Cairo Egypt 1926

"Are you nervous?"

Lydia asked while gazing out the window. Evelyn who had just turned twenty-three this past month looked up through her glasses and turned the page in her favorite book. Evelyn was a very beautiful girl but often hid her beauty behind her mousy and shy personality.

"Of course not…"

Evelyn said, her words almost breaking up. Lydia looked over before smiling.

"You are nervous, aren't you?"

Evelyn closed her book and set it on the wooden table beside her. Sighing, she crossed her legs underneath her ankle length tanned skin.

"Before my father died, he was good friends with a man who served in the military with him."

"How long did he serve?"

"Only a few years, long before my brother or I were born."

"So it was arranged all the way back then?"

"Not exactly, you see my father's friend had five children of his own…sons, I guess they made a promise that one day if my father ever had a daughter that their children would marry."

"Just like that?"

"Well my father's friend built an empire, he became very wealthy with his building…in fact half of these cities that surround us have been built in the last twenty-five years or so from their family."

"They must have money…"

Lydia grinned before Evelyn rolled her eyes slipping her glasses off.

"Money doesn't matter, but I guess his youngest son was sort of the back sheep of the family, had some trouble while serving himself and was jailed a few times."

"My God…"

"Well that black sheep happens to be the only surviving son of the family, which means he is now entitled to taking of his father's business…I guess after running into some bad luck his father finally put a stop to his robbing days and turned him around, I guess he's very smart and handles the business just fine now."

"But…"

"He needs a wife to marry, they arranged this marriage before my father became ill."

"Have you met them yet?"

"Oh no, I guess he's been traveling in Europe with his father, getting things in order…the wedding has been planned for next month."

"And you'll move into their home?"

Evelyn nods.

"I live here since my work happens to be close and my family originally settled in this desert, I just hope I can visit Jonathan in London."

"I'm sure you will, is he coming up for the wedding."

"He said he planned on it, I hope he does…he's the only family I have left."

"You must be excited though, tonight you'll be meeting the man your going to marry."

Evelyn tried her hardest to smile before Lydia looked out the window and jumped.

"Their here!"

Evelyn nearly fell out of his chair before rushing across the room and looking out the window. There she was a carriage pull up front. Along side two cars. Evelyn breathed deeply, knowing this was it.

Downstairs, after Lydia made sure Evelyn looked fine, they stepped out on the porch. The sun blazing down on them. Just then the car doors opened and an older man stepped out with graying hair. Holding his cane, he smiled at Evelyn before stepping over.

"Ms. Carnahan?"

The man offered his hand laughing as Evelyn stepped forward and let her hand be kissed by him.

"Mr. Gabor, I trust your travels have been well."

Mr. Gabor gave a deep laugh.

"Your just as beautiful as your father described you…I'm sure he's looking down from heaven pleased at what we are doing."

Evelyn smiled, feeling beyond terrified when finally he stepped out.

He was tall, much taller then this thought. Thin and had a very distinct looking face. His skin was tanned and his hair was dark. He wore all black clothing and had thin mustache. Evelyn took in a tight breath as he approached her.

"Evelyn, this is my son Beni."

Evelyn barley made eye contact with him before noticing he had very beautiful wild blue eyes. Offering her hand, he took it and kissed quickly.

"The pleasure is all mine."

His voice was thick and Portuguese sounding. Evelyn's cheeks turned red before Mr. Gabor lead them inside for drinks. Evelyn really couldn't believe she was doing this. But what could she do? It was her father's last dying wishes that she would marry this man. Walking in she introduced Lydia as her housemaid. Finally they went to the den where everyone sat in wicker furniture and drank whiskey or iced tea.

As Mr. Gabor went on and on about his travels and dealings in the desert, he complained about the desert heat. Evelyn meanwhile sat straight up, trying her best to act like a lady. She always wanted to prove to everyone that she was just as much as a lady as her late mother was. Thinking about Jonathan, her heart somehow felt home sick and alone. He really didn't have much to say about this arranged marriage. In fact last month while she was visiting him, she asked in a rather nervous voice if he thought she was making a mistake. Shrugging as usual, Jonathan said perhaps it would all work out for the best. She knew the truth though, everyone thought she would die an old maid since all she did was bury her head in her books.

Sitting there, she glanced across at Beni who looked just as nervous. The two glanced at each other and he faintly smirked before she looked down.

Her heart was racing.

Finally Mr. Gabor patted his son on the back, explaining how he turned his thief of a son into a well to do hard working honest man. Now he had a business to take over, along with making sure their family name moved on. Beni stayed silent, smiling ever once in awhile looking embarrassed. Mr. Gabor then whispered in his son's ear before he nodded. Raising, Beni slowly walked across the room at Evelyn who seemed surprised. Getting to the chair she sat in, he kneeled down right in front and took out a beautiful diamond ring. Evelyn had never seen anything so beautiful before in her entire life. Mr. Gabor watched in the background pleased.

Taking a breath, Beni looked up at her. His voice a little high pitched.

"Evelyn, will you be my wife so I can always protect and love you."

Evelyn looked down at him, thinking of how scared she really felt. She didn't even know this man. Finally taking a heavy breath she sighed before nodding.

"Yes."

Beni smiled before slipping the ring on her slender finger. Taking her hands into his, he raised her up and both looked right at each other. He was nearly five inches taller then her. Looking up at him, she was able to really study his face. He was a typical dashing handsome man, but his eyes were really beautiful. Smiling she looked at him before he gently pressed his lips against hers.

The kiss didn't last long once Mr. Gabor laughed and started slapping. Pulling away, Beni's arm went around Evelyn's perfectly. Evelyn felt butterflies dance in her stomach by leaning up so close to him. Mr. Gabor stood up before taking a cigar out and lighting it.

"We all ready have the wedding planned, in less then a month you two will finally be man and wife and everything will be put in safe hands."

Evelyn glanced up at Beni nervous, thinking to herself she hardly knew this man, yet felt excited from what was happening.

This was her husband. Her husband…the world sounded strange. Looking up at him, she knew her life would never be the same again.