“So—you were only playing games with me on that beautiful night. Well, I won’t let you go, my sweet, so fight me if you will. Fight me until you die of pleasure!”
That afternoon, Christina heard angry voices outside. She ran to the entrance of the tent and saw Philip and Rashid arguing heatedly. Three women sat on the ground beside them. Philip suddenly turned from Rashid and strode toward their tent, a dark scowl on his handsome face.
“Get inside, Christina,” Philip growled at her when he came into the tent. He headed straight for the cabinet, filled his goblet with wine, and drank it down.
“What’s wrong, Philip?” she asked. She wondered what had made him so angry, and hoped that she wasn’t the cause. “I notice we have visitors.”
“Visitors, ha!” he stormed, pacing back and forth. “Those women aren’t visitors. They’re slaves Rashid abducted from a slave trader’s caravan last night. He plans to take them north tomorrow and sell them.”
“Slaves!” Christina gasped, horrified. She ran over to Philip and pulled him around to face her. “You were raised in England. You can’t condone the selling of human beings. Tell me you don’t!”
“I don’t condone it, but that has nothing to do with it.”
“You will set them free?” she asked, searching his eyes for assurance. But he only pulled away from her.
“No,” he replied curtly. “Damn, I knew this would happen.”
If Philip let Rashid sell those women, what was to stop him from selling her? All her hopes vanished once again.
“Why won’t you let them go?” she asked quietly.
“Must you always question my motives, woman? The slaves are Rashid’s property. He stole them. As I told you once before, I let him keep what he steals. Do not question me again where he is concerned. Do you understand me?”
“I understand this much,” she flung at him. “You’re a cruel, merciless barbarian. If you ever put your hands on me again, my scissors will hit a more vital spot!”
She ran to Yasir’s tent, and hoped Philip wouldn’t follow her there. But Rashid shared the tent with his father, and she ran straight into his arms.
“You,” she whispered venomously. “You’re worse than Philip. You’re all a bunch of barbarians.”
Rashid released her and stood back pretending not to understand. “What have I done to offend you, Christina?” he said.
“Have you no respect for other human beings?” she snapped, hands planted firmly on her hips. “Why do you have to sell those women?”
“I don’t,” Rashid said, eyeing her hungrily from head to foot. “The last thing I would wish is to have a beautiful woman angry with me. If you wish me to set those slaves free, I will.”
Christina stared at him. So Rashid wasn’t the greedy man Philip would have her believe.
“Thank you, Rashid, and I’m sorry. It seems I’ve misjudged you.” She smiled. “Will you take your evening meal with us tonight? I’m afraid I’d rather not be alone with Philip.”
“Ah, you are not happy here?” he inquired softly. “All is not well between you and Abu?”
“Why, did you think it ever was?” she laughed. Perhaps she had found a friend in Rashid.
“That is too bad, Christina,” he said. She saw the desire in his dark-brown eyes, but his face was so soft and boyish, she could almost imagine him younger than herself.
That evening, Christina played the gracious hostess attending all Rashid’s needs. She entertained him with stories of England and her girlhood.
Rashid couldn’t keep his eyes off her, and didn’t care that his desire showed so openly. There couldn’t be another woman in all the world who could match her beauty, Rashid thought. She was dressed in a pale-green silk skirt and blouse, with a shawl of the same material draped about her creamy white shoulders. She wore her hair gathered loosely at her nape, and the golden curls cascaded down her back. He could almost forget his plans watching her, but he had waited too long for their fulfillment.
Philip watched Christina, too, but for a different reason. He fumed silently while she flirted openly with Rashid. With each glass of wine, Philip thought of a different way he would enjoy killing them both. He had been angry when she left the tent that afternoon, but now he felt able to strangle her pretty neck. He hadn’t said a word when she told him Rashid was going to set the women free. Now he waited, rage festering inside, to see just how far she’d provoke him.
Through the meal and afterward, Christina ignored Philip completely. She could tell he was furious, for his eyes were dark and angry as they followed her every move. She wanted him to be as angry as she had been that afternoon. She was getting even in her own way, and thoroughly enjoyed herself.
After Rashid left, Christina sat across from Philip sipping her tea and waiting for him to make the first move. She felt nervous now as he continued to stare silently at her.
“Did you enjoy making me look like a fool tonight, Christina?”
Starting, she glanced at him warily. “Pray tell, how did I make you look the fool?” she inquired innocently.
