Kay Clifford - No Time For Love

 

From Back Cover… His views on women were out of date Lorna despised Khalid's type—men who saw women as either mistresses or chattels. he swore she'd !e neither—even for the "reat Khalid al Hashi! himself# But she was ine$trica!ly involved in his life in Kuwait. %he !onds that held her could not !e severed…. %hrust a"ainst her will into the presence of this compellin" man& she found her resistance fadin"—and all hope of happiness as well….

 

$cerpt… ()ou're wasted in the *o!#( Khalid drawled  +nd Lorna Lorna retorted& ( (,, hope y your our ne$t re remark mark isn't "oin" to !e& '-hat '-hat's 's a nice "irl like you doin" in a *o! like this'( (%hat's e$actly what , was "oin" to say#( Khalid continued& (%o !reak the monotony& how a!out a trip to /aris or 0ome for a few days( 1ne look into his deep !lue eyes was sufficient for Lorna to understand the full implication of his invitation. Khalid wanted her& !ut not in the way she had hoped. ()ou disappoint me&( she said& hidin" her an"er. (, e$pected a little more finesse than that. 2y answer is no#( But her heart pounded. he mustn't let him know how deeply she was attracted to him. Khalid wanted a diversion—she wanted marria"e or nothin"#

 

3o %ime For Love  !y 

Kay Clifford

 

CH+/%0 13 ICHARD  P ALFREY   seated himself behind his large, leather-topped desk and gae his R ICHARD patient a reass!ring smile" Lorna #asters $as a bea!tif!l girl despite the fa%t that she  $as no$ reed-thin, and had dark %ir%les beneath her $idel&-spa%e $idel&-spa%ed d iolet e&es that no amo!nt of make-!p %o!ld hide" As he $at%hed her, she t!gged at a lo%k of %orn-%olo!r %orn-%olo!red ed hair and leaned for$ard in her seat, impatientl& $aiting for his diagnosis"

'Don't look so $orried,' he said" '(here's nothing ph&si%all& $rong $ith &o!" )!st a  bad %ase of oer$ork"' oer$ork"' '(hat's impossible"' (he girl's oi%e $as soft and gae no indi%ation of her strong %hara%ter" 'I'e onl& been ba%k at the hospital a month"' 'A month too soon" Yo! sho!ldn't hae gone ba%k &et" Yo! had a seere bo!t of pne!monia and I $arned &o! this might happen if &o! did"' '(he& $ere so short-staffed I %o!ldn't sta& a$a& an& longer"' 'Yo!r first d!t& is to &o!rself"' (he spe%ialist fro$ned" 'Yo! need a m!%h easier *ob for the moment" +o into priate n!rsing for a $hile" I %an refer &o! to seeral of m& patients  $ho'd be delighted delighted to hae &o!"' Lorna made a fa%e" 'I don't fan%& pla&ing n!rsemaid to some ri%h h&po%hondr h&po%hondria%' ia%' 'It isn't onl& the poor $ho are ill,' he pointed o!t" 'I kno$" And I apologise for m& ans$er" It $as sill&"' He shr!gged" 'I'll leae the t&pe of *ob to &o!" !t make s!re it isn't as demanding as  &o!r present one" Yo! kno$ $hat oer$ork did to &o!r father"' Dr Palfre& r!bbed the side of his nose" 'Ho$ is he these da&s' '.ot too bad/%onsidering he's had t$o heart atta%ks" He still sees a fe$ patients at home"' 'Yo! neer tho!ght of follo$ing in his footsteps the $a& &o!r brother did' '.o" I al$a&s $anted to be a n!rse like m& mother"' '0here is Allan no$' he asked" 'In the #iddle East"' Lorna's e&es, fringed b& long %!rling lashes, sparkled for the first time as she spoke of her brother's %areer" 'He's head of g&nae%olog& at a large ne$ hospital" 0orking o!t there he's been able to adan%e far more 1!i%kl& than he $o!ld

 

hae done in England"' '.o do!bt,' Dr Palfre& %ommented a trifle %&ni%all&" 'Let's hope he %an obtain the same sort of position $hen he ret!rns home"' Driing ba%k to the hospital in her se%ond-hand #ini, Lorna kne$ she $o!ld hae to take the spe%ialist's adi%e" 2he sho!ld hae %onales%ed for at least a month longer" !t she loed her $ork too m!%h to en*o& idleness and, after her re%ent promotion, had still  been basking in the glor& of being the &o!ngest sister at 2t #atthe$'s #atthe$'s"" Ho$ irritated #atron $o!ld be $hen she asked for leae of absen%e to take an easier position3 !t to her s!rprise, #atron took it $ell, onl& sho$ing %on%ern for her re%oer&" 'I'd rather lose &o! on a temporar& basis than lose &o! %ompletel&/$hi%h is $hat  $ill happen if &o! &o! don't take a brea break" k" 0hen do &o! $an $antt to leae' 'Dr Palfre& thinks it sho!ld be at on%e"' (hen do as he sa&s"' For the ne4t $eek Lorna %ontin!ed $ith her !s!al ro!tine at the hospital, b!t in her free time she $ent for seeral interie$s" (here $as no shortage of eas&, $ell-paid *obs,  b!t she did not find one she %ared to a%%ept, and it $as Ann Hen Henderson, derson, her flatmate,  $ho n!rsed at a priate %lini% in Harle& 2treet, $ho finall& fo!nd some something thing $hi%h she tho!ght $o!ld be s!itable and telephoned her in great e4%itement at eight o'%lo%k one eening to tell her abo!t it" '5ne of o!r n!rses re%entl& a%%epted a *ob as nann& $ith a fab!lo!sl& ri%h Arab famil& $ho are liing oer here, b!t she's *!st being $heeled off for an emergen%& gall  bladder op" and $on't be able to take it" (he pa&'s marello!s and there are masses of perks, so &o!'d better telephone straight a$a&"' 'I don't fan%& looking after a brood of %hildren,' Lorna ans$ered do!btf!ll&" 'And $h& the r!sh (ell me abo!t it in the morning" I'm going o!t $ith Daid and $e're alread& late"' '(here's no brood of %hildren/onl& a bab&/and if &o! don't %all no$, half the staff here $ill be after it $hen the& find #aggie %an't take it" For goodness' sake at least see them"' Lorna $rote do$n the n!mber she $as to %all, then looked apologeti%all& at the redhair ha ired ed ma man n se seat ated ed op oppo posi site te he herr on the the %o %o!% !%h" h" He ha had d foll follo$ o$ed ed th thee gi gist st of th thee %onersation %onersat ion and he pointed to the telephone" '(he 1!i%ker &o! make the %all, the 1!i%ker $e %an go o!t to dinner"' Lorna gae him a gratef!l smile" Daid (indell $as a pleasant &o!ng man $ith an eas& %harm and a slightl& stiff personalit& that no amo!nt of teasing %o!ld ease" .earl& si4 feet tall, $ith neat feat!res and slate-gre& e&es, he $as attra%tie to most $omen, &et made it obio!s that he had e&es onl& for Lorna" 2he had kno$n him for seeral &ears, for he had trained at the same hospital as her brother, tho!gh it $as not !ntil Allan had a%%epted a *ob in 6!$ait that the& had started dating" it"' 'Phone them,' he repeated" 'If it's as good a *ob as Ann sa&s, &o! $on't $ant to miss

 

 A fe$ moments later the %all $as %omplet %ompleted" ed" Lorna had been !nable to speak to #adam Rashid $ho $as in bed and had left orders not to be dist!rbed, b!t her h!sband had arranged for her to %ome for an interie$ the follo$ing afternoon afternoon"" '.o$ &o!'ll be able to %on%entrate on me for the eening,' Daid smiled, and linked his arm possessiel& thro!gh hers as the& $ent do$nstairs to his %ar" 'I'e booked at the (rattoo,' he %ontin!ed" '(ho!gh &o! look so loel&, I feel I sho!ld take &o! some$here  $here $e %an dan%e" dan%e" At leas leastt then I'd get to hol hold d &o!"' Lorna settled in the seat and smoothed her green silk skirt oer her slim legs" 'Yo! look almost &o!r old self tonight,' he $ent on" 'I think &o!'re finall& p!tting on  $eight"' 2he la!ghed" 'I'm afraid it's onl& this dress" (hat's $h& I $ore it" (he f!ll skirt hides m& bones"' 'Yo!r bones are too good to hide"' 7sed to his flatter&, Lorna made no %omment" Daid $as f!n to be $ith and al$a&s gae her a good time" 7nlike Allan, he had de%ided not to spe%ialise, and $as no$ firml& entren%hed in a fashionable and l!%ratie gro!p pra%ti%e in 6ensington" D!ring dinner he kept her am!sed $ith a flo$ of ane%dotes abo!t his patients and their mainl& imaginar& ailments" '#& list seems to %onsist of middle-aged $ido$s $ith too m!%h mone& and too little to do" A isit from the do%tor $hiles a$a& a pleasant half-ho!r of their da&"' 'Don't &o! find it boring and !nf!lfilling' Lorna asked %riti%all&" '5nl& !ntil I present them $ith m& bill at the end of the month" (hen I find their %he1!e %he 1!ess most satisf&ing"' His grin softened the edge of the mer%enar& %omment" '0e %an't all be saintl& and self-sa%rifi%ing like &o!"' '0hat &o! reall& mean is that &o! think I'm a fool"' '(r!thf!ll&, &es" Yo! %o!ld be $orking in a priate %lini% like Ann for nearl& t$i%e  &o!r present pa&" pa&" After all all,, $hat differen%e do does es it make $hos $hosee life &o!'re sain saing' g' 'It makes a great differen%e to the Health 2eri%e,' Lorna replied" 'It's be%a!se so man& do%tors and n!rses are thinking like you that it's in its present predi%amen predi%ament"' t"' 'lame the +oernment, not the do%tors and n!rses" For &ears the&'e relied on !s to do o!r so-%alled d!t& to o!r patients and to o!r %alling, and be%a!se of it $e'e been gien a rotten deal"' '!t don't &o! think $e do hae a d!t&' '2!re" !t $e also hae a d!t& to o!rseles"' He ran a s1!are-fingered hand thro!gh his $a& hair" 'And that re1!ires me to hae a de%ent life and a s!bstantia s!bstantiall bank balan%e" Like Allan,' he reminded her"  He  'He isn't $orking for the Health 2eri%e"' Lorna bl!shed" 'He $ent to 6!$ait to get the e4perien%e he $ants" He'd hae had to  $ait &ears for it it in England"' 'I'm not kno%king Allan,' Daid pla%ated" 'I think he did the right thing" And so

 

sho!ld &o!" (ake this *ob Ann's fo!nd for &o!, and $allo$ in l!4!r& for a bit"' Lorna helped herself to another petit petit fo!r and tried to disg!ise a &a$n as she nibbled at it" 'Yo!'re tired,' Daid said instantl& as he noti%ed it" 'I'll get the bill"'  A little later, dra$ing !p o!tside her flat, he $ent to take her in his arms" !t before he had time to do so Lorna had opened the door and $as half o!t of it" '0hat a har '0hat hard-h d-hear earted ted $en $en%h %h &o! ar are,' e,' he m!rm m!rm!re !red, d, fol follo$ lo$ing ing her a%ros a%rosss the paement" '0on't &o! let me %ome in for a night%ap' 'I'm terribl& tired,' she e4%!sed herself" 'And terribl& hard-hearte hard-hearted"' d"' 'I'm s!re &o! %o!ld find a soft-hearted girlfriend"' '.o do!bt of it" !t I'm a s!%ker for p!nishment"' lo$ing him a kiss, Lorna ran !p the stone steps to the entran%e of the %onerted  8i%torian mansion" mansion"  As she kne$ it $o!ld be, the flat $as empt&" Ann $as on night d!t&" It $as a good thing had not !p her" atd her she pass pa ssed edshe th the e mi mirr rror orletinDaid he herr %ome bedr bedroo oom" m"$ith If on onl& l& 2he sh shee p!lled %o!l %o!ld d aresp refa%e spon ond to refle%tion him him $i $ith th as mo more re enth!siasm3 !t his kisses left her %old, and she $as s!re he $as a$are of it" Yet he seemed %ontent to go on seeing her" Perhaps he hoped she $o!ld eent!all& oer%ome her inhibitions and s!%%!mb" '#& rel!%tant irgin,' he had on%e *okingl& %alled her after a parti%!larl& energeti% t!ssle, and ho$ tr!e it $as" !t she had al$a&s resisted %as!al affairs, determined that  $hen she did gie herself to a man, it $o!ld be be%a!se she loed him, and as far as she  $as %on%erned, %on%erned, loe mean meantt marriage" (he ne4 ne4tt aft aftern ernoon oon,, d!r d!ring ing her fr free ee per period iod,, Lor Lorna na $en $entt for he herr int inter erie$ ie$ $it $ith h #adam Rashid" 2he took spe%ial %are to ens!re that she did not look too prett&, for her looks loo ks ha had d al$ al$a&s a&s bee been n a ha handi ndi%ap %ap in her %h %hose osen n pro profes fessio sion" n" Her em emplo plo&er &erss $er $eree inariabl& $omen,to and mostthat of them $ere to$ards an&one $ho possessed glamo!r, seeming beliee bea!t& andantagonisti% dedi%ation to one's $ork %o!ld not possibl& go together" 2$eeping ba%k her thi%k blonde hair from her oal fa%e, she %a!ght it in a loose b!n at the nape of her slender ne%k" (hen she $ent to her $ardrobe and s!re&ed her dresses, taking a %o!ple o!t and holding them !p against herself" A na& one $as her final %hoi%e" 2he had bo!ght it in a sale at Hare& .i%hols and immediatel& regretted it,  b!t it $as perfe%t for this o%%asion and s!%%essf!ll& s%reened the a!ra of se4!alit& that al$a&s emanated emanated from her9 tho!gh it %o!ld not 1!ite hide the firm f!llness of her breasts and her small $aist" (here $as little she %o!ld do to disg!ise her fa%e" Her feat!res $ere so $ell %hiselled that een the minim!m amo!nt of make-!p enhan%ed them, and r!ef!ll& a$are of this, she !sed nothing moist!riser" Een so, her $ith nat!ral %olo!ring as gae a glo$ that %a!sed a fe$ maleb!t e&es to look in her dire%tion appre%iation sheher $ent to$ards

 

her %ar" !t she ref!sed to be do$nhearted" 2he $o!ld hae to be *!dged on merit" 2he  $as a good n!rse, n!rse, $ith e4%ellen e4%ellentt referen%es to proe it" 2he $as prompt to time $hen she arried o!tside o!t side the marble portals of the l!4!rio!s  blo%k of flats in Lo$ndes Lo$ndes 21!are in $hi%h the Rashi Rashids ds lied" A !niformed porter ignored ignored her, b!t on learning she $as bo!nd for the pentho!se, !shered her obse1!io!sl& to the lift, $here she $as s$ished !p to the tenth floor in se%onds" (he doors did not slide open !ntil she had gien her name into the ans$erphon ans$erphonee that h!ng on the $all of the lift, and $hen she did step o!t, a !niformed maid $as $aiting to es%ort her thro!gh the fo&er into the main liing-room" (he entire de%or $as %ream and  $hite9 the $alls in nat!ral ra$ silk and the !nits for drinks and %hina b!ilt in and la%1!ered to mat%h" 2eeral !ffet paintings and (opolski lithographs lined the $alls,  $hile sepia tinted mirrors refle%ted the 1!iet-toned elements" (he onl& splashes of %olo!r $ere the e4oti%all&-patterned silk %!shions s%attered oer the t$eed %o!%hes and arm%hairs" (hro!gh (hro!g h the f!l f!ll-l l-leng ength th $indo $indo$s $s she she gli glimps mpsed ed the ter terra ra%e, %e, an and d $a $alk lking ing oe oerr to admire the ie$, $as astonished to find it $as the si:e of an aerage aer age s!b!rban garden" It  $as laid o!t laishl&9 partl& tiled in bl!e, $ith gold %her!bs spo!ting %as%ades of *e$el%lear $ater into lil& ponds, and plants of eer& kind blooming in iid prof!sion from formal beds and elegant stone !rns" '#iss #asters'  A soft oi%e made her spin ro!nd, and Lorna sa$ Dana Rashid $alking to$ards her" 2he $as an attra%tie girl, $ith a %lo!d of fl!ff& dark hair that rea%hed almost to her  $aist" Her fa%e $as small, $ith neat feat!res and h!ge, rather an4io!s deep bro$n e&es" Her hand%lasp $as firm and her smile so $el%oming that Lorna immediatel& felt more rela4ed" #adam Ra #adam Rashi shid d $a $aed ed her into on onee of the %ream %ream arm% arm%hai hairs rs and seate seated d her hersel selff opposi opp osite" te" 'Pe 'Perh rhaps aps &o! $o! $o!ld ld lik likee to e4p e4pla lain in mor moree f!l f!ll& l& ho$ &o! hea heard rd abo abo!t !t th thee position,' she began in fa!ltless English" 'And also tell me something abo!t &o!rself" #& h!sband had hoped to interie$ &o! himself, b!t $as %alled a$a& on b!siness and onl& gae me the briefest message before he left this morning"'  As %on%isel& as she %o!ld, Lorna told her abo!t Ann's phone %all from the priate %lini%, and then prod!%ed her referen%es" '#& h!sband $as highl& re%ommended to #iss Peters,' #adam Rashid said, glan%ing thro!gh them" '!t I'm s!re &o!'ll be a most s!itable repla%ement" (hat is if &o!'ll a%%ept the position' Lorna looked into the dark bro$n e&es and felt a rapport bet$een herself and this %omel& &o!ng $oman" Yet she $as still !n$illing to %ommit herself" 'Yo!'ll find it far less tiring here than at the hospital,' the dark-haired girl $ent on an4io!sl&" 'Amina is a er& good bab&, parti%!larl& parti%!larl& at night" 0o!ld &o! like to see her' Follo$ing Dana Rashid do$n a $ide, mirrored %orridor past a seemingl& endless s!%%ession of doors, Lorna %ame to the n!rser&, and the& silentl& made their $a& oer to the pink organdie %rib $hi%h stood in the %entre of the h!ge room" 2leeping so!ndl&

 

 bet$een hand-embroide hand-embroidered red sheets $as a pl!mp, prett& bab&, $ith a mop of tightl& %!rled bla%k hair" Een asleep, she looked the image of her mother" '2he's onl& fo!r and a half months and alread& %!tting her first tooth,' %ame the pro!d boast" 'Isn't that rather earl&' Lorna nodded her agreement, altho!gh for the life of her she %o!ld not remember if this $as tr!e" Her %hild %are training had been done d!ring the earl& part of her %o!rse and she had not had m!%h to do $ith &o!ng %hildren sin%e" '(he n!rses' room ad*oins this one,' #adam Rashid %ontin!ed in a $hisper, and  be%koned Lorna Lorna to follo$ her int into o a room $hose de% de%or or follo$ed the same l!4!rio!s st& st&le le as the rest of the apartment" 'Do sa& &o!'ll %ome,' the &o!nger girl %ontin!ed" 'I kno$ it so!nds strange, strange, b!t I feel a $armth to$ards &o!/as if I'e kno$n &o! before"' Lorna hesitated, and then nodded" '0o!ld it be all right if I %ame here for a month on a trial basis (hen if either of !s isn't happ&;' '!t $e will will be  be happ& $ith ea%h other" I kno$ it" It $ill be so good to hae someone of m& o$n age $ith me"' #adam Rashid led the $a& ba%k to the liing-room, $here a tea trolle& a$aited them" '#& h!sband is often o!t in the eenings, b!t as I am not allo$ed o!t on m& o$n at night, it gets er& lonel&"' 'Don't &o! hae an& friends here' asked Lorna" 'Yes, b!t the& are all in the same position as m&self" If an&one from home sho!ld see !s o!t !na%%ompanied b& o!r h!sbands ;' 2he smiled as she sa$ Lorna's s!rprise" 'In 6!$ait $e still lie in the past" 0e do not hae the same freedom as &o! 0esterners"' 'I had no idea &o! %ame from 6!$ait,' Lorna e4%laimed $ith delight" 'I $onder if;  b!t no, that $o!ld $o!ld be too m!%h of a %%oin%iden%e"' oin%iden%e"' Dana Rashid looked p!::led" 'I hae a brother $orking there,' Lorna $ent on" 'He's head of g&nae%olog& at the 2a!d Hospital"' (he &o!nger girl's fa%e t!rned pale and the %!p she $as holding dropped from her hand, spilling hot li1!id oer her dress and r!nning do$n on to the $hite %arpet" !t she did not seem to noti%e and stared in%omprehensibl& at Lorna" (hen she p!lled herself together and dabbed at her dress $ith a $isp of la%e handker%hief, at the same time pressing the bell for the maid, $ho h!rried in, sa$ $hat had happened and r!shed o!t to ret!rn $ith a $et %loth and a to$el" 'It $as st!pid of me not to hae realised $ho &o! $ere,' Dana Rashid said h!skil&" 'Allan told me &o! $ere a n!rse" He spoke of &o! man& times" It m!st be the $ill of Allah that has sent &o! here"'  Altho!gh the girl addressed Lorna dire%tl&, she m!rm!red the $ords as if t!rning them oer in her mind" !t before Lorna %o!ld ask $hat she meant a heail& a%%ented male oi%e spoke from the door$a&" 'And $hat is the $ill of Allah toda&' 'Hassan3' Dana Rashid gae a nero!s start and follo$ed this $ith a too bright smile,

 

making a bold b!t not altogether s!%%essf!l effort to appear pleased" 'I didn't e4pe%t &o! home so earl&"'  A slim &o!ng man stepped for$ard into Lorna's ie$" Hassan Rashid $as onl& a fe$ in%hes taller than his $ife, in spite of his eleated %ro%odile shoes" Imma%!latel& attired in a light gre& s!it, he $as m!%h s$arthier than she, $hi%h made him look far more  Arabi%" His handsome, rather bo&ish fa%e sported a small, neatl& trimmed beard and mo!sta%he, belo$ $hi%h his f!ll lips stret%hed into a $ide smile as he $as introd!%ed to Lorna" His small bro$n e&es rested on her $ith obio!s admiration and his hand%lasp lingered longer than $as ne%essar& for politeness before he t!rned ba%k to his $ife" 2peaking rapidl& in Arabi%, he $as obio!sl& 1!estioning her abo!t the spilt tea" !t she ans$ered him in English, thro$ing Lorna an apologeti% glan%e for his r!deness" '(he handle of the %!p %ame off $hile I $as adding the s!gar,' the girl lied" 'I hope it doesn't stain,' he m!ttered %rossl& as the maid dabbed at the %arpet $ith some $ater" 'I told &o! it $as foolish to hae $hite" !t &o! al$a&s think &o! kno$ best"' He t!rned to Lorna" '#& $ife %an be er& st!bborn and I need a great deal of patien%e to deal $ith her"' 'I am s!re #iss #asters isn't interested in hearing abo!t m& fa!lts,' Dana Rashid said gentl&, her %ompos!r %ompos!ree regained" 'If she is to $ork here she $ill learn all abo!t !s soon eno!gh,' he replied, his sharp  bro$n e&es not moing from Lorna's fa%e" 'I hope &o! hae agreed to take #iss Peters' pla%e' Lorna nodded, b!t kne$ that had she met this man first she $o!ld neer hae a%%epted the position" It $as apparent that the Rashids $ere not on the best of terms, and she had no $ish to be%ome inoled in domesti% arg!ments" !t it $o!ld hae looked too obio!s if she ba%ked o!t no$" '0e'e agreed on a trial period,' she told him" '#iss #asters is starting on Frida&,' Dana interposed, and flashed Lorna a desperate look, as if pleading $ith her to agree" 'In that %ase,' the man said to Lorna, his oi%e smooth, 'I hope &o! $ill be happ& here" 0e shall both do o!r best to ens!re that &o! are"' Lorna rose $itho!t repl&ing" Hassan Rashid made her feel !n%omfortable $ith his sl& glan%es" 'I hae to be going, #adam Rashid"' 'I'll $alk $ith &o! to the lift,' the girl replied, %l!t%hing her sodden skirt in her hand" 'I m!st go and %hange an&$a&"'  0ith a polite nod to$ards to$ards #r Ra Rashid, shid, Lorna foll follo$ed o$ed her o!t" '(hanks for not giing me a$a& abo!t the spilt tea,' she $hispered $hen the& $ere alone in the hall" 'I'll e4plain eer&thing to &o! $hen $e meet again"' 2he %lasped Lorna's hands in her o$n" 'I think $e $ill be good friends, no' 'I'm s!re of it,' Lorna replied, and felt a $ae of s&mpath& for this seemingl& !nhapp& !nhapp&

 

girl" 'I'll see &o! on Frida&, then' 'Yo! are s$eet to %ome so soon, b!t m& h!sband doesn't like me to go o!t and leae the bab& $ith the maids and on 2at!rda& $e hae been inited to dinner b& friends $ho are ret!rning to 6!$ait" (he $ife $as an old s%hool friend of mine"' '0ere &o! ed!%ated here Yo!r English is perfe%t"' Dana Rashid a%kno$ledged the praise $ith a smile" 'I $as at s%hool in 2$it:erland, so m& Fren%h and +erman are e1!all& good" 6halid, m& brother, doesn't approe of English boarding s%hools for girls" He sa&s the& either t!rn them o!t to be horse&, or rebellio!s bl!esto%kings"' Considering herself neither, neither, despite a boarding-s% boarding-s%hool hool ed!%ation, Lorna felt a t$inge of dislike for the !nkno$n 6halid, $ith his high-handed ass!mptions" 'I %an't sa& I agree $ith &o!r brother,' she remarked dril&" (he dark girl giggled" '.or do I" !t he has er& de%isie opinions abo!t $omen and likes to pigeonhole them"' (he lift doors opened and Lorna stepped in, keeping a smile on her fa%e !ntil the doors %losed again and she $as alone" 0h& hadn't Dana Rashid told her h!sband that she $as Allan's sister 2!rel& that $as the most nat!ral thing for her to hae done For that matter, $h& hadn't Allan mentioned either of the Rashids in his letters home (he e4planation that %ame to Lorna's mind $as one she did not %are to think abo!t" 2!rel& sensible, dependable Allan $o!ld neer *eopardise his %areer b& haing an affair  $ith a married $oman Parti%!larl& Parti%!larl& in a %o!ntr& $her $heree ad!lter& $as %onsidered a %rime p!nishable b& imprisonment imprisonment and not so long ago death" !t it $as pointless to spe%!late abo!t it" In a fe$ da&s her 1!estions $o!ld be ans$er ans$ered ed b& Dana Rashid"  Altho!gh it $as a r!sh, r!sh, Lorna m managed anaged to moe in to L Lo$ndes o$ndes 21!ar 21!aree b& Frida&, and fort!natel& eno!gh s!blet her part of the flat $itho!t an& dela&" 2he also $ent to see #aggie Peters, the girl $hom she had repla%ed at the Rashids" 2he $as an attra%tie redhead, tho!gh she looked some$hat despondent as she la& in a small $ard on the top floor of the %lini%" ')!st m& rotten l!%k,' she moaned" 'I took ages to find that set-!p" (here are plent& of good *obs going, b!t none $ith as man& perks as this one" Perhaps &o!'ll let me kno$  $hen the *ob's free again' 2he broke off to gie Lorna a %riti%al on%eon%e-oer" oer" '0ith &o!r looks &o! sho!ldn't hae to $ork there for long"' Lorna $as p!::led" 'I'm afraid I don't !nderstand &o!"' 'e ni%e to Hassan Rashid and his friends and &o! soon $ill,' %ame the retort" 'He has 1!ite a rep!tation as a pla&bo&" In fa%t it $as thro!gh an e4-bo&friend of mine that I met him and he offered me the *ob"' 'Is that $h& &o! $ere taking it' Lorna $as staggered" '(o find &o!rself a ri%h  bo&friend' 'A ri%h h!sband preferabl&,' #aggie ans$ered honestl&" 'It's not diffi%!lt, be%a!se most Arabs $omen er& attra%tie" &o!them,' m!st she holdadised" o!t for'And marriage and not go tofind bed0estern $ith them first" (hat's the $a& to!t %at%h een

