Chapter One

Alexandria, Egypt 1843

 

Running through the streets, dodging foot traffic, camels, along with donkeys pulling carts, Poppy Macmurra kept one hand on her hat, the other on her small valise. Inside was just enough clothing to keep her for the next two weeks. Her adventure was in front of her. Exhilaration at the possibilities sprinted through all of her, even the marrow of her bones.

The narrow streets stunk from animal refuse. Camel dung, along with the deposits from other animals, spotted the throughfares. The puddles she stepped over were not caused by rain. She tried to close her nostrils to the horrible scents steaming from the cobblestones. Unable to master the feat, she plugged her nose. The moorage for the boats traveling down the Nile River was in sight. One was preparing to leave. Her breath hitched. Escape was imminent. She pulled up short when a large dark-haired man she knew better than she wished stepped in front of her. Standing tall, he seemed to overpower everything in the vicinity. She sucked in a deep breath of air, realizing he was the one person who would stand in her way. She understood he meant to stop her from reaching her goal.

“Damn it, Captain Stilwell. You’re blocking the road. Get out of my way! You’ve no right to interfere!” She refrained from stamping her foot, realizing if she did, Stilwell would bellow with his laughter.

His hands rested on her shoulders, giving her a little shake. Her eyes crossed with indignation. His fingers pressed harder. “Don’t you listen? I told you not to go it alone. Thought I made myself clear. It’s dangerous for a woman. Here you are, by yourself. Look behind you.” Even recognizing this was a trick, she whirled, craning her neck to see where he was directing her to look. Two men wrapped in a thobe seemed to be following, their long cloaks loose and billowing as they strode along the street. As soon as Stilwell took her arm in his then nodded to the two men, they stopped, changing direction. Their easy grins turned to what seemed to be furious scowls.

“What is it?” she questioned trying not to give credence to his implications. Those men wanted something. She didn’t intend to admit he might have been right.

“Those two men represent danger to your pretty, little feminine person. They see you are unprotected. Easy to grab. If taken, you might never breathe another breath of fresh air or look at the sky.”

Stilwell had no reason to be angry. He couldn’t know those two men were actually following her.

She didn’t intend for him to make guesses at her expense. The men were just walking in the same direction. Seemed she was trying to convince herself.

“Let me go…” her words were tight. Hard. She tried to pry his hand from her arm. “What do you care what happens out here? You don’t even like me,” she gritted out while she tugged on her arm. “You would be pleased if I disappeared.”

He had an iron hold. One he would not loosen. “No?” The man didn’t bother to elaborate, his voice low and calm, dangerous sounding, “Also told you not to go out without covering your entire body. These men think you are theirs for the taking,” he repeated his ridiculous suggestion. “This land is different from what you are accustomed to.”

He told her that too many times to count. Different? Of course, but she was a British citizen. “That’s preposterous.” She inhaled a sharp breath of air as he brought her closer. “Those two,” she nodded with her head in their direction, “don’t want anything to do with me. They weren’t following me.”

“The lady is spoken for, fellas,” he called out then waved. To her, he said, “They probably realize you’re a great deal of trouble. Would most likely incite the women in the harem where they were planning to sell you. Would cause female battles that would shake the foundation of the peaceful facade.” Without breaking stride, also without letting her go free, he strode in a direction she didn’t want to take.

The men didn’t seem to understand what he said. He spoke again, this time in a foreign language. The two guys turned down another alley, their white cloaks flowing and wafting around their ankles.

“Spoken for…?”, she was incredulous. “I’m not spoken for. How dare you imply…imply…we are…you are!” Stilwell left her at a loss for words, a happenstance that was rare. She always had something to say, a point to make.

The captain grinned at her. “I’ve spoken for you even though I dislike your lack of common sense. Around here, you must put a stop to your impulsive behavior. In this country, women have no rights. If a female person is not accompanied by a man, then…well…then she is free for the taking. In this land, a woman needs to be protected.”

She might be disbelieving, but the captain was hauling her along as if he had every right to put her where he pleased. “I’m going to miss my boat,” she wailed. “It’s the last one leaving today. I wanted to get to Cairo. Now…”

“Now you won’t end up in a harem, and I won’t be forced to try to find some way to get you out. There are possibilities. None of them good. Once a woman is inside, they never leave. So I’ve been told.” Even though his voice sounded dry she was positive she heard some amusement.

“Harem? Why did you say that? Everyone knows there are no longer any in Egypt. Harems are a myth fabricated by men who wish to keep women under their thumb.” She kept tugging on her arm. His grip got tighter each time. “Besides, I’m a free woman, a Scottish woman with English connections. None of these men living in these parts would wish to risk the wrath of the British Empire.”

“Don’t kid yourself. You’re one lone female. There would be no British wrath. You would disappear. Even if there was…anger…no one would be able to find you. Now…” They walked down two more narrow streets, took another left then stepped inside a grand hotel. “Now,” he continued, “I will escort you to your room then you will meet me for dinner. Tomorrow, as soon as I’ve finished the necessary paperwork, I’ll escort you wherever you wish to go. If you would like to take a short cruise down the Nile to Cairo, I’ll be with you. Another possibility is an overland trip. You would be able to ride a camel. Believe I heard you telling one of the crew that was something you were looking forward to doing.”

“With you?” Her eyebrows lifted. Still shaking her head while trying to remove the strangle hold he had on her arm, she gritted out. “Not happening. I’ve only got a week then I have to return to London. Aunty Ella is waiting for me. Father made a concession so I could have this amazing adventure. You know what is out there?” That week was actually a month. Stilwell didn’t need to know that.

“Why don’t you tell me. I realize you’re chomping at the bit to elaborate. To show me all the ways I’m failing you. By the way, my ship isn’t due to sail for another month. James, you remember, your father, specifically instructed me not to let you board a merchant ship. By my way of thinking, his was sound advice. You need the protection of a ship decked out with a multitude of cannons.”

With adventure-thoughts fluttering in her head, her entire body felt all dreamy and romantic. “Pyramids, sphinx…camels…I’m going to ride one. I’m not staying a month. Hells bells, why would I need a warship to go home? My father told you that nonsense?” She knew he had. Her father told her much the same. She wasn’t to go anywhere unless Captain Stilwell was with her. What her father didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. By the time he figured it out, she would be home, safe and sound.

“You won’t see any of those things if you don’t wait for me. I’ll reiterate. I did make a promise to your father when he decided you were to travel with me. He had serious concerns about your wellbeing. He told me some of the outrageous things you’ve done. I can’t say as I blame him for his apprehension. You are blessed with no common sense. This little fiasco is proof positive. It isn’t wise for a female to be on these streets alone. This isn’t London.”

“What the bloody eyes does my father have to do with any of this? You promised Da you would take care of me? How absurd is that? I’m a grown woman in no need of a chaperone. Don’t need anyone to take care of me, especially not you.” She made an all-encompassing circle with her hand.

“You should have your mouth washed out with soap,” he said, deadpan. “Your swearing is something your father should have put a stop to long ago. As I just told you, I vowed to keep you safe. Even if my doing so makes you see red, I will keep your sweet little body in perfect condition for the season you are wanting. Will return you to your debutante scene a trifle late. Nonetheless, I’m certain you will attract men to you like bees to honey.”

