“ I do not understand,” Amine replied, looking puzzled.
“That’s all right, I don’t understand it, either.”
“May I ask you a question?” Amine looked embarrassed, but continued when Christina nodded her head. “Is it true that you eat at the same table with Sheik Abu?”
Christina was surprised.
“Of course I eat with him. Where else would I eat?”
Amine’s dark-brown eyes widened. “I did not believe Nura when she told me, but now that you tell me, I must believe.”
“What’s so shocking about my eating with Abu?” Christina asked curiously.
“It is forbidden for women to eat their meals with men,” Amine answered, shaking her head. “It just is not done.”
So Philip was breaking a rule by eating with her. But this is ridiculous, Christina thought. I’m not one of them. Their rules don’t apply to me. But she didn’t want to offend Amine.
“Amine, you must understand that I was brought up differently. In my country, men and women always eat together. So, you see, Abu is just trying to make me feel at home in this land.”
“Ah, I understand now,” Amine smiled. “That is very thoughtful of Sheik Abu. You are very lucky that he chose you.”
Christina wanted to laugh. Lucky! She had been kidnapped and taken against her will! But Christina could see Amine was a romantic, and didn’t want to spoil her illusions.
“Abu is a handsome man. Any woman would feel lucky if he chose her,” Christina lied. Any woman but herself. “But where are your babies, Amine?” she asked.
“Maidi is watching them. They are her only grandchildren, and she dotes on them. It is hard to make a marriage here, for we do not have many visitors who come to our camp.”
“Then how did you and Syed meet?”
“Ah, Syed stole me from my tribe,” Amine said proudly.
“Stole you?” Christina exclaimed. Were all these men alike?
“Our tribes used to share pasturelands before they became enemies. I knew Syed when I was just a child, and I have always loved him. When I was old enough to marry, Syed had to steal me. My father would have forbidden the marriage.”
“But why did the two tribes become enemies?” Christina asked, her interest growing.
“I do not know, for men do not tell women about such things. I know only that it is Sheik Ali Hejaz of my tribe who holds a grudge against Yasir Alhamar. It has something to do with Rashid’s mother, who was the sister of Ali Hejaz.”
Just then, Philip rode into camp, a rifle slung across his back and a long sword hanging from his belt.
“I must go now!” Amine gasped when she saw Philip.
“I’ve enjoyed talking with you, Amine. Please come and visit me in my tent. You will be most welcome, and bring your children.”
“I will be very happy to,” Amine said timidly.
She hurried away to her tent as Philip rode his horse up beside Christina and dismounted.
“Why did Amine leave so quickly?” Philip asked. The yellow flecks in his eyes reflected the sunlight as he stood towering above her.
“I think she’s afraid of you,” Christina answered, a faint smile crossing her features.
“What?” He looked incredulous. “There’s nothing to fear from me.”
“But there you’re wrong, my lord, for your very presence causes fear,” she teased. “Can’t you see me shaking asunder?”
Philip gave her a devilish grin.
