Philip was breaking in a three-year-old horse when he saw Christina cross the camp and enter Yasir’s tent. Grinning, he thought of that morning when he had visited with his father.
“That girl is kind and gentle, Abu,” Yasir had scolded him. “And you ought to treat her right. It hurt my heart to hear her scream last night. If I weren’t so weak, I would have stopped you myself!”
Philip’s head had been throbbing with a dull ache from the night’s drinking, and he had felt irritated by his father’s words. He was ready to tell him caustically about Christina’s real character, but changed his mind. He could see his father was quite taken with Christina, and that pleased him. Christina would be like a breath of fresh air for Yasir. She could be charming when she tried.
An hour passed before Philip saw her again. He eyed her warily as she slowly approached him, a half-smile gracing her lips. He noticed that her eyes were a soft turquoise. Well, at least she’s not angry with me, he thought, remembering the dark blue her eyes had been the last time he talked with her.
“Philip.”
She spoke demurely, biting her lower lip, and rested her soft hands on the corral fence. She must want something, he guessed as he dismounted and walked toward her.
“What can I do for you, my sweet?” he asked.
“I was wondering, do you have any horses that haven’t been trained yet?”
“Yes, but why do you ask?”
“I wish to ride,” she said, looking down demurely.
Philip looked at her doubtfully. “You ask me to trust you on one of my horses after last night?”
“Oh, please, Philip. I can’t stand idleness. I’m used to riding every day,” she pleaded.
Philip searched her eyes. “How do I know you can handle a horse? I have only your word that you’ve ridden before.”
“You insult me! I’ve ridden since I was a child, and my stallion at home is two hands taller than any horse you have here.”
“Very well, Tina,” he laughed, pointing to the horse he had been working. “Will this one do?”
“Oh, yes!” she said brightly. The beautiful Arabian was raven-black and reminded her of Dax, except he wasn’t as large. He had a proudly arched neck, a deep chest, and long, slender legs. She couldn’t believe he was hers to ride.
“It will take me only a minute to change!” she exclaimed, then ran to the tent.
“You will have to ride without a saddle,” he called after her, for they didn’t use them here.
“That’s all right,” she yelled over her shoulder. “I’ll manage.”
Christina dashed into the bedroom and took out the loose-fitting breeches that she’d just finished making. She was glad that she’d decided to make a robe instead of a dress first.
Throwing her skirt onto the bed, she quickly donned the black silk breeches. She wrapped a black strip of material securely about her head, concealing her golden hair. She slid into the flowing black velvet robe, tied the robe about her waist with a wide sash, then put the black velvet kufiyah on her head, binding it around with a heavy black cord.
When she thought of what Philip would think of her riding outfit, she laughed. But she didn’t care, for she was gloriously happy.
Philip was surprised when he saw her come out of the tent. She looked like a young boy until she came closer and he could see her voluptuous curves enhanced by the soft velvet.
“I’m ready.” She turned to the horse, nuzzled his nose, and whispered in his ear. “We’re going to be fine friends, my black beauty, and I’ll love you as if you were my own. Does he have a name?” she asked Philip as he lifted her onto the blanketed back of the horse and handed her the reins.
“No.”
“I shall call you Raven,” she said gleefully, leaning over so the horse could hear her. “And we’ll ride the wind freely, like the raven.”
Philip mounted Victory, and they slowly walked down the hillside. He marveled at how gentle Raven was with Christina, after the trouble he’d had breaking the horse.
Christina quickly became accustomed to the feel of riding bareback. She managed Raven beautifully as they rode down the winding path.
When they finally reached the bottom of the mountain, Christina urged Raven into a slow canter, then a speeding gallop, leaving Philip behind. She raced across the vast expanse of desert without destination, feeling like a free spirit flying in the wind. Her troubles fled from her as she dreamed she was back in Halstead riding across her estate, but then Philip caught up with her.
