Part 7 (1/2)
Instead it shouted rest and relaxation. ”What kind of mattress is that?” she asked.
”A Sealy.”
She groaned with pleasure quite unlike the pleasure shead experienced in his arms. ”My G.o.d, how did you get it up here?”
”What do you care?” He took the collar of her coat and tried to lift it away.
She wrapped her arms more tightly around herself and glared.
He tugged. ”Take off your coat before you lie down.”
”No.”
In an elaborate gesture he removed his hands. ”I was playing the gentleman.”
”That s.h.i.+p has sailed.”
For a moment she thought he was going to laugh. ”You remind me of . . .”
”Of what?”
”Home.” He gave her a push on the shoulder. ”Go to sleep. I have to find out whatas happened with that s.h.i.+pment thatas coming through today.”
She stumbled to the bed, flopped sideways across the mattress, and promptly slid into sleep. . . .
She stood on the edge of the cliff, the blue sky surrounding her. The wind blew hard, tumbling her hair around her face. She tried to back up, to get away, but her feet were too heavy. Then the ground shook. The stones rumbled. The edge gave way. She hurtled toward the ground. . . .
Her own scream brought her back to a wavering consciousness.
Heart pounding, she opened her eyesa”and stared into his. Into Warlordas.
He crouched on the bed, holding her. ”Was it your nightmare? Did you fall?”
”Yes.” She shuddered, and woke completely. ”Yes.”
His arms felt like safety, but that was a deception. For he watched her without expression, and now, without a doubt, he knew her weakness.
He would exploit her weakness.
”Do you want me to stay?” he asked.
”No.” She pushed away, out of his embrace, and closed her eyes, rejecting him.
He could not seduce her with gentle words and comfort. She would not be his compliant bride.
She listened, heard nothing. Furious that he lingered so near, she snapped, ”Get out, d.a.m.n it!”
No one answered.
She opened her eyes.
She was alone.
Chapter Nine.
Karen woke knowing exactly where she was. She knew why she was here. She remembered every last horrific moment of the day before, and most of all, she remembered Warlord.
She heard footsteps. He was in the tent. As he moved closer she carefully freed herself from the blankets and prepared to leap.
And she heard Mingmaas soft voice say, ”Namaste , Miss Sonnet.”
Karenas eyes sprang open. She came out of the bed in a rush. ”Mingma? Youare here? He captured you, too?”
”Miss?” Mingmaas brow knit as she stared in puzzlement. ”What do you mean, capture? He bring me for you.”
Karen thought she must be more disoriented than shead realized, because that didnat make sense. ”Whereas the warlord?”
”Warlord is gone.”
”Gone from camp?” Karen grinned with savage pleasure. ”What time is it?”
”The sun will rise soon.”
”We can get away.”
”No, miss.”
”Donat worry. Iall make the plans.” Karen pushed her hair out of her face. She was good at planning, good at taking advantage of opportunity, and she needed to escape now, first thing, while this warlord guy was out drinking with his buddies and celebrating his new concubine.
Mingma tsked and shook her head as Karen tugged at the pair of menas jeans that sagged around her hipsa”Warlordas jeans. ”That is not attractive. Warlord requested I find you new clothes to wear.” With a smile, she gestured at a blue-green georgette skirt and midriff-baring s.h.i.+rt intricately worked in gold-threaded hand embroidery. ”He says bring only the finest and most beautiful, and I do.”
”Thatas a pretty fancy sweat suit.”
”Sweat suit?” Mingma c.o.c.ked her head at Karenas sarcasm. ”I donat understand asweat suit,a but the color is like your eyes.”
”Great. Just what I always wanted.”
”Will you wash your hands and face before you eat?” Mingma gestured toward the hammered-copper pitcher and bowl.
”G.o.d, yes. Thank you.” Karen splashed the cold water on her face, vanquished the last of the cobwebs, and felt a rise of confidence.
”Will you change before you eat?” Mingma stepped close and tried to tug at Karenas s.h.i.+rt.
”No! Iam not wearing that.”
”You donat like it?” Mingma actually looked hurt.