Free Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey Page B

Christina put the thought from her mind and let the warm water take the smell of him from her body.
     
     
     
     
    Chapter
    T
    HE sun was just clearing the mountains, taking away the sharp chill of the night past, when Philip awoke from a pleasant sleep. He looked to see if his captive still lay beside him. He frowned when he saw Christina lying on the far side of the bed and wearing his robe. He would have to speak to her, for he would allow no clothes between them in bed.
    Remembering his victory of the night before, Philip smiled and played with the loose ends of Christina's braid. He noticed the deep red stain of blood on the sheet and felt the scratches on his back.
    What a woman he had found! She had abandoned herself completely to him last night after admitting defeat. She had matched his own wild passion. Perhaps he should make her his wife to make sure she would never leave him. But she had refused him once, and there was no way he could force her to marry him.
    Getting out of bed, Philip opened the chest that contained his clothes and donned a pair of light-tan trousers and a white, long-sleeved tunic. He left the tent and, seeing Amine by the fire, asked her to bring in the morning meal. Philip checked on his horse, Victory, and on two recently captured horses in the corral. He enjoyed working with horses, and breaking in the new ones would give him something to do besides raiding the passing caravans.
    Philip remembered the incredulous look on the fat old merchant's face during yesterday's raid when he had asked if there were any books in the caravan. Philip had taken only the things he wanted for Christina, and had ordered bis men to take only foodstuffs and other necessities.
    Philip had no need of the riches that could be accumulated by raiding caravans, for he had all the wealth he could ever need in England. His mother left him a very rich estate, and a title as well.
    His half-brother Rashid took everything when he raided, and didn't care very much if anyone died in the process. Rashid was a hard and bitter man. Philip was glad he had not been in camp since his return.
    Giving Victory a last rub on his velvety gray nose, Philip went back to the tent. He found Christina sitting on the couch eating breakfast. She had removed his robe and had on the skirt and blouse she had worn yesterday. As he approached, she shot him a look of hatred that would have frozen any other man.
    "I was hoping that your disposition might have improved after last night, but I can see it hasn't," Philip remarked casually.
    "And I was hoping that you'd have the decency not to mention last night. But you throw it in my face, like the cad you are! I promise I'll never let it happen again!"
    Philip grinned wickedly as he calmly sat down beside her. "Don't make promises you won't be able to keep, Tina."
    Christina swung viciously at his leering face, but he swiftly grabbed her wrist.
    "This is hardly the time for a quarrel, my sweet. I suggest you put your energy to a better use and finish your meal. Afterward, I'll take you to bathe."
    "No, thank you. I bathed last night," she said haughtily.
    Philip's eyes narrowed dangerously. Christina winced when he seized her shoulders and turned her to face him.
    "So that's why you were wearing my robe this morning!" he stormed, shaking her violently. "You little idiot! Do you think we're the only tribe in these hills? There are at least a dozen others, and we share our water and our bathing hole with Yamaid Alhabbal. His tribe doesn't speak English as mine does. Do you know where you'd be this morning, had one of his tribesmen discovered you? You'd be at a slave auction—bringing a healthy price. After Yamaid Alhabbal and all his men had sampled your charms, that is."
    Philip pushed her away and stood before her, his eyes cold and unrelenting. "Never will you leave this camp unescorted again. Do you hear me?"
    "Yes," she whispered meekly.
    Seeing how frightened she looked, Philip calmed down.