He pulled up on her reins. “If you insist on racing me, Tina, perhaps we should wager on who the victor will be.”
“But I have nothing to wager,” she replied. But she would dearly love to beat him at something for a change.
“Then we’ll wager what we want from each other,” he suggested, his dark-green eyes piercing hers. “We’ll race back to the bottom of the mountain, and if I win, you’ll give yourself to me freely from now on.”
Christina thought about his wager for a minute. “And if I win, you’ll send me back to my brother.”
Philip looked at her curiously. She rode the horse well. She might beat him, and he couldn’t take that chance.
“You ask too much, Tina.”
“So do you, Philip,” she returned curtly. Turning her horse, she headed back toward camp.
Smiling, he shook his head as he watched her ride away. She’d known he wouldn’t accept her stakes. Well, it had been a good try. He caught up with her, and they rode back silently together.
The clouds came from nowhere, sending down a torrent of rain to wash away the heat. Christina and Philip were soaked through by the time they reached the camp. The men were working furiously to secure the tents so water couldn’t seep under them. Someone was sitting in the rain by the fire, fanning smoke out of the shelter that had been erected over it.
Philip dismounted in front of their tent and carried Christina inside. “Get out of those wet clothes and do whatever you have to do now. It will be dark soon, and there will be no fire tonight.” He set her down gently and added, “I have to see to the horses’ shelter, but I’ll be back shortly.”
As Philip left, Amine asked to come in. She had brought their dinner and some fresh towels. “You must change quickly, Christina. The rain brings the cold, and you will fall sick if you do not get warm now.”
“I was just wondering what to do with these wet clothes,” Christina replied, laughing. “I can’t very well hang them on a tree to dry.”
“Come,” Amine said, taking Christina into the bedroom. “Do you have needles that you sew with?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I will hang your clothes with them to the inside of the tent. It will take a few days, but eventually they will dry.”
While Christina took off her robe, Amine stared in wonder at her breeches. Christina laughed at the shocked look on Amine’s face. “I made them for riding. They let me ride swiftly without a skirt flying into my face.”
“Ah, but Sheik Abu, he must not like them,” Amine giggled as Christina handed her the breeches and then her blouse.
“He hasn’t seen them yet, but I suppose he won’t like them when he does,” Christina said, laughing at the thought of the breeches impeding Philip’s eagerness to bed her.
Taking the towel as Amine left to hang her clothes, Christina rubbed her body down vigorously. She was cold from the draft blowing through the tent. Quickly she decided to put on one of Philip’s robes, since she had nothing warmer to wear. She unpinned her hair, which was only slightly damp, and was combing out the golden locks when Amine came back into the room.
“I must go now and feed my children.”
“Thank you, Amine. I don’t know what I’d do without you as a friend,” Christina said sincerely.
Amine smiled bashfully at Christina’s compliment and scurried from the tent. Christina laid the comb down on her chest and went into the main room to dine before it got so dark she wouldn’t be able to se
e what she was eating.
She ate the mutton stew and rice slowly, pondering Philip’s complete change from the night before. She had been surprised and happy when he agreed to let her ride. Raven was such a fine animal. She couldn’t wait until tomorrow when she could ride again. But then, Philip hadn’t said she could ride every day.
“Do something with these, will you, sweet?”
The first words he spoke made Christina jump and drop her food onto her plate. She hadn’t seen Philip come in, and now he stood behind her holding out his wet clothes. He had changed already and was toweling his hair dry with his other hand.
“I didn’t see you enter,” she said, taking his clothes and going for more needles.
“You won’t be able to see me at all, shortly,” he called after her. He smiled, thinking of the rest of the night to be spent in his warm bed. Ha, she wouldn’t be too happy about that!
Christina hung Philip’s clothes alongside her own in the narrow space between the tent and the curtains. She then joined him to finish her meal while he ate his.
“Are the horses all right?” she said. She was worried about Raven.