 

if the& eent!all& take another $ife it doesn't matter" Yo!'ll be left $ith eno!gh mone& to ens!re &o! $on't need to empt& bedpans again3 A $ord of adi%e, tho!gh" 2teer %lear of sleeping $ith Hassan/he %an be er& pers!asie" !t if &o! pla& aro!nd $ith him his friends $ill all kno$ and the&'ll e4pe%t the same perk" (hen &o! %an sa& goodb&e to  $edding bells3' bells3' 'I'e no intention of pla&ing aro!nd $ith an&one,' Lorna said abr!ptl&" (hen $h& did &o! take the *ob 2!rel& Ann e4plained the position' Lorna shook her head" 'I'e been ill and I needed to find something that $asn't too stren!o!s" (here $as no other reason"'  A s$ift glan%e at Lorna's set e4pression made #aggie redden" !t she %arried off her embarrassment er& $ell" 'Hassan $ill be in for a nast& s!rprise $hen he tries his l!%k on &o!,' she giggled defiantl&" 'I'm s!re he thinks I re%ommended &o! be%a!se &o!'e got the same ideas as me"' '(he last thing I $ant is to hae an affair $ith m& emplo&er or to marr& an& of his friends,' Lorna said %oldl&" 'I intend to spend my my Arabian  Arabian nights nights stri%tl& a alone"' lone"' '#ore fool &o!3 Yo!'ll *!st be $asting &o!r opport!nities"' Lorna $as relieed $hen she %o!ld finall& get a$a& from #aggie Peters" 0ith a bit of l!%k that sho!ld be the last time she $o!ld hae an&thing to do $ith her" (he girl's s!ggestions had angered her, as no do!bt Ann had kno$n the& $o!ld" (hat $as $h& she had not told her the $hole tr!th abo!t the *ob" If she had, Lorna $o!ld neer hae gone for the interie$" !t at least Hassan Rashid's oil& familiarit& had been e4plained" He obio!sl& ass!med that an& friend of #aggie's $o!ld also be a friend of his" 2he onl& hoped his $ife had no idea $hat $as in his mind" !t no, if she had, she $o!ld neer hae engaged her"  0hen Daid took her o!t to dinner that eening and she told him $hat had happened, he oi%ed his disapproal o%ifero!sl&" 'Yo! might not be interested in #r Rashid or his friends, b!t that $on't stop them from being interested in &o!" And the& $on't take no for an ans$er,' he added bl!ntl&" 'Yo!'re a bea!tif!l girl, and a temptation for an& man" Yo! sho!ld read some of the letters Allan's sent me from 6!$ait" Fidelit& is almost !nkno$n there, and the $a& the men behae, espe%iall& $hen the&'re abroad, is !nbelieable"' Lorna forbore to ans$er that infidelit& $as hardl& an inention of the Arabs" 2he $as more %on%erned to find o!t if Daid kne$ of an& %onne%tion bet$een her brother and Dana Rashid" !t she had to broa%h it dis%reetl&" 'Allan's $ritten to me too,' she replied" '!t I %an promise &o! I $on't be tempted b& offers of air-%onditioned pala%es in 6!$ait" #o%k (!dor in 0e&bridge is more m& st&le"' 2he spooned bro$n s!gar into her %offee and kept her tone deliberatel& light" 'He keeps 1!iet abo!t his o$n es%apades, tho!gh" For a ba%helor do%tor he seems to lead a er& %elibate life"' Daid thre$ her a sharp look that instantl& told Lorna her brother had %onfided in

 

him" And $h& not 0ho better than his best friend, himself in the medi%al profess profession, ion, so able to appre%iate ho$ important it $as for a do%tor to keep his good name 'Don't $orr& abo!t Allan,' said Daid" 'I %an ass!re &o! he's not liing like a monk"' 6no$ing she $as not going to get the ans$er she $as looking for, Lorna stopped probing" '0ell, I intend to lie like a n!n at the Rashids',' she *oked, 'so &o! needn't $orr& '0ell, I abo!t me" If I %o!ld stand the onsla!ght of st!dent do%tors for si4 &ears, $itho!t losing m& hono!r, I %an ass!re &o! no mara!ding Arabs $ill stand a %han%e"' !t Daid ref!sed to be %onsoled, and she realised from his gen!ine %on%ern that he  $as fonder of her than she had belieed" 5n%e a$are of this, she de%ided it $as better not to see so m!%h of him" If she %o!ld neer loe him it $o!ld be better not to monopolise his time" & %ontin!ing to see him, she $as en%o!raging him to beliee that something more meaningf!l might deelop" e%a!se of this, she hedged $hen he asked to see her again" 'I haen't arranged m& da&s off &et,' she e4%!sed herself" 'Let me kno$ as soon as &o! do" I'm free an& time/for &o!, that is,' he added meaningf!ll&" Lorna tho!ght of this as she prepared for bed" If she did %ontin!e to see Daid, it  $o!ld be eas& to talk herself into belieing she loed him" After all, the& liked the same things and got on $ell together" Almost too $ell" !t there $as no magi%/no spark of fire $hi%h she had al$a&s ass!med $o!ld e4ist bet$een herself and the man she $o!ld marr&"  0as she romanti%i romanti%ising sing to think this $a&, and $o!ld she be $iser to settle for %ompanionship and !nderstanding 2he had rea%hed the age $hen she $o!ld hae to ans$er these 1!estions" !t for the moment she $o!ld p!t them o!t of her mind" First things first9 and the first thing $as her *ob $ith the Rashids/and Allan's possible inolement $ith Dana Rashid"

 

CH+/%0 %-1 'L5R.A , I'd like &o! to meet m& brother 6halid"'  0ith a start, Lorna looked looked !p from feeding the bab& her eening bottle bottle and sa$ a tall fig!re in the shado$ of the n!rser& door$a&" '6halid,' Dana %ontin!ed, 'this is Lorna, m& angel in disg!ise"' 'I'm s!rprised to find she isn't $earing a halo" Yo!r letters hae done nothing b!t sing her praises for the past three months"' 2t!ng b& the sar%asti% tones, Lorna tried to mask her anno&an%e, and hoped she had also masked her s!rprise at finding the man so !nlike his sister" He $as e4%eptionall& tall, and tho!gh his hair $as as thi%k and as sleekl& bla%k as an& Arab sheikh, the e&es that looked do$n to meet her o$n $ere as brilliantl& bl!e as a 8iking $arrior/and %ontained *!st abo!t as m!%h $armth" 6halid al Hashib looked to be in his earl& thirties" He $as $earing an impe%%abl& %!t na& s!it and his $hite shirt emphasised the golden glo$ of his skin" His e&ebro$s $ere as bla%k as his hair, and a firm, straight nose aboe a $ide sens!o!s mo!th diided a fa%e that $as not onl& handsome, b!t f!ll of %hara%ter" (here $as more than a hint of obstina%& in the determined thr!st of his s1!are *a$, b!t it $as the e&es that fas%inated< as, $ell as being pier%ingl& intense, the& $ere an impossible %olo!r for an Arab" Lorna's rea%tion $as not lost on Dana, $ho regarded her $ith barel& %on%ealed am!sement" .or $as it lost on her brother" 'I see Dana didn't tell &o! I am onl& her half-brother and that m& mother $as English It's a tri%k she en*o&ed pla&ing on her s%hool friends $hen she inited them home for the holida&s, b!t I ass!med she had o!tgro$n s!%h %hildishness"' 'I $asn't being %hildish this time,' his sister protested halfheartedl&, and t!rned to Lorna" '6halid's mother $as m& father's first $ife, and $hen the& dior%ed/' '2pare the e4planation till I'e gone,' he interr!pted %oldl&, and stepped for$ard to look at his nie%e $ho $as dro$sil& s!%king at her bottle" '2he looks like &o!, Dana, $hen  &o! $ere her age"' His oi%e $as mellifl!o!s no$, een bea!tif!l, $ith dark elet& tones, and he %h!%kled ind!lgentl& ind!lgentl& as the bab& gae him a $ind&, lopsided smile" 'Ho$ %an &o! possibl& remember' his sister asked" 'Yo! $ere onl& nine"' 'Yo! $ere s!%h a bea!tif!l bab&, ho$ %o!ld I forget' he ans$ered teasingl&, and took a step ba%k$ards to p!t his arm affe%tionatel& aro!nd her sho!lders, as if $ishing to

 

atone for his earlier ill-h!mo!r" '#a& I hold Amina $hen she's finished her s!pper' He addressed the 1!estion to Lorna, his tone %ool again, and e1!all& %ooll& he e&ed her, making no effort to hide the fa%t that he $as not impressed $ith $hat he sa$" For the first time sin%e she had started to $ork for the Rashids, Lorna $ished she had not made her appearan%e so !nattra%tie" !t $arned b& $hat #aggie Peters had said, she had gone f!rther than she had done for her first interie$, seeing it as the one s!re $a& to preent !n$anted adan%es" 2he $ore no make-!p and s%raped her hair !nder a flat n!rse's %ap/the least flattering she %o!ld find" Her fig!re $as hidden beneath a %alf-length star%hed $hite dress $hi%h, for good meas!re, she did not belt, kno$ing gleef!ll& that it made her look sh shap apel eles ess" s" Ye Yett se seei eing ng the the la la%k %k of in inte tere rest st in th thos osee br brig ight ht bl bl!e !e e& e&es es sh shee kn kne$ e$ an !ne4pe%t !ne4 pe%ted ed pang pang"" It $o!l $o!ld d hae gien her pleas!re if this imper imperio!sio!s-look looking ing man had made an adan%e $hi%h she %o!ld reb!ff" Een before meeting him she had disliked the pi%t!re of him $hi%h Dana had painted and, in his presen%e, it $as %onfirmed" .ot onl& $as he domineering, b!t he $as also disdainf!l, and she had the distin%t impression that he $as anno&ed that a stranger had so 1!i%kl& gained the affe%tion of his sister"  Yet inand spite herher antipath& to$ards himmi4ed she fo!nd herself the strength he e4!ded, toof hide %onf!sion at this rea%tion she a$are b!siedofherself $ith the  bab&9 pla%ing the empt& bottle on the n!rser& trolle& and la&ing the %hild oer her sho!lders to pat her ba%k !ntil she b!rped" 5nl& then did she stand !p and hand Amina oer to her !n%le"  At fie feet si4 Lorna $as fairl& tall, b!t she felt almost short as she rea%hed !p to$ards him" His height alone gae a$a& his mi4ed birth, be%a!se in all the months she had been $orking here, no Arab had to$ered aboe her as this man did" He held the bab& firml& in the %rook of his arm, sho$ing none of the a$k$ardness that Amina's o$n father displa&ed" '2he's hea '2he's heaie ierr tha than n she she loo looks ks,' ,' he %o %omm mment ented ed aft after er a fe$ mi min!t n!tes es of ind ind!lg !lgent ent admiration" '0eani '0ea ning ng he herr ea earl rl& & ha hasn sn't 't do done ne he herr an an& & ha harm rm,' ,' Da Dana na repl replie ied" d" '# '#ot othe herr kept kept telephoning me $ith all sorts of old-fashioned notions abo!t the foll& of p!tting her on the bottle so earl&, and if it hadn't been for Lorna, I'd still be breast-feeding" breast-feeding"'' 'From &o!r letters to me, I gather &o!r nann& thinks most of o!r $a&s old-fashioned"' He looked at Lorna, a hint of $arning in his e&es" 'Yo! $o!ld be $ise to remember that  0estern ideas are not appli%able to o!r $omen" (o pers!ade m& sister other$is other$isee is dangero!s"' 'I'e neer tried to infl!en%e &o!r sister, #r al Hashib,' Lorna replied stiffl&" 'I *!st gie m& opinion $hen it's asked for" eing a 0esterner doesn't %ome into it" As far as I'm %on%erned, as members of the same se4 $e pres!mabl& hae the same feelings"' '5n the %ontrar&" A different %!lt!re leads to different feelings/regardless of &o!r se4 being the same"' His mo!th $as tight $ith anger, making it %lear that he did not like to hae his beliefs 1!estioned" 'earing that in mind, it $o!ld be better if &o! kept &o!r

 

opinions to &o!rself"' '6halid3' Dana $as %learl& sho%ked b& her brother's bl!ntness, bl!ntness, and as if he realised it, he gae her a half-smile" 'I think it's best for me to sa& $hat I feel"' His oi%e $as gentle this time" '.o do!bt  &o!r n!rse, like like most Englis English$omen h$omen of her %%lass, lass, prefers prefers to hae the tr tr!th"' !th"' 'I'm a great belieer in the tr!th,' Lorna said $itho!t e4pression" '2o perhaps &o! $ill forgie me if I do not agree $ith the %omment &o! made a moment ago" .o matter ho$ different the %!lt!res, $omen share a %ommon bond in their feeling %apa%it&, and men share a %ommon bond in their la%k of !nderstanding of $omen"' (here $as a short silen%e before 6halid al Hashib spoke again" '(hose are fighting $ords"' 'I don't $ish to fight $ith &o!/sir"' 'I'm glad to hear it" I'e neer lost a battle &et"' (he look he gae her $as %old and hard before he t!rned to his sister" 'I'll hae a bath and a %hange of %lothes,' he said abr!ptl&, and handed his nie%e ba%k to Lorna" His long bro$n fingers lightl& br!shed her arm, and she $as anno&ed that she %o!ld not s!ppress the tingle of e4%itement his to!%h aro!sed" e%a!se of this she remained  bent oer the %ot !ntil !ntil he and Dana had left tthe he room" 5nl& th then en did she tid& the n!rs n!rser& er& and go into her bedroom" 7ns!re of the arrangements for this eening, Lorna did not %hange immediatel&" .ormall& she dined $ith Dana/!nless there $ere g!ests/for Hassan $as rarel& home for dinner" !t 6halid's arrial might %hange things, for he gae the impression that he sa$ her as a s!bordinate/and one $ith $hom one did not partake salt" He $o!ld hae liked her een less had he kno$n of his sister's relationship $ith Allan"  As al$a&s $hen she tho!ght of her brother and Dana, Lorna kne$ a deep sense of dis1!iet" Dana had told her the tr!th abo!t their relationship $ithin a $eek of her %oming to the flat, and tho!gh it had sered to bring the t$o of them %loser together, it had also added to Lorna's fears" Dana had met Allan some time after her marriage to Hassan, $ho $as her %o!sin" (hei (h eirr be betr trot otha hall ha had d be been en ar arra rang nged ed be bet$ t$ee een n th thee t$ t$o o famil familie iess $h $hen en th the& e& $e $ere re s%hool%hildren" s%hool%h ildren" It $as a marriage Dana had not $anted and she had pleaded $ith 6halid to allo$ her the freedom of %hoi%e that a 0estern ed!%ation had ta!ght her to see as her right" !t he had ref!sed" Her 0esternisation $as e4pe%ted to %ome to a halt after the %ompletion of her ed!%ation, and she $as ordered to %ompl& $ith the $ishes of her famil& in the traditional manner"  As head of the ho!sehold sin%e the death of their father in a plane %rash, 6halid's  $ord $as la$, and to hae disobe&ed him $o!ld hae made Dana a so%ial o!t%ast" As m!%h as he loed his sister, 6halid $as not prepared to disregard his father's $ishes, and it $o!ld hae taken a stronger-$illed girl than the eighteen-&ear-old Dana to hae defied him" esides, she had no mone& of her o$n and $as onl& ed!%ated to spend it, not earn an&"

 

 At least Hassan $as &o!ng, single and good-looking, $hereas man& of her friends  $ere for%ed into marriages $ith m!%h older men $ho sometimes had other $ies" (herefore she had a%%epted the ineitable and had determined to make the best of things" Arranged marriages marriages had been a $a& of life for her people for %ent!ries, and it had  $orked o!t 1!ite happil& for others, in%l!ding her o$n parents, so perhaps it $o!ld for her" 7nfort!natel& Hassan$ealth& made no tofamil& make the marriage $ork, and regarded his entr& into the fab!lo!sl& al effort Hashib as li%en%e to ind!lge himself $itho!t finan%ial restraint" He sa$ Dana's role as that of the a%1!ies%ent mother of his %hildren,  $hile he himself himself %ontin!ed hi hiss role as a pla&bo&" pla&bo&" '.at!rall& I $as a irgin $hen $e married,' Dana had e4plained some$hat sh&l& to Lorna" '!t I kne$ the fa%ts of life, $hi%h is more than I %an sa& for man& of m& friends" I kne$ that se4 sho!ld be en*o&able for me as $ell as for him" !t he ref!sed to see m& point of ie$" He had the same anti1!ated ideas as most of o!r men/that a $ife is a man's most pre%io!s possession, and therefore to make loe to her, as opposed to making her pregnant, $o!ld dishono!r her"' 'Dishono!r her' Lorna had 1!estioned" 'Yes" 5!r men beliee the& sho!ld onl& take pleas!re from their $ies/not gie it" (hat is $h& a lot of them hae 0estern $omen" .ot to marr&, of %o!rse, p!rel& for en*o&ment"' '5f %o!rse,' Lorna had said dr&l&, restraining her abhorren%e of s!%h anti1!ated thinking" '0hen I $as married for a &ear I begged m& brother to let me get a dior%e,' Dana %ontin!ed" '!t he $o!ldn't hear of it" He said it $as m& d!t& to a%%ept $hateer m& h!sband did" He told me to hae a %hild and said it $o!ld o%%!p& me and perhaps bring Hassan to heel, espe%iall& espe%iall& if I gae him a son"' In th thee e een entt it ha had d no nott $o $ork rked ed"" Da Dana na ha had d ha had d a mis% mis%ar arri riag agee an and d Ha Hass ssan an ha had d %o %onti ntin!e n!ed d on his mer merr& r& $a $a&" &" In%re In%reasi asingl ngl& & !nh !nhapp app&, &, Dan Dana a obt obtain ained ed he herr h!s h!sban band's d's permission permissio n to do ol!ntar& $ork in the $omen's $ards at the 2a!d hospital" It $as there that she had met Allan" !t the friendship did not deepen !ntil si4 months later, b&  $hi%h time she she $as alread alread& & pregnant again again"" 2he pleaded $ith Allan to leae 6!$ait $ith her after the bab& $as born, and had  been prepared to relin1!ish her maternal rights if he $o!ld agree" !t Allan had kno$n that on%e Dana held her %hild in her arms she $o!ld not $ish to abandon it, and he had  been proed right" Realising Hassan $o!ld neer let her take Amina a$a& $ith her, she and Allan had agreed to stop seeing ea%h other, and the& had both been relieed $hen 6halid said he $anted Hassan to lie in London and manage the famil&'s b!siness interests there" 'I *!mped at the %han%e,' Dana had told Lorna, 'be%a!se I kne$ I $o!ld neer forget  Allan if $e $ere liing in the same %it&" I belieed that if $e $ere tho!sands of miles apart I $o!ld stop $anting him, b!t I miss him more than eer"'

 

Lorna had so!ght for $ords of %omfort, b!t the& all seemed too banal for her to !tter, and she had satisfied herself $ith tr&ing to look as s&mpatheti% as she %o!ld" Yet $ith all honest& she $as glad Dana $as no$ liing in England" For Allan to hae an affair $ith a married 6!$aiti $oman $o!ld spell disaster for him" 'Do &o! think it $rong of me to loe &o!r brother' Dana had asked !ne4pe%tedl&" !ne4pe%tedl&" '.ot $rong,' Lorna had said 1!i%kl&" '!t !n$ise" .o one %an help falling in loe" !t  &o! sho!ld make make eer& effort to fo forget rget him"' 'I %an't3 7ntil Allan %ame into m& life I neer !nderstood $hat it $as to loe a man  $ith all m& heart, and no$ $e hae to spend the rest of o!r lies apart" & the time  Amina is gro$n gro$n !p and I feel free tto o leae her, All Allan an $ill hae fo!nd someone else"' Lorna had not replied" (o her $a& of thinking it $as not onl& Dana's loe for her da!ghter $hi%h made marriage to Allan impossible, b!t the fa%t that he $as a do%tor and head of the +&nae%olog& Department of the hospital $hen he had met Dana" 2!%h a fa%t/een tho!gh he had not been her o$n personal do%tor/$as eno!gh to dis%redit him in the e&es of the ritish #edi%al Asso%iation" 2he kne$ Dana $o!ld not see things this $a& and $ondered if fate had bro!ght her into the girl's life in order to make s!re thatt she tha she %on %ontin tin!ed !ed to kee keep p o!t of All Allan' an's/ s/at at lea least st !nt !ntil il he $a $ass safel safel& & ma marr rried ied to someone else" .o$ that she had met 6halid, Lorna $as een more afraid for her brother" 0ere 6halid to s!spe%t ho$ his sister felt, he $o!ld hae no %omp!n%tion in destro&ing Allan" It $as in%redible to think that 6halid, a man of obio!s ed!%ation/he had grad!ated  $ith hono!rs from 54ford/% 54ford/%o!ld o!ld so adhere to the past and !phold old-fashioned and harsh traditions" 2in%e taking oer the famil& b!siness on his father's death, he had b!ilt it into a m!l m!lti-na ti-nation tional al %ombin %ombine" e" In that that respe%t at least, he lied er& m!%h in the present" Lorna $ondered if he applied the same anti1!ated standards to himself and $o!ld maintain an !nhapp& marriage *!st be%a!se it $as the %!stom" 2he kne$ he $as still single and she pitied the $ife he $o!ld eent!all& %hoose" 2he $o!ld hae to be s!bserient and !nthinking, prepared to regard him as her master, and to s!b*!gate herself to his eer& desire" .o do!bt she $o!ld also be kept in p!rdah behind the $alls of his air-%onditioned harem3 It $as eas& to pi%t!re him in the role of an Eastern potentate, and she $ondered abo!t his mother, $hose infl!en%e on him had eidentl& been nil" '.ot %hanged &et' Dana's lilting oi%e interr!pted Lorna's reerie" 'Dinner is in half an ho!r and I $ant &o! to hae a drink $ith !s first and get a%1!ainted $ith 6halid  before Hassan %omes ba%k" 5n%e the t$o men get together the&'ll dis%!ss b!siness for the rest of the eening"' Lorna $as %ertain 6halid had no desire to get a%1!ainted $ith her, her, b!t  b!t did not oi%e this opinion to Dana" 'I $asn't s!re if &o! $o!ld $ant me to dine $ith &o!,' she said" '5f %o!rse I do, tho!gh I $ish &o! $o!ldn't make &o!rself look so fr!mpish" 0hen  &o! %ame here the the first time &o! llooked ooked m!%h bet better"' ter"'

 

'I'm here as Amina's n!rse, and I sho!ld dress a%%ordingl&"' Dana looked as if she $ere going to disagree, then she tho!ght better of it" 'At least p!t on a bit of make-!p" Amina's fast asleep and she'll neer kno$3' It $as a temptation for Lorna to do as she $as told, b!t she resisted it and merel& took off her %ap" Dana looked shedeentered the ent, lo!nge a short $hile still dr dres esse sed d in he herr disappointed !n !nifo iform rm"" ! !tt $hen sh shee ma made no %o %omm mmen t, on onl& l& ra rais isin ing g on oneelater, e& e&eb ebro ro$ $ 1!i::i%all&" 6halid, $ho had been seated in an arm%hair sipping a $hisk&, stood !p politel& as she entered and gae her a faint smile" He appeared to be more rela4ed, and had %hanged into another dark s!it of the same impe%%able %!t" !t his shirt $as light bl!e and emphasised the %olo!r of his e&es" Her traitoro!s p!lse 1!i%kened as he %a!ght her ga:e and held it, and she $as relieed to seat herself ne4t to Dana and aert her e&es,  $hile he b!sied himself himself at the ba barr after en1!iri en1!iring ng $hat she $o!l $o!ld d like to drink" 'Dana told me &o!r brother $orks at the 2a!d hospital,' he said, handing her a dr& #artini" His remark $as so !ne4pe%ted that she had to fight to %ontrol the trembling of her hand" 0hat on earth had possessed Dana to tell her brother abo!t Allan !t then she realised she $as being foolish" .o one in Dana's famil& kne$ that the girl loed Allan, and to hae hidden Lorna's relationship $ith him $o!ld hae looked s!spi%io!s" 'Yes,' she ans$ered as %as!all& as she %o!ld" 'Allan's been there for a %o!ple of &ears" I gather from his letters that he's er& happ&, altho!gh he finds the %limate !npleasant"' 'Don't $e all3 (hat's $h& those of !s $ho %an spend their s!mmers abroad" (here's a mass e4od!s in April that ni%el& %oin%ides $ith the rise in ho!se and flat pri%es in London and the Home Co!nties"' Lorna %o!ld not s!ppress a smile at his remark" 'Are the $inters m!%h better Allan sa&s the nights are %old and the da&s $ind&"' 'At least the&'re predi%table/!nlike &o!r $inters here/or &o!r s!mmers, for that matter"' He ret!rned to his %hair, $alking $ith an eas& gra%e that made her $onder $hat he  $o!ld look like in Arab robes" 'Hae &o! neer tho!ght of going to isit &o!r brother, #iss #asters I'm s!re &o! $o!ld find o!r %o!ntr& most interesting"' 'I'm s!re I $o!ld,' Lorna agreed" 'I had intended going this &ear, b!t I $asn't $ell, and I had to %an%el it"' 'Ah &es,' he m!rm!red" 'Dana mentioned it in one of her letters" Are &o! in good health no$ If &o!'re looking after a bab&;"' 'I'm 'I'm per perfe% fe%tl tl& & al alll rig right ht no$ no$,' ,' Lor Lorna na int interp erpos osed ed h!r h!rrie riedl& dl&,, $on $onder dering ing if he $er $eree looking for a $a& to get rid of her" '0orking for &o!r sister is like a holida& %ompared  $ith m& *ob at the the hospital"' '0hen do &o! intend ret!rning' he asked"

 

'I'e managed to pers!ade Lorna to sta& on for another %o!ple of months,' Dana %!t in" '!t please don't talk abo!t her leaing me" I/' '0ho's leaing &o!, m& pet' (he oil& smooth oi%e of Dana's h!sband %ame floating a%ross the room as he fl!ng his brief%ase do$n on a %hair and %ame for$ard to pe%k her on the %heek before greeting his brother-in-l brother-in-la$" a$" '0e $ere talking abo!t Lorna,' his $ife replied" Hassan's dark fa%e %lo!ded" 'I hae alread& offered her more mone& to sta& $ith !s for a &ear" 0hat else %an I do' '#& $ishing to leae has nothing to do $ith mone&,' Lorna $as 1!i%k to point o!t" '!t I'm a hospital n!rse and I $ant to get ba%k to that kind of $ork" In an& %ase, &o! pa& me more than eno!gh alread&"' '(hen perhaps &o!r fondness for m& $ife $ill pers!ade &o! to sta&"' Lorna did not repl&" 2he had alread& had this %onersation $ith Hassan and kne$ it  $as !seless to go on arg!ing" He $as a spoiled man $ho $as too !sed to haing his o$n  $a&" 2in%e he had learned she intended to leae, he had bombarded her $ith ind!%ements to make her %hange her mind/not so m!%h for Dana's sake, b!t for his o$n" It s!ited him to hae her here be%a!se Dana had been m!%h easier to lie $ith sin%e her arrial, and their 1!arrelling had almost %eased" Indifferen%e had taken its pla%e, and Dana no longer ob*e%ted $hen he spent his nights at the %asinos or $ith  $omen" 0ith Lorna Lorna as a %ompanion, her ho!rs $ $ere ere al$a&s $hil $hiled ed a$a& pleasantl&, and she $as no longer lonel&" 'I don't !nderstand $h& &o! prefer to slae in a hospital $hen &o! %an remain here,' Hassan %ommented into the silen%e" '5r do &o! find the la%k of male %ompan& irksome'  Aoiding Hassan's e&es, Lorna t!rned her head and sa$ 6halid's bl!e ones" (he& held am!sement and she kne$ he $as $ondering ho$ an& man $o!ld $ant to $aste time in the %ompan& of s!%h a do$d&-looking girl" 2he moed in her %hair and her star%hed dress, a si:e too big, r!stled forbiddingl&" '.either men nor mone& has an&thing to do $ith Lorna's de%ision"' Dana glan%ed reproingl& at her h!sband before looking at her brother" 'Lorna doesn't find looking after Amina s!ffi%ientl& o%%!p&ing"' '(hen &o! sho!ld gie her some more %hildren to look after,' said 6halid" 'Haing %hildren and taking %are of them is a nat!ral o%%!pation for all $omen"' 'It's not the onl& role for !s to pla&,' Lorna interened %oldl&" '5!r genes hae made !s %hild-bearers, b!t $e don't hae to deote o!r entire lies to it" 0e aren't all born to  be earth-mothers, earth-mothers, &o! kno$" kno$"'' 'It is a $oman's main f!n%tion"'  0ith an effort, Lorna held on to her temper" 'It $o!ld be a $aste of m& training if I  $ere to gie !p $ork $ork %ompletel %ompletel& & $hen I hae %hil %hildren"' dren"' '0ill &o! allo$ someone else to bring them !p and abdi%ate &o!r responsibilities' 6halid en1!ired" 'I am not s!rprised the 0estern $orld is f!ll of *!enile delin1!ents"  0e beliee a $oman's pla%e is in the home and no one en%o!rages her to feel g!ilt& for

 