Not at all sure if that was a compliment or not, she shrugged the words out of her head. Pointing in the direction she thought the Nile was, she sputtered. “I would be safe on one of those boats. What could happen to me? Believe there is a caravan soon to depart. I plan to seek it out.”

“Not by yourself, you wouldn’t be safe. All alone, you’d be fair game for any man to take you as his own. Women in this country don’t travel by themselves. It’s unheard of.” He paused, raking his dark hair off his forehead. “I told you if you went out on the street to wear the hijab I gave you. Where is it?” His accusing tone set all her nerves on edge. The captain believed he was right about everything.

“In my valise…at the bottom where it belongs. I’m not about to wrap my head in that piece of fabric. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s hotter than Hades out here. I would be sweating like a pig roasting over a fire.”

“Right now,” he paused for a few beats, seeming to soak up her words. “Right now, this man is taking you for stupid…” Stilwell was shaking his head as if he couldn’t understand her emotions. “In this country all women wear them. It’s important. No women venture outside by themselves. How many times do I need to tell you? I’ve even explained why. You’re too stupid-headed to accept the true facts.”

Stupid-headed?

Of course, he couldn’t or wouldn’t see or even try to look at this situation from her point of view. She snorted a harsh laugh, hoping to drive down her point. “You’re a man. You can’t possibly understand my feelings.” She poked him in the chest once then twice. “You know very well I’m not stupid-headed. Understood from the get go what you were implying. Women have rights! I have the ability to choose.”

Clearing his throat as if he searched for patience, he spoke again in that calm, low voice that set her nerves on edge, stretching them all to a point where she felt certain they would snap. “Not in this country. Here, men look on women in a different light. They are owned as well as protected. The man who possesses the female calls the shots. If you don’t have an apparent owner, another man might claim you as his. Men are allowed to take just about anyone they want. For this stay in Egypt, I’m claiming you. You will obey my directions. I will protect your virtue to a point.”

Not in this life.

“Here we are. Your hotel room. Imagine that.” They stopped in front of a door. He unlocked it but didn’t hand her the key. “You’re to stay put until I come for you. Freshen up. You smell of the camel dung you must have stepped in during your adventure. Make yourself presentable. I do have faith in your abilities. I’ll come get you at six for dinner. We can talk about what you would like to do tomorrow. Make plans. The day will be yours to fill with all your impulsiveness. I will stay by your side the entire time.”

Realizing an argument here wasn’t going to do her a bit of good, she accepted Stilwell’s delivery to her room. When he pocketed the key, she swore beneath her breath. Wouldn’t matter. Her aunt Addie showed her how to pick locks. She put her ear against the door to listen. As soon as his footsteps dimmed, she set to work. He would never realize she was gone until he came back at six. She had three hours to make her getaway.

“There is a caravan leaving in an hour. I mean to join it on the way to Cairo. Let Stilwell try to stop me,” she mumbled as she tried various pieces of the equipment Addie gave her as well as taught her to use. Aunty said she would never know when this ability would come in handy. Today was her lucky day, her first competency test. How long would this take?

Less than ten minutes later, the door swung open, freeing her from the confinement the captain inflicted. Hah! Even though he didn’t trust her, Stilwell had no right to lock her within her room. She wasn’t a child to be manipulated as well as protected. Deciding a prudent moment wouldn’t hurt, she tied the hijab on her head then slipped her abaya over her shoulders. From the top of her head to the tips of her toes, all of her was covered. She even put the piece of fabric hiding the bottom half of her face across her nose.

“Voila!” Stilwell can have no objections. The only thing missing now was her escort. Well, a bodyguard to the caravan was one thing she could not pull out of her valise. She would need to make do with maintaining a low profile.

Keeping her eyes directed to the floor, she walked down the stairway then out the door. Since she acknowledged the fact she needed to be prudent and take no chances, she kept in the shadows. She marched as fast as she could toward the river without calling attention to herself to the spot where the caravan would begin. This time, no men followed her.

She prayed she would be on time. Would get there before they left. With her luck she would arrive in time to see the sandy dust filling the air. When she spoke to the receptionist at the hotel, he did voice the same opinion as Stilwell that her doing this alone might not be a good idea. She’d withdrawn enough money from the bank in Alexandria to see to her needs for the next week. Her father wired her money, not only to the bank in this city but also to Cairo. She would be well taken care of without being at the beck and call of the unpleasant naval captain.

As she thought of all the wonderous things she would see over the next days, her breath caught in the back of her throat. She could barely contain her excitement. This was the climax to all her dreams. She’d always hoped to someday see this part of the world. Filled with both hope along with expectations, she hustled along the street. Excitement at her prospects welled up within, bubbling over.

Now all her most ardent dreams would be fulfilled. Her eyes fairly crossed thinking about the sights she was about to see. She carried her sketch pad so she would have souvenirs of this time. She meant to draw everything she saw. Had dreamt about this her entire life.

“Sir?” Breathless with expectations, she reached the caravan and looked around the place for the person in charge. A man was booming out directions in Arabic to men who were loading supplies in the carts that would be pulled by donkeys. “Is there room for one more passenger?” For a few ticks, the man stared at her, acting as if he didn’t understand what she was saying. Poppy thought it must be a ploy. The receptionist at the hotel where she was staying directed her to this place, telling her the caravan leader spoke the King’s English.

Tonight, they would not make it to Cairo. She repeated her question. The hotel receptionist told her it would take them three days to get to their destination. Also said they would have smaller villages to stay the night. They wouldn’t be camping on the desert sand. It would be safer that way.

He made a tiny little bob with his head; smiled, showing white teeth. “You are pretty. Always room for lovely lady who has money to travel with me. What is your name?” He held his hand to accept the necessary coins.

“Poppy…Poppy Macmurra. My father is giving me this trip as a gift. I will have my coming out as soon as I get back to London. This will be something I’ll be able to tell my children and my grandchildren about.”

“You may call me Arif. Coming out. Hmm…” He stroked his beard, seeming to think about her words. “What does that entail? Coming out?” he repeated. “Perhaps you will have this coming out thing here. No?”

The way he looked at her sent a chill slithering down her spine. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. For a second, she thought to heed Stilwell’s words; returning to the hotel to wait for tomorrow might be both wise as well as prudent. She stiffened her backbone. She wasn’t about to give his preposterous warning credit. “Oh, mostly I’ll be looking for a husband. There will be numerous balls as well as recitals. My aunty, the duchess, will make sure I’ve all the appropriate things to wear.”

Again, stroking his beard as if he was measuring her, he looked her over. As if struck, she backed up a step. “I, well, it sounds like a whole bunch of frivolous nothings to me. Here, in this country if a man wants a woman who isn’t spoken for by another man, he takes her. That is why you must be careful in this land. You must do what I tell you.”

“Yes…” Wasn’t it just like another man to expect a woman to be submissive? To do what he says? Sounded just like Captain Stilwell. If what Arif expected went against her better judgement, she would proceed in a different manner. She didn’t intend to explain her reasoning to the arrogant man. He might refuse to let her on the caravan. “Whatever you say. Now…where do you want me to ride?” She clutched her valise in her hand. Her larger trunk had been stored in her hotel room. It would be there when she returned. She’d paid for the room until Captain Stilwell had his orders to return to London. That was a month away. However, she didn’t intend to wait for him. If she found another ship going in her direction, she would take it. Would happily wave goodbye to the captain.