“The young colts are a bit jittery, but the older horses are used to sudden storms.”
“Does it rain like this often?” she asked, starting as a flash of lightning illuminated the tent.
“Only in the mountains,” he laughed. “But this storm is worse than usual—it’s been a long time in coming. Does thunder frighten you, Tina?” he asked as he finished off the stew. He could barely see her.
“Of course not!” she returned haughtily. She drained a glass of wine she’d poured to warm herself. “There’s very little I’m afraid of.”
“Good,” he replied heartily, stretching his arms wide. “I suggest we go to bed, then, since there’s no longer any light to see by.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll stay here awhile.” She reached for the bag of wine, but her hand was intercepted by his.
“Ah, but I do mind.”
He yanked her to her feet and pulled her resisting body behind him toward the bedroom. But Christina had gained courage from the wine. She sank her teeth into his hand, freed herself, and dashed frantically behind the curtains.
“Damn it, woman! Is there no end to your trickery?” she heard him call out in a rage. But she knew he couldn’t see her.
Just then, lightning again crashed through the sky and silhouetted Christina’s small frame against the curtains. The next thing she knew, she was lying flat on her back with Philip’s weight pressing her deeply into the soft rugs.
He laughed cruelly as he roughly yanked her robe apart, not bothering to untie it. His lips seared hers painfully, silencing her screams as he entered her viciously. Her mind was beyond reason as her body accepted his like a wild animal, and the pain turned to violent waves of ecstatic pleasure.
“I’m sorry, Tina,” he said later. “But you never cease to amaze me with the lengths you will go to avoid lovemaking. You crave it as much as I do!”
“I do not!” she cried, pushing him off her and running into the bedroom. She threw herself on the bed and let the tears flow freely.
She felt his weight on the bed, and turned to face him in the darkness of the room. “Philip, I want to go home. I want to go back to my brother,” she pleaded between sobs.
“No,” he replied curtly. “And I don’t want to hear any more about it.”
She cried her heart out into the pillow, but Philip was immune to her crying, and eventually they both fell asleep.
A MONTH PASSED swiftly by, and then another. Though it was winter, the days were warm, with soft eastern breezes, but the nights were extremely cold. Christina resented the fact that she needed Philip’s body for warmth during the long, cold nights. She awakened each morning to find herself curled up next to Philip or him molded against her back.
The weather worked against Christina, for the close contact of their bodies seeking warmth aroused Philip’s desire. If he woke first, there was no possible escape for her.
Philip enjoyed their morning romps because he didn’t have to chase Christina around the tent and put up with her fighting and kicking. In the mornings, he pinned her down before she awoke fully and knew what was happening. Then he took his time with her, and only had to suffer a few weak protests before she abandoned herself to his caresses.
Philip spent his days hunting, at which he was skillful. He rarely missed his target and often brought welcome meat home to his people.
Christina’s days were full, and she had fallen into a routine. She spent her mornings in the tent either sewing or reading. Amine came often to visit. Christina loved children and enjoyed playing with Amine’s, especially the baby.
As Christina watched the children play together, she would sometimes wonder what would happen if she were to become pregnant. She would love to have a child of her own, but she didn’t want Philip’s child. She hated him too much.
And how would Philip react? Would he send her away if she lost her figure and could no longer satisfy him? He’d said he hadn’t brought her here to bear children. Perhaps he didn’t like children. But if she were to give him a son, would he keep the baby? Would he send her away without her child? Such questions were pointless, however, so she didn’t ponder them long.
After the noon meal, Christina went to visit Yasir each day. His health was much improved. He could concentrate longer and talked more to her, his fondest subject being Philip. Once he started talking about his son there was no stopping him. He told her about Philip as a child growing up in the desert. He told her how he taught Philip to walk and talk.
“Abu’s first sentence was half-Arabic and half-English,” Yasir said. “He didn’t know the difference!”