 $ishing to remain there" 0estern so%iet& has made the female go against her nat!ral instin%ts and for%ed her to feel inferior sho!ld she $ish to pla& a p!rel& domesti% role"' He gae a %ondes%ending smile" 'In fa%t, it is the one role that s!its her best"' Lorna longed to slap him" It $as in%redible that an ed!%ated man sho!ld think in this  $a&, and een tho!gh there $as an element of tr!th in $hat he said, his insisten%e that eer&one sho!ld feel the same destro&ed the for%e of his arg!ment" 'Een $omen $ho en*o& domesti%it& often $ant to pla& another role too,' she said" 'Feminine intelle%t is no different from that of the male"' Lorna %a!ght Dana's e&e and dete%ted both %a!tion and admiration" 'Altho!gh &o! think $e're %o$-like %reat!res $ith no minds of their o$n,' she %ontin!ed, 'I/' 'I kno$ kno$ $hat you think,' 6halid %!t in" '!t sin%e $e'e *!st met, aren't &o! being pres!mpt!o!s in ass!ming &o! kno$ $hat I  $hat I  think'  think' 'It isn't hard to g!ess $hat's in &o!r mind,' his sister interpolated" 'Yo! make it er& %lear the $a& &o! regard $omen" !t I s!ggest $e %hange the s!b*e%t and go in for dinner"' Considering the eening's ina!spi%io!s beginning, the meal passed off $ell" Lorna  $as seated opposite 6halid and often %a!ght him staring tho!ghtf!ll& at her, as if tr&ing to s!m her !p, and no do!bt pigeonhole her too" He had the dis%on%erting habit of not aerting his ga:e $hen it met her o$n, and she $as al$a&s the first to t!rn a$a&" In spite of her antipath& to$ards him she fo!nd him an interesting ra%onte!r, and %o!ld not help *oining in the la!ghter that his tales prooked" He gossiped am!singl& abo!t friends and famil&, and told ane%dotes abo!t his holida&s, mentioning the names of the people $ho had a%%ompanied him" #ost of them $ere also kno$n to Dana and Hassan and appeared to be mainl&  0estern b!siness friends" If he had had a girl-friend $ith him, he did not mention her" Perhaps in 6!$aiti so%iet& it $as not %onsidered 'good form' to dis%!ss one's affairs in front of other females"  As a maid %leared a$a& their %offee %!ps and pla%ed a bottle of %ogna% and t$o  brand& balloons balloons on the gla glass-topped ss-topped tabl table, e, Dana rose and ssignalled ignalled Lorn Lorna a to follo$ her" 'I'm s!re the men are d&ing to talk b!siness,' she said" .either of them bothered to den& it, and as Hassan rea%hed for the bottle, 6halid stood !p and opened the door for them" Lorna met his ga:e and he made no effort to hide his am!sement" 'Aren't &o! !sed to haing the door opened for &o!, in &o!r liberated so%iet&, .!rse' .!rse'  0ith a shake of her head she dis%laimed the 1!estion, b!t ans$ered it $ith another of her o$n" 'I didn't think Arab men obsered the ni%eties of %hialr&, sir. sir.'' '0e are ta!ght to prote%t o!r $omen,' he replied" 'As se%ond %lass %iti:ens I'm s!re the& need it"' (he momentar& narro$ing of his e&es $as his onl& %on%ession to anger, b!t he $as

 

1!i%k to hide it and made no %omment, merel& giing her a smile that dis%losed perfe%tl& formed $hite teeth" It $as almost as if he $ere telling her that he kne$ he $as irresistible irresistib le and $o!ld eent!all& $in her oer" Lorna $alked slo$l& do$n the %orridor, a$are of his e&es b!rning into her ba%k" 2he resisted the !rge to r!n and it $as $ith a feeling of relief that she heard the dining-room door sh!t behind her" 2he alread& regretted haing been so frank $ith him" It had been tantamo!nt to r!deness, and as he $as the brother of her emplo&er, she sho!ld hae held her tong!e"  Yet $hen she said said as m!%h to Da Dana, na, the girl disagr disagreed" eed" 'It $ill do 6halid good to hae a $oman gie him an arg!ment" Een tho!gh he spends so m!%h of his time in the 0est, he isn't !sed to someone like &o!" (he $ies of his b!siness friends are %aref!l not to disagree $ith him, and his girlfriends treat him as if he's a god"' Lorna's e4pression e4pression spoke ol!mes and Dana giggled" 'His latest girl-friend is *!st like all the rest/high in bea!t& and lo$ in brains"' 'Doesn't he find them boring' asked Lorna" '.ot if the&'re good in bed" He gets his mental stim!l!s from his men friends"' 'Ho$ long has his present affair lasted' 'Almost a &ear/$hi%h is something of a re%ord"' re %ord"' 'Do &o! think he'll marr& her' '6halid $o!ld neer marr& a 0esterner,' said Dana, and then looked embarrassed" 'I'm sorr&, Lorna" I/' 'Yo! haen't offended me,' Lorna smiled" '0hat &o! mean is that &o!r brother thinks  0estern $omen $omen are s!itab s!itable le for bedding, not $ $edding"' edding"' Dana nodded" '6halid $ill appl& the same r!les to himself as he applied to me"' Her  oi%e lo$ered" lo$ered" 'I onl& hope he $il $illl be happier"' 'I %an't see him allo$ing a $oman to make him !nhapp&" He's too f!ll of his o$n importan%e to allo$ an&one else to be important to him"' Dana %h!%kled" 'I %an see you you $eren't  $eren't bo$led oer b& him3 !t I %an ass!re &o! that  $hen &o! get to kno$ kno$ him better & &o! o! $ill like him"' him"' Lorna do!bted this, b!t did not sa& so" '0h& didn't &o! tell me he $as onl& &o!r half brother' she she asked" 'e%a!se I neer think of him that $a&" He is so m!%h like o!r father that I sometimes feel as if Father is liing again thro!gh 6halid"' '!t &o!r brother is half English"' 'It is a half he prefers to forget"' Dana ki%ked off her high-heeled sandals and %!rled her feet !nder the soft t$eed %!shion on the settee" In a s%arlet kaftan that emphasised her gloss& bla%k hair she presented s!%h a loel& and e4oti% pi%t!re that Lorna %o!ld !nderstand $h& Allan had

 

fo!nd her so desirable" !t thank heaens he had managed not to lose %ontrol of himself" 2he s$it%hed her tho!ghts ba%k to 6halid" 'Considering his mother $as English, I'm s!rprised he's so adamant abo!t not marr&ing a 0esterner"' 'Yo! $o!ldn't think so if &o! kne$ the $hole stor&"' Lorna $ished she it" %o!ld, b!t ref!sed to admit it, and she $as delighted $hen Dana pro%eeded to re%o!nt 6halid's father A%hmed had been st!d&ing la$ at 54ford $hen he had met and married the girl $ho had be%ome his first $ife" (o begin $ith the marriage had been happ&" 6halid $as born in England, b!t $hen he $as a &ear old, A%hmed had been ordered to ret!rn to 6!$ait b& his o$n father, $hose health $as failing" It $as then that the tro!ble began" '6halid's mother ref!sed to leae England,' England,' Dana said, 'and for the ne4t fe$ &ears o!r fath father er %o %omm mm!t !ted ed"" ! !tt of %o %o!r !rse se he $a $ass e er& r& !n !nha happ pp& & an and d een eent! t!al all& l& his his fami famil& l& pers!a per s!aded ded hi him m to ta take ke an anoth other er $if $ife/ e/the the %o %o!si !sin n to $h $hom om he ha had d ori original ginall& l& bee been n  betrothed" (he& $ere married a%%ording to #oslem la$, $hi%h as &o! kno$ permits a man to hae more than one $ife"' 'Did 6halid's mother a%%ept that' Dana shook her head" 'It %a!sed the final rift" 2he 1!arrelled bitterl& $ith o!r father and ref!sed to hae an&thing more to do $ith him" & this time she $as r!nning a er& s!%%essf!l de%orating b!siness and that be%ame her onl& loe"' '0hat happened to 6halid' asked Lorna" '2he sent him to 6!$ait" 2he had no time for him and $o!ldn't een hae him to sta&  $ith her for the holida&s" holida&s" (hat's $ $h& h& he has a hang-!p abo!t 0estern %areer $ome $omen"' n"' 'His mother %ertainl& so!nds a horror,' Lorna agreed" '!t he sho!ldn't *!dge all of !s b& the same &ardsti%k"' 'Yo! sho!ld tell him that3 (hen sit ba%k and $ait for the e4plosion"' Lorna %o!ld $ell imagine it" '0here's his mother no$' 'In .e$ York" 6halid neer sees her, b!t I'e kept !p $ith her %areer thro!gh the de%orator maga:ines" 2he's top in her field, so she's often 1!oted and photographed"' Dana stared tho!ghtf!ll& at Lorna" 'Don't *!dge m& brother too harshl&" At heart he is good and kind"' '& his o$n standards, perhaps"' '(he& are the standards of o!r ra%e" (hat is something &o! sho!ld tr& to !nderstan !nderstand"' d"' 'Do &o! !nderstand them' Lorna asked" 'If &o! $ere a 0esterner &o! $o!ldn't be for%ed to remain $ith a man &o! don't loe" Yo! $o!ldn't hae had to marr& him in the first pla%e"' 2he bit ba%k the rest of $hat she $anted to sa&, kno$ing she dared not en%o!rage Dana to rebel" If she did, it might rebo!nd on Allan"

 

 Almost as if she g!essed $hat Lorna $as thinking, Dana's e&es filled $ith tears" '.o matt ma tter er $h $hat at diff differ eren en%e %ess ther theree ar aree bet$ bet$ee een n on onee ra ra%e %e an and d ano anoth ther er,, th the& e& be be%o %ome me !nimportant $hen loe steps in" 7ntil I met &o!r brother I had for%ed m&self to a%%ept 6halid's $ishes for me to remain $ith Hassan" !t on%e I kne$ the meaning of tr!e loe I $o!ld hae gien !p eer&thing for Allan/eer&thing e4%ept m& bab&" Yet sometimes the tho!ght of liing like this for the rest of m& life is more than I %an bear" If onl& 6halid $o!ld agree to help me I know he %o!ld pers!ade Hassan to dior%e me and let me keep Amina"' '!t he $on't help &o!,' Lorna stated flatl&" 'He's made that 1!ite %lear"' Dana gae a deep sigh" '6halid doesn't beliee in loe" 7ntil he kno$s for himself ho$ it %an tear at the heart" 'I do!bt if he eer $ill,' Lorna replied, and then deliberatel& %hanged the s!b*e%t, so that b& the time the t$o men %ame into the room the& $ere %omposedl& talking abo!t %lothes" !t as she la& in bed later that night, Lorna's tho!ghts again t!rned to 6halid and his %o!ntr&" 0ith all the $ealth 6!$ait had, it seemed reasonable to s!ppose that as it deeloped te%hni%all& it $o!ld also deelop intelle%t!all&, and $o!ld allo$ its $omen the same progress" !t this might take another t$ent& &ears, and girls like Dana and probabl& Amina too, $o!ld hae to %ontent themseles $ith a restri%ted e4isten%e" (he&  $o!ld be %osseted like dolls and treated as if the& had the same sense" 2he tho!ght of the life Dana had to lead and felt a great deal of s&mpath& for 6halid's ritish mother  $ho, had she gone to lie in her h!sband's %o!ntr&, $o!ld neer hae been allo$ed to dine in a p!bli% pla%e or be seen in mi4ed %ompan&" Lorna tried to enisage $hat her o$n life $o!ld hae been like had she been born a 6!$aiti" From %radle to grae she $o!ld hae been dominated and ans$erable to father,  brother or h!sband" It $as eno!gh to make her ha%kles rise" 0ith all its fa!lts, England  $as not s!%h a bad pla%e to lie a after fter all"

 

CH+/%0 %H0 F5R   the the ne4t fe$ da&s Lorna onl& sa$ 6halid d!ring his brief isits to the n!rser&, $here he $o!ld ga:e !pon his nie%e $ith an !n!s!all& tender e4pression" He did not speak to Lorna, e4%ept for a polite greeting, and she kne$ he had relegated her to the position of serant" 5n the fo!rth eening of his isit his sister $as giing a dinner part& for him, and at Dana's re1!est Lorna arranged the flo$ers for it" 2he $as in the middle of doing the %entrepie%e for the dining-room $hen the girl so!ght her o!t-again" 'I'e *!st had a %all$e're froma Lad& Hartl&" ill and %an't eening, $hi%h means $oman short"'Her 2heda!ghter's pl!%ked pet!lantl& at themake petalsitofthis an orange %hr&santhem!m" '0here %an I possibl& find another attra%tie girl at s!%h short noti%e' Lorna looked !p from the siler rose bo$l she had been $orking on" '0h& not ask &o!r brother I'm s!re he's got a long list"' 'I'e a m!%h better idea,' Dana replied, her bro$n e&es sparkling" '0h& don't &o! help o!t Yo!'re b& far the prettiest girl I kno$/or at least &o! are $hen &o! take off that dreadf!l !niform"' 'Ho$ %an &o! be so s!re' Lorna asked, aerting her fa%e" 'e%a!se I sa$ &o! in a dressing-go$n one night $hen Amina $oke !p $ith a feer and $e both $ent in to see her" I don't kno$ $h& &o!'re pretending to be plain, b!t I think &o!'re mad"' '#ost $omen emplo&ers prefer it"' '5h"' Dana's response $as telling" (hen she shr!gged" '0ell, I don't ob*e%t" I'd loe  &o! to look &o!r normal self and I'd adore to see 6halid's fa%e $hen he dis%oers $hat  &o! reall& look like"' Lorna shook her head" 'I still don't think he'd appre%iate haing to make polite %onersation %onersat ion $ith &o!r nann& all eening"' 'Don't be so st!ff&3 He kno$s I regard &o! as m& friend" An&$a&, on%e &o!'re o!t of that star%h& dress he'll see &o! as a $oman/and nothing else"' 'I don't think I like that either"' Dana Dan a gig giggle gled d lik likee a s%ho s%hoolg olgirl irl,, ma makin king g Lo Lorna rna rea realis lisee tha thatt for all all her o!t o!t$a $ard rd

 

sophisti%ation, she $as er& &o!ng" It seemed mean not to help her o!t" esides, it would be would  be f!n to see 6halid's 6halid's fa%e $hen sshe he $alked into tthe he room in all h her er nat!ral glor&" glor&" '8er& $ell,' she said" 'I'll stand in for &o!r si%k g!est"'  As soon as Lorna had settled Amina for the night, she $ent to her room to %hange" (he first thing to do $as to dis%ard her seere hair-st&le, and she $ashed her hair and set it in Carmen rollers $hile she had a bath" After riffling thro!gh her $ardrobe she sele%ted a simple b!t e4pensie pleated %hiffon dress $hi%h had been a birthda& present from her parents" (he h&a%inth bl!e %olo!r made her skin seem fairer, $hile the narro$ sho!lder straps that held !p the tightl& fitting bodi%e sho$ed off her %ream& sho!lders and gra%ef!l ne%k" 2et free from its pins her hair glinted like s!n-kissed s!n-kissed %orn, and she let it fall in loose $aes from a %entre parting" 'Yo! look like a golden-haired #adonna,' Daid had said $hen he had first seen her in this dress, and she $ondered if 6halid al Hashib $o!ld think so too" I don't gie a damn $hat he thinks, she tho!ght irritabl&" I'm onl& dressing !p tonight to please Dana" .eertheless she felt de%idedl& nero!s as she made her $a& into the lo!nge, her skirts s$a&ing aro!nd her slender legs" 2he $as not the first one there" (he famil& $ere alread& gathered and on their first drink" Dana looked eer& in%h the $ife of a mill drink" milliona ionaire ire in her emera emerald ld silk 2t La!ren La!rent, t,  $ith da::ling *e$els to mat%h, $hile the t$o men $ore dinner *a%kets/ Hassan's a %onentionall bla%k and 6halid's of $ine elet" It gae a $arm glo$ to his skin and made %onentiona his hair shine like bla%k satin" It $as impossible not to %ompare him fao!rabl& $ith his  brother-in-la$,  brother-in-la $, for he stood he head ad and sho!lder sho!lderss aboe him in bot both h senses of th thee $ord"  At her entr& both both men stood !p, and and both looked at her her en1!iringl en1!iringl&, &, as if the& did not kno$ $ho she $as" It $as 6halid $ho g!essed first, and his astonishment $as so profo!nd that Lorna $anted to la!gh in his fa%e" '0ell, $ell,' he dra$led" '2o the d!%k has be%ome a s$an3 I had a feeling &o!r star%hed !niform $as hiding something more than skinn& legs and a flat %hest" !t tell me, $h& hae &o! hidden &o!r %harms !ntil no$' 'Amina doesn't mind a star%h& !niform,' Lorna said %omposedl&" 'And I'm here to be in %harge of her"' '!t this eening I hope &o!'ll be taking %harge of me, Lorna I ma& %all &o! that I ref!se to %all &o! .ann&"' ' 2he shr!gged, a$are of him $at%hing her" He $as standing so %lose that his breath stirred her hair, and she took a step a$a& from him" 'Yo! m!st %all me 6halid,' he m!rm!red softl&" 'It is m!%h better than referring to me as Dana's t&ranni%al brother" I hope I %an %onin%e &o! I am no$here near as hardhearted as &o! imagine /at least $here bea!tif!l $omen are %on%erned"' '0hat are &o! sa&ing to make Lorna bl!sh' Hassan asked, his sharp e&es missing nothing" 'I'e neer s!%%eeded in doing so"' efore 6halid %o!ld repl& the first g!ests $ere anno!n%ed, and Lorna did not hae a

 

%han%e to speak to him again"  A middle-aged Ameri%an monopolised her for most of the time, $hile the other men e&ed him $ith en& at haing %ornered the prettiest girl in the room" All the %o!ples  $ere middle-aged, the $ies e4pensiel& e4pensiel& $ell dres dressed sed and $ith little to talk abo!t e4%ept e4%ept the so%ial s%ene, so that she $as relieed $hen dinner $as finall& sered and she fo!nd herself seated ne4t to 6halid"  Altho!gh she $as !sed to the e4%ellent food sered in the Rashid ho!sehold, tonight #ar%el, the Fren%h %hef, had e4%elled himself" himself" Hassan had enti%ed him a$a& from one of Paris' finest resta!rants, and he no$ traelled all oer the $orld $ith him" Ea%h %o!rse he presented $as a masterpie%e, not onl& a *o& to taste b!t also to see" Lobster so!ffl=  $as follo$ed b& i%ed i%h&ssoise, then a golden boe!f en %ro!te, the pastr& lined $ith foie gras" For dessert there $ere %r>pes s!:ettes, flamb=d b& #ar%el, %omplete $ith  $hite %hef's hat, at the table" 5nl& Dom Perignon %hampagne $as sered, and it flo$ed as genero!sl& as if it $ere $ater" Lorna tried to do *!sti%e to the food, b!t fo!nd it impossible $ith 6halid beside her"  0hether it $as the %hampagn %hampagnee that had heightened her senses she did not kno$, b!t she $as !ltra-%ons%io!s of ea%h moement he made, parti%!larl& $hen he t!rned and his leg inadertent inadertentl& l& to!%hed hers" 'Yo!'e hardl& eaten a thing,' he remarked as one of the serants %leared a$a& her  barel& to!%hed to!%hed dessert" 'Ha 'Hass the old bore ne ne4t 4t to &o! taken a$ a$a& a& &o!r appetite appetite'' '0ith a%tions rather than $ords,' Lorna m!rm!red" '2orr& abo!t that" !t he spe%ifi%all& asked asked to sit ne4t to the loeliest girl in the room, and sin%e he's %hairman of the bank that finan%es o!r oil tankers, I tho!ght I'd better oblige"' His oi%e $as serio!s, b!t there $as a t$inkle in his e&es" 'I tho!ght &o! $ere ri%h eno!gh to finan%e &o!r o$n oil tankers,' she %ommented dr&l&" '0e are" !t I prefer to !se other people's %ash"' 'Ho$ interesting that &o!r dislike of 0estern $a&s doesn't appl& to 0estern mone&"' 'I neer %onf!se b!siness $ith pleas!re,' pleas!re,' he said %oldl&" 'In an& eent, the remark &o! hae made is more appli%able to &o!r people than to mine"' 2eeing her p!::lement he said smoothl&< 'Yo!r %o!ntr&men ma& profess to despise o!r old-fashioned traditions,  &et the& are $illing $illing to do an&thi an&thing ng to benefit from o!r ne$-fashion ne$-fashioned ed $ealth"' e%a!se his %omment $as *!stified, she made no attempt to disagree $ith him" 'Hae &o! nothing to sa&' he asked, dark bro$s raised" 'I %annot arg!e against the tr!th, #r al Hashib"' 'Indeed I neer tho!ght I'd hear &o! sa& that" (hank &o!, Lorna" !t &o! $o!ld so!nd more friendl& if &o! %alled me 6halid, as I asked"' 'I'm sorr&, b!t it's hard for me to think of &o! that $a&" I still see &o! as;"' Embarrassed b& $hat she had been abo!t to sa&, she let her oi%e trail a$a&" !t he $as not going to let her off and he leaned %loser" A lo%k of silk& dark hair fell

 

oer his forehead and he smoothed it ba%k $ith long bro$n fingers" 'As an Eastern potentate' he said" 'I %an see &o! still haen't forgien me for m& attit!de to $omen"' '0h& sho!ld that s!rprise &o!' 'e%a!se I didn't mean half of $hat I said"' 'Een the half &o! did mean is intolerable3' He fl!ng ba%k his head and la!ghed" 'Yo! hae a sharp tong!e, Lorna" I like it"' 'I'm so pleased,' she said sar%asti%all&" '+ood" (hat makes t$o of !s"' 2harp-ton 2harptong!e g!ed d or not not,, she %o!ld not think of a s!f s!ffi% fi%ien ientl& tl& %!t %!ttin ting g rep repl& l& an and d %on%entrated on peeling a pea%h" 'It has the same bloom as &o!r skin,' 6halid said in her ear" '0hat an original %ompliment,' she said, poker-fa%ed" 'Yo! sho!ld $rite adertising %op&" Yo!'d make a fort!ne"' 'I'e alread& made a fort!ne,' he said %ompla%entl&" 'I $as !nder the impression &o!r grandfather made it"' '5nl& the first million/$hi%h $as prett& good going %onsidering his offi%e $as the  ba%k of a %amel %amel and his hori: hori:ons ons $ere limit limited ed b& sand"' '!t think $hat la& beneath that sand"' 'I do,' he replied, and $as !ne4pe%tedl& serio!s" '5il $as a gift from Allah and $e m!st !se its benefits $isel&"' Lorna tho!ght of the e4traagan%es of the Arabs $hose names fig!red in the gossip %ol!mns, and $ondered ho$ this man $o!ld defend them" 'Yo! hae a er& e4pressie fa%e, Lorna" And I agree $ith &o! that man& of m& fello$%o!ntr&men don't $ear their $ealth in a $a& I admire"' 'Ho$ do &o! spend &o!rs' she asked" '& %reating $ork and *obs for m& people" Admittedl& the salar& I allo$ m&self is %onsidered phenomenal b& the standards of the aerage man, b!t I ass!re &o! it is a minimal amo!nt %ompared $ith $hat I inest in ind!str& and %ommer%e"' He spoke $ith s!%h serio!sness that she %o!ld not a%%!se him of %on%eit, and kne$ that on his o$n terms he $as indeed an admirable man" Yet she still had to prooke him, tho!gh she did not kno$ $h&" 'Yo! don't beliee in false modest&, do &o!, 6halid' 'I leae that to the ritish"' (here $as a mo%king glint in his e&es $hi%h intensified their bl!e-ness" 'Yo!'re half ritish too,' she said, and sa$ his fa%e harden"

 

'I prefer to remember m& father's blood"' '(hat's a ridi%!lo!s thing to sa&3' He $as s!ddenl& so still that she kne$ she had oerstepped the mark" 'I/I'm sorr&,' she st!mbled" 'I had no right to/' 'Don't $orr& abo!t it,' he said thinl&" '0omen al$a&s let their tong!es r!n a$a& $ith them" (hat is $h& one sho!ld neer take them serio!sl&"'  Anger s$amped s$amped her, b!t she s$al s$allo$ed lo$ed it ba%k, glad $h $hen en the& $ere able to rret!rn et!rn to the lo!nge for %offee" 2ome$hat to her %hagrin, 6halid e4%!sed himself from her side and moed to talk to another of the g!ests9 nor did he ret!rn to her side $hen his %onersation $as oer" Instead he *oined a gro!p of men and $as soon so immersed that she kne$ he had totall& forgotten her" !t that $as the $a& he regarded $omen< as ob*e%ts of passion and light entertainment, to be pla%ed on a shelf $hen something more serio!s $as at hand" Ho$eer she did not la%k %ompanionship, tho!gh the man $ho offered it $as not to her taste, and she $as relieed $hen his $ife signalled him that it $as time to depart" (his heralded eer&one else's leaetaking, and 6halid *oined his sister and brother-inla$ in thehe hall as the& goodb&e" 5ertl& Lorna st!died him, noti%ing ho$ selfpossessed seemed, hissaid bearing firm and a!thoritat a!thoritatie" ie" 'I think the eening $as a great s!%%ess,' Hassan remarked $ith satisfa%tion as the famil& ret!rned to the lo!nge" 'And so $as Lorna,' 6halid added" '2he $as the delight of all the men and the en& of all the $omen"' 'I noti%ed #rs 2m&the-#orton giing her a fe$ odd looks,' Dana agreed, and t!rned to Lorna" '0hat $as she sa&ing to &o!' '2he see '2he seemed med p!t o!t to dis dis%o %oer er I $a $ass &o! &o!rr na nann& nn&"" In an !pp !pperer-%r %r!st !st Engl English ish ho!sehold this sort of fraternisa fraternisation tion is fro$ned !pon"' '0e're m!%h more demo%rati% in 6!$ait,' Dana %ommented" 'I %an't agree $ith that,' 6halid %ontradi%ted" 'It's onl& be%a!se Lorna is English that  $e treat her differentl&" differentl&" 0e $o $o!ldn't !ldn't ask o!r se serants rants at home home to *oin !s for dinn dinner"' er"' Hassan &a$ned lo!dl&, obio!sl& bored b& the %onersation" 'I'm going to bed"' He looked at Dana and d!tif!ll& she stood !p" 'I'll be leaing at nine tomorro$,' Hassan informed his brother-in-la$" brother-in-la$" '0ill &o! be %oming to the offi%e $ith me or shall I send the %ar ba%k for &o! later' 'I'll see ho$ I feel in the morning"' 'Y 'Yo! o! sh sho! o!ld ld fe feel el $o $ond nder erf! f!l, l,'' Ha Hass ssan an %h!% %h!%kl kled ed,, an and d look looked ed so sl& sl& th that at Lo Lorn rna a  $ondered if the& the& had p!lled off som somee b!siness %o %o!p !p this eening"  As the door %losed behind behind him and Dana, she sto stood od !p" 'I'll sa& goodnight too" Amina Amina  $akes !p at seen seen no matter $ $hat hat time time I  I go to bed"' 'Don't leae &et"' 6halid rea%hed o!t and lightl& en%losed the narro$ %ir%le of her

 

 $rist" '2ta& and talk to me for a $hile,' he said, and p!lled her gentl& do$n on to the %o!%h beside him" Lorna's heart began to po!nd and she per%hed nero!sl& on the edge of the seat" 2he dared not let him g!ess ho$ dist!rbing she fo!nd his pro4imit&" 2he had felt his strong attra%tion from their first meeting, and there $as no point pretending other$ise" 2!ppose he asked her o!t, $o!ld she go $ith him, een tho!gh she kne$ it $o!ld %ome to nothing (he temptation to kno$ him better $as strong, and she %o!ld not help remembering that his mother $as ritish" (ho!gh he had affirmed he $o!ld neer marr& a 0esterner, he might not feel the same $a& if he fell in loe $ith one" 2tartled at $here her tho!ghts had taken her, she moed f!rther a$a& from him on the settee" 'Yo! reall& are $asted here,' 6halid dra$led s!ddenl&" 'I hope &o!r ne4t remark isn't going to be ?0hat's a bea!tif!l girl like &o! doing in a  *ob like this? ' she retorted" '(hat's e4a%tl& $hat I $as going to sa&,' he grinned" '!t I $as also going to ask if I %o!ld lien it !p for &o!"' 'Lien it !p' '5ffer &o! a %hange of s%ener& for a fe$ da&s /sa& Paris or Rome' 5ne look into his deep bl!e e&es $as s!ffi%ient for Lorna to !nderstand the f!ll impl im pli% i%at atio ion n of his his $o $ord rds, s, as $e $ell ll as to !n !nde ders rsta tand nd Ha Hass ssan an's 's sl& sl& look look"" He Herr na nai iee da&dreaming da&dreamin g anished" 6halid $anted her all right, b!t not in the $a& she she $anted"  $anted" 'Yo! disappoint me,' she said in d!l%et tones" 'I e4pe%ted &o! to sho$ a little more finesse than &o!r brother-in-la$" !t m& ans$er to &o! is the same one I gae to him/ no"' 'A pit&,' he replied matter-of-fa%tl&" 'I e4pe%ted to be l!%kier than Hassan" After all, he's married and &o! $ere sensible to t!rn him do$n" !t I hae no en%!mbran%es and I  $o!ld be more than than genero!s $ $ith ith &o!"' 'It's s$eet of &o! to offer"' Her oi%e $as still gentle" '!t I'm not interested" If &o!'re desperate, tho!gh, I might be able to s!ppl& &o! $ith a %o!ple of phone n!mbers of  $illing girls"' girls"' He st!died her tho!ghtf!ll&, in no $a& p!t o!t b& her %omment %omment"" 'A man doesn't hae to be desperate to $ant to make loe to a bea!tif!l girl like &o!" He $o!ld hae to be o!t of his mind if he didn't $ant it"' Lorna $ent to rise, intending the gest!re as a termination of their %onersation" !t again his hand en%ir%led her $rist, onl& this time his grip $as not gentle b!t like a band of steel, and $ith one s$ift moement he p!lled her to him and ro!ghl& took possession of her mo!th" 2he tried to p!ll a$a&, b!t he held her so tightl& to him that she %o!ld barel& breathe, and his %loseness made her ibrantl& a$are of the hard m!s%les of his %hest and the po!nding of his heart against her breasts"

