Epilogue
EPILOGUE
S arah knew that the wedding ceremony had to be traditional. But a part of her couldn’t help wishing that she and Kadar were back in England where a quickie registry office wedding could be had without any drama so they could resume their life immediately.
But it wasn’t to be. As she sat listening to the long speeches, admiring the finery of her cousins and second cousins and their second cousins, she realized that deep down, she was glad. Because here she was surrounded by the family she’d never known she’d had, in a place she’d never known was home, with a man she loved, heart and soul. Her future was here now, even if it took her a little time to get used to the customs of this land. But she would.
She glanced at Kadar’s brother—Zak—who looked every inch the monarch and every inch the playboy—a reputation which was apparently well earned. It seemed he was happy to marry the neighboring sheikha who had originally been promised to Kadar. She didn’t understand such arrangements, but then there was still much she didn’t understand about this country. So long as Kadar was beside her, she knew she’d spend her life trying. And, if she didn’t understand, she was happy to accept the differences.
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and touched her belly briefly before remembering and withdrawing her hand. Luckily, the baby bump wasn’t yet showing and only a handful of people knew their secret. She sighed. She couldn’t wait until they were alone together, where she could show him exactly how much she loved him.
“Not long now,” Kadar whispered in her ear as the speeches ended. She smiled as he squeezed her hand.
She leaned in to him. “Can you read my mind?”
He raised an eyebrow and nodded as the music struck up, hiding their conversation from the others. “Indeed. You’re wondering how long it will be before I can worship your body in bed.”
She blushed and looked around, but no one had heard her above the sound of the traditional Bedouin instruments.
“Am I right?”
“I was thinking about your brother.”
Kadar’s smile faded instantly. “What about my brother?” he replied.
She laughed. “You’re jealous.”
“I am not!” he replied before taking a deep breath, releasing it and turning to her with a small smile. “Yes, it’s true, I am. You are my world, and I don’t want to share you.”
“You have no reason to be. He is my brother-in-law, and I was just wondering how he could face an arranged marriage with such equanimity.”
Kadar shrugged. “She is a good woman, and the marriage is important. It will bring our countries together. I think they will suit one another.”
“You’ve met her?”
“Once.”
“Hm,” she said.
“What is it?”
“I can’t imagine what it must be like for her. No doubt when she met you, she thought she was meeting her husband to be. But now it’s not you. It’s Zachairaya.”
“I’m sure she won’t be disappointed. He’s handsome and charming.”
“He might be all of those things, but he’s still a stranger to her.”
Suddenly there was a shout and cheer, and Kadar was distracted.
Sarah watched as he responded to his friends. But her mind still lingered on the unknown woman who was being passed from one brother to the next. She hoped she’d be happy with her father’s choice. And she decided she’d do her best to help the unknown woman settle into the job which could have been hers, and which she thanked God it wasn’t.
Because, like Kadar, Sarah didn’t want to share her husband with anyone else.
THE END