Christina felt a bit sorry for Rashid. She could tell that all of Yasir’s love went to Philip. Perhaps Philip also felt sorry for Rashid, and so always gave him his own way.
After visiting Yasir, she went riding. She looked forward to it every day. If Philip was away, she went with Ahmad or Saadi, and sometimes even Rashid when he was in camp, which wasn’t often.
As Christina rode through the desert on Raven’s back, she made believe she was safe and secure in Halstead without a care in the world. No Philip, no troubles, nothing to make her wish for past happiness. Only Dax beneath her and Tommy or John beside her racing across grassy fields, cool winds caressing her face. But the arid breath of the desert always shattered her dreams and reminded her of reality.
Christina prayed desperately that Philip would soon tire of her. But his desire for her seemed insatiable. She spent her evenings devising ways of avoiding the inevitable, but she quickly ran out of ideas, and nothing seemed to work. She was waspish and nagging. She feigned sleepiness and headaches. But he always saw through her schemes.
Baiting him into anger only made him take her viciously. She wore her breeches to bed one night, but she was sorry afterward, for they ended up on the floor torn to pieces. Her only respite came when he was exhausted, but he usually made up for it the next morning.
Christina hadn’t seen Philip all day. Rashid had dined with them last night and had presented her with a beautiful handcarved looking glass. She’d kissed him lightly on the cheek in appreciation of the gift. Philip had been sullen and taciturn the rest of the evening.
She wondered why he’d acted that way, as she walked quickly toward the corral where Saadi was waiting to ride with her. In her haste, she didn’t see Nura leaving the fire, and collided with her, knocking her down.
“I’m sorry,” Chistina gasped, extending her hand. “Here, let me help you.”
“Do not touch me,” Nura hissed, her voice filled with hate as she stood up. “You wicked woman! You have cast a spell on Abu to make him want you. But I will break the spell. Abu does not love you. Soon he will cast you out and marry me. You are not wanted here. Why do you stay?”
Christina was speechless. She had to escape the hate she saw in Nura’s eyes. She hadn’t
known jealousy could cause such hatred. She ran to the horses where Saadi stood with shock on his kindly brown face from his sister’s words. He started to speak to Christina, but she swiftly mounted Raven by herself and rode recklessly out of camp.
Saadi mounted and tried desperately to catch up with her. He knew Sheik Abu would skin him alive if he let anything happen to his woman. She was riding down the hill so fast, she could easily take a fall from her horse and hurt herself. It would be Nura’s fault for upsetting her, but Saadi would have to take the blame.
Ah, that Nura! He would make her pay for this. He must make her understand that the sheik was happy with his foreign woman, even though he hadn’t married her yet. Nura must give up her false hopes.
Christina’s vision blurred with tears. She wasn’t crying over Nura’s words, for she didn’t care whether Philip loved her or not. She was crying because Nura hated her, and it wasn’t her fault. Christina would gladly give Philip to Nura. She would leave if she could. She hadn’t asked to be kidnapped!
Christina stopped Raven at the bottom of the hill to wipe her eyes before galloping on. She was going to ride as far as Raven would take her into the desert, and she didn’t care what happened to her.
Suddenly she noticed two men on horseback in the distance. They were standing motionless at the base of the mountains. She considered riding to them, until the tallest man came toward her. She thought the man must be either Philip or Rashid, because he was too tall to be anyone else. She couldn’t tell which it was, for he was still too far away and his kufiyah covered his features.
If it were Philip, she could not escape him. She heard Saadi coming up behind her, and turned to look into his worried eyes.
“I wish to apologize for my sister,” Saadi managed to say as he caught his breath. “She had no right to say what she did to you, and I will punish her for it.”
“It’s all right, Saadi. I don’t want you to punish Nura because of me. I understand how she feels.”
Glancing to where she had seen the two men, Christina saw that they had both disappeared. She continued her ride with Saadi as usual, and returned to camp before dusk.