“He never summons me before noon.” She seemed about to say more.
“What is it?”
“Ifs not what you think.”
“I am not thinking anything.” The gallant reply was automatic. “Vera, I want you to know that I will not allow you to remain behind in Tripoli when I leave.”
Her eyes widened. “You are leaving?!”
He smiled slightly because her feelings were so obvious. “One way or the other.”
She relaxed. “I understand. I want to help. I can help.” Her eyes held his. “We can escape together.”
He glanced around. “Hopefully a ransom will be arranged, making everything much simpler.”
“I don’t think so. Jovar hates you. The bashaw hates you. When you refuse to turn Turk, their hospitality will change.”
“You are as intellligent as you are beautiful.”
She smiled. “It doesn’t take a genius to know that. Xavier, we should start making plans now.”
“We?” He was amused.
“I want to help,” she repeated very firmly. “I am a smart woman. I can help. So can Murad.” She looked over her shoulder, but, except for the slave, they were alone. Her voice dropped. “Maybe we should escape immediately. There is a secret tunnel. That is how I come and go to and from the palace without anyone knowing. Now, while you have some freedom …”
“I cannot leave my men.”
She stared.
“I have other business to attend to, as well.”
“What other business?”
He smiled. “Vera, I cannot tell you all of my affairs.”
She seemed taken aback, dismayed.
“We will talk again, soon. However, there is one thing I would ask of your slave. To get a message to Neilsen from me.”
“That’s easy.”
He chuckled. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Her smile faded. “I am happy … to have met you.”
He wanted to tell her that he fell the same, but could not get the words out. He also wanted to let her know that he was married, but those words also failed him. “Tell Neilsen to request an audience with me. We need to meet, and soon. I am also concerned about my men.”
She nodded. “I’ll bet he’s already asked to see you.”
Xavier glanced behind him. They were still, remarkably, alone. “I think it is time for you to go. Before we are discovered.”
“Okay.” She suddenly reached out and touched his shoulder lightly. His cotton shirt was finely spun and he felt her caress as if she touched his naked skin. Their eyes locked. “Xavier, Vera is the name they gave me when I took the Moslem faith. My real name is Alex.”
He started.
“Actually, it’s Alexandra.” She smiled into his eyes. Hers were shining.
“Alexandra,” he said softly. “I like that.”
