"Then you must take Leila to him!" Eve criedpassionately, clutching Guy's arm. "She belongs in her true homeland, nothere. I have prayed for a way to liberate her, but my pleas went unheard untilthis night. Now you have answered them. You said it yourself, Lord deWarenne. You came here to take her with you." Hervoice was filled with wonderment, and now she looked at him as if she could notquite believe he was real and standing before her. "If you had come amoment later, I would have missed you. I was just about to leave for GovernorMawdud'spalace to intercede for your life. But you arehere—"
"You speak of liberating your daughter," Guyinterjected, growing more confused as he noted the richness of Eve's garmentsand the glittering emerald necklace at her throat, "but you are not aslave, and neither is Leila. Yet so she led me to believe."
Eve waved her hand impatiently. "A ruse. It washer father's way of protecting her. He told me as much, fearing you might useher to escape if you knew her true station."
Guy mulled over this revelation, seeing its truth. Hemight have tried such a stunt indeed. Then another thought of even greaterimport came to him.
"When I arrived in Acre, I was told thezunnarwas worn by any Christian living in Arab lands . . .a good way for us to determine friend or foe. Leila wore such a garment whenshe came to the prison. Was that also a ruse?"
"No!" Eve said heatedly, clearly affronted byhis obvious misgivings. She stepped away from him and drew herself up proudly. "Hearme well, my lord. When William was murdered—"
"Murdered?"
"Yes, before my eyes. Bedouin slave traders. Theybrought me and my newborn babe to this city, and I was purchased bySinjarAl-Aziz, who later became my husband. As a marriagegift he offered me anything I wanted, yet I asked only that I might remain aChristian and raise Leila in my faith. This he granted from his heart, thoughhis reason told him to deny me. Since then, God has given me great happiness inmy second marriage. I love my husband and will never leave him, no matter hisbeliefs. But I do not want such a marriage for Leila and"—Eve paused,chewing her lower lip nervously— "and neither does she."
Guy regarded her sharply, anger bubbling deep withinhim. "She is to marry an infidel?"
"Yes. It has all been arranged. Leila has nochoice in the matter. She . . . she is most distressed. She has told me shewould do anything to escape this marriage, leave Damascus, leave the country, butthere was no way until now."
"She has seemed troubled," Guy agreed,thinking back on their encounters in his cell, "althoughI believed it was because of her servitude."
"Yes, Leila does not mask her unhappiness well."Eve touched his arm, her eyes pleading with him. "Please take her awayfrom here. I can get you both safely out of Damascus. Take her back with you toEngland, to her brother. She should have a Christian marriage, as is her birthright,and a home and family in her true country. She is a virgin. Roger will have nodifficulty finding a suitable husband for her. I beg of you, Lord deWarenne, upon your sacred oath as a knight, if ever therewas a young woman needing your aid—"
"Do not fear, my lady," Guy said resolutely. "Itis as good as done." Indeed, he needed no more convincing. Leila might notbe a slave as he had thought, but she was truly a maiden in dire need of rescuefrom a heathen marriage and a barbarian land. At that momenthisownpersonal feelings about RogerGervaisseemed inconsequential next to her wretched plight. "I will see her safelyhome to your son. This I swear, and may God defend my oath."
Eve's great relief was evident on her lovely face, butbefore she could offer any thanks, the sound of sandaled feet crossing thecourtyard made her turn pale. Her eyes darted around the room, falling upon alarge, lacquered cabinet.
"Quickly, you can hide in there until all is inreadiness." Running with him to the cabinet, she flung open the latticeddoors and pushed him inside.
Guy banged his head as she shut the doors. He bit offthe curse that jumped to his tongue, crouching because he was too tall for thecabinet. He pushed aside the silken, jasmine-scented garments hanging allaround him to peer out the intricate wooden grillwork.
He watched Eve move to the archway where she metanother woman, obviously a servant, who bowed to her. They conversed in hushedtones for several long moments, the slave woman glancing occasionally at thecabinet. It was clear to him that Eve had divulged his hiding place, which madehim nervous. Could the slave woman be trusted?
His fears were somewhat allayed when the two womenwarmly embraced, more like dear friends than mistress and slave. Then Evewalked back toward the cabinet while her servant disappeared into thecourtyard. As Eve drew closer, Guy could not resist calling out to her in aloud whisper, "Who was the woman?"
"Do not worry, my lord. I would trustMajidawith my life . . . and I just have," Evewhispered back through the tiny diamond-shaped openings in the cabinet doors. "Everythinghas been arranged. She has gone to seek out a friend of mine, a special friendwho will help you and Leila leave the city.Majidaisstealthy and swift. My friend should be here within the hour with his wagon."
"A wagon?" Guy hissed, highly skeptical ofsuch a method. "Surely we will be found out! I say we lower ourselves overthe wall next to the house and avoid traveling through the city gates altogether."
"And be swept into theBarada?If you survive the river's swift currents, you will findMamelukesoldiers patrolling its banks when you reach the other side. No, my lord, youmust leave this to me."
Guy groaned to himself, rolling his eyes. Never beforehad he entrusted his hide to a woman, but he had little choice. "As yousay."
"Good. WhenMajidareturns, I shall summon Leila to this very room. Then I will need your help, mylord."
"Name it."
"I will give you a sponge and a vial of sleepingsedative to hold in readiness until I signal you."
"Why the devil do I need that?" Guy asked,frowning.
"Leila must be drugged for the journey."
"Drugged? I was under the impression she wanted toleave Damascus."
"She does, she does," Eve said quickly, her voicequavering, "but I fear the excitement will be too much for her. Better shedoes not know what is in store. If we do not drug her, there is always thechance she may become frightened in the wagon and inadvertently give you bothaway. Leila is prone to tears when she becomes upset."
"What woman isn't?" Guy complained under hisbreath.