“Follow me…” He stopped in front of a coral. There were several camels. “Would you like to ride a camel for the first part of the journey? If you get tired, you can wave to me. There are enough carts. I do have a place for you in one of the carts designated to the women. Here we keep all our women separate from our men until the right time.”

With the question, her heart leapt to her throat, pounding hard. She overlooked the last of his statement, filing it away to figure out later. “May I?” she asked, clasping her hands beneath her chin, so excited she thought she’d… “Yes!”

“Yes, yes, you can ride camel? Yes?” He acted as if he didn’t expect her to agree. “You will ride good? No?”

“I’m very good. What should I do with this?” She held up the valise. “Must take it with me, you know.”

She paused for a few seconds as if he didn’t know what she should do. “Tie it to the straps on the camel. I help.” Arif set his hand on the small of her back as if he owned her, leading her toward the corralled camels.

The second wave of misgivings flitted through her head. She recalled what Stilwell told her about the men here in this foreign country. Shook off the reservations. Determined to prove her point, she would do this on her own. This spring day was beautiful. Not a cloud in sight to ghost the sun. She wasn’t going to let the captain’s words ruin her day. In front of her she had everything to look forward to experiencing. This life was fantastic.

Don’t go anywhere alone.

Men here don’t think the same as European men. If they find a woman alone, they will claim her as theirs. You won’t know until it’s too late to do anything about it.

You will end up in some sultan’s harem, dancing to his tune. You won’t ever see London again. Won’t see your aunty or your cousins, your mother or your father. Once a woman is inside, no one can get her out not even the British government.

No, no, no…he was all wrong. Men didn’t just steal women for their personal use. The notion was antiquated. They didn’t. They just didn’t. The idea was outrageous. This was the nineteenth century. Stilwell was just acting like an overprotective grandmother, or nanny. He didn’t want her to have fun. He was such a bore. A domineering yawn waiting to happen. No fun whatsoever.

“Help? Need help with that?” The man gestured with his hands after he tied the valise to the camel. Sometimes she thought his English was very good. Then, there were times, such as this one, where she believed she was wrong. She was certain he was playing some game with her. From this point forward she would be cautious. Wasn’t going to agree to anything impulsive. She did have a derringer in her valise. Wished it was strapped to her leg.

The huge camel was lying down, waiting for her to mount. The beast looked at her with huge brown, slumberous eyes. She turned her attention to all the people loading cargo, along with the passengers. Most of the people were men. That fact didn’t surprise her. There were five women sitting in one of the carts, another five on the wagon behind that one. They didn’t have men in attendance. Unable to put her finger on the sensation, she believed there was something wrong with the picture.

Poppy dosed herself with a huge breath of camel scented air then a second one. Felt the desert calling to her. Listened to all the vibrant sounds surrounding her. Didn’t understand the words. Dismissed all the little warning bells in her head. She’d made up her mind. There was still time to return to the hotel. If she did, the captain would never know. But then…she would have given in to her fears. Would have accepted the fact she needed his protection. She wasn’t about to do something so antiquated.

Come on now, I’m a bricky lass. Have always been. Get the adventurers spirit from my mother. Mother cut her hair to steal away as her father’s cabin boy. She wasn’t afraid. This is a ride on a camel. Something I’ve wanted to do since I was twelve and reading about Egypt. I’m here now. Must take advantage of all the wonderful new experiences waiting in line for me. The captain’s words were meant to make me afraid. That’s all.

“I’m ready,” she proclaimed a little too loud.

“Good…good. It’s time… You will enjoy the ride.” Arif set his hand on her leg. Squeezed, as if testing.

She shuddered. Grimaced with distaste. Thought to flinch away, then his touch vanished. She wondered if she imagined the horrid touch of his hand on her. A caress that felt as if bugs were dancing on her.

With Arif’s help, she now sat astride the camel. Put the unexpected touch from her head then stroked the camel’s neck as if he was her favorite horse. “Does he have a name?”

“She…Mava,” Arif told her with that huge grin of his that looked as if he knew something she shouldn’t…as if he kept a secret. “Mava’s friendly. Won’t bite. She take you where I want you to go.”

“Bite? Where you want me to go? Imagine that’s Cairo.” Wiggling her shoulders, trying to ease the tensions rooting in her back, she’d never thought the beast might take a nip out of her. Her sleepy brown eyes might be deceiving. “Mava,” she began, petting her, using soothing words, “You are a very sweet girl. You would never think to bite me. You will take me to Cairo.” Yes, Arif wanted her to go to Cairo. She wanted to go to Cairo. They wanted the same. There were no other motives playing in the man’s head. He wasn’t intending to take her as his.

The camel nodded her head as if she understood every word she spoke.

“Mava likes you too,” Arif pointed toward her. He snorted a laugh as he rubbed his hands together. “I like you more. Bring good money. With this trip, make lots. Keep you safe for the right man.”

Safe for the right man? What the hell does that mean? Another wave of fear sprinted down her spine.

If that were the case, she pulled on the reins urging Mava to stand. In the distance she saw the caravan was beginning to move. They made their way to the spot where Arif pointed. It was directly behind the two wagons carrying the women.

“For to stay safe, stay in the middle. Right where I put you now,” Arif told her. “Don’t wander off. If you do…” he stopped when one of the women in the first wagon began to scream. One of the men driving the cart stopped her cries with a slap to the face.

Wholeheartedly, she agreed that staying here was the best alternative. Riding Mava was not like her horse. To begin with, she was much higher off the ground. The gait was smooth but different. During the first few clops of her hooves, she clung to the camel’s neck. She held the reins. Prayed the camel would respond like a well-trained horse. Hoped Mava would not need to break into a gallop. She clenched her thighs around the beast as if testing the strength. Didn’t know if she would be able to handle her in an emergency. Maybe she should ask to ride in the cart. No, she could do this. Didn’t want to be among those women. Wanted to prove herself. Show she was worthy of Stilwell’s respect. Wasn’t at all certain where that idea came from.

The next hour passed without incident. They’d left Alexandria behind. Could no longer see any of the buildings rising from the sand. The caravan was alone in the desert. As the captain tried to explain, she was vulnerable to any man’s whims. This was better. Didn’t wish to be beholden to Stilwell’s guidelines. She heaved in a deep breath of relieved air. Escaping the captain had been easier than she thought. The deed was done. He would never find her. Even if he did, she was riding a camel, heading toward Cairo. She would see all the pyramids, the sphynx. She trilled laughter that floated on the wind as she smiled from the inside out.

Looking at her watch, she saw the time was six o’clock. If the captain did intend to escort her to dinner and not leave her in the locked hotel room to starve, he would be knocking on her door this very minute. He would be swearing with his discovery that she wasn’t there. Would also wonder how she escaped. She got the last laugh. They were far enough away from Alexandria she didn’t think she needed to worry about him chasing after her. The man believed she was helpless. He would understand now that she was capable. The captain never missed a beat to reprimand her. He would undoubtedly imagine her disappearance was good for him. With a lift of her shoulders, he would agree with her, would decide it was in his best interest to let her leave uncontested.