 

2he tried to t!rn her head a$a& to es%ape his h!ngr& mo!th as it moed e4pertl&  ba%k and forth against her o$n, b!t her franti% efforts onl& sered to e4%ite him f!rther" 2he $illed herself to rela4 and he took this as a sign of s!rrender and loosened his grip" Instantl& she $ren%hed free of him and stood !p" Her legs felt like r!bber, b!t her e&es  $ere bla:ing $ith a passion bro!ght on not b& desire b!t f!r&" (here had been no tenderness in his to!%h, onl& naked l!st, and for this she hated him" 'Ho$ dare &o!3' she panted" '(here $as no daring re1!ired"' His p!pils $ere dilated and his e&es still lang!oro!s as he stood !p to fa%e her" 'Don't tell me &o! didn't $ant it as m!%h as I did 5r do &o! think that pla&ing hard to get $ill make &o! more desirable to me' Her hand rose, and before he g!essed her intention she bro!ght it do$n $ith all her for%e on his tanned %heek" 6halid stepped ba%k, his e&es glittering $ith s!%h fero%it& that she feared for her safet&" His o$n hand lifted and she re%oiled" !t it $as not to strike her ba%k, as she had feared, b!t to r!b his fa%e $here the red $eals of her fingers $ere beginning to s!rfa%e" Lorna alread& regretted her a%tion" 2he had behaed like a heroine in a 8i%torian melodrama/ and a bad one at that" After all, $hat did a kiss/ ho$eer passionate/ mean these da&s If she $anted to be $o!ld honestneer $ith herself she kne$ the the same reason for her oer-rea%tion" It $as be%a!se 6halid hae attempted intima%&  $ith an Arab girl, girl, and it proed ho$ little respe% respe%tt he had for forher. her. '(hat's the first time I'e been ans$ered 1!ite so painf!ll& sin%e I $as a small bo&,' he said r!ef!ll&" '!t a simple ?no? $o!ld hae sered *!st as $ell"'  Anger b!bbled to the s!rfa%e again at his %omment" He didn't een hae the de%en%& to apologise" 'I felt m& ans$er needed reinfor%ing,' she retorted" 'It's time &o! realised that not all  0estern $omen $omen are &o!rs ffor or the asking"' '.o$ tha '.o$ thatt do does es s!rprise me,' he said sar%asti%all&, and sa!ntered oer to the bar,  $here he po!red himself a large brand&, first proffering the bottle to$ards her in a  $ordless 2he p!rposef!ll& him" drink, she1!estion" had no intention of letting ignored him kno$ it" Altho!gh she %o!ld hae done $ith a 'Ho$eer,' he %ontin!ed, 'it seems I made a mistake $ith &o!" I sho!ld hae realised  &o! $eren't the t&pe t&pe to gie in to a man & &o! o! barel& kne$ kne$"'"' 'Is that &o!r idea of a %omplime %ompliment' nt' she en1!ired" 'If I read the e4pression on &o!r fa%e %orre%tl&, I %an ass!me it isn't &o!rs"' 'For on%e o!r %omm!ni%ation is perfe%t,' she told him frostil&" 'And for &o!r added information, $hen I do ?gie in?, as &o! so s!%%in%tl& p!t it, it $ill be to m& h!sband, and no one else"' His e&es glinted and she had the impression that he fo!nd her ans$er am!sing" 'In that %ase, I shan't bother &o! again,' he said indifferentl&, and t!rned a$a& to set do$n his glass"

 

 0ith as m!%h dignit& dignit& as she %o!ld m m!ster, !ster, she $a $alked lked from the rroom" oom"  Altho!gh Lorna g!essed that Dana's h!sband $as partl& to blame for 6halid's  behaio!r, she $as bitterl& disappointed disappointed that he had belieed Hassan's lies" 2he realised she had made a mistake in ass!ming that be%a!se he $as half English, he tho!ght like a  0esterner/in  0esterner /in spite of his %learl& e4p e4pressed ressed opinions to the %ontrar&" %ontrar&" 6halid sa$ $om $omen en either as %hattels, mistresses or/like herself/as good for a one-night stand" 0h& had she been st!pid eno!gh to think other$ise 0as it be%a!se she had $anted to beliee it Her %heeks b!rned at the admission" 6halid's professed interest in her ie$s oer dinner had been solel& for the p!rpose of disarming her" And she had fallen for it" !t at least she had sho$n him that his %harm didn't al$a&s $ork" #omentaril& she relied his kiss, and the memor& of it made her tremble" It $as foolish to den& that she $as ph&si%all& attra%ted to him despite the fa%t that she disliked his ie$s on eer&thing and despised his $a& of life" 7ntil 6halid, no man had pier%ed her armo!r of se4!al resere, and she had al$a&s  been in f!ll %ontrol of her emotions" It $as ironi% that the one man $ho had s!%%eeded in aro!sing her sho!ld be the one man she %o!ld neer hae on her o$n terms"  And to hae him on his $as somet something hing she $o!ld n neer eer do"

 

CH+/%0 F140  L5R.A  $as  $as relieed that for the ne4t fe$ da&s she hardl& sa$ 6halid"  0hen the& did meet, he a%ted as if nothing had happened bet$een them and treated her $ith the same polite friendliness as before" .either b& $ord or gest!re did he gie an& indi%ation as to $hether he $as still anno&ed or een disappointed at her re*e%tion of him, and she %o!ld onl& ass!me that the in%ident $as so meaningless to him that he  $as able to forget forget it" If onl& she %o!ld do the same3 !t !nfort!natel& she %o!ldn't" 2he $as ibrantl& alie to hisfor%ed eer& look, to his eer& Had he been$ith sta&ing for long, shehe $o!ld  been to leae, and she$ord" s!stained herself the here kno$ledge that $as hae soon ret!rning to his homeland" 2he also sa$ little of Dana" 2he flitted in and o!t of the flat d!ring the da&, b!sil& shopping for presents to send home to 6!$ait, and her eenings $ere spent dining o!t  $ith Hassan Hassan and her brothe brother" r"  0hen the& did manage to snat%h some time together she noti%ed that the &o!nger girl appeared to be in e4%eptionall& high spirits, spirits, and Lorna gae 6halid %redit for this" In spite of treating his sister as if she $ere still a %hild, $ith %onstant teasing and a ref!sal to take an& of her !tteran%es serio!sl&, it $as eas& to see the deep affe%tion he felt for her" (hat $as $h& it $as diffi%!lt to !nderstand $h& he had for%ed her into a loeless marriage" (he da& before he $as to leae for 6!$ait, Lorna had the afternoon off" 2he spent it at the hospital, and after %at%hing !p on the gossip $ith her friends, she $ent into #atron's offi%e to tell her she $o!ld soon be ret!rning to $ork" 'I'm glad to hear it,' said #atron $ith a smile" 'I $as afraid &o! $o!ld be spoiled b& l!4!r&"' 'I'm not the t&pe to be spoiled that easil&,' Lorna replied, and fleetingl& $ished she  $ere" 2omeho$ 2omeho$ she had the feeli feeling ng that, as a loer loer,, 6halid $o!ld be !nf !nforgettable" orgettable" #atron $as not the onl& person $ho $as glad to hear Lorna intended to leae the Rashids'" Daid had %onstantl& gr!mbled at her !naailabilit& and she had still not pl!%ked !p the %o!rage to tell him she $anted to stop seeing him" It ha had d no nott been been diff diffi% i%!l !ltt to fo fob b him him of offf $i $ith th th thee e4 e4%! %!se se th that at Da Dana na $a $ass e er& r& demanding and gae her little opport!nit& to go o!t in the eenings" !t he had been parti%!larl& insistent for the past %o!ple of $eeks, and had ref!sed to listen to her

 

e4%!ses, !ntil she had finall& agreed to meet him for dinner tonight" He $as $aiting for her at the entran%e to 0altons, and as she greeted him she fo!nd herself %ontrasting %ontrasting his %onentional good looks $ith 6halid's o!tstandin o!tstanding g ones<  As the eening $ore on she realised that een the things she had en*o&ed most abo!t their relationship no$ appeared m!ndane and boring" His h!mo!r $as less sharp than 6halid's and there $as nothing abo!t him that made her a$are of herself as a $oman" If she felt like this after all the months the& had been going o!t together, there $as %ertainl& no hope of an&thing more $orth$hile deeloping" It did not take Daid long to sense she had something on her mind" 'Yo! haen't been listening to a $ord I'e been sa&ing,' he a%%!sed" '0hat's the matter $ith &o! tonight' Lorna speared a tin& potato on her fork" 'I'e been thinking ho$ !nfair it is for me to go on seeing &o!" I ; I kno$ this isn't the pla%e to tell &o!, b!t I %an't p!t it off an& longer"' 'Hae &o! met someone else' he asked, instantl& alert" 'Is that $h& &o!'e been aoiding me' '(here's no one else,' she said firml&" 'It's *!st that I kno$ $e're not right for ea%h other"' '2peak for &o!rself,' he *oked, b!t she %o!ld see the h!rt in his e&es" 'If there's no one else, $h& %an't &o! go on seeing me Ho$ %an &o! be s!re &o! $on't gro$ to loe me' 'If it hasn't happened b& no$, it neer $ill"' 2he determined not to $aer in her resole" Haing pl!%ked !p the %o!rage to tell him, she did not $ant him to pers!ade her other$ise" 'I'm sorr&, Daid, b!t it's better if $e don't see ea%h other"' 'I $on't gie &o! !p,' he told her doggedl&" 'I'll take o!t other girls and &o! feel free to do as &o! please" !t I still $ant to see &o!"' It seemed easier for Lorna to gie in than to %ontin!e arg!ing" 2he $o!ld hae to make s!re she $as not aailable for him" 'I'll phone &o! in a fe$ $eeks,' he told her as he stopped his Lan%ia o!tside the blo%k of flats in Lo$ndes 21!are" 'Yo!'re the loeliest and most intelligent girl I kno$, and I ref!se to gie !p a %ombinati %ombination on like that $itho!t a fight"'  As she pressed the lift b!tton and $as $hi::ed !p to the pentho!se, she tho!ght of his last $ords" At least Daid sa$ her as a person and not merel& a bod& to be possessed  $itho!t tho!ght for $hat la& beneath the s!rfa%e" If onl& 6halid had seen her in the same $a&3 Angered at $here her tho!ghts had taken her, she %losed the front door sharpl&" (he apartment $as in darkness e4%ept for a light glo$ing beneath the st!d& door" 2he kno%ked and then opened it $itho!t $aiting for a repl&" Dana inariabl& sta&ed !p to hear ho$ her eenings had gone, delighted in Lorna's freedom, $hi%h $as so different from her o$n %onfined !pbringing" !t tonight it $as not Dana $ho $as $aiting to greet her9 onl& a grim and ta!t

 

6halid, $ho rose s$iftl& from a leather arm%hair near the $indo$" '2o &o!'re home at last3 I'e been $aiting !p to talk to &o!"' He glan%ed ostentatio!sl ostentatio!sl& & at his $at%h, as if it $ere the middle of the night instead of t$ele o'%lo%k" '2it do$n,' he %ommanded %ommande d so fier%el& that, taken b& s!rprise, she meekl& %omplied" For seeral se%onds he stared at her" Had the kno$ledge that she had gone o!t $ith another man aro!sed his *ealo!s& to the point $here he %o!ld not %ontrol it It $as an alarming alarmin g &et e4%iting tho!ght" 'Did &o! kno$ abo!t m& sister's loe affair' he s!ddenl& demanded" (he 1!estion $as so !ne4pe%ted that Lorna felt the blood drain from her %heeks" Ho$ %o!ld Dana hae told him abo!t Allan $itho!t dis%!ssing it $ith her first (he& had spoke spoken n of the sit!a sit!atio tion n on so ma man& n& o% o%%as %asion ions, s, and al$a& al$a&ss rea%h rea%hed ed th thee same same %on%l!sion99 that it $as best to leae things as the& $ere !ntil Allan left 6!$ait at the end %on%l!sion of his %ontra%t" 'I ; I" ;' she stammered, !n%ertain of $hat to sa&" 'It's obio!s from &o!r rea%tion that &o! did kno$,' he stormed" I tho!ght &o! had eno!gh sense to dis%o!rage her" !t then, $ith &o!r misg!ided ie$s on $omen's rights rights,,  &o! probabl& probabl& don't see an&thin an&thing g $rong in a $ife en*o& en*o&ing ing e4tra-mar e4tra-marital ital relation relationships3' ships3' '(hat's a disg!sting a%%!sation3' Lorna re*oined f!rio!sl&" '(he onl& $a& m& ie$s differ from &o!rs, on that point, is that I think the& appl& to men as $ell as $omen" (he last thing I'd do $o!ld be to en%o!rage &o!r sister to hae an affair" And for &o!r information, in spite of the fa%t that I kno$ ho$ !nhapp& she is, I'e done m& best to stop her from doing an&thing foolish" If an&one's to blame, it's &o!" If she'd been allo$ed to %hoose a h!sband for herself, this $o!ld neer hae happened"' '(hat's e4a%tl& $hat I e4pe%ted &o! to sa&,-b!t freedom of %hoi%e hasn't made your %o!ntr&$omen %o!ntr&$om en an& the happier"' 'At least $e hae the freedom the freedom to get dior%ed,' she pointed o!t s%athingl&" '0e aren't for%ed to lie $ith a man $e loathe"' Angril& she tossed ba%k a lo%k of hair that had fallen oer her fa%e" 'In &o!r %o!ntr& marriage o$s onl& mean to hono!r and obe&/it's abo!t time &o! let loe in as $ell"' He gae a $ear& sigh" 'It's !seless to arg!e $ith &o!" 0e $ill neer agree" !t no$ I m!st de%ide $hat is the best thing to do for Dana"' 'Ho$ m!%h did she tell &o!' Lorna asked hesitantl&, still hoping the girl had had the sense not to gie him Allan's name" 'Eer&thing"' 'I see"' Lorna's lips $ent dr& and she li%ked them before speaking" '(hen ; then &o! /' 'I kno$ the& met $hen the& shared a table oer l!n%h at Harrods,' 6halid $ent on as if she had not spoken" 'And that she has been !sing her friends as an alibi to see him d!ring the da&"' Lorna %o!ld not beliee $hat she $as hearing" 0h& on earth had Dana $oen this

 

fantasti% $eb of lies to her brother 2he $as soon enlightened" '(he onl& thing for me to do is to take her ba%k home $ith me" I hae promised not to tell Hassan abo!t this/this this/this relationship, and she has promised not to see the man again nor to %omm!ni%ate $ith him"' 'Yo! mean &o!'re taking her ba%k to 6!$ait' Lorna asked, the penn& dropping immediatel&" 'Yes,' he said abr!ptl&" '!t not $itho!t a tremendo!s ro$"' ro$"' A tight smile appeared at the %orner of his lips, tho!gh it did not lighten his feat!res" '2he fo!ght against going, of %o!rse" I neer realised m& sister %o!ld thro$ s!%h a tantr!m"' Her performan%e m!st hae been $orth& of 2arah ernhardt, Lorna tho!ght griml&, and marelled at Dana's d!pli%it&" Ho$ angr& 6halid $o!ld be if he kne$ that in taking his sister ba%k to her o$n %o!ntr& he $as doing e4a%tl& as she $ished3 Had it not been that her o$n brother $as inoled in Dana's s%heme/een tho!gh she $as %ertain he kne$ nothing abo!t it/Lorna $o!ld hae en*o&ed the kno$ledge that 6halid had been d!ped" As it $as, her fear for Allan $as predominant" 'I had to promise Dana I $o!ld pers!ade &o! to ret!rn $ith !s to 6!$ait,' 6halid  broke into her tho!ghts" 'For ssome ome reason sshe he didn't $ant to a ask sk &o! hersel herself"' f"' I'll bet she didn't, Lorna tho!ght, b!t kept her fa%e e4pressionless" 'I hope &o!'ll tr& to forget o!r differen%es and think onl& of m& sister's happiness,' he  $ent on" 'If &o! do %ome ba%k $ith !s it need onl& be for a short time/!ntil she's got oer this affair" 2he's %onin%ed she %annot manage $itho!t &o!"' (he idea of liing in 6!$ait and seeing 6halid, if onl& o%%asionall&, made her so fearf!l that she instin%tiel& shook her head" 'It's o!t of the 1!estion,' she replied" 'I'm fond of Dana, as &o! kno$, b!t I'e planned to ret!rn to the hospital"' (he tanned fa%e in front of her darkened, and the lines on it gre$ harsh" 2eeing them she kne$ $hat an impla%able enem& he $o!ld make9 an enem& $ho %o!ld destro& Allan"  And there $as no do!bt that Allan $as the reason Dana had perpetrated this $hole %harade" Lorna tho!ght of the harsh 6orani% la$s regarding ad!ltero!s relationships, and kne$ ho$ dangero!s her brother's position $as" Altho!gh his loe for Dana $as still !n%ons!mmated, if the& $ere %a!ght alone together, $ho $o!ld beliee them At least if she $ent ba%k $ith Dana and sta&ed in 6!$ait !ntil her brother's %ontra%t ran o!t in a fe$ months, she %o!ld ens!re that neither of them took !nne%essar& risks"  0h& %o!ldn't Dana hae $aited !ntil Allan ret!rned to this %o!ntr& Had their separation %a!sed her more hearta%he than Lorna had s!spe%ted And didn't this make it een more imperatie that she herself remain %lose at hand to ens!re that Dana $as %ontin!all& %ontin!all & a$are of the dangero!s path she $as treading '0ell' 6halid asked" '0ill &o! a%%ompan& her I'll do!ble &o!r salar& if &o! do agree"' $on't be ne%essar&,' Lornam& said sharpl&" '#& %on%ern for Dana's happiness is the '(hat onl& reason I need for %hanging mind"'

 

'(hank &o!" I realise $hat an effort it $ill be for &o! to lie in a %o!ntr& $hose male %iti:ens &o! regard as ar%hai%' 2he ref!sed to rise to the bait, and standing !p, t!rned to$ards the door" !t as he had done on%e before, he stopped her b& rea%hing o!t and %lasping her $rists" 'I kno$ &o! planned to go ba%k to the hospital, and that it might mean losing &o!r position there" e%a!se of that, I insist &o! let me %ompensate &o! finan%iall& if &o! are !nable to find a similar position $hen &o! ret!rn"' Lorna gentl& e4tri%ated herself from his grip" 'I appre%iate the offer, b!t there's no need for it" (here's no shortage of *obs/onl& n!rses to fill them"' 'Yo! $on't be e4pe%ted to look after the bab& $hen $e go home,' he said abr!ptl&" '0e hae serants of o!r o$n to take %are of her" All I $ant is for &o! to keep Dana's mind o%%!pied and to let me kno$ if &o! think she's not ad*!sting to the sit!ation"' '0hat $o!ld &o! do then' Lorna asked %as!all&" 'I'm not s!re"' 'I don't like the idea of sp&ing on &o!r sister"' 'Yo! $o!ldn't be" !t Dana is still a %hild in man& $a&s and she needs prote%ting"' As if the $ord 'prote%ting' sparked off a memor& in him, his e&es dropped to Lorna's mo!th" 'Yo! need hae no fear for your safet& $hen &o! are in m& %o!ntr&" I $ill treat &o! $ith as m!%h respe%t as if &o! $ere one of o!r o$n $omen"' 2pots of red flagged her %heeks and she aoided his ga:e" '(hank &o!"' 2he $ent to$ards the door, b!t his ne4t $ords stopped her" 'It is genero!s of &o! to a%%ept m& $ord" I hope this means &o! $ill no$ allo$ !s to  be%ome friends' friends' He so!nded so sin%ere that Lorna fo!nd herself forgiing him" It $as not in her nat!re to bear a gr!dge, and if she $as going to lie in his home for some months to %ome, it $o!ld be better if there $as no antagonism bet$een them" 'I'm perfe%tl& $illing to tr&,' she said" 'I partl& blame &o!r brother-in-la$ for the other eening" If he hadn't en%o!raged &o! to beliee/' 'I didn didn't 't ne need ed an an& & en en%o %o!r !rag agem emen entt fr from om Ha Hass ssan an to $a $ant nt to kiss kiss &o &o!, !,'' 6h 6hal alid id interr!pted, his e&es sparkling" 'I $anted to do so from the moment I sa$ &o! $itho!t  &o!r disg!ise" !t as I'e *!st said, &o! need hae no fear for the f!t!re" I shall respe%t  &o!r $ishes not to make loe to &o! again"' He e&ed her pensiel& for a moment, moment, and his self-%onfiden%e appeared to slip" 'I s!ppose &o! think I'm $rong to tr& to sae Dana's marriage' 'Does it matter $hat I $hat I think' Lorna asked, afraid that an honest ans$er might break their fragile tr!%e" 'If it didn't, I $o!ldn't hae asked &o!,' he ans$ered irritabl&" Lorna took a deep breath and geared herself !p for a fe$ nast& min!tes" If he $as sin%erel& interested in her opinion, perhaps she stood a %han%e /a slender one, of %o!rse, b!t a %han%e nonetheless/of being able to %hange his o!tlook, or at least gie

 

him food for tho!ght" 'I don't think Dana has m!%h of a marriage to sae,' she said alo!d" 'If it $eren't for her haing to leae Amina, if she left Hassan, nothing $o!ld ind!%e her to remain $ith him"' 2he pa!sed to allo$ her $ords to sink in" '2he's dreadf!ll& !nhapp&, 6halid" If &o! %o!ld pers!ade Hassan to let her keep the bab&/' '(hat is impossible,' he interr!pted for%ef!ll&" 'It is %ontrar& to o!r tradition"' '(raditions are %onstantl& being broken b& progress"' '.ot al$a&s to the benefit of people" A father has first %all on his %hildren" 'And a mother' '2he sho!ld kno$ $here her d!t& lies"' 'Regardless of loe' 'A $oman's first loe is to her %hildren" (o her h!sband she o$es her d!t& and her obedien%e"' '5h, &o!'re impossible3' Lorna stormed" 'e%a!se I al!e tradition e%a!se I beliee that $omen are $eak %reat!res $ho need a strong hand to g!ide them Yo! might be able to !se &o!r bea!t& to pers!ade me of man& things, b!t on one thing I $ill remain firm< a father has the sole right to his %hildren"' Hearing this, Lorna re%ognised the f!tilit& of arg!ing f!rther" 6halid might beliee he $as adhering to tradition $hen he spoke in this $a&, b!t she kne$ he $as impelled  b& the h!rt that had been infli%ted on him b& his o$n mother, $ho had so heartless heartlessl& l& abandoned him" 'Perhaps I sho!ldn't hae pers!aded &o! to %ome ba%k $ith !s"' 6halid $as speaking again" 'Yo!r ie$s are so different from o!rs that &o!'re hardl& the right infl!en%e on m& sister"' '+ien time, I might still be the right infl!en%e on &o!,' she said tartl&" 'Yo! are half English, een tho!gh &o! prefer to forget it"' His indra$n breath $as a!dible" 'Don't make the mistake mistake of *!dging me b& the %olo!r of m& e&es" I am m& father's son in eer& sense of the $ord"' 'Yo! are &o!r mother's son too"' 6halid's e&es flashed dangero!sl& and she sa$ the& had gone paler" (he& %hanged %olo!r $ith his mood, glinting i%e bl!e $hen he $as angr&, a deeper bl!e $hen he $as teasing, and almost %obalt $hen he $as aro!sed" H!rriedl& she p!shed the last tho!ght from her mind" At this moment he $as in a f!rio!s temper, and she regretted her o!tspokenness" Probabl& no $oman had eer spoken to him so frankl&, and she %o!ld not help admiring the effort he $as making to keep his temper" 2he onl& hoped she had not gone too far and that the& $ere not in for another ro$" !t she had no need to $orr&" 'It appears $e'e rea%hed an impasse,' he replied tonelessl&, 'so $e $ill not %ontin!e

 

 $ith this s!b*e%t" !t if nothing else has been a%hieed, at least $e'e proed $e %an arg!e $itho!t %oming to blo$s"'  A%%epting the fa%t that her opinions had fallen on deaf ears, she nodded" 6halid had %ontroll %ont rolled ed his temper onl onl& & be%a be%a!se !se he $an $anted ted to esta establis blish h a $ork $orkabl ablee rel relation ationship ship  bet$een them" He kne$ that after the other eening, this $as the onl& ap approa%h proa%h that  $o!ld s!%%eed if he $anted her to sta& in 6!$ait $ith his sister" !t he $o!ld neer be s$a&ed b& the ie$ of a $oman, ho$eer *!st" He lied in a man's $orld, in $hi%h females $ere er& m!%h se%ond-%lass %iti:ens" A passport to happiness in 6!$ait meant obedien%e and a%1!ies%en%e, a%1!ies%en%e, and the sooner she a%%epted this, the happier she $o!ld be there" #!rm!ring goodnight, she left the room" His presen%e seemed to permeate her o$n room and she %hided herself for still being so s!s%eptible to him" It $as $rong for one man to be endo$ed $ith so m!%h< looks, mone& and intelligen%e" He had taken hold of her senses and !nless she %o!ld stop herself thinking of him/in an& %onte4t other than a %as!al one/she $as in for a great deal of hearta%he" Een in bed she %o!ld not rela4" (he moment she did, 6halid threatened to take possession of her, %a!sing her to e4perien%e s!%h a longing for him that she $as horrified $ith herself" 2he barel& kne$ him" Yet this did not stop her from thinking like an eroti% teenager" 0r&l& she kne$ she $as l!%k& he had not made an& adan%es to$ards her this eening" Had he done, she might not hae fo!nd it so eas& to resist him a se%ond time" e%a!se of this she $ondered if it $as not foolish to ret!rn to 6!$ait  $ith him, no matter ho$ $orried she $as abo!t her brother" Yet if she didn't go and an&thing happened to *eopardise Allan's %areer, she $o!ld neer forgie herself" 2he sighed heail&, and rea%hed !p to t!rn off the bedside light" 0ith a bit of l!%k she might onl& hae to sta& a short time" Perhaps $hen Dana and Allan sa$ ea%h other again the&  $o!ld find that their their loe $as not as str strong ong as the& imagin imagined" ed" Altho!gh she kne kne$ $ the old adage, that absen%e made the heart gro$ fonder, she pra&ed $ith all her heart that in this instan%e it had not" If onl& she did not hae to go to 6!$ait3 If onl& Allan $ere alread& ba%k in England" If onl&;"

 

CH+/%0 F,5 (HE ne4t fe$ da&s $ere he%ti%" Lorna droe do$n to o!rnemo!th to sa& goodb&e to her parents $ho, after their initial s!rprise at her s!dden %hange of plans, delighted in the fa%t that she $o!ld soon be seeing Allan" 2he maintained the preten%e of Dana's en%o!nter $ith another man here as the reason for the ret!rn to 6!$ait, tho!gh #rs #asters felt it $o!ld hae been more sensible for the girl to hae gone on a holida& $ith her h!sband first" '2he misses her famil& and friends more than an&thing,' Lorna lied" '(hat's $h& she's going ba%k there"' '0hat is #r Rashid like' asked her mother" '@!ite ni%e, in a flesh&-lipped $a&"' #rs #asters raised her blonde e&ebro$s" 2he $as er& m!%h like Lorna in looks, altho!gh her hair $as tinged $ith siler and her fig!re had filled o!t $ith middle-age" 'As long as &o! don't get bo$led oer b& all that mone& and l!4!r& liing" England is  &o!r home, Lorna, and &o! $o!ldn't be happ& liing an&$here else/een if it $ere a pala%e"' 'Don't be so s!re abo!t that"' Lorna la!ghed $hen she sa$ her mother's e4pression" 'Don't $orr&, #!mm&/I'm too old to be s$ept off m& feet b& a sheikh"' hope that alsothat applies to #rshim Rashid's brother" 0hen &o! $ere here last &o! gae me 'I the impression &o! fo!nd er& attra%tie"' 'He is" !t he's made it 1!ite %lear that 0estern $omen are good for one thing onl&, and a $edding ring is not in%l!ded in the proposal"'  A 1!i%k trip to 6nightsbridge 6nightsbridge $as ne4t on L Lorna's orna's agenda, tto o add to a rather deplete depleted d  $ardrobe" Her parents parents had insisted on giing her a large %he1!e to treat herself to some good %lothes, and $ith !na%%!stomed e4traagan%e she shopped !ntil she had spent the lot" Hassan had not appeared the least s!rprised $hen 6halid had told him he $as taking Dana home $ith him for a holida&" He $as so !sed to taking orders from his  brother-in-la$  brother-in-la $ that he a%%epted his prono!n%ement $itho!t 1!estion, 1!estion, and $as probabl& 1!ite pleased to be left to his o$n dei%es" .o$ he %o!ld spend eer& night a$a& from home if he $ished"

