away.
So Lina and the king had fallen in love. She was happy for them. The thought of her friend moving to Bahania was a little sad, but also exciting. Kayleen had never known a queen before.
She made her way back to her suite. As she climbed the wide staircase leading to the second floor, she paused, remembering the king’s emotional proposal and how happy Lina had been. Even from several feet away, Kayleen had felt the love they shared.
“I want to be in love,” Kayleen whispered. “With As’ad.”
She wanted to love the man she would marry and she wanted him to love her back. Could it happen? Was it possible? Or was she like a child, hoping to catch the moon?
As’ad walked into the suite Saturday morning. “Are you ready?” he asked.
The girls all called out that they were, while Kayleen hovered behind them. For some reason, she felt shy with As’ad. How strange. She’d never felt awkward with him before. Perhaps it was because they were engaged now. Everything was different, yet it was oddly the same.
“You never said what we were going to do,” Dana told him.
“I know. It’s a surprise.”
He crossed to Kayleen and smiled at her. “You are quiet.”
“I’m caught up in the moment.”
“You don’t know what the moment will be.”
“I’m sure it will be wonderful.”
“Such faith.” He captured her hand in his, then glanced down. “You do not wear my ring.”
She pulled her hand free and hid it behind her back. “I, um, thought it was best. After talking to Fayza and all.”
“Who is Fayza?”
“From the protocol office. I think that’s where she’s from. She wanted to talk to me about the wedding and how to behave, now that I’m going to be, you know, a princess.”
She could speak the word, but it was hardly real to her. It was the same as saying she was going to wake up an aardvark. A princess? Her? Not possible.
“I see,” As’ad murmured. “What were her instructions?”
Kayleen tried to remember them all. “I shouldn’t go out by myself. I shouldn’t talk to any man who isn’t staff or a member of the royal family. I shouldn’t wear my ring until the engagement is officially announced. I shouldn’t talk to the press, dress inappropriately.” She paused. “There’s more. I wrote it all down.”
He touched her cheek, then lightly kissed her. “It seems there are many things you should not do. Perhaps it would have been easier to give you a list of what is allowed.”
“That’s what I thought.”
His dark gaze settled on her face. “Kayleen, you may do whatever pleases you. In all things. I would ask that you not travel outside of the palace walls without a bodyguard, but you may come and go as you wish. You are my fiancee, not my slave.”
She liked the sound of that. “But Fayza was very insistent.”
“I assure you, she will not be again. Would it please you to wear your engagement ring?”
She nodded. Somehow wearing the ring made her feel as if she belonged.
“I would like you to wear it, as well.”
She went into her bedroom and slipped on the ring. When she turned, she found As’ad behind her. He pulled her close and settled his mouth on hers.
His kiss was warm and insistent, with just enough passion to make her breath catch. She liked the feel of him next to her, the way he held her as if he would never let her go. She liked the taste and scent of him, the fire that burst to life inside of her.
“What are they doing?” Nadine asked in what Kayleen guessed was supposed to be a whisper.
“They’re kissin’,” Pepper told her.
As’ad straightened. “There are issues with children I would not have guessed,” he told her. “Such as privacy.”
She smiled. “It’s because they’re excited about the surprise. You never said what it was.”
“You’re right. I did not.” He led her back into the living room and faced the girls. “We are going shopping. All three of you need new wardrobes, now that you are to be my daughters.”
Nadine spun in place. “Pretty dresses and party shoes?”
“Of course. Riding clothes, as well. Play clothes and whatever else Kayleen thinks you require.”
“I want a crown,” Pepper announced.
As’ad laughed. “I am not sure the store carries crowns, but we will ask.”
Kayleen laughed. “Maybe we can make one here.” She turned to him. “Thank you. The girls will love getting new things. They’re all growing so quickly.”
“You will be shopping, as well,” he told her.
“What? I’m fine.”
“You need a wardrobe that befits your new position.” He shook his head. “What you have will not do.”
She felt herself flush and tried to tell herself that it made sense a prince wouldn’t be impressed by her plain, inexpensive wardrobe.
“I’ve never been much of a shopper,” she admitted. Growing up, she’d made do with hand-me-downs and donations. When she started working, she’d never made a lot of money and her clothing budget had been modest at best.
“You will have to learn,” he told her. “You are a beautiful woman and you deserve to wear beautiful things. Silks and lace with jewels that glitter. You will sparkle like the stars in the sky.”
She’d never heard him talk like this before, she thought happily. She liked it.
The store was like nothing she’d ever seen before. It was on a quiet street with pale buildings that had striped awnings at all the windows. There was no sign overhead. Just discreet gold lettering on the door.
“I have called ahead,” As’ad told her as they got out of the limo. “Wardrobes have been collected for each of the girls.”
“How did you know the sizes?” she asked, wishing she’d had something nicer to wear into the store. She felt frumpy.
“Neil phoned the laundry and asked them to check. A selection has been made for each of them but the final decision is yours. If something has been forgotten, it will be ordered.”
Kayleen had a feeling this was going to be a different experience than the sixty-percent-off sales at the discount stores she usually frequented.
A tall, slender woman greeted them graciously. She was beautifully dressed and smiled as she bowed to Prince As’ad.
“Sir, you are always welcome here. How delighted we are to be of service.”
“Glenda, this is Kayleen James, my fiancee. These three young ladies are my daughters. Dana, Nadine and Pepper, this is Miss Glenda.”
The girls smiled shyly and stayed close to him.
“A perfect family,” Glenda told him. “Although a son would be a lovely addition.”
“You speak as my father does,” As’ad told her. “You are prepared?”
“We have dozens of things to show everyone. I think you will be pleased.” She turned to the girls. “Come on. I’ll show you.” Glenda took Dana’s hand and introduced her to the clerks who were hovering. Each gathered a girl and led her off. Then Glenda turned to Kayleen.
“Such beautiful hair,” she said with a sigh. “And a natural color.” She slowly walked around Kayleen. “Good structure, excellent posture, clear skin. Prince As’ad, you’re a fortunate man.”
“I think so.”
“All right. Let the fun begin. The dressing rooms are this way.” She glanced back at As’ad. “You will find magazines, drinks and a television waiting for you.”
“Thanks.” He smiled at Kayleen. “Enjoy yourself.”
Kayleen nodded because she couldn’t speak. Nothing about this experience was real to her. None of it had any basis in reality. In her world, boutique owners didn’t act this way. They weren’t so accommodating or friendly. At