He promised my father he would keep me safe. If he could figure out where she was going, he would come after her. A man such as the captain kept his promises. When she added all the pertinent facts together there wasn’t a doubt in her mind. Then… sea men weren’t usually good on land. The captain might not even be able to ride a horse. She didn’t know his background. He never spoke of it.

He spoke Arabic…fluently. That revelation was disturbing. It was a facet of his life she couldn’t comprehend.

I heard him speaking with several men in the hotel. He seemed to know them well. They were friendly. He talked to the men in the alley. They growled displeasure but left.

There were other possible scenarios to this equation. The man at the desk in the hotel knew where she was going. He was the only person who could lay claim to that knowledge. What about the captain’s vow? If he was a man of his word, he might drop all his plans to follow her. She didn’t suppose it would be too difficult to follow the tracks of this caravan. Even a city bred man could read these signs. Didn’t need to be an experienced tracker. If the man was a captain in the army instead of the navy, she might be a bit more worried. He could always hire an experienced tracker.

She dosed herself with a deep breath of air. What would he do when he caught up to the caravan? She could only guess. Questions bombarded her head. If he did come here, they would have an argument. She would refuse to leave with him. He would insist. The man was bigger and stronger. If he found her, he would have his way. Arif might be on her side. That thought gave her another shudder. Arif was on Arif’s side.

More questions befuddled her head.

No answers came to the forefront.

She stiffened her backbone, telling herself he couldn’t make her go anywhere with him. She possessed a mind of her own. He was dangerous to her. The man was arrogant as well as domineering. He had no use for her impulsive and rash behavior as he named it. Thought she was irresponsible. Reckless. A risk to herself. At this time, thoughts of the captain were ruining these wonderous moments. She tried to soak in the ambiance of this different world as well as keep her mind off Stilwell.

Letting her head fall back, she wished she could rid herself of the hijab. After the tiny encounter today in the street, she wasn’t quite that bold. Some of what the captain advised her soaked into her brain. A slight incoming breeze off the river cooled the temperature as the sun began to reach for the horizon. She heard nights on the desert could be freezing. Not now though, beneath her robe she was sweating. How did people survive wearing all these clothes? What did the women who lived here wear beneath there abaya? This was a question she wished to find the answer to. Was ready to unfasten her gown then unlace her corset. Maybe she would wiggle out of her dress while no one was looking. Couldn’t do that unless they stopped. If she squirmed too much while riding the camel, she might fall off.

Arif told her they would stop after the sky darkened. Tonight they would make camp in the desert, not one of the cities along the way. They would light bonfires so they could see. He also told her it would get very cold. Maybe she wanted to keep all her clothing on her body. Possible she needed all the protection imaginable.

A man rode up beside her. He tipped his head. His leering smile sent shudders sliding down her spine. Goosebumps rose on her arms. “Greetings, pretty lady. You will love the place where you will be going. The baths are warm and beautiful. There are pretty flowers everywhere. You will have no responsibilities. The other ladies won’t be jealous. Kaliq pays attention to all of his women. Doesn’t ever leave them alone for more than a week. There are always babies. Soon you will have one of your own. Kaliq always pays considerable attention to his new possessions. He will keep you as his personal attendant for a few days in a row.”

“I’m not go…” Babies? Doesn’t leave any one of his women alone for more than a week? What the bloody hell is he talking about? A harem? Is that what he is talking about? Could everything the captain said be true?

She was trying to close her mouth. What the man said paralleled some of Stilwell’s preachings. The captain had never been exact. Never mentioned details. Maybe he should have been more direct. No, he was just speaking in generalities to frighten her. There was nothing to what this man said either.

Her focus flew to the two wagons of women. This wasn’t what she expected. Didn’t have a reason to think different. She purchased a place on a caravan headed to Cairo. Nothing more.

When the man rode off, she heard him laughing as he disappeared down the long line of carts and camels. A third wave of chills gave her more reason to wish she was still in the hotel, eating dinner with the captain, obeying his every command. He would escort her to her room, making certain she arrived unscathed. Tomorrow, he would have joined her on a caravan or a riverboat. She took this chance because she was trying to prove something to the bloody man. She prayed she wasn’t wrong.

Another hour later, Arif stopped the caravan. Part of the sun was hidden behind the backdrop of sand. She sat atop the camel for minutes upon minutes while she waited for his commands. When he finished directing the wagons to various places, he helped her down.

Pointing his finger, he showed her the tent where he wanted her to stay for the night. The other women were corralled in that direction. “You stay with the ladies,” he said with a bit of a chortle in his voice. His gaze bore into her as if he could see beneath the fabric she wore. “Are you virgin?” he asked.

“What kind of question is that?” She jerked at his enquiry. That was none of his damn business. Wasn’t positive she heard him right. “What are you asking me?”

“Has a man ever claimed your female parts?” He sneered then barked a laugh. Hooted. “We can find out the truth for ourselves. If virgin, go with the girls there…” he pointed again… “If not…go there. I would advise you not to hesitate.”

She found she was backing away from him, quivering with dread. She shook her head in disbelief. “No, no, no…I’m, I’ll…” Eying Mava, she thought perhaps she should try to make a fast departure.

“You try to run, I will catch. Give you to my men to play with, but I will have you first. You are extra baggage, additional money in our pockets. Don’t need trouble from you or any female. If you behave, you will be treated right. No one will hurt you. Are you virgin?”

“Virgin,” she muttered, realizing she did need to answer the man. Didn’t want to be put in the tent meant for the use by his men. She assumed that was why he asked. They needed some entertainment tonight. She assumed virgins would go for more money.

Beneath her ribs, her heart pounded hard. She looked over her shoulder hoping to conjure Captain Stilwell. What had she expected? There was no one to save her. She hoped the captain liked her better than she thought he did. Prayed his vow to her father would be the incentive he needed to come for her. As far as she could tell, the man had no use for her. All he’d ever done was lecture her on her downfalls.

Her biggest question was how could he get her away from these people? They were surrounded. There were guards at the women’s tents. One man couldn’t fight all of the men in this caravan. The only women were the ones who would be…used. Already men stood in line at the second women’s tent; the women inside would be forced to cater to the needs of these men.

A groan slipped from her lips, giving Arif a reason to hoot with laughter. Poppy didn’t want to think that far ahead. Slowly she walked toward the virgin tent. She didn’t want to do this. Aunty Ella was expecting her back in London all in one piece. She was going to dance at balls. Fall in love with the perfect man. Because of her stupidity…yes, she was a stupid-headed, spoiled rich girl who thought too much of her talents. Sure, she could pick locks. What else could she do? Nothing.

The captain was wrong. He should have taken her for stupid instead of giving her the benefit of the doubt. Who was she deceiving besides herself? He did call her stupid-headed. Should have left a guard at her door so he would have been positive she would be inside when he came to retrieve her. Maybe he was stupid-headed. If he came for her, rescued her, she would owe the man everything…her first child…her virginity…whatever he asked for. At this point, she didn’t care which he chose. Would rather gift Stilwell with her innocence than any other man around here.