 

Dana $as delighted that Lorna had agreed to a%%ompan& them ba%k to 6!$ait, and good-nat!redl& a%%epted Lorna's le%t!re on the dangers of the sit!ation ahead" '!t I had to find an e4%!se for going ba%k,' she said s$eetl&, 'and sin%e 6halid 6halid kno$s I %an't bear Hassan, it seemed logi%al to pretend I $as in loe $ith someone else" As I am,' she emphasised for good meas!re" 'As &o! hae no right to be,' Lorna added" 'I $on't do an&thing to harm Allan,' Dana said instantl&" '!t I %o!ldn't bear to be so far a$a& from him" 0hen &o!'re in loe &o! $ill kno$ $hat I mean" (hinking of him t!rns m& bones to $ater" Remembering his oi%e makes m& heart ra%e like an engine"' '.onsense,' said Lorna in her briskest oi%e, ref!sing to a%kno$ledge that a %ertain  bla%k-haired,  bla%k-hair ed, golden-skinn golden-skinned ed man had e4a%tl& the same effe%t on herself" ''0hat 0hat $o!ld  &o! hae done if I hadn't hadn't de%ided to go ba%k tto o 6!$ait $ith &o! &o!'' she asked" '!t &o! are %oming,' Dana replied" '0ith &o! in o!r ho!se, Allan %an isit me at an& time" After all, $e kno$ $hat a loing brother he is"' 'Don't &o! feel an& g!ilt to$ards Hassan' Lorna reprimanded" reprimanded" '(he onl& g!ilt I feel is to$ards Allan" I kno$ that $hen he sees me he $ill $ant me, and be%a!se he's too moral to gie in, he $ill s!ffer"' 'He'll s!ffer all right,' Lorna said griml&" '!t if &o! kno$ that, $h& go ba%k' 'e%a!se I %annot help m&self"'  At the end of the $eek the Rashids' %ha!ffe!r-dri %ha!ffe!r-drien en #er%edes took them to the airport, $ith another limo!sine follo$ing $ith the remaining %ases"  At Heathro$ the& stopped at the spe%ial Con%orde entran%e, $here an offi%ial in %iilian %lothes s!mmoned s!mmoned porters and then led them in" After the !s!al formaliti formalities es $ere %o %ompl mplete eted d the the& & $er $eree !sher !shered ed int into o the Con Con%or %orde de lo! lo!nge nge,, $h $here ere $a $aite iters rs pr proff offere ered d %o%ktails and %anap=s" 'Yo! %an %all an&$here in the $orld free, b& %o!rtes& of ritish Air$a&s,' 6halid informed them as he sa$ them seated in one of the man& %omfortable arm%hairs/and then promptl& left to telephone .e$ York" Lorna %o!ld not s!ppress a smile" Een m!ltimillionaires en*o&ed something for nothing3  0ith a glass of %hampagne in one hand and and her mo!th f!ll of %aiar, she did not %are if Con%orde neer left the gro!nd" (he lo!nge $as so restf!l and so!ndless, sae for the p!rr of telephone dials, that she en*o&ed $allo$ing in the sheer l!4!r& of it" !t their flight $as %alled on time" 0hat else %o!ld one hae e4pe%ted from the pride of ritish  Air$a&s (he plane $as nearl& f!ll, and the passengers $ere mostl& Arab men in national dress" dre ss" (he sea seatin ting g $a $ass nar narro$ ro$er er th than an in a %o %one nent ntion ional al pla plane ne an and d dis disapp appoin ointin tingl& gl& f!n%tional" (he hostesses, $ho $ore the formal standard bl!e !niform of the airline, gae ea%h passenger a pair of flambo&ant ro&al bl!e slippers $ith the siler ritish Con%orde %rest, e4plaining that the& $ere needed be%a!se the height tightened one's

 

shoes shoes"" La Later ter the the& & al also so dis distr trib! ib!ted ted lit littl tlee pl plast asti%i%-%r %rest ested ed brief%a brief%ases ses as an add additi itiona onall so!enir" Dana and Lorna sat together, $ith the bab& on Lorna's lap despite Dana's protest" '2he's in m& %harge !ntil $e rea%h 6!$ait and &o!r o$n staff take oer,' Lorna insisted" !t in fa%t asked she didthem not hae to hold Amina forpla%e long, her for soon afteron after take-off, one of the ste$ardesses if the& $o!ld %are to %arr&%ot the seat behind,  $hi%h $as !no%%!pied" Lorna $illingl& a%%epted the offer" 6halid $as seated a%ross the aisle from them, b!t had immersed himself in do%!ments and did not lift his head !ntil l!n%h $as sered, tho!gh een then he onl& %onersed $ith his sister"  0hen the& rea%hed ahrein the& $ere afforded the same ro&al treatment as at Heathro$" 7nfort!natel& it $as no$ dark, be%a!se ahrein $as three ho!rs ahead of English time, and Lorna sa$ little e4%ept the s%r!bla s%r!bland nd bordering the airport" 'It feels like a!t!mn,' she m!rm!red to 6halid as the& both des%ended Con%orde's steps to the a%%ompaniment of a %hill bree:e" '(he eenings are al$a&s %old in the desert,' he e4plained" '!t d!ring the da& &o!  $ill find it hot eno!gh eno!gh to need air-%on air-%onditioning"' ditioning"' (heir %onne%ting flight to 6!$ait $as alread& $aiting for them" (he al Hashibs' priate Lear *et stood on the tarma%, tarma%, f!elled and read& to go as soon as their l!ggage $as %olle%ted, and $ithin half an ho!r the& $ere on their $a& in the l!4!rio!sl& fitted plane" It did did no nott fl& fl& at th thee spe peed ed of Co Con% n%or orde de,, b! b!tt it $a $ass less less nois& ois& an and d far far more ore %omfortable" (he re%lining seats $ere like arm%hairs and %oered in an orange t$eed, the %olo!r e4a%tl& mat%hing the al Hashib emblem of a ha$k" Dana do:ed and 6halid again ret!rned to his papers" (he bab& $as fra%tio!s and Lorna spent most of her time tr&ing to keep her am!sed" 2in%e the eening 6halid had asked her to ret!rn to 6!$ait $ith them, she had not seen him alone" He had gone to Paris !ntil the da& before their depart!re from London, and een on his last night he had dined o!t" Lorna so!rl& admitted that he $as not so m!%h deliberatel& aoiding her, as that haing a%%omplished his aim, he sa$ no reason to go o!t of his $a& to be more than polite" It $as nearl& midnight $hen the& landed at 6!$ait" (he airport $as small, !ltramodern and spotlessl& %lean" 2eeral dark-skinned men r!shed for$ard as soon as the& entered the b!ilding, and gabbled in Arabi% to 6halid $ho, she gathered, $as giing instr!%tionss to his serants abo!t their l!ggage" instr!%tion (o Lorna's s!rprise, Allan $as not there to greet her" 2he had telephoned to let him kno$ she $as %oming oer $ith Dana, and altho!gh he had so!nded delighted, his %onersation had been stilted" !t he had promised to meet her, tho!gh their ho!r of arrial $as late" (he m&ster& $as soon soled $hen 6halid $as handed a message b& a re%eptionist, $hi%h he 1!i%kl& read" 'Yo!r brother sends his apologies,' he told her" 'He had to do an emergen%& Caesarian operation and he's been detained at the hospital" He'll be oer to see &o! in the morning"'

 

Dana's fa%e sho$ed her disappointment, b!t she t!rned a$a& to speak to one of the serants so that 6halid did not noti%e an&thing amiss" 2$iftl& he propelled them to$ards the e4it and into a large $hite Cadilla%, $hile their l!ggage $as piled into a Rolls Corni%he parked behind" (r!st 6halid to !se a Rolls as a an3 (he *o!rne& to the s!b!rb of 2alami&&a took onl& half an ho!r thro!gh the $ell-lit  bo!leards of 6!$ait" Lorna glimpsed tall, modern b!ildings and lots of open spa%es  $ith grass and and trees s!rro!ndin s!rro!nding g them, b!t the& $ere $ere mere et%h et%hings ings in the dark dark"" '0here's the old part of the %it&' she asked" '7nfort!natel& there's er& little of it left,' 6halid said" '.o$ada&s a b!ilding that has stood for t$ent& &ears is %onsidered anti1!e" 0e hae tried to eradi%ate o!r past too 1!i%kl& for m& liking, and $ith some disastro!s res!lts"' He $aed an arm" 'Look at these glass and %on%rete monstrosities"' '0hat did &o! hae before' He took the point and his teeth gleamed in the semi-darkness of the %ar" '0e didn't all lie in tents, &o! kno$" #an& Arab families here hae had great $ealth for man&  &ears"' Lorna bit ba%k the %omment that no$ some of them had more mone& than sense" 2ome things $ere better left !nsaid" 'Yo!'ll also see lots of !nfinished ho!ses and apartments all oer the %it&,' Dana  *oined in the %onersation" %onersation" 'It's a national mania to $ant something bigger and better all the time"' (he& $ere no$ speeding along the d!al %arriage$a& that bordered the seafront" It  $as a b!s& main road and traffi% roared past in an in%essant stream despite the late ho!r" (he& finall& dre$ !p alongside a $hite fortress-like $all in $hi%h $ere set $ro!ghtiron gates that glided open ele%troni%all&" (he %ar droe bet$een them and into a %ir%!lar drie$a&, giing Lorna her first breathtaking glimpse of the spra$ling illa" It  $as single-store&ed single-store&ed and #oorish in st&le, the smooth fa%ade gleaming like a pearl in the moonlight" An elegant ar%hed $ro!ght-iron erandah rangrilles" its entire length and long narro$ $indo$s $ere de%orated $ith !t she $as left little time to linger and admire, and $as shepherded s$iftl& into the re%tang!lar hall"  A solemn-fa solemn-fa%ed %ed b!tler in $hite *a%ket and striped tro!sers stood b& the open %ared teak door, giing orders to the serants $ho $ere %arr&ing in the %arloads of l!ggage" An elderl& $oman in traditional Arab garb stood beside him, b!t as soon as Dana %ame !p the marble steps she fell on her, kissing her and making a great f!ss and noise oer the  bab&" '#& old n!rse,' Dana e4plained to Lorna $hen she finall& managed to p!ll herself a$a&" '2he'll be taking %are of Amina"' Lorna tho!ght she and looked tooread an%ient for the demanding task of %aring for an a%tie nine-month nine-month-old -old %hild, Dana the !n%ertaint& on her fa%e"

 

'Don't $orr&,' she added reass!ringl&" reass!ringl&" '2he's not as old as she looks, and her da!ghter Farida $ill be helping o!t as $ell"' 'Don't stand there talking,' 6halid interr!pted his sister" '#other is in bed, b!t she  $on't sleep !ntil $e'e seen her' He looked at Lorna" 'I'm s!re &o! m!st be tired, so #!stafa $ill sho$ &o! to &o!r room" He speaks fairl& good English and if &o! need an&thing, ask him"' Lorna t!rned to moe a$a&, b!t 6halid's oi%e stopped her" 'Please don't !npa%k &o!r %lothes" 5ne of the serants $ill do it for &o! in the morning"' 'I'm 1!ite able to manage on m& o$n"' 'I'm s!re &o! are" !t the serants $ill see it as a sign that &o! don't tr!st them"' His smile $as dr&" 'Life here is different from England" A &o!ng $oman of &o!r %lass is not e4pe%ted to do an&thing for herself, and as &o! are here as a friend of the famil&, I m!st ask &o! to follo$ o!r %!stoms"' He strode a$a& and Lorna, left alone $ith the b!tler, glan%ed slo$l& aro!nd" (he entran%e hall %ontained no f!rnit!re, b!t the %ream stone $alls $ere h!ng $ith large modern paintings and freestanding s%!lpt!res dotted the bl!e terra%otta tiled floor"  Altho!gh her kno$ledge of art $as limited, she re%ognised the $ork of Reg !tler, 6andinsk& and #ondriaan, and $as s!itabl& impressed" (he $all of glass opposite her parted !nder ele%tri% po$er as she follo$ed the manserant into an o!tside %o!rt&ard planted $ith e4oti% trees and shr!bs" ($o flat, o%tagonal marble fo!ntains of spa%e-age design $ere inset into the $hite grael, and floodlit, so that the $ater glittered belo$" (he ar%hed and pillared terra%e $as lit b& a m!ltit!de of lanterns, altho!gh the rooms be&ond them $ere in darkness" #ore glass glided open and she entered a $ide %orridor $ith a seemingl& endless arra& of $hite lo!red doors" 'All bedrooms here,' the b!tler e4plained, and opened one, standing ba%k for her to enter" (he first thing $as she sa$ $as her l!ggage, neatl& sta%ked andalmond $aitinggreen for her9 the ne4t thing she noti%ed the pale s&%amore f!rnit!re and thi%k, l!sh %arpet and drapes" 'Is an&thing I get &o!' the man asked $ith a smile, sho$ing a set of pearl& $hite teeth too perfe%t to be his o$n" '.o, thank &o!"' Lorna smiled" 'Yo! $ant later, &o! ring bell b& bed"' 0ith a salaam he glided o!t" Lorna !npa%ked her smallest alise, $hi%h %ontained her night%lothes" In spite of 6halid's $arning, she $as damned if she $o!ld sleep in the n!de *!st to please the serants" (he& $o!ld hae to be %ontent $ith her remaining three %ases in the morning" In spite of being e4ha!sted she had a bath, and fo!nd it diffi%!lt not to linger in the lightl& s%ented $ater of the pink marble s!nken t!b" !t after a 1!i%k dip she thankf!ll& slipped into bed and l!4!riated in the feel of p!re silk sheets !pon her limbs" If Ann or

 

Daid %o!ld see her no$3 Her e&es $ere hea&, &et sleep did not %ome, for her mind $as too f!ll of the da&'s eents and the strangeness of her s!rro!ndings" 2he $as glad Allan had not been at the airport to meet them, for 6halid might hae noti%ed something amiss" His e&es $ere sharp and Dana $as not good at hiding her feelings" 7nlike herself, of %o!rse" Fort!natel& he had no idea she fo!nd him attra%tie" 2he t!rned restlessl&" He $as not a man $ho $o!ld take no for an ans$er/he probabl& rarel& needed to/and if he eer g!essed ho$ s!s%eptible she $as to him, he $o!ld e4ploit the sit!ation to his adantage" It $as a disma&ing prospe%t, for she $as b& no means %onin%ed she %o!ld resist him if he t!rned on his %harm again" Yet resist him she m!st" His interest in her $as p!rel& se4!al and %o!ld lead onl& to bed/neer the altar" (his $as something she m!st neer forget" It $as the onl& $a& in $hi%h she %o!ld manage to keep the f!ll flame of her resistan%e b!rning"

 

CH+/%0 ,6 L5R.A  $as   $as ro!sed the follo$ing morning b& a kno%k at her door, and glan%ing at the small bedside %lo%k, she sa$ it $as past nine" 'Come on, la:&bones,' Dana %ried gail&, darting in" 'It's a bea!tif!l da& and I don't  $ant &o! to $aste $aste a moment of it it"'"' 'I tho!ght the $eather $as al$a&s good here,' said Lorna" '.ot in $inter" 0e hae the odd rainstorm or it's too $ind& to sit o!tside"' Dana $ent oer to the $indo$s and p!lled open the %!rtains letting in a s!dden bla:e of s!nshine" 'Do h!rr& and get dressed"' 'It's not the s!n &o!'re afraid of missing,' Lorna replied, for%ing herself o!t of bed" 'It's Allan" !t for +od's sake be %aref!l $hen &o! see him" Een if 6halid isn't aro!nd, remember the serants hae e&es and ears too"' 'Don't $orr&,' Dana reass!red her" 'I'e no intention of r!ining m& $onderf!l plan b& doing an&thing foolish" 6halid's alread& left for the offi%e, so $e sho!ldn't be dist!rbed"' 2he $aited $hile Lorna dressed, %hatting e4%itedl& all the time" Rarel& had she looked so %arefree, and on%e again Lorna fo!nd it eas& to !nderstand $h& Allan had fallen in loe $ith her" 2he $as a $arm, !n%ompli%ated girl, $ith a sense of f!n that  $o!ld %omplement %omplement his mor moree serio!s nat nat!re" !re" Lorna's first glimpse of the immense liing area that ran the entire breadth of the ho!se and oerlooked the o%ean $as as breathtaking as her first ie$ of the ho!se itself" It m!st hae been some fift& feet s1!are and $as approa%hed b& a small entran%e hall,  $hi%h in t!rn led on to a $ide galler&" 5n less-than-s less-than-s!nn& !nn& da&s this se%tion %o!ld be red!%ed in si:e b& sliding glass $alls, and it $as indeed m!lti-p!rpose, for part of the galler& $as an o!tdoor dining-room oerlooking the garden" In the liing room itself, %h!nk& $hite $i%ker %hairs and pale t$eed-%oered settees  $ere gro!ped informall informall& & to proide fo!r or fie %onersation areas, and the predominating %olo!rs of t!r1!oise, orange and $hite harmonised perfe%tl& $ith the  bl!e terra%otta terra%otta tiling of the flo floor/$hi%h or/$hi%h al also so ran thro thro!gho!t !gho!t the entire ho! ho!se" se" '6halid has fab!lo!s taste,' Dana stated matter-of-fa%tl&, noting Lorna's $ide-e&ed admi ad mira rati tion on of the the fi fine ne Ar Artt .o .o! !ea ea! ! de de%o %orr an and d th thee e1 e1!a !all ll& & fine fine or orna name ment ntss th that at embellished it< lali1!e ases, a %hess set in gold and enamel inset $ith t!r1!oise *e$els and a ariet& of mirrors all made b& the top %raftsmen of that era"

 

'He approed eer& item of f!rnit!re himself, and seeral of the ideas $ere his,' Dana added" 'He m!st hae inherited his talent from his mother,' Lorna %ommented" 'Don't sa& that in front of him,' Dana $arned, and led the $a& o!t of the liing-room to a flo$er-filled patio set $ith more $i%ker f!rnit!re" Here, a table $as set for breakfast, and Lorna $as s!rprised to find the %ooking de%idedl& English" '(his $as laid on for &o!,' Dana informed her, sipping %offee and $at%hing Lorna ta%kle s%rambled s%rambled eggs" '6halid tho!ght &o! $o!ld prefer not to tr& o!r food on &o!r first morning"' Lorna $as gratified b& 6halid's tho!ghtf!lness" 'I ass!med he'd %onsider r!nning a home to be $omen's $ork"' 'He does" !t he hasn't fo!nd a $oman he %an tr!st to r!n it as effi%ientl& as he does" He's terribl& parti%!lar, parti%!lar, and has all the serants trained like old English retainers retainers"'"' 'Doesn't &o!r mother mind his interferen%e' '#& mother has her o$n separate 1!arters, and she does as she pleases there"' Lorna looked perple4ed" '6halid entertains men and $omen together here and m& mother $o!ld neer *oin a so%ial gathering of mi4ed %ompan&,' Dana e4plained" '(hat's $h& she keeps to her o$n 1!arters !nless 6halid spe%ifi%all& inites her to %ome o!t"' 'Does that mean she onl& sees $omen' 'Yes, and so do most of her friends"' 'Doesn't she ever go o!t' 'Yo! %an't keep her in,' the other girl la!ghed" '5ne of her fe$ %on%essions to the modern $orld is to be drien ro!nd the %it&" Instead of $hiling a$a& her ho!rs at home, as she !sed to, she isits her friends and sees the ne$ $orld $orld that's gro$n !p o!tside" 2he also adores gossiping for ho!rs on the telephone" In m& father's da& she $o!ld neer hae been allo$ed to do either"' 'Considering &o!r father broke $ith tradition b& taking an English$oman as his first  $ife, I'm s!rprised s!rprised he $as so sstri%t tri%t $ith his sse%ond,' e%ond,' said L Lorna" orna" Dana looked am!sed" 'Yo! m!st realise that the men here hae al$a&s had do!ble standards" A$a& from home the& lie as the& please, b!t in 6!$ait the& toe the line and demand the same of their $omen"' 'I'm 'I'm not a 0om 0omen en's 's Lib Libber ber,' ,' Lor Lorna na re* re*oin oined, ed, 'b! 'b!tt &o &o! ! %o! %o!ld ld do $it $ith h sta start rting ing a moement here" It strikes strikes me there's onl& one thing to be in 6!$ait/and that's a man"'  After the& had finished finished eating, Dan Dana a s!ggested takin taking g Lorna to meet h her er mother" 'I'e left instr!%tions that $e're to be told as soon as Allan arries,' she said" #adam al Hashib $as haing %offee $hen the& entered her liing room" 2he $as in

 

her late forties, pl!mp, $ith an !nlined fa%e, and had the same sa!%er-like bro$n e&es as her da! da!ght ghter er an and d gra grandd ndda!g a!ghte hter" r" 2!r 2!rpri prisin singl& gl& she $a $ass in E!r E!rope opean an %loth %lothes< es< a silk silk shirt$aister and high-heeled shoes, and she $ore her short, dark hair in the latest st&le"   Ahlan 'Ahlan wa sahlan, sahlan,''  she said $ith a friendl& smile, and shook Lorna's hand before giing her da!ghter an affe%tionate kiss on the %heek" (hat means a smiling $el%ome,' Dana translated" '7nfort!natel& m& mother speaks  er& little English"' English"' #adam al Hashib %ontin!ed talking to her da!ghter in gentle tones, b!t $ith an air of liel& interest, her hands fl!ttering in small pre%ise gest!res to emphasise her $ords" '2he's delighted to hear &o!r brother $orks at the 2a!d hospital,' Dana told Lorna  $ith pretended inno%en%e" inno%en%e" '2he $ $ants ants &o! to feel fre freee to inite him here"' here"' Lorna %o!ld hae $r!ng Dana's ne%k, b!t instead a%kno$ledged the $oman's offer  $ith a smile of thanks" thanks" For the ne4t fe$ min!tes mother and da!ghter spoke in Arabi% and Lorna st!died the room" E4pensiel& f!rnished, b!t old-fashioned, it $o!ld not hae been o!t of pla%e in 8i%torian England, %ro$ded as it $as $ith bri%-a-bra% and photographs" (he %ontrast to the rest of the ho!se $as so great that it $as obio!s 6halid had had no hand in the de%or here"  A kno%k at the door made her t!rn ro!nd, and a serant entered entered and anno!n%ed that  Allan had arried" arried" Dana tried to keep her e4pression non%ommittal, b!t she %o!ld not hide the sparkle in her e&es, and $ith a m!rm!red e4%!se to her mother she follo$ed Lorna o!t"  Allan $as $aiting for them in the liing-room and for a brief instan%e he stared silentl& at Dana before stepping for$ard to h!g his sister" Close to him, Lorna sensed his tension and her fears for him gre$" 'It's $onderf!l to see &o!,' he m!rm!red" 'Yo!'re looking great"' '2o are &o!,' she said, altho!gh he didn't" He $as too thin and too pale, $ith fine lines aro!nd his e&es that sho!ld not hae  been there" Darling Allan, she tho!ght, and %o!ld %heerf!ll& %heerf!ll& hae %onsigned Dana to the nether regions" !t t!rning to look at the girl, her s&mpath& $as alerted, for Dana $as staring at Allan $ith a $orld of loe in her e&es" 'Aren't &o! going to sa& h!llo to me' Dana asked" '5f %o!rse"' His oi%e $as h!sk&, stilted" 'Yo!'re looking er& $ell" Are &o! planning to sta& long' '7ntil &o! ret!rn to England"' His fa%e %ontorted" 'Dana, don't" Yo! m!stn't sa& that"' '0h& not Hae &o! stopped loing me' He fl!ng an ang!ished look at his sister, and Lorna stared ba%k at him $ordlessl&" !t her e4pression made it %lear that Dana had p!t her in the pi%t!re"

 

'Co!ldn't &o! hae pers!aded her not to %ome ba%k' he demanded, his oi%e still h!sk&" '.o, I %o!ldn't"' Lorna glan%ed at her $at%h" 'I'm taking a stroll aro!nd the garden" !t I $on't be, a$a& for more than ten min!tes/it's too dangero!s for &o! to be alone for longer than that"' 2he h!rried o!t, kno$ing that the moment she disappeare disappeared d from sight the& $o!ld be in ea%h other's arms" It %ame home to her that she $as a part& to Dana's de%eit, and her %ons%ien%e, %ons%ien %e, $hi%h had pri%ked her in England, no$ began to *ab more sharpl&" Yet short of telling 6halid the tr!th there $as nothing she %o!ld do e4%ept $at%h and make s!re that neither Allan nor Dana did an&thing that $o!ld aro!se the $rath of this harshl& rigid so%iet&" & th thee time time sh shee ret! ret!rn rned ed to th thee lii liing ng-r -roo oom m Al Alla lan n an and d Da Dana na $e $ere re sitt sittin ing g %ir%!mspe%tl& on t$o different settees, b!t the girl's bro$n e&es $ere glo$ing, and een  Allan %o!ld %o!ld not hide his *o&" '0ith &o! in the ho!se,' he said to his sister, 'I'll at least be able to %ome here $itho!t aro!sing s!spi%ion" s!spi%ion"'' (hat depends ho$ often &o! %ome"' 'Eer& da&,' Dana said before he %o!ld repl&" '.o"' Allan ran his fingers thro!gh his hair" It $as seeral shades darker than Lorna's, and his e&es did not hae the same iolet tinge" !t it $as obio!s the& $ere brother and sister, for the& had the same s!pple gra%e of moement, tho!gh Allan $as *!st !nder si4 feet" '0e'e got to be sensible abo!t things, Dan Dana,' a,' he $ent on" 'Yo!'re married and/' 'I'll r!n a$a& from Hassan and take Amina $ith me" I'll hide and the&'ll neer find me"' 'I'm afraid I can can''t hide,' Allan reminded her" 'esides, it $o!ldn't $ork" Yo!'d neer  be happ& liing that that kind of life"' '0hat do Ib!t hae she %ried,and hershe large e&es shining $ith tears" 2he to  blink themlife a$a&, a$a&, theno$' flo$ in in%reased %reased ga gae e a little sob an and d ran from thetried rroom" oom" 'Ho$ in heaen's name did &o! get inoled in this mess' Lorna asked tartl&, tr&ing not to feel s&mpatheti% as she sa$ the strained e4pression on her brother's fa%e" 'I tho!ght &o! $ere far too sensible"' '2o did I,' he sighed" 'It all started so %as!all& that I $as in loe before I realised it"' 'Hassan $ill neer let her go,' Lorna stated" '2he's his meal ti%ket" It's onl& 6halid  $ho %an set her her free"' 'He'll neer do that" He has fi4ed ideas of a $oman's pla%e and nothing $ill %hange him" If he gen!inel& %ared for Dana's happiness he %o!ld arrange a dior%e for her and make s!re she kept Amina"' 'Hassan's also a %o!sin,' Lorna pointed o!t" '2o famil& hono!r is inoled too"' '6halid's rigid $ith his damned hono!r,' Allan m!ttered fier%el&" 'It's made him

 

!nable to think in h!manisti% terms"' 'I kno$" I'e %lashed $ith him more than on%e"' 'I sho!ldn't think that $ent do$n $ell $ith his holiness" He's !sed to $omen keeping their opinions to themseles"' (here $as a pa!se" 'Let's forget this mess, shall $e (ell me all the ne$s from home" I kno$ the parents are $ell, be%a!se I spoke to them last  $eek, b!t I haen't haen't heard from D Daid aid for some tim time" e" Ho$ are things bet$een &o! t$o' Lorna felt a pang of g!ilt at the mention of Daid's name" 2he had onl& told him she  $as going to 6!$ait the eening before her depart!re, %alling him on the telephone to do so" He had $anted to %ome oer to sa& goodb&e, b!t she had pleaded pa%king to do, and tho!gh he had kno$n it $as an e4%!se, he had a%%epted it" 'Daid and I are *!st good friends,' she m!rm!red" 'Pit&,' Allan %ommented" %ommented" 'It $o!ld hae been great to hae married &o! off to m& best friend" An&one else on the hori:on' Lorna shook her head, tho!gh for some reason the mo%king fa%e of 6halid loomed  iidl& before her" her" 'I'm fan%& free,' she said $ith determination" 'If &o! kno$ an& eligible ba%helors, &o! %an fi4 me !p $ith some dates"' '(he problem $ill be to keep them a$a& from &o!3 7natta%hed E!ropean $omen are at a premi!m here"' '0hat abo!t the n!rses in the hospital' '(here aren't eno!gh to go aro!nd"' He glan%ed at the door, then rose" 'I %an't %an't $ait for Dana" I hae an operation s%hed!led s%hed!led"'"' Lorna $alked $ith him a%ross the ast room and $at%hed from the hall as he eased himself into a red (o&ota %o!pe parked in the drie$a& beneath a palm tree" (he %ar had  *!st disappeared $hen Dana's Dana's high heels %o!ld be heard tapping on the floor, and Lorna s$!ng ro!nd, relieed to see the girl $as in %ontrol of herself and smiling" 'I feel so happ& no$,' she said softl&, linking her arm affe%tionatel& $ith Lorna's as the& $ent inside" '2eeing Allan has made me so %ontented"' Lorna do!bted if this %ontentment $o!ld last" (heir loe $as too strong for passions to remain !nsatisfied, and she dreaded to think $hat the final o!t%ome might be" '2hall $e hae a s$im and then l!n%h b& the pool' Dana asked" 'I don't kno$ abo!t  &o!, b!t I feel too tired tired to do an&thin an&thing g e4%ept la:e"' '2!its me" !t $h& don't $e s$im in the sea It's far more inigorating"' Dana $as horrified at the s!ggestion" '.o 6!$aiti girl $o!ld $ear a s$imming %ost!me in p!bli%" If she $ere seen b& a man other than her h!sband, she $o!ld bring shame on herself and her famil&" 0e do as $e please $hen $e're abroad, b!t $hen $e lie here, $e hae to %onform"' 'Do &o! mind if I go' 'I don't think &o! sho!ld" (he men here aren't !sed to seeing $omen in s$ims!its"'

