Guy turned away and quietly left the shadowed chamber.His inability to return his wife's love had also been a disservice, but onethat could never be remedied. At least he loved Nicholas, their young son, ashe had never been able to love Christine. He hoped that had been someconsolation for the pain they had shared from the day they were wed until hertragic death.
Putting away such dark memories, Guy went to thekitchen and quickly finished the food trayRefaiyehhad been preparing before he had so lustily interrupted her.Leila had more than likely calmedherself by now. Two hours had passed since he had left her room. She wasprobably ravenous and light-headed after not eating for several days.
When he reached her chamber, he balanced the tray inone hand and unbolted the door. He ducked slightly, as he seemed to have to dowhen going through most entryways, his gaze sweeping the silent interior. Thebed was pushed away from the wall and a clothing chest moved there, empty ofits contents and turned upright on one end. The grille on the window directlyabove e the chest was opened just wide enough for a slim young woman to escape.
"Damn!" Guy shouted, setting aside the tray.Why hadn't he thought Leila might try such a stunt, and maybe even succeed?Railing at his own stupidity, he ran toward the back of the house and then outand around to the attached stable, trying to determine which direction to tryfirst.
Acre was a bustling port city on the rocky shores ofthe Mediterranean, but it was only a third the size of Damascus. Given Leila'shead start, she could be well into the surrounding hills if she was onhorseback. Those grassy slopes and craggy hollows were swarming with Bedouinherdsmen andMamelukespies who would recognize atonce the monetary worth in helping an Arabic-speaking Christian woman return toDamascus.
Those men would have nothing to lose. If she proved tohave lied about her family, they would sell her in the slave markets. If shewas telling the truth, they would be rewarded in gold for her safe return.Either way, the smell of money would easily gain Leila their eager assistance.
Guy flung open the wide stable doors and was relievedto see that none of the four horses was missing. That meant she was on foot.
His mind sped as he saddled one of the sleek blackstallions. First he would search the twisting city streets for any sign of herand, if that failed, he would recruit several crusaders and their men-at-armsand set out for the treacherous hills.
As Guy slapped the horse's flank with the reins andtook off at a fast trot down the narrow street, pedestrians, squawkingchickens, and bleating sheep scattered in all directions. He was almost at thecomer when he spiedHayatracing toward him as fastas her short legs would carry her, her flapping skirt held well above herknees.
"My lord! My lord!" she cried, dodgingpassersby and dashing between the spindly legs of a large camel blocking thestreet.
Guy dismounted just asHayatreached him, falling breathless and panting into his arms.
"The . . . pretty lady, my lord! I saw her . . .jump from the window . . . when I was in the garden. I followed her . . . thosemen!"
"What men,Hayat?"Guy demanded, his heart hanging hard against his chest. He shook her none toogently. "Where is she?"
"Three Genoese sailors, my lord!"Hayatcried, her large brown eyes filling with tears. Shebegan to hiccough, her small body trembling. "They caught her . . . theywere laughing . . . They dragged her into a tavern—"
"Show me." Guy hoisted himself into thesaddle and drew the small slave girl up in front of him. As she pointed andguided him, he rode like a maniac through the winding streets, his furymounting. God help them, if those swine had harmed Leila he would castrate themall, stuff their bloody members in their mouths, and only then sink his swordbetween their ribs!
"There it is, my lord!"Hayatshouted, spying a wine tavern Guy recognized as one he had earlier frequentedwith other crusaders. There was a brothel on the second story, filled with manyrooms and dark passages that echoed with whispers and breathless cries ofcarnal pleasure.
Guy depositedHayaton theground and jumped down from the stallion, tethering the animal just outside thetavern. "Stay here!" he ordered. The slave girl bobbed her head,gasping as he pulled his glinting sword from the scabbard at his belt and ranto the door, which suddenly swung open.
Guy had scarcely an instant to step clear before outtumbled a Genoese mariner who was holding his bleeding arm and wailing to thehigh heavens and numerous saints for mercy, while behind him stormed SimonRenier, clad only inbraiesandchausses. The stocky crusader was bellowing curses and waving his bloodiedsword in one hand while he yanked a woman with streaming black hair into thestreet.
"Leila!" Guy breathed, recognizing herinstantly.
From what he could tell she seemed unhurt, although thedark tunic she must have borrowed from the clothing chest was rent in two,exposing her filmy garments underneath. As she fought againstRenier'sbeefy grasp, scratching and kicking him like alittle wildcat, Guy caught tantalizing glimpses of creamy flesh and slenderlimbs, and he was filled with desire and envy. How he wished he was inRenier'splace so he might tame her!
His arousing fantasy was tempered when Leila suddenlyspied him and stopped cold. He could swear he saw a flicker of relief in thosestormy violet eyes, but it quickly vanished and she jutted out her chin. Shewas such a breathless vision it was almost impossible to look away, but he didwhen the older knight lifted his blade over the cowering soldier.
"Renier, stay yoursword!" he shouted.
"What?"Renierblustered, half turning as he noticed Guy for the first time. "Ah, deWarenne!" The half-naked crusader roughly pulled Leilain front of his protruding stomach, and caught her around the waist, his barearm pushing up her breasts. "Is this your woman?"
His gaze moving reluctantly from those seductiveswells, Guy could not suppress a grin as he saw Leila bristle. "Yes, she'smine."
"I thought as much. Here I was a-whoring when Iheard a terrible ruckus next door, screeching and hollering and cursing—notyour normal love play, mind you, so I decided to take a look. Sweet Mother ofMary, what should I find? Three mariners fighting over the lady here, while shehuddled on a bed. I've never seen such hair and eyes! I knew at once she wasthe woman you described to me at the waterfront, Leila, the one you'reescorting home to that traitor,Gervais."
With a grunt,Renierpushedher toward Guy. "You would do well to keep a better eye on her, deWarenne. A pretty piece like that, alone in the streets . .." He shook his shaggy head, sucking the blood from the deep red scratcheson his forearm. "A vixen, too! You've got your hands full with that one."
"So it seems," Guy said, grabbing Leila'sarm. Still silent, she tried to pull away, but he held her firmly. He droppedhis voice, his words meant for her ears alone. "I hope you enjoyed thesolitude of your afternoon stroll, my lady, for it is the last time you willleave my sight until we reach England."
Leila used her free hand to toss her tangled hair overher shoulder, his threat chilling her to the bone though she would have diedbefore she showed it had struck home. Nor would she ever admit how glad she hadbeen to see him a few moments ago. No, not even on her deathbed.
"It matters naught to me what you do, my lord,"she sneered instead, feeling his fingers tighten cruelly around her arm. "Youcan go to hell for all I care."
"What did I tell you, deWarenne?"Reniershouted, throwing his head back and laughinguproariously. "A true vixen with a viperous tongue to match! What ajourney you shall have!" But his laughter suddenly ceased as he raised hissword and struck viciously at the kneeling sailor, decapitating him with onesolid blow.