If he came for her, paying him back would be at the top of her list of things to accomplish in her lifetime. If he saved her, she would have her father offer him a job captaining one of his ships. He might like that. He must love the sea. Would earn more money as a merchantman. Most men didn’t always want to remain in the Royal Navy for life. Maybe he wanted to become an admiral. The Duke of Richmond, her uncle, might be able to put in a good word or more…if he found her before she became part of a harem. If he ferreted her away before she lost her innocence. There were too many ifs.

Inside the tent, she was directed to a pallet. She sat down and watched the other girls. The women were not Arabic. Couldn’t be. Except for her, they were all light-haired with ivory colored skin. They must have all been kidnapped. All of them had families somewhere. Families who were missing them.

“Do any of you speak English?” she asked, somehow needing the comfort of hearing her language spoken with no accent.

“I do,” a small-boned blond with the prettiest blue eyes she’d ever seen spoke up. “I speak English. The other’s all speak French. We haven’t been able to talk to each other. I’m terrified we’re never going to see our homes again.”

“How did you end up here? In this predicament? Were you foolish like me? Stupid?” That might be a question for another time. Three of the guards entered, bringing food and drink.

“Eat…must keep up strength,” one of the leering guards spoke. “You will need much where you are going…much strength. Must put some meat on your bones. You are too skinny. Kaliq likes big.” He made a gesture with his hands then his gaze coveted her from her breasts to her hips then back, staying on her breasts long enough to make her uncomfortable.

“Where are we going?” She asked, needing answers while understanding she might not receive them.

“Eat. Where we go not important. You will never leave the palace. You will spend the rest of your life pampered. All women like pampered. No work except to please Kaliq.”

 

~ * ~

 

Later, if she survived the captivity, the captain would let her know what happened. Would recount all he did to free her. Hold what he did over her head. Yes, why not? In his position, it’s what she would do. She knew he cursed and swore when he discovered her room unlocked. Didn’t need to close her eyes to imagine his words. Would have sworn to her demise. He would have known where she went. She’d told him she wanted to take the caravan leaving that afternoon. Had been too impatient to wait for the morning as he requested.

Tossing and turning on the small pallet, she couldn’t sleep. When she tried to eat, her stomach somersaulted. All she could think about was her uncertain future. For a few minutes, before the guard at the tent flap hushed them, she spoke with the English girl.

“I was kidnapped. Was walking alone along a beach in Cornwall. Before I knew it, I was on board a pirate ship on my way to Egypt. The other girls were captured when the pirates boarded the merchant ships they traveled on.”

That very reason must be why her father didn’t want her on a merchant ship. He told her she must make the voyage on a warship with a captain who would protect her. “You are a virgin too. What does that mean?” Poppy waved her hands around the small confines of the tent. “What does any of this mean?”

A lone tear slipped from one of her pretty blue eyes. The other was filled with moisture. A sob caught in the back of her throat. “We will sell for a higher price than the other women. Until then, we will be protected. Arif told us they would auction us, then a few days ago he said we had been tentatively sold to a man named Kaliq. He is a sheik somewhere in the desert or the mountains. I’m not certain. He wished to have more women in his possession.” She waved a hand in the air. “What does a name mean anyway? We will never know freedom. Our lives will be torn down to a small space in his home. We will belong to this man.” Tears were running down her cheeks. Another little sob escaped her then another. “I’m only sixteen. Never thought anything like this would happen to me. I was just minding my own business. Mother and father will never know what happened to me. They will look for me. Will think I died.”

Her story was horrible. Ivy had done nothing wrong. Why did these men think they had the right to kidnap women? “Bloody, bloody eyes, you were walking on an English beach? And they stole you away from your home?”

“I was told my light blond hair would bring a bidding war. If this man who has already said he wants us doesn’t like any of us, then we will be put to auction.”

“Auction? What do you know about auctions?”

“They strip the girls. The men want to see what we look like. If we have no blemishes, we are worth more money. Was told they even examine our teeth. If they want, they can touch us anywhere. That’s what happens. Arif said there is no way out of the harem. There are guards, eunuchs to watch over us, to make certain we behave. Inside, there is nothing to do. Except…except when our owner wants to have sex with us and we are called. Then we are perfumed and bathed, all our hair will be shaved or plucked from our bodies. We will have no choice. Cannot say no.”

“Hey…you two ladies…go to sleep. Tomorrow will be one of many long days.” The male voice snorted a laugh as his footsteps disappeared.

Yeah, and what will you do about it? Poppy wanted to demand yet remained silent. While she tried to calm her breathing, she lay back on the pallet, her arm across her eyes. One long deep breath then another, and after that another one. The bed was soft, the covers warm. She stared at the ceiling until all the slight sounds of the night seemed to be blending into one, then calming.

It seemed the men were pampering them. The food, when her stomach finally settled had been delicious, as was the wine they served. They wanted them to be in their best form when they sold them. There was nothing she could do. From one moment to the next, she watched the dark shadow of the guard cross in front of the tent.

She dozed.

“Hush!” A hand covered her mouth. “Don’t say a word or I swear I’ll…”

At the whispered words, she jerked awake, her eyes wide. The man was behind her. Cloth was stuffed in her mouth, and she was gagged. She tried to struggle. The man held her tight. Fear pounded through her, escalating as seconds ticked by. She was terrified of this new development; her heart thundered beneath her ribs.

No, no, no…

What was happening couldn’t be worse. The man didn’t speak again. He slung her over his shoulder, his arm behind her legs. She pushed against his back trying to see into the velvet blackness of the night. Crouching low, he stepped into the cold air then walked through the sleeping camp. As he reached the edge of the site, another dark, silent shadow fell in behind him. Seemed to be protecting his back as they forced their way to the outskirts of the encampment.

This time, when she squirmed atop his shoulder, his hand pushed on her rear, holding her still. She wished he would speak to her. Tell her what he was intending to do. A third shadow fell in step with the two men then another. Soon they were surrounded by men all seeming to have one purpose.

After they stopped walking, he set her on top a horse, then leapt up behind her. Spurring the horse forward, the ground beneath rushed past. Wind flashed across her face. To keep her balance, she clung to him. His thick arm around her waist held her close to his body.

Not understanding what to think, she guessed she should be thrilled she was leaving the caravan behind. What would her new fate be? The same as the first or something more terrible? She didn’t have a guess. How could her new destiny be worse than the last? Exhausted, she closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were still riding through the desert. The sun was rising above a ridge of hills in the distance. He slowed his pace as did the surrounding men.

“Where are we going?” she asked, understanding she might not get an answer.

A man drew up beside her. Laughed. The two men exchanged words in what she assumed was Arabic. He didn’t answer her question. Still, they rode. Her body recoiled from sitting on the horse for hour after hour. Unable to help herself, her head lolled against the man. Didn’t realize she closed her eyes. When next she opened them, he was lifting her from the mount. The gag had been removed.

“Everything is going to be fine,” he told her with a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His anger with her glowed. Her body trembled. He would exact retribution.

She met the amber glitter of his eyes head-on. Stilwell. A day’s growth of stubble covered his face. First, the feeling of relief filled her. Next, the need to lash out at him built. He could have answered her question. He could have told her from the beginning who he was. His silence was uncalled for.

