Page 38 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

"You think I planned this?" Nadyah asked, lifting a hand to her chest, pretending to be shocked. Aliyah could tell she wasn't being serious.

"Of course not, Nadyah," Aliyah said playfully. "Why would I think you'd go and do anything like that?"

Both women exchanged a look and laughed, their voices echoing around the cavernous space of the empty reception room.

Aliyah heard someone clearing their throat. She gazed up toward the entrance and saw four figures standing there. She saw Azim and Lucy, both smiling toward Aliyah. Next to them was a tall, elderly, white-haired man dressed in traditional Qazhar robes.

Standing next to him was Shahid. Aliyah almost gasped when she saw him, saw the elegant, formal suit he was wearing. He looked so refined, so incredibly handsome. He had a nervous smile on his face. Right now, the only thought that overtook her mind was that she'd never seen a more attractive man in her life. The panic she'd felt moments before instantly evaporated as she gazed at the tall, incredibly sexy figure who was looking straight at her with a mixture of disbelief and eagerness written on his features.

"They're early," she heard Nadyah blurt out as she started toward the door, leaving Aliyah standing on her own by the podium. As she watched Nadyah hurry along the red carpet, Aliyah felt suddenly isolated, abruptly exposed and wondering just what was going to happen next.

She saw Nadyah greet the elderly official and heard the murmurs of their hasty conversation. All the while they talked, Shahid waited by the side of the official as if unsure what to do next. Perhaps he was worried he would do something to break some unspoken protocol, Aliyah told herself. Or maybe he was nervous about coming anywhere near her. She didn't want to entertain such an idea and turned away from them, clasping her hands tight and trying to gather her thoughts.

In spite of her best efforts to force rational thought into her mind, she realized that the emotion of the moment had taken a firm hold of her. She couldn't think straight. All she could feel was the excitement at the prospect of what she was about to do with Shahid. Never in a million years could she have guessed that she'd be going through something like this with him.

What would happen when she promised to be his forever? What would she feel when he took her hand and vowed to love her forever, pledged to devote his entire life to making her happy? She'd heard the vows so many times before, uttered by other men and women at all the weddings she'd attended. But, right now, she was about to hear those words spoken directly to her by a man who had already turned her world upside down.

"Aliyah, can you come here?" she heard Nadyah call out behind her.

She turned and saw Nadyah waving for her to come to her. Aliyah walked along the red carpet painfully aware that everyone was watching her. She felt utterly self-conscious, as if she was the real bride, the true focus of attention.

When she reached them, she greeted the official, who was introduced as Abdul, a senior figure in Qazhar religious life. Abdul bowed ceremoniously and smiled at her. He probably had no idea of the hidden torment Aliyah was going through. Aliyah greeted Azim and Lucy who thanked her for doing this. That just made things worse, Aliyah told herself anxiously.

Aliyah glanced at Shahid and saw that his gaze was fixed upon her. He seemed to be drinking in the sight of her. There was visible appreciation in that gaze. Aliyah was suddenly aware of how she was dressed. She turned to Nadyah and gestured for her to take a step to one side.

"Can I have a word?" Aliyah asked.

Nadyah's brows furrowed but she followed Aliyah as she took a few steps away from Shahid and Abdul.

"Can't I change into something a little more appropriate?" Aliyah murmured.

Nadyah glanced down the length of Aliyah's plain cotton dress. "I don't think you need to," she replied.

Aliyah glanced sheepishly toward Shahid. "But look at Shahid," she said trying to contain the urgency in her voice. "He looks like he's attending a real wedding," she gasped.

Nadyah looked across at Shahid. "You might have a point there, Aliyah," she said nodding casually. "But, he does look handsome, don't you think?" she added giving Aliyah a grin.

Aliyah frowned. "It's not fair. He looks like a prince, and I look like a commoner," she said accusingly.

"Tell you what. Let's ask Shahid," Nadyah said.

Aliyah grabbed Nadyah's arm. "No! Don't do that," she started to say, but it was too late because Nadyah had already turned to Shahid.

"Shahid. What do you think of Aliyah's outfit?" Nadyah asked.

Aliyah felt her face redden as Shahid gazed at her, his eyes widening with appreciation. She saw his gaze ease down the length of her body and then back up to look straight into her eyes.

"I think she looks absolutely perfect," he said in a deep voice. "Beautiful," he added softly. His words triggered a warm sensation that she instantly tried to disguise. She forced her gaze away from him, anxious that the sudden flush of heat she felt on her cheeks shouldn't betray her reaction to his words.

She heard the official speak. "The lady is most gracious," she heard him say in a calm, approving voice.

If she'd thought that asking for a chance to change would have given her an opportunity to call this whole thing off, then now Aliyah knew that she had no choice but to go ahead with this crazy charade.

"How would you like to proceed with this, sir?" she heard Nadyah ask Abdul.

But she didn't hear the reply because all she could think of was that she was about to go through a pretend wedding ceremony with Shahid. And it was already starting to feel more than a little bit real.

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