 

'!t there isn't a so!l on the bea%h"' '0e still %an't %ontrol trespassers"' 'Yo!'re not s!ggesting I'll be molested' Dana nodded" '(here hae been a fe$ %ases of rape $hen 0estern $omen haen't respe%ted o!r %onentions" %onentions" Don't forget it's onl& the ri%h 6!$aitis 6! $aitis $ho trael abroad and hae girl-friends" (hose $ho don't, lie like monks !ntil the& marr&" (hat's $h& the& marr& so &o!ng" 0e also hae religio!s fanati%s $ho $ill stop at nothing if the& see an&one flo!ting their la$s"' Dana $as painting s!%h a l!rid pi%t!re that Lorna did not beliee it" .eertheless she respe%ted her friend's $ishes and sat b& the pool $ith her" (he& la:ed a$a& the rest of the morning !ntil serants bro!ght them a meal of fresh pra$n salad and a dessert of e4oti% imported fr!its" After$ards Lorna do:ed off in the  $arm s!nshine" In spite of her fair skin she tanned easil&, b!t all the same she heeded Dana's $arning and kept her head %oered $ith a large stra$ hat" (he s!n had a b!rning intensit& here that she had not en%o!ntered before"  0hen she a$oke she $as s!rprised to find herself alone" +lan%ing at the time she sa$ it $as nearl& fie" 2he m!st hae been more tired than she tho!ght, for she had slept for oer t$o ho!rs" Dana reappeared a fe$ min!tes later, f!ll& dressed" 'I hae to take Amina oer to m& in-la$s,' she e4plained" 'Yo!'re er& $el%ome to *oin !s if &o! $ish"' 'If &o! don't mind I'd like to sort o!t m& %lothes" (he&'e been !npa%ked and pressed, pressed,  b!t I $ant to rearrange rearrange them" them"'' 'Yo! $on't miss an&thing b& not %oming,' Dana m!ttered" '#& father-in-la$ doesn't kno$ ho$ to make light %onersation, and m& mother-in-la$ has the personalit& of a mo!se"'  After she had gone, Lorna settled ba%k again in her %hair" It $as 1!ite perfe%t b& the pool" It $as tiled %ompletel& in mosai% and kidne&-shaped" (here $as a diing-board at the far end as $el $elll as %ha %hangi ngingng-roo rooms ms $ith $ith sho$e sho$ers rs"" (he $ate $aterr em emitt itted ed the same delightf!l fragran%e she had noti%ed in the bath the preio!s night, and together $ith the %l!sters of pink and $hite $aterlilies floating on a raised dais in the %entre, added an e4oti% to!%h" 6halid had omitted nothing in his sear%h for perfe%tion, e4%ept perhaps a s$an for his mini-lake"  As the s!n sank lo$er, shado$s flitted a%ross the $ater, and p!tting on a to$elling  *a%ket that mat%hed her s%arlet bikini, Lorna made her $a& a%ross the grass and past a %l!mp of trees to the bea%h" It $as %ompletel& deserted, as $as the sea, e4%ept for a dho$ sailing lo$ on the hori:on" (he %oastline $as flat as far as the e&e %o!ld see, and altho!gh a b!s& high$a& ran along it leading into the %it&, this end $as almost deoid of traffi%" Dana had told her that this area, near the point of Ras al Ardh, $as not onl& the smartest b!t also the most desirable residential distri%t, sin%e ho!ses here %o!ld %at%h the %ool bree:es off the sea" 6halid's $as the last one to be b!ilt along this stret%h of %oast and tho!gh $ork had started on another mansion some $a& !p, for the moment

 

his position $as id&lli%all& pea%ef!l" 2he moed a%ross the sand" It $as soft !nderfoot and da::lingl& pale" Close to, the o%ean $as %r&stal %lear and she slipped off her sandals and let it lap gentl& oer her feet" It $as not as $arm as she had ass!med, b!t it $as marello!sl& refreshing" Ignoring Dana's earlier $arning, she dropped her *a%ket on the sand and ran 1!i%kl& into the  $ater" Lorna s$am 1!ite a distan%e, and then floated on her ba%k, allo$ing the %!rrent to  bring her in" It $as onl& as she did so that she noti%ed a man in a $hite dashdasha dashdasha,, headdress fl&ing behind him, striding p!rposef!ll& to$ards her" He m!st hae been driing b& and spotted her as she $ent into the $ater" In spite of the $armth of the last ra&s of the s!n, Lorna felt herself gro$ing %old" 5ther than the t$o of them the bea%h $as still %ompletel& deserted, and the& %o!ld not  be seen from the the ho!se" esides esides,, $ho $as ther theree to miss her 2$iftl& she ran o!t of the sea and a%ross the sand to $here she had left her *a%ket" (he man started to moe to$ards her and she t!rned and headed in the dire%tion of the ho!se" !t the siler sand that had preio!sl& felt as light as silk against her feet no$ seemed to hold her in its grip like %ement, making ea%h step an effort of $ill" Ho$eer 1!i%kl& she moed, her p!rs!er appeared to be gaining on her, and $hen she st!mbled and fell, her heart began to po!nd $ith !n%ontrollable fear" #omentaril& she %losed her e&es and tried to regain her breath, b!t before she %o!ld raise herself again and r!n, strong hands gripped her sho!lders" 2he gae a sharp s%ream of fear and her assailant t!gged her to her feet angril&" (he a%tion released her from the paral&sis of fright and she str!ggled $ildl& in his hold, sho!ting and p!mmelling on his %hest as hard as she %o!ld, at the same time aiming sharp blo$s on his shins $ith her feet" 'For +od's sake open &o!r e&es,' a harsh male oi%e ordered" 'It's me/6halid3' For an instant the $ords did not penetrate, b!t the fa%t that the& $ere English ones reass!red her eno!gh for her fear to lessen" As it did, the meaning of them %ame home to her, and she %ollapsed against his %hest as limpl& as a rag doll" 6halid held her %lose, and beneath the fine %otton of his robe she felt his heart  beating as rapidl& rapidl& as her o$n" 'I 'I; ; I didn didn't 't real realis isee it $a $ass &o &o!, !,'' she she said said br brea eathl thles essl sl&" &" 'I ; th tho! o!gh ght; t; in &o &o!r !r dashdasha;"' 'Yo!'ree l!%k& 'Yo!'r l!%k& it was me,' he replied, still holding her" 'Didn't Dana tell &o! not to %ome on the bea%h alone' 'Yes, b!t/' 'Yes, b!t/' he repeated angril&" 'Don't &o! eer do as &o!'re told' 2he ignored this" 'Ho$ did &o! kno$ $here to find me' of ho!se the serants told Ime &o! hadn't $ith  &o!'5ne in the or gardens s!s s!spe%ted pe%ted &o!gone had o!t %om %ome e o!tDana, here"'and $hen I %o!ldn't find

 

He ga:ed do$n at her and his e&es, $hi%h had so re%entl& held anger, $ere glinting  $ith another emotion" 'I don't normall normall& & find that the sight of me ind!%es $omen to pani% and r!n/1!ite the opposite, in fa%t"' '.at!rall&"' 'E4%ept for &o!,' he added" '!t at least this time I didn't get m& fa%e slapped"' '.ot so far"' Her $ords sered to remind him he $as still holding her near-naked bod& in his arms, and he stepped ba%k instantl&" 'I think $e both need a drink,' he said stiffl&, and t!rned a$a& from her" In silen%e the& ret!rned to the ho!se, ea%h o%%!pied $ith their o$n tho!ghts" Lorna %o!ld not s!ppress a self-satisfied smile at her o$n" 2he had finall& managed to make this self-possessed man lose his %ool, tho!gh he $as still not %ertain $h& he had" 2!rel& a near-naked female did not hold an& m&ster& for him 5r had he been $orried in %ase she had been s%ared he $o!ld take adantage of the sit!ation 2he $as s!rprised that no s!%h tho!ght had o%%!rred to her, 2he kne$ he still  $anted her, b!t she also kne$ he $o!ld neer take an !n$illing $oman" He $as too pro!d, as $ell as too !sed to s!bserien%e" e%a!se of this, her earlier re*e%tion of him made it all the more ne%essar& for him to be absol!tel& s!re of her before he made another approa%h" 2eated in the liing-room, after %hanging into a floral skirt and mat%hing tee-shirt, she $at%hed as he e4pertl& mi4ed her a fr!it drink la%ed $ith %hampagne" In 0es 0ester tern n %l %loth othes es he had look looked ed han handso dsome, me, b!t in his nati nationa onall dre dress ss he $a $ass o!tstanding/ Holl&$ood's idea of a sheikh" Ri%h Arab $omen might spend a fort!ne dressing !p to look like the ri%h did eer&$here/b!t the men still preferred the long flo$ing robes of the dashdasha $hen the& $ere at home" & not needing to 0esternise their appearan%e the& not onl& sho$ed ho$ m!%h more eman%ipated the& $ere, b!t also set themseles ph&si%all& and mentall& apart from their $omenfolk/and proed $hat s!perior beings the& $ere" 0ell, 6halid $as r!nning tr!e to form" He looked !p and their e&es met" He allo$ed his to roam slo$l& oer her as she rela4ed against the t!r1!oise %!shions of the $i%ker %o!%h" 2he kne$ that $ith her  blonde hair t!mbling loosel& oer her sho!lders and the thin %otton of her tee-shirt o!tlining the f!llness of her breasts, she made an all!ring pi%t!re" Een so she $as irritated b& the long appraisal to $hi%h he s!b*e%ted her" 'It's r!de to stare,' she stated %oldl&" 'I like looking at bea!t&"' He %ame a%ross to her, drink in hand" 'An&$a&, &o! sho!ld  be !sed to it" Don't Englishmen Englishmen st stare are at &o!' '.ot in the same $a&"' 'Indeed Are Englishmen different from other men' '.o,' she said s$eetl&" '!t the&'re not as obio!s"' His mo!th narro$ed, tho!gh his lo$er lip still remained sens!al as he handed her

 

the drink" '(aste this and see if it's s$eet eno!gh"' 2he sipped it and nodded, and he sat beside her on the %o!%h, one arm resting %as!all& along the ba%k of her %!shion" 'I 'I'm 'm sorr sorr& & I fr frig ight hten ened ed &o &o! ! on the the bea% bea%h, h,'' he said said !n !ne4 e4pe pe%t %ted edl& l&"" '( '(ho ho!g !gh h I'm I'm s!rprised at the $a& &o! took fright" I tho!ght a liberated $oman $as aboe that sort of thing"' Lorna reddened" 'In normal %ir%!mstan%es I'm not 1!ite s!%h a %o$ard" !t Dana petrified me $ith stories of rape and m!rder if I $ent s$imming alone, and $hen I sa$  &o!, I pani%ked"' '2eres &o! right for disregarding adi%e" I hae alread& told &o! that I e4pe%t &o! to %onform to o!r $a& of life $hile &o! are o!r g!est here"' Feeling she desered the reprimand, she did not arg!e" 'Dana e4aggerated some$hat,' he $ent on" '(ho!gh she $as right to $arn &o!" 0e don't like o!r $omen to fla!nt themseles, and those that do are asking for tro!ble"' '0hat abo!t the men $ho %a!se the tro!ble' '(he& are also dealt $ith"' His $ords $ere a %hilling reminder of $hat might lie in store for Allan if he $ere %a!ght $ith Dana, and she %o!ld barel& s!ppress a sh!dder" 6halid sa$ it and mistook the reason" '.o harm $ill befall &o! $hile &o! are in m& home, Lorna" I'll go $ith &o! ne4t time  &o! hae the !rge to s$im s$im in the sea" sea" I  I onl& atta%k $hen there's a f!ll moon"' He sipped his drink and she made an effort to regain her %ompos!re, sei:ing on the first $ords that %ame into her head" 'I tho!ght it $as against &o!r religion to drink al%ohol I kno$ &o! do $hen &o!'re a$a& from home b!t/'  'I'm not a #oslem,' he interr!pted smoothl&" 'It $as the one %ondition m& mother laid do$n $hen she sent me here"' He sa$ Lorna's embarrassment, b!t s!rprisingl& did not %hide her for her remark" Instead he looked at her tho!ghtf!ll& oer the rim of his glass" 'Are &o! seeing &o!r brother this eening' 'Yes/after dinner" He isn't free !ntil late" I hope that's all right $ith &o!' 'Yo! don't need to ask m& permission if &o! $ant to go o!t" Yo! aren't here as a serant"' 'I'm not stri%tl& here as a g!est either,' she reminded him" 'Yo! bro!ght me here to keep Dana %ompan&, so if &o!'re planning to go o!t tonight I shall sta& home $ith her"' '(hat $asn't the reason I asked $hat &o! $ere doing,' he said" 'It so happens that I'm dining at home and I hoped &o!r brother %o!ld *oin !s" I $ished to meet him" !t if he's  b!s& !ntil late, late, perhaps he $il $illl %ome oer after after dinner'

 

Lorna did not kno$ $hat to sa&" (he initation $o!ld delight Dana, b!t the tho!ght of sitting thro!gh an eening of preten%e !nder 6halid's $at%hf!l ga:e might proe too m!%h of a strain for her o$n fra!ght neres" '(hank &o! for the initation,' she lied, 'b!t he's introd!%ing me to some of his friends tonight"' '(hen ho$ abo!t tomorro$' 'He doesn't hae m!%h free time at the moment" His department is short-staffed"' Dark bro Dark bro$s $s dre dre$ $ tog togeth ether er an and d Lor Lorna na $on $onder dered ed ner nero! o!sl sl& & if 6ha 6halid lid s!spe s!spe%te %ted d an&thing" e%a!se of this, his ne4t 1!estion %ame as a s!rprise" '(hen he $on't be able to spare m!%h time to sho$ &o! aro!nd' 'He has lots of ba%helor friends $ho $ill oblige"' '0hat abo!t my seri%es I $ill make an e4%ellent g!ide"' Lorna hesitated" Her heart $anted her to a%%ept the offer, b!t her head told her it  $o!ld be !n$ise" Yet haing hedged oer a%%epting an initation for Allan, she $as  $orried that if she said no to him, it $o!ld aro!se his ire" (he tho!ght of remaining in his home and haing him antagonisti% to$ards her $as more than she %o!ld bear" (hings $o!ld be diffi%!lt eno!gh for her/tr&ing to keep some %ontrol going bet$een Dana and Allan/$itho!t adding to the danger of her position b& haing 6halid angr& and $at%hf!l oer her" '(hank &o!,' she said slo$l&" 'I $o!ld like &o! to sho$ me &o!r %o!ntr&" !t is it $ise for !s to be seen o!t alone I'd hate to be responsible for r!ining &o!r rep!tation"' 'It's onl& o!r women women $ho  $ho need to $orr& abo!t their rep!tations/ rep!tations/as as &o! er& $ell kno$,' he responded eenl&, ref!sing to be dra$n" '!t $ith &o!r pale skin and golden hair there's no %han%e of an&one mistaking &o!r origins"' He leaned for$ard and gentl& lifted a lo%k of her hair, letting his hand br!sh her %heek as he did so" '(he %olo!r reminds me of s!n-ripened %orn in a 8an +ogh lands%ape, b!t it's as soft to the to!%h as  &o!r skin against mine"' He t$isted an another other strand aro!nd in his hand, !sing it to p!ll her fa%e %loser to his" 'I neer tire of looking at &o!, Lorna" (he more I see &o!, the more I $ant to see"' 5n%e more her fear of him ret!rned" Almost from their first meeting she had fo!ght against his magnetism, and his nearness made her tremble" His feat!res bl!rred in front of her and she sa$ onl& the pier%ing bl!eness of his e&es as the& ga:ed into her o$n" (he  blood p!lsed thro!gh thro!gh her bod&, m making aking her %ons %ons%io!s %io!s of eer& fibr fibre" e" 'A n!rse bl!shing' he $hispered" 'I don't beliee it"' Instantl& her hands fl!ttered fl!ttered to her b!rning fa%e" 6halid $as the onl& man $ho made her feel so !lnerable, and she $as alert to the danger of it" 2he dared not lose her %ontrol" If she did he $o!ld moe in s$iftl&" 2he shifted along the %o!%h, so that he $as for%ed to relin1!ish his hold on her" 'Yo!r el 'Yo!r elo1! o1!en% en%ee too took k me b& s!r s!rpri prise, se,'' she she e4%! e4%!sed sed her hersel selff $it $ith h a sha shak& k& la!gh la!gh"" 'Englishmen are more prosai% $ith their %ompliments"'

 

'And $ith their loemaking too, I beliee"'  0ith a s!dden, s!re moement he p!lled her ba%k a%ross the %o!%h and into his arms" His mo!th bore do$n on hers and she %losed her e&es" 7nable to stop herself, she fo!nd her limb limbss mo!l mo!lding ding themsel themseles es again against st his" E4pe E4pe%tin %ting g r!th r!thless lessness ness,, she $as ama:ed b& the gentleness of his hands and the softness of his lips" 2he did not $ant to respond, b!t she %o!ld not help herself, and her o$n lips parted" '+olden girl,' he m!rm!red against them" 'Yo! are eer&thing I'e dreamed of" If onl&  /' '(here's a messenger here from;' Dana's oi%e trailed off as she %ame into the room and sa$ them %lose together" 6halid released Lorna abr!ptl& and stood !p" '0hat messenger' 'From the offi%e" He has some do%!ments that need &o!r signat!re"'  0itho!t a ba%k$ard ba%k$ard glan%e 6ha 6halid lid strode o!t, his $ $hite hite robe flo$in flo$ing g behind him" 'I'm glad &o! t$o are getting on better,' Dana %ommented straightfa%ed, as soon as he $as o!t of earshot" 'Don't read too m!%h into a kiss,' said Lorna" '0e $ere both %arried a$a&"' '#& brother doesn't get %arried a$a& easil&, een b& a bea!tif!l girl" (here hae been too man& of them"' '(hen I am *!st one more,' said Lorna, determined to keep things %as!al" '.o, &o!'re not,' Dana denied" '6halid $o!ld neer imp!gn &o!r hono!r $hile &o! are a g!est in his home" I think he's falling in loe $ith &o!"' Lorna br!shed the s!ggestion aside, tho!gh her heart *!mped at the $ords" 'Yo!r  brother $o!ld $o!ld neer allo$ hi himself mself to loe a 0 0estern estern $oma $oman" n" Yo! told me sso o &o!rself"' '(hat $as before I sa$ the effe%t &o! had on him" I kno$ 6halid, and his behaio!r to$ards &o! is 1!ite different from normal"' 'I sho!ld hope so/$e're al$a&s arg!ing3' '(hat's $h& I think his interest in &o! is different from the others,' Dana stated tri!mphantl&" 'If he onl& sa$ &o! as a prett& fa%e he $o!ldn't tolerate &o!r disagreeable nat!re"' '(hanks for those kind $ords3' Dana giggled like a s%hoolgirl" 'Yo! kno$ $hat I mean" If m& brother didn't en*o& arg!ing $ith &o!, he $o!ldn't do it" He'd *!st ignore &o! %ompletel&"' (he bro$n e&es  $ere bright $ith $ith %!riosit&" 'Do & &o! o! loe him? ' '5h, for heaen's sake3' Lorna replied %rossl&" Yo! talk too freel& abo!t loe" It doesn't happen oernight, and %ertainl& not bet$een t$o people as opposite as &o!r  brother and I"' I"' Een as she spoke, Lorna realised there $as some tr!th in Dana's assertion" assertion" !t $hat

 

she felt for 6halid $as too tentatie for her to be s!re" 0anting a man ph&si%all& did not impl& loe" 2he needed to sort o!t her feelings, and !ntil she did, she $o!ld keep them to herself" 'If 6halid broke his o$n r!les and married a 0esterner,' Dana %ontin!ed, 'he might %hange his mind abo!t not allo$ing me to dior%e Hassan"' '2in%e he isn't likel& to break his o$n r!les, &o!'re ind!lging in da&dreams" 6halid ma& be attra%ted to me, b!t to talk of marriage is $ishf!l thinking"' Lorna $ent to the ar%h$a&" 'I think I'll hae a rest" 0hat time is dinner' 'Eight-thirt&"' Dana p!t o!t her hands" 'Yo!'re not %ross $ith me, are &o!' '.o/of %o!rse not"'  An& anger Lorna felt $as dire%ted against herself for being so s!s%eptible to 6halid" 2he resented eer&thing he stood for, &et in spite of it she behaed like a %hild in his presen%e" (he 1!i%ker Allan introd!%ed her to some other men the better for her pea%e of mind" #adam al Hashib *oined them for dinner, and to Lorna's disappointment, the food  $as more Fren%h Fren%h than 5 5riental" riental" '(his is deli%io!s,' she remarked, oer the %rab so!ffl=" '!t I e4pe%ted something more traditional/like traditional/like st!ffed ine leaes"' #adam looked at her %hildren e4pe%tantl&, and 6halid translated Lorna's %omment to her" 2he replied s$iftl& in Arabi%, $ith a $arm smile dire%ted at Lorna" '#& mother sa&s &o! m!st dine $ith her one eening if &o! $ish to taste tr!e Eastern %ooking" I find highl& spi%ed foods disagreeable,' he e4plained" '(hat is $h& the ne4t %o!rse is roast lamb instead of kebabs"' !t Lorna did noti%e that in tr!e Eastern tradition he had a er& s$eet tooth" In spite of the ri%h dessert of %rme br!l=e, he do$ned seeral b!tterfl&-shaped pastries that  $ere sered $ith the (!rkish %offee" His mother m!rm!red something to him, and he la!ghed" '#& mother tells me I $ill gro$ as pl!mp as a pigeon if I %ontin!e to ind!lge m&self,' he repeated for Lorna's benefit" '!t I hae a $eakness for derbils derbils"'"' He proffered the sti%k& pastries to Lorna, b!t she smiled a ref!sal" 'Do hae one,' Dana en*oined her" 'As &o! neer p!t on an o!n%e &o! %an afford to eat $hat &o! like" I don't eat an&$here near as m!%h as &o!, b!t I still p!t on $eight" I'm afraid I'e inherited #other's fig!re"' '!t not her disposition,' her brother teased" 'I hear &o!'e alread& 1!arrelled $ith  &o!r in-la$s"' in-la$s"' '(he& didn't $aste m!%h time reporting ba%k to &o!,' she ans$ered s!lkil&" '#r Rashid telephoned me" He $as er& !pset"' 6halid fro$ned" 'It's onl& nat!ral that the& sho!ld $ant to see as m!%h of Amina as possible $hile &o!'re here, and b& rights  &o! should sta& in their home"' 'Can &o! see Lorna being happ& there' 'I'm s!re Lorna $o!ldn't mind $here she sta&ed"' His e&es rested on the %orn-bright

 

hair before he spoke to his sister again" '2in%e her brother appears to be tied !p at the hospital, I hae offered to sho$ her the sights"' 'Lorna is here as m& %ompanion, not &o!rs,' Dana said instantl&" 'If she $ants to go o!t, she %an %ome $ith me. me.'' '($o $omen do not go o!t sightseeing alone,' he said %oldl&" 'As to &o!r parents-inla$, if &o! $ish to !pset them, that is &o!r o$n affair" I $on't tell &o! $hat to do"' Dana looked abo!t to make some r!de retort, b!t a $arning look from Lorna restrained restrain ed her, and she gae an apologeti% smile at her friend" '5f %o!rse there's no need for &o! to sta& $ith me the $hole time" I'm s!re m&  brother $ill make an interestin interesting g g!ide" He kno$s o!r %o!ntr& inside o!t and its histor&  /s!%h as it is"' '.o$ I hae m& sister's permission, ho$ abo!t o!r going o!t tomorro$ afternoon' 6halid s!ggested" 'I hae to go to the offi%e in the morning, b!t I %an be ba%k b& t$o"'  0anting to sho$ she $as not his to %ommand so easil&, Lorna said< 'I'd like to %he%k  $ith Allan first" first" He ma& ha hae e made some ar arrangement rangementss for me"' 'He %an al$a&s %hange them,' 6halid said ha!ghtil&" '!t don't forget to ask him if he  $ill *oin !s for dinner in the eening" I hae inited a fe$ friends oer to %elebrat %elebratee Dana's ret!rn"' 'I'll speak to him and let &o! kno$ in the morning"' 2he $as a$are of Dana's e&es lighting !p $ith pleas!re at the prospe%t of seeing him for an entire eening, and hoped 6halid did not noti%e" As long as he had no reason to do!bt his sister's motiation for ret!rning to 6!$ait, he $o!ld not $at%h her $ith s!spi%ion" !t if he s!spe%ted her of de%eption, he $o!ld obsere her like a ha$k, and een send her ba%k to England"  After dinner, Lorna p!t on a *a%ket and $ent into the hall to $ait for the %ar and %ha!ffe!r that $as to take her to her brother's apartment, 6halid haing made it %lear that no $oman in his ho!sehold $ent o!t alone, no matter $hat her nationalit&" 2he $as still b& the door $hen he %ame into the hall, and one look at his fa%e told her he $as still angered b& her reb!ff of him at the dinner-table" '0h& did &o! make an e4%!se not to %ome sightseeing $ith me' he demanded" 'It $asn't an e4%!se,' she lied" '!t Allan ma& be e4pe%ting me to go $ith him"' '2in%e $hen does a brother monopolise the attention of his sister to the e4%l!sion of other men (hat's a 0estern %!stom I hae not &et en%o!ntered"' 'Yo! kno$ er& $ell it's got nothing to do $ith %!stom"' Lorna did not $ant to look at the man standing so %lose to her, b!t she $as s%ared that if she didn't, he $o!ld g!ess ho$ m!%h his nearness affe%ted her" And it $as his effe%t on her that made her de%ide she dared not see too m!%h of him" 'I appre%iate &o!r desire to entertain me,' she %ontin!ed" '!t I think it $ill be better for !s both if o!r friendship doesn't progress an& f!rther"' 'It hasn't progressed at all,' he e4%laimed" 'Ho$ %an it, $hen &o! keep me at arm's

 

length all the time' '0hat do &o! $ant me to do' she demanded" 'P!ll &o! into them' 'If onl& &o! $o!ld"' His oi%e %aressed her like a to!%h, and she shiered and dre$ a step a$a& from him" 'Don't flirt $ith me, 6halid" I'm not one of &o!r girl-friends"' 'I kno$"' '.or do I intend to be%ome one"' '0h& not Yo! are not imperio!s to me, Lorna, so don't pretend other$ise" Yo! are as a$are of me as I am of &o!"' 'I'm not interested in haing an affair,' she stated" 'Altho!gh I kno$ irginit& is a  irt!e &o! onl& appre%iate in $omen from &o!r o$n %o!ntr&, I neerthel neertheless ess happen to  be an old-fashioned old-fashioned girl' His mo!th opened and then %losed tightl&, as if he had tho!ght better of $hat he $as abo!t to sa&" efore he %o!ld think of something else, she heard the p!rr of a limo!sine and kne$ that the %ha!ffe!r $as $aiting for her o!tside the front door" '+oodnight, 6halid,' she said 1!ietl&, and h!rried h!r ried do$n the steps" 2he $as trembling from her %onfrontation $ith him, b!t $as glad he had %ome in sear%h of her" At least it had gien her the opport!nit& to make it 1!ite %lear ho$ she felt to$ards him" 2he %o!ld onl& pra& that from no$ on he $o!ld leae her alone"  Allan $as $aiting $aiting for her at the llift ift doors o!tside his apartment apartment"" 'I $as $orried abo!t &o!" Eer&thing all right' he asked an4io!sl&" '5f %o!rse" 0e $ere *!st late starting dinner"' He looked relieed" 'Eer&one's d&ing to meet &o!,' he said, and led her into the spa%io!s, open-plan liing-room liing-room $here a part& of his friends $ere gathered" (he& $ere predominantl& predominantl& English, and none of them appeared likel& to red!%e her to the state of blithering idio%& that 6halid seemed able to do"  As a ne$ female on the s%ene, Lorna $as immediatel& the %entre of attra%tion, and a s!%%ession of &o!ng men $ere eager to date her !p for as long as she remained in 6!$ait" !t she %aref!ll& ref!sed to %ommit herself, and it $asn't !ntil half-$a& thro!gh the eening, $hen seeral more people arried, that she tho!ght she had met someone $ho might take her mind off 6halid" .eil (ennant $as a fello$ s!rgeon of Allan's, and $as a r!ggedl& good-looking A!stralian A!stralian"" 'Ho$ abo!t haing dinner $ith me tomorro$ night' he asked" '#a& I take a rain %he%k on that (he al Hashibs are giing a dinner part& and I'e promised 6halid I'll be there"' 2he sensed rather than felt .eil's sho%k, altho!gh he kept his oi%e %as!al as he said< 'Are &o! a spe%ial friend of 6halid al Hashib's'