Why? The man didn’t like her, yet he risked his life to rescue her. Seemed he would have a different demeanor than one of anger. Seemed he could have told her anything. He kept secrets.

“You could thank me.” The low, dangerous timber of his voice didn’t go unrecognized. “Your foolishness put my friends in jeopardy. I don’t appreciate that.”

“Where are we going?” If he was taking her back to Alexandria, he was traveling in a different path than she would have expected.

“Would you like some water?” On his face, a stoic expression told her he wasn’t going to answer questions as he held out a canteen. “We’re only stopping for a minute or two. If you need privacy, there is none except what my men will give you.”

“Privacy?” she questioned realizing she was a dunderhead. “Yes…” He was right. All she saw was miles upon miles of sand. No tree or shrub to shelter her needs.

“Go ahead. We don’t have time to waste. We’ve miles to travel before we can relax.” His lips thinned as if he was irritated with her. Wasn’t he always annoyed with her for some reason or another? “Do your business. We need to put more distance between us and the men who will be after you. In case you never realized the tiny fact, with your escape they also lost a great deal of money. They will wish to get you back. Sell you.”

Five of his men lined up, linking their arms as if they made a shield from the other twenty or so men who were with them. She was mortified to the tips of her toes. Needed to use the privacy they provided.

The captain motioned with his hands. “Hurry. I promise they won’t look. If anyone does, they will answer to me.”

She did as he suggested. Finished. Once she reappeared, Stilwell hefted her onto his horse. In seconds they were riding again. She was met with the silence of the desert.

“Where are we going?” she repeated the question he didn’t seem likely to answer.

“You will discover the location soon enough.” His arm resting on top of her shoulder, he pointed ahead of them. “There. That is where we are headed. Be patient. At the moment, you are far from my favorite person. How the hell did you get out of your locked room?”

Just as she suspected, Stilwell was furious. If he wasn’t going to answer her questions, she wouldn’t respond to his. When she looked in the direction he pointed, she snorted. Well, that told her exactly what she wanted to know. Letting out another grunt, she resigned herself to the silence. As one hour after another swept past them, her stomach began to growl. She was hungry. It didn’t appear they meant to stop to eat.

As if he heard the grumbling, “Here.” He held out a long strip of something. “It’s dried meat. Chew on it. Some of your hunger will disappear. We won’t be stopping again until darkness covers the earth, and only then to rest the horses. Up ahead there is a watering hole. The canteens need to be refilled. Horses need to drink. The water there is fresh and clear. You will have a few moments to walk off your sore muscles. Don’t wander away from camp. The desert can be dangerous.”

Wasn’t Stilwell the epitome of pleasantness? He offered food along with water. In a few hours, they would stop to give the horses a bit of rest, along with a several minutes to stretch her legs. The man thought of all her needs.

“Why are you in such a hurry? Those people won’t follow. They already have ten women to sell. They didn’t need me. Following would be more trouble than I’m worth.”

His laughter barked into her ear. “You are a price they won’t wish to give up on easily. If you haven’t looked into a mirror lately, perhaps you should.”

She grunted but didn’t have anything to say back to him on that score. Pleasant to look at but a beauty, no. She felt a change of subject would benefit her. “Who are these people who are helping you and also helping me?” The question was a simple one.

“Friends,” he said as the gait picked up. Pushed back against his chest, a puff of air caught in her throat.

Friends?

“They don’t speak English. How? How do you know them?”

“True to the language. How, you ask? Friends can come in all forms. Suffice it to say, they would die for me. I’ve known them my entire life.”

“That’s extreme. To die for you.” Friends for his entire life? Those bits of information left her with a great deal to think about.

“Yes, but just as true as the fact I would also give my life for any one of them.”

His arm tightening around her waist, he urged the stallion to an even faster pace. His friends fell in line around him. She guessed that meant he was no longer going to talk to her. How cordial of the man.

Fine with me. Have it your way. I don’t wish to talk to you either.

More hours passed. Far ahead she saw the watering hole he spoke of. Thoughts of cool water splashed on her face gave her a little feeling of giddiness. They would stop. He was right. She was sore. Had never ridden a horse for this long.

Another couple of hours passed before they reached the spot. Even though when he pointed it out to her, the place didn’t look very far away. He dismounted then helped her down. “If you can still walk.” He pointed to a place, behind a few palm trees, “Privacy. My men will go in the other direction.”

When she tried to take a few steps, her legs wobbled. She grabbed at him, missing, then starting to crumble to the ground, “I’ve got you.”

He’s got me. Imagine that. How earthy of him.

The captain took her by the arm, leading her to the spot he pointed out. “I’ll stay here and wait for you.” After the words, he turned his back to her. His hands were clasped behind his back while he seemed to impatiently rock on his heels. He whistled as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

Though this wasn’t quite as embarrassing as the first time, she didn’t think she would ever get used to the lack of privacy. She imagined the same would have been true if she was still with the caravan. The ladies would have been forced to see to their needs with men leering at them. There would have been no privacy.

She emerged from behind the tree. “What now?”

He turned, staring hard at her for a few seconds. “We rest for an hour. Eat. Drink. Refresh ourselves. What else would you like to do?” This time when he appraised her, his gaze traveled the length of her body then back to meet her eyes. She felt as if he was sending her a message of some kind.

“Go home…”

“Do you believe me now? Can you admit that you should not have ventured into the unknown without me by your side? You could acknowledge the fact you made a huge mistake. Your foolish behavior got you into trouble. To rescue you, I risked my life along with my friends.”

To this arrogant self-absorbed man, she would never confess. “I’m not agreeing to anything. With the way you feel about me, why did you come after me? I hoped, but I never expected to see you again.”

Stilwell stepped up close to her. If he intended to intimidate her, it wouldn’t work. He ran his knuckles along her jaw then down her neck. She shivered, warm where his caress met her flesh. “Well, you see, I made a promise to your father. A man’s word to another man is his bond. A person whom I respect.” He handed her another piece of the dried meat. “Eat. We still have a long way to travel.”

“Is there anything else to eat?” Even to her ears, she sounded whiny as well as complaining. The tone made her cringe. If she were him, she would leave her in the middle of the desert. “Never mind.”

“No. No one is coercing you. Take it or leave it. I’m not going to force food on you. If you don’t want what I give you to eat, drop it in the sand.” He made a show of checking the saddle, tightening its girth.

“Where are we going?” She demanded again, forgetting she owed Stilwell her life. “Seems this captive would like to learn the destination.”

At her words his eyebrows narrowed. The rush of air from his lungs spoke of displeasure. “Thought I showed you. Into the hills.”

“Well, yes, you did, but your pointing finger didn’t mean anything to me. Have no idea where,” she pointed her finger in the same general direction as he did, “there is,” she huffed out her displeasure. “Couldn’t you tell me?”

“Words wouldn’t tell you anymore than you know now. We’re not going to a city. You won’t be pampered. We will be on a high plateau. You will be safe. What more can a woman ask for?” He heaved out another long breath of air, hinting at exasperation then rubbed his hand down his face. “To the base of those mountains then higher. Headed to another water source.”

“Why? What is out there? Something that is important to you?” Confusion rattled around in her head. “Why aren’t we going back to Alexandria? Or…I don’t know.”

