‘It would take me about a month or two to finish. It has to be your decision, Highness,’ she informed him diplomatically.
‘Give me a few days to think about it. It is not that I don’t like the idea. I do, but in this part of the world, we still put a great deal of store on “face”, and therefore, no matter now innovative the idea, if it is not completed on time, then I shall lose face in the eyes of both my allies and my competitors. I certainly have no qualms about your work or your commitment to it, though.’
He needed time to check up on her and her past record of sticking to her contracted time schedules, Mariella knew, but that didn’t worry her. She was always extremely efficient about sticking to a completion date once it was agreed.
* * *
THE NURSEMAID PROVIDED by the prince to look after Fleur whilst she had been working smiled at her as she went to collect the baby.
‘She is a very good baby,’ the young woman told Mariella approvingly.
Once she was back in the Beach Club bungalow, Mariella tried to ring Tanya to both update her on Fleur’s progress and to tell her about her work, but she was only able to reach her sister’s message service.
If the prince did give her this commission, then at least she would be earning enough to ensure that Tanya did not have to work away from home. She knew her sister wanted to be independent, but there were Fleur’s needs to be considered as well, and besides…
She was going to miss Fleur dreadfully when the time came to hand her back to her mother, Mariella acknowledged. She was just beginning to realise what her determination never to become involved in a permanent relationship was going to mean to her in terms of missing out on motherhood.
* * *
A LITTLE NERVOUSLY, Mariella smoothed down the fabric of her skirt. She had arrived at the palace half an hour ago to see the prince, who was going to give her his verdict on whether or not he wanted her to go ahead with the frieze.
A shy nursemaid had already arrived to take Fleur from her, and now Mariella peeped anxiously at her watch. Fleur hadn’t slept very well the previous night and Mariella suspected that she was cutting another new tooth.
‘Miss Sutton, His Highness will see you now.’
‘Ah, Mariella…’
‘Highness,’ Mariella responded as she was waved onto one of the silk-covered divans set around the walls of the huge audience room.
Almost immediately a servant appeared to offer her coffee and delicious-looking almond pastries glistening with honey and stuffed with raisins.
‘I am pleased to inform you that I have decided to commission you to work on the frieze,’ the prince announced. ‘The sooner you can complete it, the better—we have lots of other work to do before the official opening.’
Quickly Mariella put down her coffee-cup and then covered it with her hand as she saw that the hovering servant was about to refill it.
Whilst he padded away silently the prince frowned.
‘However, there is one matter that is of some concern to me.’
He was still worrying about her ability to get the work finished on time, Mariella guessed, but instead of confirming her suspicions the prince got up and picked up a newspaper from the low table in front of him.
‘This is our popular local newspaper,’ he told her. ‘Its gossip column is a great favourite and widely read.’
As he spoke he was opening the paper.
‘There is here a report of our charity breakfast, and, as you will see, a rather intimate photograph of you with Sheikh Xavier Al Agir.’
Mariella’s heart bumped against the bottom of her chest, her fingers trembling slightly as she studied the photograph the prince was showing her.
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