 

'.ot in the $a& &o! mean,' she smiled" '!t I am a spe%ial friend of his sister, #rs Rashid"' .eil rela4ed again" '2orr& abo!t that" !t so man& 0estern girls %ome o!t here $ith their e&es on the main %han%e that; "' 2he half smiled" 'I gather &o! don't approe' '.ot for an& moral reason/$hen affe%tion is inoled" !t it si%kens me to see so man& girls happ& to sell themseles"' (he men sho!ld si%ken &o! too,' she said $ith asperit&" '0ell, the& don't" I g!ess I'e got the same do!ble standards as the rest of the men here" !t at least I admit it"' He e&ed her intentl&" 'I s!ppose &o! met the al Hashibs thro!gh Allan Dana !sed to do ol!ntar& $ork at the hospital before she had her bab&" (hat's $here I met her too"' 'Allan had nothing to do $ith m& meeting her" 5ne of the n!rses $here I $orked in London introd!%ed !s"' Lorna Lorn a $a $at% t%he hed d .e .eil il's 's e4 e4pr pres essi sion on %a %are ref! f!ll ll&, &, $ond $onder erin ing g if he s! s!sp spe% e%te ted d an an& & relationship bet$een Dana and Allan" !t $hen he ne4t spoke it $as to ask if she $o!ld see him on the first night she $as free" It $as not !ntil she $as leaing Allan's apartment to ret!rn home that she had the %han%e of telling him that 6halid had inited him to dine $ith them the follo$ing eening" 'I s!ppose I sho!ld ref!se,' he said" '!t I haen't the strength of mind to do so"' 'It $o!ld look s!spi%io!s an&$a&" (ho!gh I don't think &o! sho!ld make a habit of %oming oer"' 'I $on't do an&thing foolish, Lorna"' 'Yo! mean &o! hope hope &o!  &o! $on't" (he best of of intentions are aren't n't al$a&s %ar %arried ried o!t"' 'I kno$,' he sighed" 'If onl& Dana %o!ld be pers!aded to ret!rn to England !ntil m& %ontra%t e4pires, it $o!ld be far better for m& pea%e of mind"'  And far better for mine too, Lorna tho!ght tho!ght $r&l& as she %limbed %limbed into the %ar that $as taking her ba%k to the illa" (he longer she sta&ed in 6halid's home, the more memories she $o!ld store !p and the longer it $o!ld take her to forget him" & the time she rea%hed the illa it $as nearl& t$o o'%lo%k, and the ho!se $as in darkness" 0ith a feeling of relief she %rossed the gardens and entered the san%t!ar& of her bedroom" 2he had been afraid Dana $o!ld $ait !p for her to dis%!ss Allan, and she had had her fill on that s!b*e%t for one da&"  After !ndressing, she slipped a negligee oer her satin nightdress, then slid ba%k the Fren%h $indo$s and stepped o!t on to the stone bal%on&, hoping the %ool night air  $o!ld %lear her her mind and ena enable ble her to ie$ thin things gs more %lea %learl&" rl&" Leaning on the bal!strade that ran the f!ll lengthinto of the ba%kofofsp!n the  illa, she ga:ed o!t $ro!ght-iron oer the moonlit o%ean" (he $aes $ere dappled froths siler as the& la:il& lapped the shore, $hile the silen%e $as !nbroken sae for the so!nd

 

of the breakers" If onl& her mind $ere as tran1!il as the s%ene3 arel& a month ago it had had been"  been" (hen, she had looked for$ard to a reasonabl& !n%ompli%ated life/perhaps married to Daid or someone e1!all& s!itable" !t sin%e 6halid had %ome !pon the s%ene he had made eer& other man seem d!ll" friends, $hom she to hadappear met tonight, had in farthem" more (heir in %ommon her,had &et she Allan's had had to for%e herself interested gentle$ith railler& %ontrasted sharpl& $ith 6halid's %onstant sparring, and eer& moment a$a& from him had seemed a $asted one" 2he shiered at the memor& of this afternoon $hen he had held her in his arms" Had his kisses onl& been prompted b& l!st (he tho!ght $as so painf!l that she t!rned sharpl&, intent on ret!rning to her bedroom before the bea!t& of the night made her too emotio emo tional nal"" In the $id $idee gla glass ss doo doors rs she she gli glimp mpsed sed her refle refle%t %tion ion,, ir irgin ginal al,, pal palee an and d slender" A golden n&mph $hose %olo!ring and !nto!%hed 1!alit& $o!ld !ndo!btedl& appeal to a man of 6halid's temperament" !t she didn't $ant to appeal to him in one $a& onl&" 2he $anted more" (o gie him more and to take more" 2he p!t her hands to her %heeks, disma&ed at the emotion %o!rsing thro!gh her" 'I loe him,' she $hispered alo!d" 'I'm o!t of m& mind, b!t I loe him"' In the 1!iet of her room she said the $ords again and tried to think $hat it $as abo!t 6halid that inspired them" He $as good looking and se4!all& attra%ted her" !t s!rel& that $asn't eno!gh to make her loe him He $as intelligent, of %o!rse, b!t then so $ere man& other men she had met" Yet none of them had the abilit& to look at her and make her feel as if her bones $ere melting" Perhaps loe $as a ir!s, she tho!ght ironi%all&, and perhaps like a ir!s it $o!ld die if it had nothing on $hi%h to feed" (he most sensible thing for her $as to ret!rn to England, b!t !ntil the f!t!re of Allan and Dana $as settled, that $as impossible" 2he fro$ned" 2he m!st learn to lie %lose to 6halid, in the intimate atmosphere of his ho!se, $itho!t letting him g!ess the $a& she felt abo!t him" It $o!ld be diffi%!lt, b!t she had no other %hoi%e"

 

CH+/%0 53

L5R.A   stood stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom and held !p first one s!ndress and then another in an effort to de%ide $hi%h $as more s!itable for toda&'s l!n%heon part&< the lila% $hi%h bro!ght o!t the %olo!r of her e&es, or the a%id &ello$ $hi%h emphasised her golden tan"  0ith a sigh of dissatisfa dissatisfa%tion %tion she r!mmaged thro!gh the $ardrobe again, hoping .eil $o!ld appre%iate the effort she $as making to look her best, &et kno$ing deep do$n that she $as onl& dressing for 6halid" 2he had been in 6!$ait for three $eeks and had managed to aoid him for the best part of them" After the $el%ome home dinner for Dana, $hi%h had passed off $ith less of a strain than she had anti%ipated/in spite of Allan's presen%e/6halid had rarel& dined at home" 0hen he did, there $ere al$a&s g!ests present, and Lorna made s!re she $as safel& in her room before the& left" !t toda& he $as giing a barbe%!e l!n%heon b& the pool and the part& $as to go on !ntil the eening" He had inited Allan, and also asked him to bring an& of his friends  $ho %ared to %ome along/hen%e .eil's presen%e" (his $as t&pi%al of 6!$aiti hospitalit hospitalit&  &  /at least among those $ho $ere eman%ipated eno!gh to allo$ mi4ed gatherings" 0ith mone& no ob*e%t and %o!ntless serants to do the $ork, entertaining $as no problem and ne$ fa%es $ere parti%!larl& $el%ome" (he onl& %!lt!ral o!tlet $as teleision, and eer& home boasted seeral sets" !t it  $as s%orned b& most of the *et-setters/alt *et-setters/altho!gh ho!gh it $as an addi%tion of their elderl&, less sophisti%ated parents" As for the %inema, an&one of an& $orth had their o$n, and it $as possible to hire all the latest films" 6halid had a l!4!rio!s one belo$ the ho!se, $here there $as also a g&mnasi!m, sa!na and indoor s$imming s$imming pool for re freshing dips in the  $inter, $hen it it $as too $et or $ $ind& ind& to s$im o!t o!tside" side" Dana had managed to see Allan nearl& eer& da&" (heir meetings, thro!gh %aref!l manoe!ring, $ere aboe s!spi%ion, b!t it still imposed a %onsiderable strain on Lorna, parti%!larl& $hen Allan %ame to the ho!se, for she $as al$a&s afraid 6halid's eagle e&es  $o!ld noti%e something something str strange" ange" (here had been talk of Hassan %oming o!t to isit his $ife, b!t fort!natel& that %ompli%ation had not materialised" Lorna sighed heail&" (oda& $as not tostill be en*o&able9 she $as of p!t that" Een if she managed to aoid 6halid, shegoing $o!ld be seeing him, and%ertain it $o!ld a terrible strain on her"

 

2he $as still shattered b& the kno$ledge that she loed him, b!t had hoped that the f!tilit& of the sit!ation $o!ld help her to deelop an imm!nit&, and een a %ertain n!mbness to his presen%e" !t this had been $ishf!l thinking" 2he still a%hed for him and he $as neer far from her tho!ghts, da& or night" Closing her mind to him as best she %o!ld, she stepped into a rose pink dress that a%%ent!ated her golden tan, ran a %omb thro!gh her hair, $hi%h the s!n had streaked  $ith siler glints, glints, and $al $alked ked o!t of the safet& of he herr room"  A large %ro$d $as gathered aro!nd the pool and seeral g!ests $ere s$immin s$imming, g, tho!gh no 6!$aitis $ere among them" Altho!gh eman%ipated eno!gh to attend mi4ed gather gat hering ings, s, fe$ of the them m had th thee %o! %o!ra rage ge to %ar %arr& r& the their ir fla!n fla!ntin ting g of tradi traditio tions ns an an& & f!rther" Lorna had noti%ed a %ertain !nease among some of the men and $omen $hom she met, as if the& $ere still not s!re the& $ere doing the right thing" 5ne al$a&s felt the& $ere looking g!iltil& oer their sho!lders, like na!ght& %hildren fearf!l of being %a!ght misbehaing b& their parents" 6halid $as not among the bathers and she spotted him talking to some 0esterners at the far side of the pool" His tall fig!re, %lad in the stark $hite dashdasha that made his skin glo$ like bron:e, stood o!t among his shorter %ompatriots" .ot that he $o!ldn't hae stood o!t in an& %ompan&" (oda& he $as not $earing his headdress, and Lorna noti%ed that in the last fe$ $eeks he had let his hair gro$ longer, so that it %!rled oer the high %ollar of his robe and made him look &o!nger" He looked !p !ne4pe%tedl& and their e&es met" For an instant he $as motionless, then he threaded his $a& to$ards her, the springines springinesss of his step and his air of alertness reminding her of a sleek bla%k panther" He %losed in on her $ith a p!rposef!l p!rpose f!l look in his e&es and again she had the impression of a big %at abo!t to po!n%e on his %ornered  i%tim" 2he almost t!rned and fled, b!t she for%ed a serene smile to her lips and hoped he had not noti%ed her loss of %ontrol" 'H!llo, stranger,' he said, his e&es moing from her fa%e to her bod&, and ba%k to her fa%e again" '(oda& &o! $ill not be able to aoid me"' 2he gae a nero!s la!gh" 'I haen't been aoiding aoid ing &o!"' 'Don't lie to me"' He kept his oi%e soft so that no one sho!ld hear them, b!t his e&es  $ere i%&" 'I'm not a fool, Lorna" Yo! hae ref!sed to let me sho$ &o! m& %o!ntr&/een tho!gh &o! had originall& agreed/and $hen I am home $ith &o!, &o! r!sh a$a& from me like a startled deer"' 'Perhaps I feel like one,' she retorted" 'Do &o! see me as the stag that's h!nting &o!' 'Yes"' '(hen &o! sho!ld kno$ that he inariabl& %at%hes her"' '7nless another stag gets her first"' His indra$n breath $as a!dible" '0ho is the other stag, Lorna'

 

Fearing the $a& the %onersation $as going, she tried to lighten it" '(here isn't onl& one, 6halid" (here are do:ens" Allan's friends hae in!ndated me  $ith initations"' initations"' '0hi%h &o! hae felt %ompelled to a%%ept,' he said dril&" '5r is it that &o! $ish to make s!re &o!r time is o%%!pied' '0h& sho!ldn't I $ant to see &o!' she asked defiantl&" 'I 'I'l 'lll an ans$ s$er er that that 1! 1!es esti tion on $h $hen en $e ar aree al alon one" e" Fo Forr th thee mo mome ment nt I ha hae e left left m&  Ameri%an g!ests g!ests !nattend !nattended" ed" Come, I $ish &o! tto o meet them"' It $as a %ommand rather than a re1!est, and to make s!re she did not disobe& it he %a!ght her hand and t!%ked it firml& into his arm" 2he felt the hard m!s%les of his ribs as he pressed his elbo$ tightl& against his %hest, and had to resist the !rge to moe her fingers oer them" '(his is Ellen and ob Drier,' he said, as the& rea%hed the %o!ple to $hom he had  been speaking earlier" earlier" (he& $ere both tal tall, l, $ith sand&-%olo!r sand&-%olo!red ed hair, and looked to be in their late thirties" 'ob is m& Ameri%an la$&er and has %ome here for t$o months to dr!m !p b!siness $ith m& %ompetitors"' 'Don't kid this loel& lad&,' the tall, bespe%ta%led Ameri%an replied $ith a strong 2o!thern a%%ent" 'Yo!'re too dog-in-the-manger to let me represent an&one other than  &o!"' Lorna $ondered if this attit!de of 6halid's also applied to the $omen in his life, and  $ished she %o!ld see him $ith one of them" (ho!gh Dana fre1!entl& spoke of her  brother's loe affairs, he had been the so!l of dis%retion here" Yet she did not beliee he had remained %elibate all these $eeks9 his mas%!linit& mas%!linit& $as too strong" It $as all too eas& to pi%t!re him $ith a $oman, his bron:ed bod& l&ing !pon a slender one, his lips seeking o!t all the intimate pla%es of desire" 2he trembled at the tho!ght and resol!tel& p!shed it aside as Ellen spoke to her" 'Ho$ long are &o! sta&ing in 6!$ait' 'I'm not 1!ite s!re"' 'Do &o! like it' Lorna made herself %on%entrate on the 1!estion, b!t $as still painf!ll& a$are of 6halid standing %lose to her" It $as a relief $hen he sa$ some other g!ests and moed oer to greet them, taking ob Drier $ith him" Left alon Left alone, e, the the t$ t$o o $o $ome men n se sett ttle led d them themse sel les es on on onee of th thee ga gail il& & pa patt tter erne ned d hammo%ks that dotted the side of the pool" (he Ameri%an had the !s!al eas&-going  $armth of her %o!ntr&$o %o!ntr&$omen, men, and it $as no nott long before sh shee kne$ Lorna's Lorna's life-stor&" 6halid $as no$ standing near the b!ffet, $hi%h $as dire%tl& opposite $here the t$o girls $ere sitting, and Lorna $as so %ons%io!s of his ga:e !pon her that it $as obio!s that his mind $as not on an& b!siness dis%!ssion" Ellen's pale gre& e&es noti%ed it too, and she $asted no time in %oming to the point" 'Hae &o! t$o got something going' she asked"

 

.ormall& Lorna $o!ld neer hae %onfided in a stranger, b!t she felt the same instin%tie $armth to$ards Ellen that she had felt $hen first meeting Dana" It $as as if the& $ere alread& old friends" '0hat makes &o! think that' she parried $ith a small smile" 'I felt the ibes $hen &o! %ame !p to !s"' 2he appraised Lorna frankl&" 'Yo!'re a great looking girl and he's the most dish& man I kno$" And single" 2o $hat's the problem' 'I'm an old-fashioned girl" I don't *!st $ant to be his girl-friend"' Ellen looked s&mpatheti%" 'Fa%e !p to it, hone&9 I do!bt if &o! %o!ld be an&thing more" I kno$ 6halid fairl& $ell" He and ob hae been asso%iated for a n!mber of &ears, and their fathers did b!siness together before that, so I'e heard his ie$s on $omen all too often" (he& make m& blood boil,' she %ontin!ed, 'b!t I keep m& mo!th sh!t" 6halid's a great g!&, b!t he likes $omen to kno$ their pla%e"' '7nfort!natel& '7nfort!na tel& it isn't $here I'd $ant my pla%e to be,' Lorna stated" '2o ho$ %ome &o!'re sta&ing here (he longer &o! do, the harder it $ill be for &o! to forget him"' 'I kno$" !t I %an't let Dana do$n" 2he/she hasn't been $ell and I $ant to sta& $ith her !ntil she's better"' Ellen looked s!rprised" 'I sa$ her $ith a do%tor from the hospital soon after $e arried and I tho!ght she looked great"' Lorna s$allo$ed hard and tried not to sho$ her %onsternation" '(hat m!st hae been m& brother" He and Dana hae kno$n ea%h other for ages" 2he !sed to do ol!ntar& $ork at the hospital $here he $orks"' Ellen looked abo!t to sa& more, and in an effort to distra%t her, Lorna pretended to hae a fit of %o!ghing" It deeloped into a gen!ine bo!t as she sa$ Allan and Dana %oming to$ards them" For the first time she noti%ed that Dana did indeed look blooming" Liing at s!%h %lose 1!arters $ith her and er& m!%h absorbed $ith her o$n problems, she had not noti%ed the %hange" .o$ she %o!ld not aoid seeing it, and feared that others had noti%ed it too" '.eil's been looking eer&$here eer&$here for &o!"' Allan bent to kiss his sister" 'I'll go and bring him a%ross"' 'I $ill hae a serant do it"' 6halid had silentl& glided !p to *oin them" 'I $o!ld be desolate to think that Lorna's da& $as spoiled be%a!se she did not hae the partner of her %hoi%e at her side"' His oi%e $as leel b!t his ga:e $as bl!e fire as it rested on Lorna Lorna and then fo%!sed on Ellen" 'Yo! ma& be the belle of the 2o!th, m& dear Ellen,' he $ent on gallantl&, 'b!t Lorna is the belle of the East"' 'Is she the belle in &o!r life too' Ellen asked $ith a mis%hieo!s grin" '.at!rall&" I loe all bea!tif!l $omen/and Lorna is o!tstandingl& so"' 7nable to take an& more, Lorna stood !p" 'Don't bother looking for .eil" I'll take a stroll and find him for m&self"'

 

'.ot !ntil &o! hae eaten"' 6halid barred her $a&, making it impossible for her to moe $itho!t br!shing him aside" 6no$ing that if she to!%hed him she $o!ld be lost, she a%1!ies%ed and follo$ed him to the b!ffet" 2he $as not h!ngr& and 6halid's presen%e robbed her of $hat little appetite she had" !t she drank liberall& in an effort to blot o!t his presen%e" 6halid st!%k to orange *!i%e, maintaining his ref!sal to drink spirits in front of an&one other than his immediate famil&" For some reason this no$ anno&ed her" 'As &o!'re not a #oslem,' she said $aspishl&, 'I %an't see $h& &o! sti%k to fr!it *!i%e"  Yo! don't strike strike me as the sort o off man to %are $hat $hat &o!r friends tthink"' hink"' 'I do it as a sign of respe%t to m& father's memor&"' 'I'm s!rprised &o! didn't be%ome a #oslem, then"' 'I to&ed $ith the idea,' he admitted" '0hen m& father $as alie I dis%!ssed it $ith him man& times, b!t for some reason that I still %annot fathom, he $as er& m!%h against it"' '0hat $ill happen if &o! marr& a #!slim girl' she asked, flagellating herself at the tho!ght of him $ith a $ife" 'I'll $ait !ntil that happens and then de%ide"' 2he blinked rapidl& to hide the tears that pri%ked the ba%k of her e&es, and for%ed herself to %on%entrate %on%entrate on the small band of g&ps& iolinists $ho $ere pla&ing on a dais at the far side of the pool" 'I didn't kno$ &o! had g&psies in 6!$ait,' she said" '0e don't" (he& are foreign labo!rers $ho earn e4tra mone& this $a&"' 'Are those labo!rers too' she en1!ired, pointing to a gro!p of m!si%ians in $hite dinner *a%kets $ho $ere also making their $a& to the dais" 'I think &o!'e had too m!%h %hampagne, %hampagne,'' 6halid told her gentl&" '5ther$ise '5ther$ise I'm s!re  &o!'d re%ognise them" (he&'re one of Las 8egas' leading %abaret a%ts" I bro!ght them oer for the part&"' 2!%h a high-handed !se of $ealth onl& sered to in%rease the barriers bet$een them, and her miser& intensified, making her sharp $ith him" 'Forgie m& ignoran%e, 6halid, b!t Las 8egas isn't on m& itinerar&" 7ntil I %ame here I'd neer traelled o!tside E!rope"' '(hat's a shame, m& bea!tif!l Lorna" (he $orld sho!ld be &o!r o&ster"' 'I don't like o&sters,' she retorted" 'Ho$eer, I'm er& impressed b& &o!r affl!en%e"' 'I didn't do it to impress &o!" 0h& do &o! al$a&s misinter misinterpret pret m& a%tions' 'I $asn't a$are I did" Please a%%ept m& h!mblest apologies if I'e !pset &o!"' 'Yo! are still !psetting me"' Anger had paled his tan" 'Yo! gie me no %han%e to sho$  &o! that I am not not the man &o! first first met in London" London"''

 

'Leopards don't %hange their spots" (he& ma& learn to disg!ise them/that's all"' His e&es bla:ed at her, bl!e as the sea that glittered glit tered in the distan%e behind him" 'Yo! kno$ nothing abo!t me,' he grated" 'And &o! kno$ nothing abo!t me" If &o! did, &o! $o!ld stop pestering me and realise I mean $hat I sa&" I'm not looking for a loer, 6halid" 0hen I gie m&self to a man, he $ill be m& h!sband"' He leaned %lose, his bod& masking her from the people aro!nd them" (hen &o! admit &o! hae tho!ght of me as &o!r loer' 6no$ing she had bo4ed herself into a %orner, she looked for a $a& o!t" 'Yo!'re a st!nning looking man, 6halid" #ost girls $o!ld think of &o! like that" .o$ $o!ld &o! kindl& go a$a& and leae me alone" Eer&one is looking at !s"' '2o $hat' '2o the&'ll think $e are haing an affair"' 'I don't gie a damn $hat an&one thinks" thinks"'' '!t I do"' Anno&an%e helped her to stand !p to him" '5bio!sl& &o! don't gie a damn $hat &o! do to m& rep!tation" After all, I'm not a 6!$aiti and/' '2h!t !p3' he hissed, and %at%hing her b& the elbo$, p!lled her fast to$ards the ho!se" 2he tried to resist, b!t short of an !ndignified str!ggle there $as no %hoi%e b!t to obe& him" Her head s$am as she moed, and she realised she had dr!nk too m!%h %hampagne" 'Yo! need some strong bla%k %offee,' 6halid said as the& rea%hed the %ool atmosphere of the hall" '+o to &o!r room and I'll bring it to &o!"' '0hat are &o!r serants here for' she replied tartl&" '5r do &o! think I'm too so::led to stop &o! taking adantage of me' haeare neer to take adantage of san& $oman,' he stated matter-of-fa%tl&" 'I find'Ithe& onl&needed too happ& to gie themsele themseles to me"' '0ell, this is one $ho $on't" 2o leae me alone3'  0ith a toss of her head she $ent to her room" Her head $as a%hing and her e&elids felt leaden" Loe and pain mingled inside her and she la& on the bed and $ished herself  ba%k in England9 ba%k in time to the da&s before 6halid 6halid had %ome into her life" 6halid;" 2he b!ried her fa%e in the pillo$"  0hen she a$oke the soft shado$s of approa%hing eening proided a $el%ome relief from the harsh da&light" 2he $as pleased to find her heada%he had gone and she raised her head slightl& to ga:e o!t of the $indo$, $at%hing the bl!e sk& s$iftl& t!rn %obalt, tinged $ith p!rple and red" 'ea!tif!l, isn't it' a deep oi%e said"  0ith a gasp she sat sat !p higher and sa$ 6halid in the ar arm%hair m%hair on the ot other her side of her

 

 bed" '0hat are &o!; &o! haen't been here all this time, hae &o!' '.o" If I had, m& friends' s!spi%ions $o!ld hae t!rned into %ertaint&" !t I'e been %oming in from time to time to see ho$ &o! $ere"' He rose and s$it%hed on the bedside lamp" It thre$ a $arm pink glo$ oer the room and dis%losed the thermos flask and %!p on the ior& inlaid table" 'Coffee,' he said, filling the %!p for her" 'It $ill refresh &o!" 0hen &o!'e finished it I hope &o! $ill feel $ell eno!gh to *oin !s again"' Lorna $ondered $hat he $o!ld sa& if she said she $o!ld prefer to sta& here alone  $ith him, and kne$ that een to hint s!%h a thing $o!ld be to b!rn her boats irreo%abl&" 'I'll rest for a bit longer and then %ome o!t" (here's no need for &o! to $ait here $ith me,' she told him" 'I en*o& being here"' '0itho!t regard for m& good name, of %o!rse,' she said bitterl&" 'Yo! hae no %a!se to sa& that" If I didn't hae a %ons%ien%e abo!t &o!, I'd hae set o!t to sed!%e &o! $eeks ago"' 2he glared at him, almost spee%hless, spee%hless, b!t not 1!ite" 'Yo!'e got a hell of a nere3' 'e%a!se I'm being honest $ith &o! Do &o! $ant me to be dishonest and sa& I haen't lain a$ake at night a%hing to hae &o! (hat I haen't $anted to %ome into &o!r room and possess &o!r $armth and softness' 'Yo! $o!ldn't hae fo!nd me $arm and soft for long,' she flared" H!mo!r glittered in his e&es and it intensified her temper" 'I 'Iff &o! &o! $o $on' n'tt pr prom omis isee to le lea aee me al alon one, e, 6h 6hal alid id,, I'll I'll mo moe e in $i $ith th Alla Allan, n,'' she she threatened" Instantl& the h!mo!r anished" 'Yo! $ill $hat' 'Yo! heard me" I kno$ I promised to sta& $ith Dana for as long as she needs me, b!t I %an do that *!st as easil& if I lie $ith m& brother"' 'Yo! are not to leae m& home,' he ordered" 'Yo! $ill sta& here for eer"' 2he $as not s!re she had heard him %orre%tl&, and seeing her e4pression, 6halid moed %loser to the bed, onl& stopping as she dre$ ba%k in fright" 'Don't be s%ared of me,' he said 1!ietl&, 'I $ill neer harm &o!" !t I $ant &o! to remain in m& home for eer"' 'I %an't"' Lorna $as %ons%io!s of pani%" 'Please, 6halid, sta& a$a& from me"' 'As m& $ife,' he $ent on softl&, ignoring her interr!ption interr!ption"" Lorna $as positie she $as dreaming" 2he pressed her nails into her palms to $ake herself !p, b!t tho!gh she $in%ed $ith the pain, the s%ene did not %hange and 6halid

