"Perhaps we could speak with him, Father,"Leila interrupted, her heart pounding. She was not surprised the crusader wasalready conscious. She had sensed yesterday that his strength defied that ofmost men.
"What are you suggesting, Leila?" came herfather's agitated reply.
She rushed on, ignoring the captain's dark, menacinglook. "I—I mean, allow me to speak with him in English. I doubt heunderstands Arabic. If the crusader knows he will be released as soon as theransom is paid, perhaps he will restrain his fury and submit willingly to hisconfinement and our continued care."
Sinjardid not readilyrespond. He seemed to ponder her offer, a deep furrow creasing his brow.Finally, after a long moment, he nodded.
"Yes, I believe it is worth a try. Offer him achoice, Leila. If he agrees not to fight us, we will remove the shackles. Youmust make him understand that he will jeopardize his recovery if he refuses,and that the only alternative is for him to remain as he is now, fettered likean animal." He glanced at the captain, whose expression strongly showedhis disapproval. "Open the door."
"I cannot allow this, my lord Al-Aziz. I am incommand here—"
"But not for long, I can assure you, captain, ifanything happens to my patient,"Sinjarcountered threateningly. "GovernorMawdudlooksforward to the crusader's ransom with great anticipation. He is alreadycounting the one hundred thousand dinars he expects to receive from this LordEdward. If you are responsible for prolonging my patient's illness or, Allahprotect you, causing his death, your head will roll. This I promise you."He gestured impatiently. "Open the door."
His cruel, pinched face growing sickly white, thecaptain hesitated for only an instant and then muttered, "Very well, verywell."
As the captain signaled for one of the guards to drawback the heavy iron bolt,Sinjartook Leila's arm anddrew her aside.
"My daughter, say only what is necessary to thisman. I do not like that you must speak with him at all. If he questions you,translate everything to me and I will tell you how to answer him."
"Yes, Father," Leila said, feeling nervousall of a sudden. Her fingers shook as she unfastened her face veil. "Iunderstand."
The crusader's curses exploded with fresh fury as theheavy door creaked open. The two guards proceeded first inside the cell, theirscimitars lowered menacingly, followed bySinjarandLeila. The disgruntled captain, grumbling tohimself,brought up the rear.
Leila peered from behind her father, her heart leapingto her throat. If she had ever envisioned a barbarian, truly she was looking atone now. This wild-haired, wild-eyed man pulling furiously at his bonds wassavagery incarnate.
Standing upright, the crusader appeared even larger toher than before and dangerously powerful, so much so that she felt terriblysmalland inconsequential just being in the same room withhim. Despite her father's concerns she was grateful for the heavy chains at hiswrists and ankles which bound his naked body to the wall. She breathed deeplyin an attempt to calm her thundering pulse, but only flustered herself furtherwhen she inhaled the crusader's sweaty male scent.
"Go on, Leila,"Sinjarurged, pulling her from behind him. "Talk to him."
Chagrined that she had to be encouraged to carry outher ownsuggestion,and telling herself she wasreacting most foolishly, Leila took a few hesitant steps toward the crusader.But she stopped, her knees suddenly wobbly, when he ceased his fierce strugglesand leveled his arresting blue eyes upon her.
The unswerving intensity of his gaze told hereverything. He was alert, lucid, and, most unsettling of all, he seemed torecognize her.
"You . . ." the crusader rasped.
For a fleeting instant Leila could not answer, hermouth gone completely dry. She glanced uncertainly at her father over hershoulder, then back to the crusader. She swallowed andspoke,her voice husky with nervousness.
"You are a prisoner ofMawdud,governor of Damascus . . ." She paused, her face uncomfortably warm, anddrew another deep breath beforecontinuing,hopingthis time her voice would resume its natural timbre. The stilted English wordstumbledrustilyfrom her tongue.
"Now that you are clearly recovering, a letter ofransom will soon be delivered to your Lord Edward in Acre. Once GovernorMawdudreceives this ransom, you will be released unharmedto your people—"
"Unharmed?" the crusader spat hoarsely, hisgaze burning into hers. "I don't consider torture to be child's play,wench. You wield a smoking iron as well as any sword, and inflicted as muchdamage upon me, I'd swear. Go to hell, and take the rest of those heathen withyou!"
Leila's eyes widened and she nearly choked at hisoutburst. Her nervousness vanished, replaced by hot indignation. Torture? Washe mad? She had saved this bastard's life!
"What does he say?"Sinjarasked impatiently.
"This . . . this ingrate accuses me of torturinghim!" she sputtered.
"Calm yourself, Leila. What did you expect? Thesecrusaders know little of our advanced medical skill. Their own physicians areno better than butchers. Now tell him what we discussed."
Fighting to contain her fury, Leila turned back to thecrusader. She kept foremost in her mind the thought that she was dealing withan ignorant barbarian. It certainly helped.
"The irons were used to close your wound,"she explained tersely. "Not as torture. You would have bled to deathotherwise." She nodded toward her father. "This man isSinjarAl-Aziz, the governor's personal physician, andrenowned throughout the empire. You are most fortunate that it is he who isresponsible for your care while you remain in this prison."
"I see," the crusader said slowly, his tonestill harsh. "And who are you?" His gaze hungrily swept her from headto toe then back again, lingering on her face.
Obviously her words had sunk in, Leila thought, growinguncomfortable again under his close scrutiny. Why was he looking at her likethat? Why did she feel so funny, so unlike herself?
