Woman in a Sheikh's World(33)

'I'm efficient, not controlling. I get things done. And it's hard to get  a wedding done when the groom is in one place and the bride is in  another.' Just saying those words made her heart race. Bride. Groom. She  was getting married. 'And you, by the way, are supposed to be on my  side.'

'I'm on your side. You're scared, Avery.' Jenny reached across and took  her hand. 'Don't be. It's the right thing. I never saw two people as  right for each other as you and Mal. And I've seen a few.'

'I haven't.' Avery's teeth were chattering. 'I haven't seen any.'

'You can borrow some of mine. OK, so there's Peggy and Jim-they're  clocking up sixty years. True, neither of them has their own teeth left  but that hasn't been a barrier to lasting happiness. Then there's David  and Pamela-' Jenny ticked them off on her fingers '-a happier couple you  never did meet. And Rose and Michael-they just celebrated sixty years.'

Avery stared at her, confused. 'What are you talking about?'

'I'm listing all the people I know whose marriages have lasted more than  sixty years so that you don't sit there with a list of your mother's  divorce cases in your head.'

Avery moved the hem of her wedding dress so that it didn't catch in her heel. 'You know all those people?'

'My Aunt Peggy does. They all live in her retirement home.'

'But-' Avery looked at her in exasperation. 'What does this have to do with my wedding to Mal?'

'I was distracting you before you exploded with fear.'

'I'm not afraid!'

'Yes, you are. But you're facing your fear and that makes me so, so  proud of you. And I really want to hug you right now but I daren't ruin  your hair and make-up because you look stunning.' Jenny's eyes glistened  and she sniffed and flapped her hand in front of her face. 'Oh look at  me! I'm going to ruin my own make-up and everyone will think your best  friend is a panda. You are a lucky woman, Avery Scott. Mal is gorgeous.  He was the one who insisted on all this. The whole Palace has been in an  uproar, changing everything on his orders.'                       
       
           



       

'Changing everything? Changing what?' Completely confused, Avery realised that the car had stopped. 'Where are we?'

The door opened and Rafiq stood there. 'Welcome. Can I help you with your dress, Your Highness?'

'I'm not Your Highness yet, Rafiq, but thank you.' With Jenny helping,  Avery stepped out of the air-conditioned limo and gasped. 'The desert?'  She blinked in the blaze of the sun. For a moment she just stood,  overwhelmed by the savage beauty of the golden landscape. She never grew  tired of looking at it. Never. 'But the wedding was going to take place  at the Palace.'

'But you love the desert,' Rafiq said quietly. 'Although this has to be a  public affair, His Highness was insistent that it should also be  personal. The wedding itself is for the people, but this part-this is  for you. '

Avery heard Jenny sniff but she ignored her. 'But  …  oh  …  isn't everyone  angry that they had to come to the desert and stand in the heat?'

'Angry that their future Queen loves their country as they do?' Rafiq  gave an indulgent smile. 'I hardly think so. And now everyone is waiting  for you. Are you ready?'

Avery stared at the sea of faces. She was used to large gatherings, but  never one where the attention was focused on her. She felt a sudden rush  of nerves. 'Where's Mal?'

'I'm right here.' He was standing behind her, stunningly handsome in  flowing robes, his eyes gleaming dark and the smile on his face intended  only for her.

Even the unflappable Rafiq was shocked. 'Your Highness! Convention states that-'

'I don't care about convention, I care about my bride.' Mal took her  hand in his and lifted it to his lips, his eyes holding hers. 'Are you  afraid, habibti?'

She should be.

She was giving him everything. Her love, her trust and her heart. But  the moment she'd seen him standing there, she'd been sure and the  feeling filled her and warmed her. 'I'm not afraid. I can't believe you  did this for me.'

'I couldn't change the date, but I could change the place.' The words  were for her and her alone. He managed to create intimacy despite the  crowd watching and waiting. 'Are you pleased that we're marrying in the  desert?'

'Yes. You know I love it. I had our picture on the computer. It was the first thing I saw in the morning.'

'I did the same. And every time I saw that picture I dreamed of this moment.'

Her eyes filled and she gave a strangled laugh. 'Don't make me cry!'

'Never.' As he lowered his head towards her, she closed her eyes and  lifted her mouth to his but Jenny gave a shriek and intervened.

'What are you doing? You can't kiss her! You'll mess up her make-up and  she'll look terrible in the photographs. Stop it, the pair of you.  Rafiq, do something.'

'Sadly, it seems I am powerless, madam. A fact I have long suspected.'  But there was humour in his voice as he bowed to Jenny. 'May I escort  you to your seat? The others are already waiting.'

'Others?' Avery glanced at Mal. 'Who? I don't have family.'

'But you have friends.' He spoke softly, his eyes gentle. 'Many, many  friends, all of whom want to wish you well and would not miss this, the  most important party of your life.'

She glanced through the crowd of people, now silent and curious, and saw faces she knew. So many faces. All smiling at her.

'You have some seriously cool friends, I'll give you that,' Jenny  muttered under her breath. 'Chloe is probably going to pass out.'

Mal smiled. 'Chloe has already passed out. Twice. I have someone looking out for her.'

Jenny glanced at Avery in despair. 'She passed out last week at the  Senator's party. Which was a great success, by the way. The doves were  sweet. I hope you're having doves.'

'We will have doves for our fiftieth anniversary,' Mal breathed, 'and  now, if no one objects, I'd like to marry the woman I love in the  company of the people who love her.'

'Can we walk up there together?' Avery slipped her hand in his and he smiled down at her.

'I would have it no other way, habibti.'

Rafiq looked desperate. 'But Your Highness, tradition states that the  bride should be brought to the groom. That is how the marriage begins.'

'Not this marriage.' His voice was deep and sure. 'This marriage begins  the way it will continue. With the bride and groom side by side as  equals. Are you ready?'                       
       
           



       

Avery smiled. 'I've never been more ready for anything in my life.'