Mandy brightened at the invitation. “That would be great!” Mandy replied for both of them. “What time?”
“We sort of meet up whenever we finish working. Some of us get there about six-ish, and some later, depending on what we’re working on.”
“Perfect!” Raven replied, adding a nod for emphasis. “We’ll both be there.”
Astra left and Mandy moved back to her computer. “I’m looking forward to getting out of the palace for a bit,” she grumbled, thinking of the near-constant tension she felt. There was always the risk that the sheik would pop into their office and she needed to limit her interactions with the man. Every conversation seemed to intrigue her further.
Since the man was looking for a wife, and she definitely wasn’t wife material for a man like him, she needed to get over her unexpected reactions whenever he came close.
“Me too, so let’s dig in and get this done.”