“I’m sorry—I was just lost in thought,” Christina answered.
Kareen smiled warmly “I’m so glad that you agreed to come with us. I just know you’ll enjoy the opera.”
They arrived shortly thereafter, and John escorted them into the old Opera House. As they entered, the many men and women standing about turned to stare openly at Christina and whisper remarks to their companions. The women gave her contemptuous glances and then turned away. But the men grinned lasciviously and raped her body with their eyes. A few young men, who obviously knew John and Kareen, ventured forward to meet Christina. They paid her lavish compliments, but their eyes roved over her body boldly, and she replied tartly to their flattery.
“Miss Wakefield!”
Christina turned abruptly to see William Dawson coming toward her with a huge smile. He was exactly as she remembered him—tanned and athletic-looking. She remembered his exciting stories, and she wished she had received him when he called so many times.
“It’s been so long,” he said, taking her hand and drawing it to his lips. “And you’re still so beautiful. I hope you have recovered completely from your illness?”
“Yes. I was ah—persuaded to join the living world again,” she said. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Dawson.”
“William,” he corrected her. “We’re such old friends, Christina. You injure me by calling me anything but William. Have you an escort?”
“Well—I came with John and Kareen.”
“Shame on you, John, for keeping the two most beautiful women in Cairo all to yourself.”
“Well, I guess I am a bit selfish when it comes to these two,” John laughed.
William Dawson’s soft gray eyes rested on Christina. He still held her hand in both of his.
“You’d make me the happiest man in Cairo if you’d allow me to sit with you during the performance, and perhaps take you home afterward. With your brother’s permission, of course.”
“Well, I—” Christina looked to John for help, but he sent her a warning look to remind her of the promise she’d made. She smiled weakly. “I would be delighted to accept your offer, William. It seems I have my very own escort now—doesn’t it, Kareen?”
Kareen nodded with sympathetic eyes. “Yes, and a charming one, at that.”
She knew Christina wasn’t ready for this. She still carried a broken heart so openly. Kareen wondered how John had managed to talk Christina into coming tonight. It was good for Christina to get out, but she wasn’t ready yet to trade polite quips with an escort.
On the way home, Christina listened absentmindedly to William’s story of some adventure in the wilds of Texas. She couldn’t recall anything about the opera, except impressions of brightly colored costumes and loud music. Her thoughts had wandered every time she’d glanced at the comb in Kareen’s hair. Couldn’t she forget Philip even for a little while?
“We’re here, Christina.”
She was glad she’d agreed to let William bring her home. John would want to be alone with Kareen for a while, and she’d have been in the way.
“Would you like to come in for a glass of sherry, William?” she said, feeling guilty about the many times she’d refused to see him.
“I was hoping you’d ask me just that.”
Inside, Christina went directly to the liquor cabinet, but William came up behind her and pinned here there with one hand on either side. He poured two sherries, then stepped back to hand her one.
“I’d like to toast this moment. How I’ve dreamed of it,” he murmured. His eyes caressed the bosom revealed by her low-cut gown.
“I hardly think it worth toasting, William,” she said nervously.
Christina moved away and sat down in John’s favorite chair for what little protection it offered. She suddenly remembered that Mrs. Greene was visiting friends and would probably stay the night.
“You’re wrong, Christina,” William said, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. “Tonight will be a night to remember for both of us.”
Suddenly he pulled her into his arms. His lips found hers and bruised them in a demanding kiss. Christina felt shocked and repelled. How had she let herself into this situation? She pulled her mouth away, but he still embraced her, pressing her body against his.
“William, please—let go of me.” She tried to speak calmly. But she knew she was alone with him, and fought a rising panic.
“What’s wrong, Christina?” He held her at arm’s length, running his gray eyes boldly over her body. “There’s no need to act the coy virgin with me.”
“You’re too bold, William Dawson,” Christina replied coldly, jerking out of his grasp. “You have no right to take such liberties with me.”
