But she just turned away from him and shook her head. Well, he wouldn't press her to answer him. Without another word, Philip pulled her to her feet and took her up the hillside to bathe.

Christina had not yet lost her shyness at disrobing in his presence. She turned her back to Philip and slowly removed her blouse and skirt. He controlled his desire with great effort as he watched her wade into the water.

But turning his attentions to the bundle he had brought with him, Philip unwrapped a finely honed razor and proceeded to shave his week's growth of beard.

After he was satisfied with the results, he took a new bar of soap from the bundle and joined Christina in the water.

It was dark when they finally returned to camp. The newly kindled fire illuminated the tent brightly, making dancing shadows in the corners.

Philip pondered Christina's sullenness as they finished the evening meal. This attitude of hers couldn't continue, for he was aching to take her to bed. But she would succumb to his advances after her usual resistance, he knew.

Reclining on the couch behind her, Philip played with the loose curls dangling at the nape of Christina's neck. He leaned forward and grazed the soft flesh behind her ear with his lips, and watched the gooseflesh run down her arms.

Downing the rest of his wine, Philip stood up and took Christina's hand in his.

"Come, Tina," he murmured, and led her into the bedroom, surprised that she didn't resist him.

While taking off his clothes, he watched Christina move to the opposite side of the bed and unbind her hair. It fell gloriously about her body. He was astonished as she slowly, seductively removed her garments. She sat naked on the bed, as if inviting him to join her. But as he came to her, she put up her hands to stop him.

"Philip, I must talk to you," Christina said, searching his eyes with her dark, sapphire ones.

"Later, my pet," Philip replied huskily and silenced her words with his kiss. But, with an effort, she pushed him away.

"Please, Philip! There's something I must know."

He looked down at her and saw her trembling lips and deepening blue eyes.

"What is it, Tina?"

"What do you intend to do with me?"

"I'm going to make love to you. Did you think otherwise?" He smiled beguilingly and toyed with the curls dangling over her breasts.

"I mean in the future—when you no longer want me, What will you do with me then?"

"I haven't really thought about it," he lied, for there was nothing to think about. He'd never let her go.

"Would you let me return to my brother?" she ventured timidly.

Philip knew now what was troubling Christina. Did she actually think he would do away with her? Of course she did, for she thought the worst of him.

"When I tire of you, Tina—then, yes, you may go back to your brother."

"Will you give me your word, Philip?"

"You have my word. I swear it."

He could see relief flood her features as she relaxed into the pillow. She smiled up at him invitingly.

"Are all your fears forgotten now, my sweet?" he whispered, branding her throat with his fiery lips.

"Most of them," she breathed. She pulled his face to hers and accepted his passionate kiss willingly.

Philip wondered fleetingly what else could cause Christina to fear him. But she wasn't fighting him right now, and it both puzzled and excited him. He didn't ponder long, for he was not about to waste this moment on trivial questions.

As dawn crept over the horizon, Christina slowly awakened to the sweet song of a nightingale. A grimace crossed her pretty features when she remembered the night past and the lengths she had gone to.

She didn't have to play the whore. She had already made Philip promise to return her to her brother. But she had struck a bargain with him, and she had given herself willingly to seal the pact. It was a small thing to do—he would have taken her, anyway.

Christina smiled as she recalled how her caresses had driven Philip wild with desire. His fervid passions had carried them higher than ever before. And she had been caught in the same whirlpool of desire until the tide swept them both into a sea of mutual bliss.

Well, the evening was behind her now. She had given herself to Philip for a reason. But with her worst fears put to rest, Philip wouldn't find her so willing in the future. Indeed, she would be more obstinate than ever.

It's going to be a glorious day, Christina thought as she slipped from the bed and donned her new mauve velvet skirt and her green blouse. I should be disgusted with myself, but I'm not. I actually feel happy.

She went into the main room to put the last trims on her mauve blouse before Philip awoke, for she wouldn't let him see her in clashing colors.

Awhile later, Philip called her name from the bedroom. She knew he thought her gone, and was about to answer when she heard him swear.

He came tearing through the curtains, still putting on his robe. But he stopped abruptly when he saw her, the rage on his face turning to surprise.

"Why didn't you answer me?"

"You didn't give me a chance to." Christina laughed heartily as she put down her scissors. "Did you think I'd left you again?"

"I was merely concerned for your safety."

"Well, you needn't fear, I'm quite safe," she replied. She feared she'd burst into laughter again if she had to look at Philip's disgruntled expression, so she bent quickly over her sewing.

Philip turned and left the tent Christina wondered about the concern he'd shown for her. She didn't know whether he was truly worried about her safety or whether he simply didn't want to lose a plaything.

Christina went for a walk to the corral that afternoon. The sun was not too hot, for it was nearly winter. She would have to start making warmer clothing.

The horses were all inside the corral. She looked about, but couldn't see Philip anywhere. Sensing someone behind her, Christina turned abruptly, thinking it was Philip, but was surprised to find Amine looking shyly at her.

"I did not mean to frighten you," Amine said timidly.

"You didn't frighten me. I thought you were Abu."

"Ah, Sheik Abu guards you like a hawk. He is very much in love with you, I think."

"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."