"No. Where I come from, a woman's hair is herglory and after marriage, her husband's pride . . ." She fell silent,swallowing hard against the rush of homesickness that threatened to bring on auseless bout of weeping. She sat heavily on the bed, handingHayatthe brush. "Here.Youmay braid it now."
She scarcely paid any attention as the slave girldeftly plaited her hair with nimble fingers, only noticing whenHayatran to the chest and pulled out a square of patternedsilk and a thin silver circlet that glinted in the lamplight.
"Englishwomen wear veils?" she asked,surprised, asHayatfolded the silk and placed itover her head so that the embroidered edges fell to just below her shoulders.
"Oh, yes, and many other types of headdressbesides," the girl replied, setting the silvercircletaround Leila's forehead. "But the veil and fillet serve your beauty well,mistress." She stepped back and clapped her hands together. "There. Atrue English lady, just as Lord de Warmth wanted!"
Hayatran so swiftly to thedoor that Leila was barely on her feet when the portal was flung wide. Leilaheld her breath as Guy slowly entered, his gaze raking her from head to foot ina manner that sent her pulse racing.
"So, my taste in women's fashion has not failedme," he said, standing with his feet spread wide and his hands on hiships. "I knew English clothing would suit you. I can almost hear thejealous buzz you will cause among the ladies when we arrive at Edward's court."
Truly, he had seen no finer figure on any woman, Guydecided, his earlier irritation at her mention ofRefaiyehall but forgotten. He stared appreciatively, marveling at how the simple linesof Leila's gown clung to each exquisite curve of her body.
His eyes lingered on her full breasts, her tauntingnipples clearly visible beneath the smooth fabric,thenhis gaze fell to a waistline as slim and supple as a reed. The girdle woundabout her body in a most enviable manner, the knot tied in the silk plaitsresting against the virgin juncture of her thighs.
Guy felt such a hot rush of desire that he called outtoHayat, "Where is hersurcoat?"with the intention of covering Leila from other men's eyes.
"I left it in the chest, my lord," the slavegirl replied, scurrying forward to stand beside him, her face tilted upward. "Itwill be so warm today—"
"Please fetch it,Hayat."
The girl did as he bade her, pulling from the chest avoluminous linen garment. She carried it to Leila, who looked skeptically atGuy, her fine black eyebrows arching.
"I am to wear yet another gown?" she asked,her eyes flashing at him. "Surely I will suffer from the heat, just asHayatsays—"
"Put it on, my lady. The added warmth will benothing to the discomfort you would suffer if a thousand pair of eyesweredevouring your charms. There will be battles aplentyover you once we reach England, without our encouraging them here in Acre."
"I would not have thought a courageous knight suchas you feared any battle, let alone one caused by a woman's beauty," shesaid sarcastically. "Is it possible my mother has committed me to acoward?"
Guy's eyes narrowed dangerously at her. "In truth,my lady, I fear no battles but the one I wage myself. A virgin's scent is atempting trial for any man, but I have sworn to protect, not ravage you. Have Imade myself clear?"
"Perfectly," Leila said with contempt, thoughthe effect of his words was reflected more accurately in her wildly beatingheart.
She had never seen such blatant desire in a man's eyes,not even Jamal's as she saw now in Guy's. Strangely it thrilled her, whichdisconcerted her all the more, and she realized she was trembling, her heartpounding. It was almost as if he were touching her, caressing her, such was thescorching intensity of his gaze. She imagined he must have looked at her likethat last night when he
"Thesurcoat, my lady.Put it on."
His terse command broke the spell, leaving her angeredand deeply embarrassed. How could her emotions betray her so easily, she, whohad always prided herself on her self-control? When it came to this man, sheseemed to have no restraint at all. He brought out the very worst in her.
Leila grabbed the square-necked garment and thrust itover her head, upsetting the veil and fillet, which tumbled to the floor. Allthe while she stared furiously at Guy, hardly aware thatHayatwas guiding her arms through the sleeveless sides, slit from shoulder to hip.It wasn't until a look of slow triumph spread across Guy's face that sheglanced down at herself.
Thesurcoathung about her inmyriad folds from the neckline to the trailing hem, completely hiding herfeminine curves. Only her arms were revealed and a bit of sky-blue silk andembroidered girdle peeking from the narrow slits.
"I can see you are satisfied," she flung athim, holding still whileHayatclimbed on the bed andpulled her long braid from beneath thesurcoat,thenresettled the veil and circlet on her head.
Guy came forward and took her arm. "Hayat, see that everything is well packed while I escortthe lady to breakfast. The wagon is loaded except for this last chest. I willsend the bearers to fetch it in a few minutes."
"Yes, my lord."
The liar! Leila fumed with acute regret, stiffening athis touch. So he hadn't been outside her door the whole time after all, justchecking on her now and then while loading the wagon.
Striving to remain calm, she allowed herself to be ledfrom the room, though her irritation was heightened by her difficulty walkingin so many skirts. She marveled that he would think she had any appetite at allon this darkest day of her life.
Wait. Be patient, she told herself grimly as theyproceeded to the kitchen. As soon as his guard was down, she would make hermove. He couldn't possibly watch her every single moment. At some point hewould look away, and when he turned back, she would be gone.
***
When Leila stepped on board the armed galley an hourlater, she knew she was going to be sick. The ship's rolling motion, even atanchor, mirrored what was happening in her stomach. If not for Guy tightlygripping her arm, she would have turned and tied right back down the gangplank.