A soft smile caressed his mouth. His features changed from harsh to something she was unable to define. He gazed at her with an expression she didn’t understand nor had she ever seen before. “My second home. We will stay there for a while. I’m not due back in Alexandria for a month. You will be safe living with me as long as you don’t try to find a way back to wherever you decide you want to investigate. If you leave without me, you would lose yourself in the desert. You don’t have the skills to survive. You would die out there. In the wastelands there would be no water. One learns in this part of the country that water is the most important ingredient to sustain life. Food is second. You would have neither.”

Puzzled by his words, she looked toward the mountains then back in the direction they were riding. “Second home?” She realized with stark clarity she didn’t know anything about this man except the fact he captained an English warship. What she did know could be contained in a thimble. The man was arrogant as well as domineering. Expected every command obeyed instantly. If he were to use similar terms, the captain would explain to her he was self-confident and took charge of situations. Who was he anyway? He spoke Arabic. These men who helped rescue her belonged here. Stilwell called them friends.

“I was born in those mountains,” he clarified, leaving her even more puzzled. “They are my second home. I visit here whenever my assignment brings me to Alexandria. Your father understood I would seek them out. We talked.” When he looked in the direction of the mountains, his golden-brown eyes looked different. They stared with what seemed to be reverence, then they darkened until almost black. The illusion must have resulted from the sun shining on his face.

“If so, how can you be a captain in the Queen’s navy? You aren’t English, are you? How?” She had more questions that needed answering.

The man had the audacity to tweak her on the nose. Grinned as if he enjoyed this conversation. “That, my curious little minx, is a question I might answer at a later time. For now, we must enjoy this oasis of delight. A bit of respite now, once we ride again, we won’t stop until the horses need the rest.”

The unexpected contact left her speechless for a moment. The touch was almost one of endearment. Something she couldn’t credit him for doing. She wasn’t in any way dear to this haughty man.

Stilwell hooked his arm in hers before escorting her to a spot close to the small watering hole and beneath a tree. She liked the notion of shade. Her cheeks were hot. Felt as if they were on fire.

“I’m burning. My skin?” She placed the palm of her hand on her cheek, feeling the heat. “The sun is so hot here.”

His gentle touch to her cheek startled. Except for the few moments before, the captain had never touched her. Her body did a little flip of enjoyment. Liked the feeling his soft stroke on her skin orchestrated. She was wrong in her assessment. Stilwell wouldn’t mean anything nice by the gentle caress. Would he?

“You will need to cover as much of your face as possible.” He fumbled around her hijab as if looking for something. While doing so, the back of his hands waltzed across her cheeks, lips, then the bottom of her chin. She felt as if this was no accident.

Her hand moved to the place where he touched. “What are you doing?” She moved back a step, hesitant, wary of the unexpected contact.

“This.” He found the small piece of fabric she’d used before to cover herself below her eyes. “And this.” He secured the scrap to the opposite side. “This will help keep the sun off most of your face. Once the sun goes down you may unfasten it. Until then, keep this piece secured. I’ve no ointments with me that would ease the burn. The scorching could get worse before it gets better. Until we reach our encampment, there is nothing for you to use to ease the pain. Mother will give you something.”

All he said was true… Mother? “Yes,” was all she could mumble, still shocked by the sensation caused by the simple caress.

“Now, if you would like, you might wish to splash some water on your face. Perhaps dribble some down your front between your breasts. The liquid will both refresh as well as cool. Realize you are not used to this heat. Until we reach the mountains, there will be no more water. You might wish to rid yourself of your corset as well as the gown beneath the robes.” He then lifted his shoulder in the all-male-shrug of abandon she was getting used to seeing. “Do as you wish.”

Kneeling by the pond, she took his advice. Splashed water everywhere she could reach. Turned her back on the men to dip her legs in the water. Stilwell was right. The water did exactly what he told her it would do. With her back turned, she rid herself of the corset as well as her gown. Folded them then wondered what she should do with the garments.

“You feel better? Did you get another piece of jerky? That’s all we have to eat until we reach home.” The captain sounded apologetic. “I know the food here is not what you are used to. I apologize for that. If circumstances had been different, I…”

“Different circumstances?” she queried.

“Yes, I did intend to take you with me when I visited my home away from home. Would not have given you a choice, given your propensity for making ill-advised decisions. Bringing you along was not my first choice. Would have preferred…” He let out a long slow whoosh of air. “Don’t know what I would have preferred.”

“You would have favored never meeting me. What should I do with these?” She held out the discarded clothing.

“I will put them in my saddlebags.”

“Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say. Thankfully, he had yet to ask for her virginity or her first born.

Poppy sat down then brought out the piece of jerky. Just as with the lack of privacy, she wasn’t getting used to chewing forever. Didn’t want to ask what type of animal the meat came from. She’d heard stories. Thinking of some of the possible sources, she lost what little appetite she possessed.

Her head against the tree, she closed her eyes. Never realized how exhausted she was from the ordeal. Felt as if, given the chance, she could have slept for a week. Dozed. Dreamed of the balls she would be going to, her handsome dance partners…until Captain Stilwell stood in front of her, his name on her dance card.

The nudge to her foot, then another, brought her eyes open. Stilwell crouched in front of her, his face an uninviting mask. “Did I wake you up from some whimsical dreams? Were you dancing in those fancy ballrooms? Were men vying for your attention? Sorry to disturb your dreams. Time to move forward.” He stretched out his hand as if to give aide.

With her fingers held within his, he pulled her to her feet so fast she stumbled, landing against his chest. “Poppy, I realize you are tired. Nothing can be done about your regrettable condition…yet. The sooner we reach more protection the sooner I will be able to breathe with more ease. I wasn’t joking when I told you those men will be after their prize. They will be. The travel will get harder as we move into the rugged mountain terrain. If you need to rest, tell me. I won’t promise we can stop each time. However, I will try to see to your needs whenever they arise.”

Why was he being nice? Even the tenor of his voice changed. “Th…thank you.” To say she was startled by his words didn’t give them justice. As he turned to walk away, she reached out to stop him. Her hand on his arm, he stopped, turning. Waited. Lifted a dark eyebrow to the sky.

“What is it?”

“Thank you for rescuing me.” She still wasn’t about to go further and tell him she’d made a huge blunder along with the fact she should have listened to him. Bloody eyes, to herself she promised him her innocence along with her first born. Now…

“And…?” Again, one of his dark eyebrows shot toward the darkening sky.

“And nothing,” she was quick to say while she stared at the ground. Just wasn’t ready to go further with her words of contrition. “When will we stop again?”

“After we reach the base of the hills. We will take a short layover then move on to the village. It will take all night then another half day of travel. Once we are there, promise you can sleep as long as you want. The food will be better. With the protection of the village, you will have no more worries about Arif or Kaliq finding you.”

 

~ * ~

 

They did stop just as the sun was rising from the desert floor. The spot was beautiful. Foliage grew; trees, shrubs, along with a few flowering plants caught her eye. Above, the sky was clear blue with no clouds in sight. As before, Stilwell helped her from her horse, showed her where to go for privacy, then the spot where he wished for her to wait for his return.

Without saying any more words, his long loose-limbed strides took him into the midst of his men. They gathered around him. She heard the low rumble of his voice. Others who spoke sounded in disagreement. After a bit more they all seemed to agree.

