‘I shall.’
Then she went through his upcoming agenda, and it was so full that Felicia wondered how on earth he’d had the time to earn his reputation.
‘I shall speak with you again tomorrow.’ Vadia smiled.
Tomorrow was Saturday. Not that a little thing like the weekend seemed to matter in Kedah’s world.
‘If you can just push Kedah for an answer regarding the artist? Also remind him that the next time he’s home we will be arranging the date for his bridal selection.’
As easily as that Vadia slipped it in. In fact she spoke as if she was trying to pin him down for a dental appointment.
‘Bridal selection?’ Felicia checked.
‘Kedah knows.’ Vadia smiled again. ‘Just inform him that his father, the King, wants a date.’
As Vadia disappeared from the screen Felicia sat for a moment, trying to assimilate all she had found out today. While Kedah might insist that his reputation wasn’t an issue, it might prove to be one for any future bride.
Especially if said reputation continued unchecked.
Was that why she was here? Felicia pondered. Was he soon to marry and she was to take charge of his social life here in England?
No way.
Felicia was used to putting out fires—not sitting back and watching them be lit.
* * *
Anu was the gatekeeper to Kedah’s office, and as Felicia walked over to ask her something she saw that she was happily taking her supper break and eating a fragrant meal as she watched the awards show live on the computer.
‘Oh, she won!’ Anu smiled and put down her cutlery, and clapped as Felicia came to her side and watched a pretty young actress take her place on the stage. ‘She’s such a lovely person,’ Anu said. ‘Just genuinely nice!’
Please! Felicia thought, about to point out to Anu that actresses acted, and that was what Miss Pretty was doing right now as she thanked everyone—absolutely everyone...not just God, but her neighbour’s blind cat too—in her little breathless voice.
‘She’s just acting...’ Felicia started, and was about to say what a load of whitewash it all was when Kedah stalked out of his office. ‘I was about to come in and speak with you,’ Felicia said. ‘Vadia needs some dates—’
‘Not now,’ he interrupted. ‘Felicia, can you find out what after-party Beth will be attending and get me on the list? And could you also call The Ritz and have them prepare my suite?’
‘Beth?’ Felicia frowned.
‘The actress who just won that award,’ Kedah said.
‘Do you know her?’ she asked, but he had already disappeared.
‘Not yet.’ Anu smirked as she answered for him.
And the oddest thing of it all was that Anu didn’t seem bothered one bit. Anu—who had looked as if she was chewing lemons all through Felicia’s interview—didn’t seem to mind in the least about Kedah’s wild ways.
The staff at The Ritz were also clearly more than used to him. His suite was already prepared, Felicia found out when she called. And the organisers of the after-party would be delighted to add him to the list. In fact they asked if they could send a car.
‘I’m not sure,’ Felicia said. ‘Can I call you back?’
‘Just check with him,’ Anu suggested, and gestured to his door for Felicia to go in. ‘Though I doubt he’ll want one.’
Felicia knocked and entered and there Kedah was—all showered and cologned, as sexy as sin, as he pulled on a fresh shirt and she got her first glimpse of a heavenly brown and broad chest. Michelangelo had clearly been at that, she thought, as she tried and failed not to notice the fan of silky straight black hair. Straight? Yes, straight, Felicia realised as she glanced down to where his trousers sat low on his hips.
‘The party is all ready for you,’ Felicia said, managing not to clear her throat. ‘They offered to send a car.’
‘Tell them no. I prefer to use my own transport.’
‘Sure.’
His shirt was now done up, and he frowned as he pulled out a tie and saw that Felicia remained. ‘Can you call down for my driver?’
‘Of course,’ Felicia said. ‘But can we quickly discuss a couple of things? Vadia needs a date for your portrait to be finished and also to arrange your bridal selection.’ She watched for his reaction, for Kedah to falter and possibly tell her the real reason she was here, but instead he finished knotting his tie and pulled on his jacket.
‘We can go through all that another time. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
He had that hunter’s look in his eye, and Felicia guessed there was no point talking business now.
Nor brides.
‘Hey, Kedah!’ she called as he went to walk off.