"No," Leila murmured.
In truth, she hadn't been paying attention to much atall last night, her mind lost to anxious thoughts of what was yet to come. Howcould she have known then that the wedding night she feared would prove sodistressingly wonderful? Her skin puckered withgoosebumpsas passionate memories pressed in upon her, but the stirring images vanishedwhen Matilda spoke again.
"Guy chose the colors, saying the more vibrant thebetter. He wanted to show off your beauty to its best advantage. He's veryproud of you, my dear."
"Lord deWarennesentseveral of his own knights to London to buy this for you," Margaret addedexcitedly, holding up a finely linked silver girdle inlaid with creamy pearls.
"And this," Blanche said, showing Leila adelicate silver fillet studded with glittering amethysts.
"Oh, my," Leila said softly.
"You are a lucky young woman," Matilda said,fingering the fine damask fabric of one gown. "Guy has done well forhimself with what he inherited from his father andRanulfdeLusignan. He has become a wealthy man and can wellprovide for your needs." She glanced pointedly at Leila. "He mustlove you very deeply. He adorns you like a queen. And to think you were willingto forgo all of this in hopes of returning to Damascus. I'm glad you came toyour senses."
Leila caught her breath, the color draining from herface.
Guy must have told Matilda all about her, as he hadtold Edward and Eleanor. Eitherthat,or the news hadspread directly from their majesties to the rest of the court. She must havebeen the subject of some intense gossip indeed.
"It was not my intent to criticize you, Leila,"Matilda said more gently. "You've had to make a very difficult adjustmentto a land wholly foreign to you, and you've accommodated yourself well, I mustsay. One would never know you had grown up in a heathen country. I'm sure youwill discover you've made the right choice in marrying Guy. He is a courageousand loyal knight. What more could any woman want?"
It was hardly a choice, Leila thought, her resentmentat Guy flaring anew, though now it was strangely tempered by the passion theyhad shared last night. Guy might be a brave knight, but he was still abarbarian in her eyes.
She glanced at the gowns upon the bed, sighing. Would acoarse barbarian have put such care and thought into clothing his wife? Thatpremise was being shaken with each passing day. But worst of all, the sameswamping sense of unease that had plagued her until she fell asleep in Guy'sarms was assailing her again.
Whatever was the matter with her? She had to admit shewas utterly baffled by her emotions, and frightened by them, too. How could shepossibly be falling in love with a man she hated? A man she was determined toleave as soon as she found the means?
"Please close your eyes, my lady, so I may rinseyour hair," the serving maid requested.
Leila did so, leaning her head back and vainly hopingthe warm water would flush from her brain any absurd notion of being in lovewith the man who had ruined her life as surely as the soap suds were fallingfrom her hair. She rose from the tub, agonizing over a solution to thisunexpected dilemma as the serving women buffed her dry with soft towels.
"You didn't tell us which gown, Leila."
Matilda's innocent statement startled Leila from hertroubled musings and gave her an idea.
What if she could prove to Guy that their backgroundswere just too dissimilar for their marriage to succeed? Surely he would then beall too happy to allow her to go back to Damascus. It was obvious from thecountess's earlier words that she had given in far too easily to the customs ofthis culture. Well, no more! She would show Guy and everyone else just howdifferent she was!
"I'll wear the scarlet gown," she stated.
"Splendid. You will look absolutely lovely."
It seemed that in mere moments she was dressed, herdamp tresses brushed dry and plaited down her back with silver ribbons. Butwhen Blanche draped the short matching veil over her head, Leila snatched itfrom her hair.
"This will not do. Where I come from, women cloakthemselves in long headscarfsand face veils out ofmodesty. It is indecent for a woman to flaunt her beauty to the world. If youdon't mind, I will finish dressing by myself." Receiving startled looksfrom every woman in the room, Leila felt a twinge of guilt for spurning theirkindnesses, but she quickly shrugged it off. She was determined to prove thatshe was no more like them than a fish to fowl.
"What are you going to do?" Matilda asked,rushing to her side as Leila grabbed a small knife from a food tray and pickedup the royal-blue kirtle.
"Make myself a proper head scarf, one that reachesalmost to the floor. I plan to use this scarlet veil to cover my face."
"Butitsa new gown!" the countess exclaimed incredulously.
Leila lifted her chin stubbornly. "I will notleave this room without a properkufiyya."
Glancing at Margaret and Blanche, who looked just asbewildered, Matilda shook her head and threw up her hands. "Very well, mydear. Do what you must. All I ask is that you hurry."
Leila smiled to herself as she cut the gown in two atthe waist. She could hardly wait to see Guy's face.
***
Walking toward the covered pavilion a short whilelater, Leila felt smug satisfaction. She knew with amusing certainty that herchoice of clothing was creating quite a stir.
