"That's ridiculous. He doesn't love me." Christina laughed at the thought "He only desires me."
"I do not understand," Amine replied, looking puzzled.
"That's all right, I don't understand it, either."
"May I ask you a question?" Amine looked embarrassed, but continued when Christina nodded her head. "Is it true that you eat at the same table with Sheik Abu?"
Christina was surprised.
"Of course I eat with him. Where else would I eat?"
Amine's dark-brown eyes widened. "I did not believe Nura when she told me, but now that you tell me, I must believe."
"What's so shocking about my eating with Abu?" Christina asked curiously.
"It is forbidden for women to eat their meals with men," Amine answered, shaking her head. "It just is not done."
So Philip was breaking a rule by eating with her. But this is ridiculous, Christina thought. I'm not one of them. Their rules don't apply to me. But she didn't want to offend Amine.
"Amine, you must understand that I was brought up differently. In my country, men and women always eat together. So, you see, Abu is just trying to make me feel at home in this land."
"Ah, I understand now," Amine smiled. "That is very thoughtful of Sheik Abu. You are very lucky that he chose you."
Christina wanted to laugh. Lucky! She had been kidnapped and taken against her will! But Christina could see Amine was a romantic, and didn't want to spoil her illusions.
"Abu is a handsome man. Any woman would feel lucky if he chose her," Christina lied. Any woman but herself. "But where are your babies, Amine?" she asked.
"Maidi is watching them. They are her only grandchildren, and she dotes on them. It is hard to make a marriage here, for we do not have many visitors who come to our camp."
"Then how did you and Syed meet?"
"Ah, Syed stole me from my tribe," Amine said proudly.
"Stole you I" Christina exclaimed. Were all these men alike?
"Our tribes used to share pasturelands before they became enemies. I knew Syed when I was just a child, and I have always loved him. When I was old enough to marry, Syed had to steal me. My father would have forbidden the marriage."
"But why did the two tribes become enemies?" Christina asked, her interest growing.
'1 do not know, for men do not tell women about such things. I know only that it is Sheik Ali Hejaz of my tribe who holds a grudge against Yasir Alhamar. It has something to do with Rashid's mother, who was the sister of Ali Hejaz."
Just then, Philip rode into camp, a rifle slung across his back and a long sword hanging from his belt.
"I must go now!" Amine gasped when she saw Philip.
"I've enjoyed talking with you, Amine. Please come and visit me in my tent. You will be most welcome, and bring your children."
"I will be very happy to," Amine said timidly.
She hurried away to her tent as Philip rode his horse up beside Christina and dismounted.
"Why did Amine leave so quickly?" Philip asked. The yellow flecks in his eyes reflected the sunlight as he stood towering above her.
"I think she's afraid of you," Christina answered, a faint smile crossing her features.
"What?" He looked incredulous. "There's nothing to fear from me."
"But there you're wrong, my lord, for your very presence causes fear," she teased. "Can't you see me shaking asunder?"
Philip gave her a devilish grin.
"You, my sweet, have much to fear," he said, tracing a line down her arm with his finger.
Christina blushed as she understood his meaning. She did have much to fear from him. And the time she feared most was nearing, as the sun had disappeared.
They shared a savory meal prepared by Maidi's skilled hands. Afterward Philip reclined on the couch, reading one of the books that he had brought for Christina, with a goatskin of wine beside him. Christina sat on the couch opposite him cutting out pieces of silk material. She had decided to add long sleeves to the dress she'd designed. The weather was getting colder, and she didn't want to borrow any of Philip's robes to keep her warm.
Perhaps she could make a robe of her own—a rich velvet robe and a kufiyah to match. She laughed aloud as she imagined herself dressed like a Bedouin tribesman.
"Something amuses you, my pet?"
"I was just imagining myself in the velvet robe that I plan to make. I've noticed the weather is getting cooler," she answered.
"You're wise to prepare, but I fail to see the humor," Philip remarked, putting his book down on the table.
"Well, it wasn't just the robe that I pictured, but a kufiyah to match it. Hardly what the well-dressed Englishwoman is wearing these days."
Philip smiled, his eyes soft and warm. "Would you like me to bring your luggage from Cairo? It could be arranged."
Christina thought for a minute.
"No—my luggage disappearing suddenly would only upset John. I don't want him worrying about me and where I am. I can make do with the material you have given me."
Christina stared blankly at the scissors in her hand. Poor John. She hoped that he would learn to accept her death instead of wondering where she was and what she might be suffering. Rage consumed her as she thought of the man whose desire had torn her life asunder.
"Christina!" Philip shouted, startling her out of her thoughts. "I asked if you wanted your brother to believe you dead?"
"Yes!" she yelled back at him, her body stiff with anger. "My brother and I were very close. John knows how I'd suffer being dominated by a barbarian like you. It would be kinder if he thought me dead until I can return to him."
Philip arose, surprised at her sudden anger.
"And do you suffer here, Tina?" Phih'p asked quietly. "Do I beat you and force you to slave for me?"
"You keep me prisoner here!" she returned, her dark-blue eyes shooting daggers at him. "You rape me every night! Do you expect me to enjoy being taken against my will?"
"Do you deny it?" Philip inquired softly, his eyes laughing at her.
She lowered her head to avoid Philip's gaze, afraid of his meaning.
"What are you talking about? Deny what?" she asked.
Cupping her chin in his hand, Philip brought her eyes back to his.
"Do you deny that you enjoy my lovemaking? Can you deny that I give you as much pleasure as you give me? Do you suffer so much when I ride between your legs each night, Tina?"
Christina's rage turned to humiliation, and she lowered her eyes meekly in defeat. Did he always have to turn the tables on her? Why did he have to ask her that?
Damn him! He left her no pride, for he knew she couldn't deny it But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of admitting the pleasure he gave her.
"I have nothing more to say to you," Christina answered icily. "So if you will excuse me, I would like to retire."
"You haven't answered my question, Tina," Philip replied softly.
"Nor do I intend to," Christina returned haughtily. She stood to walk into the bedroom, but Philip pulled her back to face him.
Christina thrust against his shoulder to push him away from her, and the forgotten scissors she held stabbed into him. She gasped, horrified at what she'd done. He showednone of the pain she knew he felt as he pulled the scissors from his shoulder. The blood gushed forth.
"Philip, I'm sorry. I—I didn't mean to do that," she whispered. "I forgot the scissors were in my hand—you must believe me! I wouldn't try to kill you. I swear it!"
Philip walked over to the cabinet without a word to her. He opened the doors and took out a small bundle. Slowly he walked back to her, took her hand, and pulled her into the bedroom. He gave her no clue what he intended.
But Christina removed his robe and tunic and made him lie down. He eyed her warily as she pressed the robe to his shoulder to stanch the flow of blood.