A man sat down beside her. She recognized him from a few times he rode beside them to speak with Stilwell. He gave her a thorough looking over. She didn’t appreciate the appraisal. “I’m Dabir. A friend. What is Qasim to you? Friend or Foe? He seems to be overprotective. Your welfare seems very important. What has him scrambling to make everything right for the little English princess?”

She scooted away from this man, unable to trust. The answers to his questions were none of his business. “Scottish. I don’t need to answer any of your questions. You are nothing to me. Stilwell is nothing to me. Who is Qasim? Am I supposed to know this person?” Deep down she was pretty certain the man must be speaking of Captain Stilwell. Made sense, if this was his second home and he’d been born here he would have an Arabic name. Qasim. Wonder what it means.

“I disagree. I risk my life for you. Qasim is important to me. You do owe me an explanation. It is obvious to anyone with eyes you mean a great deal to Qasim. Why did he go out of his way to rescue you, putting all these men in jeopardy?” The man made a sweeping gesture with his hands. “Why, I ask? You are only a woman.”

Bloody eyes, how was she supposed to understand the working of that man’s brain? “I don’t know why. It’s a puzzle to me, too. Captain Stilwell doesn’t like or respect me. At his best, he tolerates my presence. Thought he would be pleased to see me sold to the highest bidder, auctioned as if I wasn’t a person but a possession.”

Again, Dabir opened up his arms, gesturing all around him as if trying to make his point. “The auctions, women as slaves, eunuchs, it is the way of our people. Cherished women must be protected. Since you defied his suggestions, he should have left you to suffer the consequences. Yet he didn’t. One more time, I ask you why?”

She was trying to go over the possibilities. There was only one reason she could think of. “Ah, if you must realize the truth, he made a promise to my father to look after me, to keep me safe from myself. Seems, in his opinion, I’m my own worst enemy. His timely rescue has nothing to do with me. Evidently, Captain Stilwell is an honorable man. He didn’t wish to break the vow… or either that he couldn’t figure out what to tell my father when he returned to London without me. What do you think?”

“James Macmurra…you are his willful daughter, one who defies common sense. In this country, women who are willful are punished. Perhaps when we reach safety, Qasim will punish you. What would he do?” Dabir was sitting on the ground near her, one leg bent while his arm rested on the top. His attention was focused on a point far in the distance as he seemed to wait for her to answer.

She wasn’t going to give credence to his words. Not willing to acknowledge punishment might well be something Stilwell was thinking of. “I doubt if he would lay a hand on me. Even though he captains a warship, Stilwell is not a man of violence.” As she said the words, Poppy understood them to be true. “But…I don’t doubt he will wish to exact some form of retribution…just not on my person.”

This man would never harm her physically. While he might threaten, rant and rave at her, he would never lay a hand on her. As Dabir pointed out, there were other ways to punish. The notion made her head spin. How?

“You are right about my half-brother. Don’t forget for a creative man, there are other means to punish besides physical abuse. Qasim is…can be inventive.”

Tired of threats, tired of everything, she asked, “What is your point here? I don’t wish to speak with you now or in the future. You say you are his half-brother. That means nothing to me. What is it you expect me to do?” Poppy questioned, finding the conversation beyond what she wanted to understand. This man was his half-brother. Would guess they had the same mother. What would his father, if English, be doing in this part of the world? Stilwell seemed to be keeping a wealth of secrets close to his heart.

“You wield a strong hold over Qasim. I’ve never seen him look at a female as he looks at you. There are several women in the village who he has bedded. That was all they were, a convenience. Seems to me you are more to him than a means to ease his needs. What power do you hold over him?” Dabir questioned again.

“Nothing. As I told you before, he loathes the ground I walk on. If he didn’t vow to return me to London safe and sound, I would be a nonentity to Stilwell. Has never and would never take me to his bed. If he tried, I would not go. Would put up an ungodly racket while protesting. It would be force.”

“What do you see wrong with my brother as a man? Qasim is a handsome devil. Is he not? He is smart. Knows how to make a woman scream with her pleasure. Many women would welcome his bed.”

“Haughty,” she provided. “Arrogant.”

“A woman could never find a better protector as you have just discovered.”

“Commander in chief,” she shot back with a lift to her chin. “I don’t obey…commands unless I see a reason.”

“Which brings us to the reason you were kidnapped. The life you know threatened to be erased by a stupid action. Qasim was willing to take you to the wonderous sites you wished to view. We were all intending to accompany the two of you. He’d asked for additional protection for you. A woman with no patience will find herself in trouble.”

“Imagine so.” She didn’t have a reason for honesty with this man. Wondered at the new information. At first, she believed his willingness to take her had been a ruse. Now…after Dabir’s words…what was she to think? His men had been in Alexandria to keep her protected while she lived out her fantasies. What more could she have wished for? Why the bloody eyes didn’t he tell her?

“What are you doing, Dabir?” Stilwell’s tone reverberated, speaking as if to his possession. Stilwell stood over them, his shadow crossing her face. In Arabic he spoke a few more words. The tone was far from friendly.

Against his sun kissed skin, Dabir’s smile was wide, showing the even whiteness of his teeth. “Getting to know your little filly. What else? If she is going to become part of our family, I should understand the way she thinks. I’m certain your Poppy will prove to be quite the handful. You will run a merry dance keeping up with her antics. Perhaps you will need help containing her. Appears she doesn’t like to remain in the same place for long. Does she have any sisters? I could be interested.”

“You would need to ask Poppy, but I don’t believe so; maybe, I’ve heard a few rumors,” Stilwell’s lips were thinned, his eyes shimmering with a hot blaze, something akin to anger. On some level, he was definitely annoyed with Dabir.

The conversation between the two men seemed to be circling around her. What they said was all about her but didn’t include her. Dabir never turned to her to ask if she had sisters. She did. They were both too young for the likes of this jaded man. Her father would never allow them to live in this secluded place with men who treated their women as possessions.

“Poppy, it’s time to leave. We need more distance between us and them.” Again, he held out his hand to help her to her feet. “Have you had sufficient rest?”

When he lifted her, she let out a groan of pain before stumbling into his arms. “How much farther? You said a day and half?” She eyed the horse with the sensation of agony wafting over her. Under no circumstances did she want to get back on the beast.

“Yes. I’m sorry. Promise after we reach our destination, I’ll let you sleep. Would massage your legs for you.” There was no hint of anything other than seriousness in his voice.

Massage my legs?  “Is this captain Stilwell being polite or…?” she asked, even though the thought of his hands on her legs sent a wealth of heat rising.

“I’m not nice. Don’t forget that fact. Just being practical. If you’re unable to walk, you can’t do the chores that will be assigned to you once we reach the village.”

“Chores?” Her eyes widened with what could only be called alarm. “What am I to become, your slave?”

“His sex slave,” Dabir popped back into the conversation before he snorted a laugh, walking away.

Sex slave? What…?

“Don’t listen to Dabir. He makes fantasies, some of them dirty. Of course, everyone here does an honest day’s work. You are no exception to the rule. Again, don’t listen to Dabir. Have no intention of making you a slave of any kind. I’m English to the core. We don’t enslave our women.”