Chapter 47: Marriage

When Nicola and Graham had been sleeping together for nearly eighteen months, Nicola said, out of the blue during a dinner with Prince Ghasaan present, “I know it’s not a leap year, and I know I’m second hand, but will you marry me?”

He stared at her in surprised silence, as did Prince Ghasaan.

It was the Prince who broke the silence, “Mother, you have not discussed this with me.”

She turned on him and snarled, “We are not in Kobekistan now. You be quiet.” Turning to Graham she said, “Do you want me to go down on my knees and beg?”

He suddenly came out of his reverie and said, “Would that be allowed? Marriage I mean, not begging. I would love it, but I never thought...”

Nicola gave a great whoop of pleasure and kissed him. “Of course it is permitted; I have never been married to anyone else, and who is to deny me.”

Prince Ghasaan pointed out, “My father may object.”

“His Magnificence, the Emir Mahmoud Abdullah, may he live for ever, has been consulted and has no objection. In fact, as my father is long dead, he wants to give me away,” declared Nicola, “and you, Prince Ghasaan, know what the penalty would be for me to lie about what he said.”

“Out of curiosity,” said Graham, “what would it be?”

Nicola answered, “Anyone who takes the Emir’s name to say something false dies a truly horrible death. They are skinned alive, literally, and then left for the dogs to eat; that’s why it doesn’t happen. Anyway let’s start planning. First thing is where and when?”

“I suspect the two mothers will have the first and last say in that, and in all the other things down to the last detail,” said Graham.

“Oh, and you will be living here from now on,” she said.

“Gone, it’s all gone,” he said theatrically.

“What?”

“My freedom. I don’t even get to decide where I live any more.”

“His Magnificence Mahmoud Abdullah, may he live for ever, also said that he is making you a member of the Order of Royal Huntsmen,” she added.

Graham was curious, “What does that mean?”

“Not a lot. It’s an order of chivalry in the personal gift of the sovereign, like the Royal Victorian Order here, except it is almost never given. It signifies his pleasure and is usually given for outstanding personal services to the Emir; he must be glad to be rid of me. Oh, and it pays a stipend.”

“What of? Five barrels of oil a year?” quipped Graham, but then sat open mouthed as she replied, “About half a million pounds a year.”