Free Desert Rogues Part 2 by Susan Mallery Page B

return.
    â€œJust smile and wave,” Cleo said, glancing at the crowd lining either side of the road.
    Their open, horse-drawn carriage moved slowly, accompanied by cheers and whistles from those who had come out to watch. Mounted guards rode next to them, as much to be part of the spectacle as to offer protection. Cleo figured it was unlikely that anyone was about to kidnap the king’s daughter.
    â€œI don’t think I can do this,” Zara said softly, her face pale, her eyes wide.
    â€œYou’ll be fine.” Cleo motioned to her dress. “I don’t think you can return that.”
    Zara laughed, then smoothed the front of her designer creation. The long-sleeved wedding gown looked like something out of a fairy tale. Hand-sewn beads caught the sunlight. Yards and yards of silk and lace cascaded to the ground. With her hair upswept and anchored by an antique tiara, Zara was truly a royal princess.
    Cleo figured even she didn’t look half-bad. Her rose-colored gown had been cut low and fell straight from below her bodice. The empire style concealed her stomach, which seemed to have suddenly puffed out in the past couple of days. Zara wore diamonds at her ears and around her throat, while Cleo had been accessorized with pearls. Diamond and pearl earrings glittered on her lobes. A stunning circle of pearls, decorated with a diamond enhancer, draped down to the curve of her breasts.
    â€œI’m going to throw up,” Zara announced.
    â€œYou’re going to be fine. Keep smiling and waving. It’s not a big job, especially for someone with all your education.”
    Zara laughed again. “Okay. You’re distracting me. I like that.”
    Cleo switched her cascade of flowers to her other hand. “I’m having second thoughts about refusing the tiara. Do you think I should have worn it?”
    Zara glanced at her spiky hair. “Could we have anchored it?”
    They had a detailed conversation about the pros and cons of hair accessories, then Cleo switched the conversation to shoes. They pulled up in front of the church before Zara had a chance to realize where they were.
    A uniformed guard approached their carriage. King Hassan had ridden with the groom in a carriage in front of theirs. The princes shared the one behind Zara’s, with Sabrina and her husband bringing up the rear.
    The small door was opened and Cleo rose to exit first assisted by the waiting footmen. She managed to get down the two steps without falling. Although she didn’t actually look for Sadik, she was aware of him. The man watched her constantly. She tried to take comfort in his attention, but knew that it had nothing to do with her and everything to do with the baby.
    Don’t go there now, she told herself. This day was about Zara.
    Her sister managed to get out of the carriage without a mishap. Sabrina joined them, urging them into the church. At the top of the stairs leading into the building, they turned and waved to the waiting crowd. A cheer rose.
    â€œKeep breathing,” Sabrina said as they stepped into the cool darkness of the foyer.
    Sabrina’s husband had already escorted the groom and the princes up the aisle. The organ music changed, cueing the women that it was time.
    Sabrina stood in front, with Cleo to follow. Hassan stopped and kissed his daughter, then stepped next to Cleo.
    â€œYou are beauty personified,” he murmured, touching his lips to her cheek. “I am most proud.”
    Cleo wondered if he was talking about the baby. As far as she could tell, the king still didn’t know that Sadik was the father, but maybe his son had told him the truth. Either way, this wasn’t the time for a lengthy conversation.
    She gave Hassan a smile. He squeezed her hand, then moved behind her to stand next to Zara.
    The twenty-foot double wooden doors opened, revealing the crowded church and the long center aisle. Cleo’s stomach clenched.
    Sabrina turned around