"You," she whispered venomously. "You're worse than Philip. You're all a bunch of barbarians."
Rashid released her and stood back pretending not to understand. "What have I done to offend you, Christina?" he said.
"Have you no respect for other human beings?" she snapped, hands planted firmly on her hips. "Why do you have to sell those women?"
"I don't," Rashid said, eyeing her hungrily from head to foot. "The last thing I would wish is to have a beautiful woman angry with me. If you wish me to set those slaves free, I will."
Christina stared at him. So Rashid wasn't the greedy man Philip would have her believe.
"Thank you, Rashid, and I'm sorry. It seems I've misjudged you." She smiled. "Will you take your evening meal with us tonight? I'm afraid I'd rather not be alone with Philip."
"Ah, you are not happy here?" he inquired softly. "All is not well between you and Abu?"
"Why, did you think it ever was?" she laughed. Perhaps she had found a friend in Rashid.
'That is too bad, Christina," he said. She saw the desire in his dark-brown eyes, but his face was so soft and boyish, she could almost imagine him younger than herself.
That evening, Christina played the gracious hostess attending all Rashid's needs. She entertained him with stories of England and her girlhood.
Rashid couldn't keep his eyes off her, and didn't care that his desire showed so openly. There couldn't be another woman in all the world who could match her beauty, Rashid thought She was dressed in a pale-green silk skirt and blouse, with a shawl of the same material draped about her creamy white shoulders. She wore her hair gathered loosely at her nape, and the golden curls cascaded down her back. He could almost forget his plans watching her, but he had waited too long for their fulfillment
Philip watched Christina, too, but for a different reason. He fumed silently while she flirted openly with Rashid. With each glass of wine, Philip thought of a different way he would enjoy killing them both. He had been angry when she left the tent that afternoon, but now he felt able to strangle her pretty neck. He hadn't said a word when she told him Rashid was going to set the women free. Now he waited, rage festering inside, to see just how far she'd provoke him.
Through the meal and afterward, Christina ignored Philip completely. She could tell he was furious, for his eyes were dark and angry as they followed her every move. She wanted him to be as angry as she had been that afternoon. She was getting even in her own way, and thoroughly enjoyed herself.
After Rashid left, Christina sat across from Philip sipping her tea and waiting for him to make the first move. She felt nervous now as he continued to stare silently at her.
"Did you enjoy making me look like a fool tonight, Christina?"
Starting, she glanced at him warily. "Pray tell, how did I make you look the fool?" she inquired innocently.
A shiver ran down her spine when he answered, "Don't you know when you've pushed me too far, woman?"
"I'm afraid you will be pushed even farther before this night is through," she whispered.
When Philip stood up, Christina swiftly grabbed for the scissors she had concealed beneath her skirt. But Philip saw her movement and guessed her game. Before she could get at the scissors, he had both her hands in his. He pulled Christina roughly to her feet, untied her skirt, and threw the scissors across the room.
"Could you really kill me, Tina?" he asked, his face hard. He'd underestimated this woman he had made his own.
"Yes, I could kill you!" she hissed. How humiliating to stand half-naked and helpless before him! "I hate you!"
He stiffened and tightened his grip on her. "I've heard you say that often enough. You've gone too far this time, Christina, and you deserve punishment." Seemingly without emotion, he sat down and pulled her across his lap.
"Philip, no!" she screamed, but he brought his hand down with all his might across her bare buttocks. She screamed with pain, but he brought his huge hand down again, harder this time, leaving another bright red imprint.
"Please, Philip," she cried. "I couldn't kill you. You know that!" But he paid her no mind and hit her a third time.
"Philip, I swear I'll never try it again!" she cried, the tears running down her cheeks. She was begging him, but she didn't care anymore. "I swear it, Philip. Please stop!"
Philip turned her over gently, and cradled her in his arms. Christina felt like a child sobbing uncontrollably. Nobody, not even her parents, had ever spanked her before. But no matter how humiliating it had been, Philip was right, she had deserved it. She should have known Philip would call her bluff. She wouldn't have stabbed him, she didn't have the courage.
Finally Christina stopped crying and laid her head against Philip's broad chest. She was still trembling when he carried her into the bedroom. She didn't have the will to protest, whatever he planned to do next. He laid her on the bed and removed her blouse and the material she had wrapped around her leg to hold the scissors. He pulled the covers over her shivering body and smoothed the golden hair back from her face. Bending low, he kissed her tenderly on her forehead and left the room, but still she didn't care.
Crossing the room in long strides, Philip went directly to his wine and drained the goblet, trying to wash away the events of the day. He lay down on the couch and contemplated the woman sleeping in his bed.
All evening he had thought how pleasant it would be to make her suffer for flirting with Rashid. He had wanted to make her beg and scream for mercy. But after she gave him a real reason to punish her, he felt ashamed. He felt sick inside for making her cry with pain. But damn it, she had put him in a blinding rage and deserved what she got! Of all the stupid pranks to pull—but now he was the one who was suffering, not her. He had never before hit a woman, and it sure as hell didn't sit well with him. And she had been ready to stab him if he touched herl Damn, that woman was getting under his skin!
Philip wondered what sort of game that pup Rashid was playing now. Philip had asked him either to free the slaves or take them out of camp. But Rashid had refused him, only to turn around and set them free for Christina.
Philip knew Rashid was fascinated by Christina, and he couldn't blame him for that. Christina was so beautiful any man would desire her. Perhaps he was trying to win her affections, where Philip had failed. He would have to keep an eye on Rashid. Christina was his own. And even though she hated him, he would let no one take her from him.
Chapter Fourteen
THE day was hot when Christina finally stirred beneath the covers. The room was empty, and she wondered if Philip had bothered to come to bed at all last night. She couldn't blame him, for she had given him new reason to distrust her. He must hate her now, but perhaps that was better. He might even let her go.
Christina rubbed her hand gently across her buttocks, but there was no pain. It was her pride that was bruised. She wondered how Philip would act toward her today, for he had not said a word after spanking her. She hoped he would not punish her further.
Amine came to visit Christina before the midday meal and brought her oldest child with her. Little Syed was about two years old, and Christina laughed as he ran about the room looking for things to get into. But she was embarrassed in the other girl's company, for Christina knew Amine must have heard her screams last night
Amine smiled at her knowingly. "I would tell you something, Christina, for I know what is bothering you. There is no shame hi what Sheik Abu did to you last night It shows only that he really cares for you, otherwise he would not bother. Nura was filled with jealousy last night, for she knows this, too."