Magnates: Desert Prince, Bride of Innocence

‘I didn’t appreciate how much Sami would mean to Jasim’s family.’

‘And our entire country. I believe history is about to be made on your behalf,’ Laila remarked. ‘I hear Sami is to be shown off to the television cameras and you are to be interviewed. Such media access to the royal family is unprecedented.’

Elinor, suddenly feeling much more daunted by her role as Jasim’s wife than she was prepared to admit to her companion, said nothing.

‘This is the royal nursery. An entire household has been designed around Sami,’ Laila explained, crossing the threshold of a large room crammed with toys and baby equipment. Half a dozen servants streamed through other linked doorways to dip their heads very low while at the same time striving to get a first look at the child in Elinor’s arms. ‘I won’t try to introduce you because few of the staff speak English. Let them look after him while I show you where you will be living.’

Elinor swallowed hard at the challenge of having to hand over care of her son.

‘Sami will be spoiled rotten by everyone,’ Laila told her with a hint of impatience as Elinor lingered in the doorway. ‘Next to your husband he’s the most important person in the palace.’

‘Aren’t you forgetting the King?’ Elinor commented.

Laila guided her back into the corridor. ‘That my uncle has lived this long is a tribute to his strength of character, but his illness is steadily gaining on him and Jasim is already taking on many of his father’s responsibilities.’