Leila stared at him blankly, her thundering heartbeatthe only thing which made her certain she had heard him correctly. Never in athousand years would she have expected such a startling pronouncement. He hadsaid all along that he could not wait to be rid of her!
"I admit this decision must seem very sudden. Icould have told you inProvins, but it was too soonafter . . ." He paused, his brow furrowing, then began again. "Therewas no time. I knew we would be stopping at this inn for the night so I thoughtit best to wait and discuss the matter here."
"You decided . . ." Leila said slowly,finding her voice at last. "You decided?" A brittle laugh broke fromher throat. "What of me, my lord? Have I nosayin this matter?"
"Yes, of course you do," Guy replied, "butif you would only hear me out—"
"Good. My answer is no."
He appeared momentarily stunned,thenshook his head firmly. "No, Leila. It isn't that easy." He grabbedher arm as she tried to rise and hauled her back onto the bed. "You willlisten to what I have to say."
"You're hurting me!"
Guy loosened his hold on her delicate wrist, but he didnot let go. He ran his finger along the stubborn line of her jaw, forcing herchin around to face him. "And while you're listening," he said softly,caressing her cheek with his thumb, "you will look at me."
Leila's first impulse was to wrench away again, but shewas captured by the haunted expression in his eyes. Her body was suffused withheat at the raw emotion reflected there . . . not just desire but so much more.
"I love you, Leila."
Her lips parted . . . for breath, for words? She didnot know. Nothing came.
"I want you for my wife."
Sweet Mother Mary . . . He was telling the truth. Sheknew it. The poignant tug at her heart was her guide, her gauge.
Yet she could hardly believe it. Surely kismet hadthrown some new trick in her path. It was plain the fates were not finishedtoying with her life, her hopes, her dreams. They were turning everythingupside down and all around until she did not know where her heart truly lay!
Leila suddenly remembered something, at first more amist than a memory, but then the words were there, floating up from therecesses of her mind . . .I swore I would never marry again except forlove.
Guy had said them. He was saying them now. And theyscared her to death. Because something deep inside her wanted to believe.Wanted to accept. Yet if she did not spurn him once and for all time, she wouldnever see her home again.
And that was what she truly wanted, wasn't it? Toreturn to Damascus?
"I cannot be your wife," she heard herselfsay in a small, distant voice. "I do not love you, Lord deWarenne. I never will."
Guy felt as if he had been stabbed with a knife, suchwas the wrenching pain centered over his heart. But he had expected herprotests, and he was not a man to give up easily. He never had been.
"How can you say you will never love me, Leila?"he demanded huskily. "You have shared your body with me, your passion,yourdesire—"
"Lust does not always lead to love, my lord. Yousaid yourself that Christine believed you would one day grow to love eachother. She was wrong. Your love could not be forced. Nor can mine." Sheseemed to shiver,thenadded, "Besides, my hearthas been pledged to another. As soon as I return to Damascus, Jamal Al-Azizwill become my husband."
"Is that what you truly think?" Guy exploded,releasing her arm and pushing himself from the bed. He could not believe thatArab's name had come back to haunt him! Flushed with unreasoning jealousy, hecould only pace the room in frustration.
Was it possible that she truly loved this man? Aninfidel? Not that it mattered! She had to be mad to think she would ever bereturning to Damascus.
Guy stopped abruptly and turned on her, trying to keephis voice calm. "Tell me, Leila. Do you truly believe that is going tohappen?"
"Y-yes. Yes, I do," she replied, sliding backfarther on the bed. "I'm sure that when my brother understands the errorthat our mother has made, he will gladly provide transportation for me back toDamascus. Why would he want me as an added burden, especially if I was unhappyhere? It sounds as if his life is complicated enough already."
"Oh, God!" Guy exclaimed, incredulous. "Woman,are you so blind? Haven't you understood anything I've told you about yourbeloved brother?"
Leila felt a surge of anger at his tone. How dare heinfer that she was a simpleton . . . she, who had trained under the greatestmedical minds of the Arab Empire?
"I know only what you have told me, my lord,"she countered with marked sarcasm. "I've heard your side of the story, butI haven't heard my brother's yet. Is it fair to draw any conclusions untilRoger has had an equal chance to have his say?"
"By then it will be too late, my lady," Guymuttered. "You forget how well I know him. You don't know him at all."
Leila ignored his last words. "What do you mean .. . too late?" He was shaking his head again, and she could sense that hismood was darkening considerably, as it always seemed to do whenever he spoke ofher brother.