 

remained at the foot of her bed, dark as a panther, $at%hf!l as an eagle" 'If this is &o!r idea of a *oke/' she $hispered" 'A *oke3' he e%hoed, his oi%e ang!ished" 'It's more like a torment3 If &o! kne$ ho$ m!%h I hae fo!ght against m& feelings for &o!; !t I %an't fight an& longer" Yo!'e got to marr& me, Lorna" I $on't take no for an ans$er"' 2he $ent on staring at him, $ondering $h& she $as not oer*o&ed b& $hat he had said" Perhaps it $as be%a!se he had not !sed the $ord 'loe'" Yes, that $as $h& she felt fear instead of pleas!re" He $anted her9 he longed to possess her and s!bmit her to his  $ill" !t he did not loe her" 'Hae &o! nothing to sa&' he asked h!skil&, and %ame %loser" He bent to$ards her, b!t he did not attempt to take her in his arms, and there $as a rigidit& abo!t his stan%e that %learl& sho$ed sho$ed the effort he $as making not to do so" 'It $on't $ork, 6halid,' she said" 'It $ill" If &o! $ant me as m!%h as I $ant &o!;' 'Ho$ long $ill the $anting last' His bro$s dre$ together in a dark silk& line aboe his firm nose" '0hat do &o! mean' 'Ho$ long do &o!r affairs !s!all& last' she asked %oldl&" '0hat has that got to do $ith m& proposal I $ant &o! for m& $ife, not m& girlfriend" Isn't that $hat &o! $ant too Yo! %an't tell me I'e imagined the $a& &o! feel' '.o,' she admitted" '!t that still doesn't mean I %an marr& &o!"' 2he dre$ a deep  breath, then for%ed for%ed herself to %ontin!e" 'If I'd gien in to &o! /if I'd been $ill $illing ing to go to  bed $ith &o!, &o! $o!ld neer hae proposed marriage" Yo!'re onl& doing it no$  be%a!se &o!r passion passion is str stronger onger than &o!r %%oni%tions" oni%tions"'' He stared at her" His feat!res $ere ta!t in the lamplight, his e&es looked dark, making him seem more foreign, so that it $as eas& to is!alise him onl& as his father's son, irises a prod!%t of a reminded totall& alien (hen he and $a Lorna sa$ as theshe gleam off  bl!e and $as re minded that%!lt!re" for all his den denial, ial,moed, his mother $as s ritish herself hersel  $as" 'I desere &o!r a%%!sation,' 6halid said slo$l&" 'I don't kno$ ho$ m& feelings $o!ld hae deeloped if &o! had gien in to me" All I %an sa& is that I $o!ld not hae gro$n tired of &o!" It is 1!ite possible that een after &o! had be%ome m& mistress I $o!ld still hae $anted to marr& &o!"' '(hanks3' 'I am being serio!s, Lorna" Don't be sar%asti%" #& feelings for &o! go deeper than se4!al attra%tion, altho!gh admittedl& that $as m& original motiation" And I %ertainl&  $anted to make &o! s!bmit to me"' His mo!th 1!irked" 'Yo! are the onl& $oman $ho has eer arg!ed $ith me, and m& first rea%tion $as not to gie &o! a se%ond tho!ght" !t I fo!nd I %o!ldn't stop thinking abo!t &o!" I een en*o&ed o!r fights" .or did I resent the fa%t that &o!r opinions $ere so different from m& o$n" It $as then that I realised I loed

 

 &o! as a person and not as a possession possession"'"' He p!t !p his hand and raked his fingers thro!gh his hair" 'I'e neer regarded a $oman in that $a& before, and it $as something I fo!nd hard to !nderstand"' 'Yo! hid &o!r feelings $ell,' she said, still !nable to beliee all he had *!st told her" '(he& $ere so ne$ to me that I needed time to absorb them" !t no$ I hae, and I kno$ I'll neer satisfied $ifeadorable" $ho is a Yo! mereare p!ppet" I $ill fre1!entl& &o! maddening, b!tbe I $ill al$a&s$ith finda&o! the onl& $oman I;' Hefind pa!sed, met her e&es and said< 'I loe &o!, Lorna" I loe &o! $ith all m& heart9 $ith all the breath in m& bod&"'  0ith a soft %r& she held o!t her hands and $ith an ans$ering %r& he %losed his arms aro!nd her" For an instant she held ba%k, then she abandoned abandoned herself to the magi% of his to!%h" His sens!o!s, h!ngr& lips fo!nd hers, and the hardening of his bod& told her ho$ strong his desire $as" Her o$n desire rose to meet it, and her limbs be%ame soft and pliant, melting against him, a%hing for them to be one as his mo!th trailed oer the soft skin of her %heeks to find the hollo$ of her ne%k and then slid do$n to her breasts" 'Darling,' he said thi%kl&, and b!ried his fa%e against them, his lips %aressing the satin %!res !ntil she trembled at the sensations he aro!sed in her" Lifted to !ndreamed-of heights, Lorna felt as if nothing %o!ld ass!age the longing she felt for this man" Her fear of him died, as did her need to keep him at arm's length, and as he $ent to p!ll ba%k she dre$ his head do$n again" 'Don't go &et, 6halid" 2ta& a bit longer"' 'I daren't" If I do, I $on't be responsible for m& a%tions"' '(hen let me take the responsibilit responsibilit&"' &"' He %h!%kled, tho!gh it $as also partl& a groan as he dre$ her hands do$n to her sides and sat !p straight" !t he remained beside the bed, looking do$n at her as she la& on the pillo$s, her hair spla&ed o!t in golden abandon" 'Yo! are a$are of m& deep passions,' he said 1!ietl&" 'I $ill not den& I'm a man $ho en*o&s se4 and $ants it fre1!entl&" fre1!entl&" (hat's $h& $e got off to s!%h a bad start" !t be%a!se  $e did, I $ill not let &o! sed!%e me into forgetting the o$ I made $hile I $at%hed &o! sleeping"' '0hat o$' she asked" '(o $ait !ntil &o! are m& $ife before making &o! m& $oman"' '6halid, I;' Foolish tears flo$ed and, seeing them, he p!lled her !p into his arms again, stroking her hair and m!rm!ring tender nothings into her ear" 'I'm so happ&,' she %ried" 'I %an't beliee this isn't a dream from $hi%h I'll $ake !p"' 'Pra& +od that that neither of !s $ill !p from this his lips to o!r the damp $aes %!rled a%ross her$ake forehead" 'Let !sdream"' go andHe tellpressed m& stepmother ne$s" 5n%e she kno$s, I shall be able to tell m& friends"' His e&es gleamed" '0e %an

 

anno!n%e it this eening"' '2o soon' 2he dre$ ba%k and the moement made her a$are of her naked breasts" H!rriedl& she snat%hed at the bodi%e of her dress to %oer them" His smile $idened" 'Aren't &o! !sed to the h!man form, .!rse Lorna' '.ot in these parti%!lar %ir%!mstan%es,' she smiled ba%k at him" 'If &o! $ere ill and I had to look after &o!, I'd think nothing of it" !t that's 1!ite different from haing &o! sit beside me like this"' 'It %ertainl& is,' he said $r&l&" '0hi%h makes me all the more %onin%ed that I %an't  $ait long to make make &o! m& $ife"'  A s!dden do!bt assailed her" 0as 6halid afraid that if he $aited to anno!n%e their marr ma rria iage ge he mi migh ghtt lo lose se his his ne ner re e Afte Afterr al all, l, he ha had d al$a al$a&s &s pr prof ofes esse sed d hims himsel elff a traditionalist, and his %hoi%e of a 0estern bride might appear as a betra&al of all his  beliefs" 'I $on't %hange m& mind abo!t &o!,' he said, as if he had read her tho!ghts" 'I kno$  $e $ill hae problems, problems, b!t if $ $ee loe ea%h other en eno!gh, o!gh, $e $ill oer oer%ome %ome them"' 'I $ish I $ere as s!re as &o!,' she said shakil&" 'e s!re,' he asserted" 'e%a!se of o!r differen%es $e $ill hae to tr& m!%h harder for an !nderstanding, and that $ill bring !s %loser together"' '0ill $e al$a&s be %lose' she asked" 'Yo! trael a lot and/' 'Yo! $ill trael $ith me !ntil the babies %ome"' Colo!r stole into her %heeks and the sight of it moed him to gather her %loser" '0hen that happens, hap pens, m& dearest, I $ill %!rtail m& traels" I hae no intention of being a sta&-a$a& h!sband, nor of haing other  $omen" Yo! $ill $ill be eer&thing tto o me, as I $ill be tto o &o!"' 2he longed to e%ho his $ords, &et een as she tried, she fo!nd she %o!ldn't, for impli%it in them $as a *oint e4isten%e that $o!ld pre%l!de her from follo$ing an& life of her o$n" 'Yo! hae &o!r b!siness interests, 6halid, and the&'ll keep &o! o%%!pied,' she said" '!tt ha '! hain ing g %h %hild ildren ren $on $on't 't o% o%%!p %!p& & al alll m& tim time, e, par parti% ti%!l !larl arl& & as $e' $e'll ll ha haee so ma man& n& serants"' 'Does that mean &o! $ill $ant to go on $orking' he asked, %oming straight to the point in a $a& $hi%h made her loe him more, and also realise he $as a man $ith $hom she $o!ld rarel& be able to preari%ate" 'Yes, 6halid, that's e4a%tl& $hat I mean"' '(hen &o! %an" !t it m!st be a *ob that $ill allo$ &o! to a%%ompan& me $hen I go abroad" (here are man& %haritable organisations here that %o!ld do $ith someone like  &o! at their head"' head"' It all so!nded too good to be tr!e, b!t Lorna $as intelligent eno!gh to kno$ there  $o!ld be man& instan%es $hen she and 6halid $o!ld 1!arrel on this s!b*e%t" At the moment he $as read& to agree to an&thing she asked of him, b!t she do!bted if he  $o!ld be as %ompliant %ompliant on%e the the& & $ere marr married" ied"

 

'I think $e sho!ld tape this %onersation,' she said" '(hen &o! $on't be able to den&  &o! said it"' 'I %o!ld neer den& &o! an&thing,' he said serio!sl&" 'If &o!r bea!t& fails to $in me oer, &o!r intelligen%e $ill do it for &o!"' 'I %o!ld sa& the same abo!t &o!"' '!t nat!rall&"' His lids narro$ed" '(hat is $hat makes !s so %ompatible"' 2he la!ghed and he moed to the door" 'I'll go o!tside $hile &o! %hange" Don't keep me $aiting too long"' 2he smiled and ble$ him a kiss, kno$ing she had alread& kept him $aiting longer than an& other $oman had done" (he ne (he ne$s $s of 6h 6hal alid id's 's en enga gage geme ment nt did did no nott seem seem to %o %ome me as a s!rp s!rpri rise se to his his stepmother" stepmothe r" 2he embra%ed him $arml&, b!t $as more resered to$ards Lorna" 'Yo! make 6halid happ&, then; I; happ&,' she said falteringl&" Lorna hoped this $o!ld also be the rea%tion of 6halid's friends, tho!gh she do!bted it, and said as m!%h to him $hen the& left his stepmother's apartment" 'I bet all the single girls in 6!$ait $ill $ant to s%rat%h m& e&es o!t3 Yo!'re probabl& one of the most eligible men in the %o!ntr& and &o!'re being snapped !p b& a foreigner"' '.ot being,' he %orre%ted, 'b!t been" As soon as I sa$ &o! $itho!t &o!r disg!ise, m& defen%es %r!mbled" %r!mbled" I p!t !p a fight, b!t it $as a losing battle" battle"'' 2he did not like to think of 6halid tr&ing so hard not to loe her, b!t remembering ho$ !nhapp& his father's marriage to an English$oman had been, she %o!ld !nderstand it" 'I'll neer kno$ingl& let &o! do$n,' she ao$ed" '.or I &o!" Eer&thing I am and eer&thing I hae is &o!rs"' 'I'm onl& interested in the man,' she smiled" '(o be honest, I find &o!r $ealth oer$helming"' 'Yo!'ll soon get !sed to it"' His e&es fi4ed approingl& on her silk %ro%heted dress, the same rose pink as her lips" '(he tro!ble is I %an't see &o! looking more bea!tif!l in a %o!t!re dress than &o! do in that %heap one"' 'It $asn't %heap for me,' she protested" 'It $as more e4pensie than I %o!ld afford"' 'From no$ on &o! %an afford eer&thing &o!r heart desires, and it $ill be m& pleas!re to gie it to &o!"' (he tho!ght that all this implied frightened her" !t she did not sa& so, kno$ing he  $o!ld not !nderstand !nderstand her rea rea%tion" %tion" He %a!ght her hand and dre$ it to his lips" 'Let !s re*oin m& friends and anno!n%e o!r ne$s"' efore she %o!ld tell him she $anted to speak to her brother alone first, he p!lled her a%ross the marble hall to the h!ge salon, and $ithin moments the& $ere s!rro!nded b&

 

 $ell-$ishers" 2he sa$ the sst!nned  $ell-$ishers" t!nned ama: ama:ement ement on All Allan's an's fa%e and the in in%red!lo!s %red!lo!s *o& on Dana's, and kne$ that both of them $ere $ondering $hat this a!g!red for their o$n %han%e of finding happiness together" Indeed Allan had less pleasant tho!ghts on the matter, and getting her alone in a %orner, bl!ntl& asked if she gen!inel& loed 6halid or $as stringing him along in the hope of pers!ading him to let Dana hae her freedom" 'Do &o! reall& think I'd h!rt 6halid b& doing s!%h a thing' she asked, ama:ed" 'I ma&  be a loing sister, sister, b!t I'm not a hea heartless rtless bit% bit%h"' h"'  Allan sighed" '2orr&, old girl, b!t I had to be s!re"' His lips tightened as he looked oer to $here 6halid $as re%eiing more %ongrat!lations" 'I don't kno$ $hat sort of a h!sband he'll make &o!, b!t I'm damn s!re he'd be a bitter enem&" (hat's $h& I had to kno$ ho$ &o! felt abo!t him" I s!ppose &o! haen't gien the folks a hint that this might happen' 'I didn't een kno$ it m&self !ntil half an ho!r ago"' A shado$ deepened the iolet of her e&es" 'Do &o! think the&'ll like 6halid' '5f %o!rse" !t the&'ll be $orried for &o!, parti%!larl& if &o! hae to lie o!t here" Yo!  $on't hae the freedom &o!'e been !sed to, Lorna" 6halid's 0esternised in some $a&s,  b!t he'll still still e4pe%t Arab-s Arab-st&le t&le obedien%e ffrom rom &o!"' Lorna shied a$a& from this, telling herself that 6halid $as half English, and that tho!gh he $as totall& Arab in o!tlook and tradition, on%e she $as his $ife she $o!ld be able to %hange him"  Yet a short $hile ago she had told him that leopards didn't %hange their spots/and no$ she $as tr&ing to pretend other$ise" 2he sighed" 6halid had not s$ept a$a& her do!bts, b!t her longing to be his $ife $as so strong that she had %onin%ed herself that nothing else mattered" 2he looked at Allan" 'I $ish things %o!ld $ork o!t for &o! and Dana"' 'I do!bt if the& $ill, Hassan $on't let her sta& here m!%h longer, and on%e she's ba%k  $ith him, he'll gie her another %hild/$hi%h %hild/$hi%h $ill tie her to hi him m %omplet %ompletel&"' el&"' Lorna remained silent, !n$illing to gie Allan false hope" Yet she determined to tell 6halid the $hole stor& as soon as their o$n relationship relationship mat!red" In the light of his o$n happiness she felt s!re he $o!ld $ant the same for his sister" After all, %hara%ter $as onl& partl& formed b& enironment" Hereditar& fa%tors also pla&ed an important part in one's deelopment, and gien time her infl!en%e oer 6halid $o!ld help him to see things as she did9 the $a& he $o!ld hae seen things if his parents hadn't parted"  A long time later she $as to remember these hopes, and $onder ho$ she %o!ld hae  been so naBe"

 

CH+/%0 ,7H%

I. spite of her misgiings, the ne4t si4 $eeks $ere the happiest of Lorna's life" (he da&s  $ere not long eno!gh, eno!gh, as the& $ere s$ s$ept ept !p in a he%ti% rro!nd o!nd of entert entertainment" ainment" (he famil&/of $hi%h 6halid $as the tit!lar head/$as enormo!s, and she had great diffi%!lt& in remembering $hi%h %o!sin $as $hi%h" 5n the s!rfa%e she appeared to be a% a%%ep %epted ted b& the them, m, b!t she $as sens sensiti itie e eno eno!gh !gh to re%og re%ognis nisee tha thatt a fe$ of the them m disapproed of 6halid's behaio!r, ho$eer %aref!ll& the& tried to hide it"  0isel& she said nothing to 6halid, !n$illing for him to think she $as %riti%ising his famil&" Yet she %o!ld not dismiss the fear that his relaties rela ties might make him hae se%ond tho!ghts" Ho$eer, he gae no sign of it, and $ithin a fe$ da&s of their engagement he arranged for Lorna's parents parents and seeral of her %lose friends to fl& o!t for their $edding,  $hi%h $as to take pla%e in a month's time" He had $anted to make it sooner, b!t had agreed to her plea to $ait" '0e still need time to get to kno$ ea%h other better,' she said" 'A fe$ e4tra $eeks  $on't make an& an& differen%e"' 'Yo! $o!ldn't sa& that if &o! sa$ me pa%ing the floor at night,' he 1!ipped, tra%ing little kisses along the side of her throat" 'It's agon& haing to leae &o! at the door of  &o!r room"' 'Do 'Do &o &o! ! th thin ink k I do don' n'tt fe feel el the the sa same me' ' sh shee aske asked, d, b! b!r& r&in ing g he herr he head ad agai agains nstt his his sho!lder, of hisas thighs as he pressed against her set her p!lses ra%ing" 2he$hile heardthe himhardening sigh regretf!ll& he dre$ a$a& from her" 'Yo!'re $orth $aiting for, golden girl" !t if I had m& $a& I'd marr& &o! tomorro$"' 'If &o! $ant to make loe to me,' she said h!skil&, 'I $on't/' '.o,' he %!t in" 'Yo! $ill %ome to the altar a irgin/$hi%h is $hat &o! $ish" I kno$ ho$ &o! feel abo!t it, and I respe%t &o!r desire"' He $as as good as his $ord and t!rned o!t to be the perfe%t s!itor, spending as little timee at his offi% tim offi%ee as he %o! %o!ld, ld, an and d a%% a%%om ompan pan&in &ing g her eer&$ eer&$her here, e, ee een n $he $hen n she she shopped for her tro!ssea!" He delighted in laishing e4pensie presents on her at eer& opport!nit&, and one afternoon met her in the fo&er of the 2heraton Hotel and !shered her !p to the me::anine floor and into the l!e Room, $hi%h $as opposite the hotel's mos1!e" It $as filled $ith fashionabl& dressed &o!ng sheikhas and their h!sbands, all e4amining the

 

e4hibition of fab!lo!s *e$eller& displa&ed there b& an e4%l!sie Ameri%an store" 'I'e pi%ked o!t something for &o!,' 6halid said, 'b!t I $ant &o!r approal before I  b!& it"' He stopped in front of one of the salesmen salesmen,, $ho prod!%ed a bra%elet and ne%kla%e of ameth&sts and diamonds in a $hite gold setting" 'It's loel&3' she gasped" '!t &o!'e got to stop b!&ing me so m!%h"' '0h&' He held the ne%kla%e against her throat" 'It e4a%tl& mat%hes &o!r e&es"' Lorna kne$ he $o!ld %ontin!e to b!& her presents regardless of her protests, and %o!ld appre%iate $h& so man& Fren%h and Italian fashion ho!ses displa&ed their goods here he re"" (h (hee s! s!b! b!rb rb of 2a 2ala lami mi&& &&a a mi migh ghtt no nott be th thee Fa Fa!b !bo! o!rg rg 2t Ho Hono nor= r=,, b! b!tt th thei eirr  bo!ti1!es onl& sto%ked the best, and mone& %hanged hands $ith a rapidit& that $as almost sho%king" 0hat 6!$aiti $omen la%ked in eman%ipation, the& more than made !p for in spending po$er" Een Car Een Carita ita of Par Paris is ra ran n a hai hairdr rdress essing ing and bea bea!t& !t& salo salon n her here, e, and Lorn Lorna a $a $ass tempted to hae her hair %!t short" !t 6halid stopped her, sa&ing he preferred it long and loose" 'All the better for me to %at%h &o! b&,' he teased" 'Yo! $on't hae an& need" I'll neer r!n a$a&"' 'I hope &o! $ill al$a&s feel like this" I $ant &o! to think of 6!$ait as &o!r home"' Lorna do!bted that she eer %o!ld" (o her, the %o!ntr& seemed to hae no so!l" 8er& fe$ b!ildings s!ried from the pre-oil era, and those that did $ere often dereli%t and  $aiting to be torn do$n" (he 6!$aitis had a passionate belief that onl& ne$ $as  bea!tif!l, tho!gh most of the monotono!s glass and %on%rete b!ildings that dominated the %it& disproed this" In fa%t one of the er& fe$ that desered the des%ription $as the  Amir's 2eir Pala%e, altho!gh haing been %ompleted at the beginning of the si4ties, it  $as alread& %onsidered %onsidered an an%ient mon!men mon!ment" t" It $as b!ilt in the heart of $hat $as on%e the old part of the %it&, and the !pper edge $as topped $ith a %astellated parapet that reminded Lorna of an old-st&le desert fortress" 5ne afternoon 6halid took her !p in the lift to the %lo%k to$er of the Pala%e, $hi%h  $as %ro$ned $ith a small golden dome, and the& emerged on to a bal%on& that gae them an e4%ellent ie$ of the to$n" 'Hae &o! ee 'Hae eerr bee been n ins inside ide the pal pala%e a%e its itself elf' ' Lor Lorna na ask asked, ed, aft after er adm admiri iring ng the panorama for a fe$ min!tes" '5ften" His Highness spends fie mornings a $eek re%eiing foreign isitors and delegations, and he fre1!entl& asks me to *oin them" He onl& sees men, of %o!rse"' '5f %o!rse,' Lorna e4%laimed so meaningf!ll& that 6halid %h!%kled" 'In spite of that, $e are not as ba%k$ard here as &o! think" (he legal stat!s of 6!$aiti  $omen is the most most adan%e adan%ed d in the +!lf" (he& got tthe he ote in "' 'Ho$ man& h!sbands allo$ them to !se it And ho$ man& $omen here !nderstand  $hat the&'re oting oting for' 'Doesn't that appl& e1!all& to 0estern $omen #ost of them aren't interested in

 

politi%s and !s!all& e%ho their h!sband's ie$s"' 'Yo! neer let me $in, do &o!' Lorna sighed, and linked her arm thro!gh his" '(ell me more abo!t 0omen's Lib 6!$aiti st&le"' He looked pensie for a min!te" (here's a spe%ial ladies' department in the 6!$ait .ational ank" It's r!n b& a $ido$ of one of the bank's dire%tors" 2he has an offi%e there and $omen $ith their o$n bank a%%o!nts %an %ome in to do b!siness"' 'I 'Itt stil stilll me mean anss &o &o!r !r $o $ome men n ar aree se segr greg egat ated ed"" 0h& 0h& sh sho! o!ld ld th the& e& ha hae e a spe% spe%ia iall department in the bank 0h& %an't the& !se the same one as the men' 'Don't make an arg!ment of it,' he smiled" 'In the olden da&s $omen $eren't een allo$ed to handle an& mone&, e4%ept for their ho!sekeeping allo$an%e"' (he& had neer dis%!ssed mone& matters, and Lorna $ondered $hether 6halid  $o!ld allo$ her to be independent" If he onl& $anted her to do %harit& $ork, she $o!ld soon !se !p her saings"  As $as so often often the %ase, he im immediatel& mediatel& g!ess g!essed ed her tho!ghts" 'I $ant &o! to be finan%iall& independen independent, t, Lorna, and I $ill settle some mone& on &o! so that &o! $ill hae all &o! need for &o!r da&-toda& e4penses"' 2he hid a smile" 6halid's idea of da&-to-da& e4penses $as eno!gh to satisf& the aerage person for three months" !t she did not sa& so" (here $as likel& to be plent& of things on $hi%h the& $o!ld disagree, b!t she ref!sed to let her pride make mone& one of them" Later that afternoon the& $ent to the e4%l!sie H!nting and E1!estrian Cl!b" It appeared to be miles from an&$here and looked like a militar& base, being $alled in,  $ith its gates firml& firml& sh!t on o!t o!tsiders" siders"  A blast on 6halid's horn 1!i%kl& opened them, and she $as delighted to find the gro!nd gro !ndss pleas pleasant antl& l& gre green, en, es espe% pe%ial iall& l& $he $hen n %o %ompa mpared red $i $ith th th thee !s! !s!al al d!s d!st-b t-bo$l o$l of %on%rete and desert of 6!$ait" '(here's stabling for fort&-seen horses, a nine-hole golf %o!rse and a skeet-shooting range,' 6halid informed her as he bro!ght his Cadilla% to a halt o!tside the Ameri%anst&le %l!b-ho!se" 2eeral of his friends/in mi4ed and famil& gro!ps/sat on the neatl& hedged la$n, and the& $aed and %alled for him to *oin them" !t he shook his head and pointed to$ards the %l!bho!se" 'I'e arranged to meet the Driers here for tea,' he informed Lorna as the& entered the %ool of the lo!nge"  A large %olo!r teleision set $as on, b!t eer&one $as too b!s& gossiping to pa& it an& attention" 'I $ish &o!'d told me $hat this pla%e $as like,' she %omplained, $at%hing his e&es follo$ a %o!ple of prett& girls in flo$ing %hiffon" 'I'd hae p!t on something smarter than a %otton dress" All the $omen here look as if the&'re going to a garden part& at !%kingham Pala%e"'

 

'Yo! look perfe%t $hateer &o! $ear,' he responded instantl&" 'If these $omen $ere as bea!tif!l as &o!, the& $o!ld also get a$a& $ith simpli%it&"' 'Yo! and &o!r %ompliments %ompliments3' 3' she sniffed" Ignoring her %omment, he dre$ her to$ards ob and Ellen Drier $ho $ere seated in the far %orner, deep in %onersation $ith a 6!$aiti %o!ple" 6halid kne$ them, and tho!gh them" Lorna dis%oered the& had been at his l!n%heon part&, she did not remember .adia and Abd!lla Ladin $ere both English-ed!%ated and great Anglophiles" (he& spoke familiarl& of London, $here the& lied for part of the &ear, and it made her feel so homesi%k that she $ondered ho$ she $o!ld adapt to the nomadi% life she $o!ld lead as 6halid's $ife" (heir main home $o!ld be in 6!$ait, b!t the& $o!ld flit from %o!ntr& to %o!ntr& for at least half of the &ear" If onl& their permanent home %o!ld be in England3 Remembering ho$ the marriage of 6halid's parents had fo!ndered, she $as afraid een to s!ggest it" (he Ladins $ere both la$&ers and had the most modern marriage of an& of the %o!ples she had met here so far" (he& traelled eer&$here together, and tho!gh .adia did not pra%tise la$ professionall&, her h!sband often %ons!lted her priatel&" '(he& seem reall& %ontented,' Lorna remarked as she and 6halid droe ba%k to the  illa" '(heirs m!st m!st hae been a lo loe e mat%h"' '2orr& to disappoint &o!, darling, b!t .adia onl& met Abd!lla three times before she  be%ame his $ife"' His foot %ame %ame do$n hard on the brake as a battered battered old Fiat in front of them stopped abr!ptl&, steam po!ring from the bonnet" 'It's all a 1!estion of attit!des,' he %ontin!ed as he oertook the hapless drier and and the %ar pi%ked !p speed again" 'If &o! a%%ept an arranged marriage as &o!r lot, &o! can make it $ork" !t it's no good entering into it rel!%tantl&"' 'Yo! mean as Dana did' she asked boldl&, and $ondered if she dared tell him the tr!th abo!t his sister and Allan" 6eeping it a se%ret from him $as one of the fe$ things that marred her happiness" fre1!entl& e4pressed admiration forfor her honest&, and ea%hneer time he did, her6halid %ons%ien%e pri%ked" 2he had his to tell him soon, she kne$ he $o!ld forgie her if he learned abo!t it from an&one else" '0e m!st hae no se%rets from ea%h other,' he had told her not so long ago" 'Yo! sho!ld neer be frightened to %onfide in me" 0e are to be as one, in mind as $ell as  bod&"' (aking (aki ng hi him m at his his $o $ord rd,, she she ha had d 1! 1!es esti tion oned ed him him ab abo! o!tt his his real real mo moth ther er,, an and d s!rprisingl& he had sho$n none of the to!%hiness he had displa&ed $hen the& had first met and Dana had mentioned her" 'I kno$ &o! find it diffi%!lt to !nderstand that I neer $ant to see her,' he had %onfided, 'b!t I %an't think of her as m& mother" From the time I $as seen, $hen she sent me o!t here, she ignored m& e4isten%e" Yet m& stepmother a%%epted me and loed me as if I $ere her o$n %hild"' 'And &o!'e neer seen &o!r mother sin%e' Lorna asked, imagining 6halid as a little

 

 bo&, and $ondering $ondering ho$ an& $om $oman an %o!ld be so h heartless" eartless" He hesitated" 'I'll let &o! into a se%ret" 0hen I $as at Harard I $ent to .e$ York to see her" 2he had little to sa& to me and $as !n$illing for me to meet her ne$ h!sband" 2he $as 1!ite frank abo!t the reason" He didn't kno$ of m& e4isten%e, and being &ears  &o!nger than she $as, he $o!ld hae been horrified to find she had a son near his o$n age" 2he had told him she $as thirt&-fie/and tr!thf!ll& she didn't look more" It's ama:ing $hat a good fa%e-lift %an do"' '2he so!nds a bit%h,' Lorna said flatl&" 'Yo!'re l!%k& she didn't bring &o! !p" A loing stepmother is m!%h better than an !nloing mother"' 6halid had gien an !ne4pe%tedl& rela4ed smile" 'Ho$ right &o! are3 Yo!'re so sensible, Lorna, &o! help me to see things in perspe%tie"' He %a!ght her %lose" 'Perhaps  &o! %an no$ !nderstand !nderstand $h& haing haing your loe means so m!%h to me' His statement had nearl& been Lorna's !ndoing, and if one of his %o!sins had not arried !ne4pe%tedl&, she $o!ld hae told him abo!t Dana and Allan there and then" !t b& the time the man had gone, %a!tion had oer%ome %ons%ien%e, and she had held her tong!e" 'I think Dana's got oer that loe affair in London, don't &o!' 6halid's oi%e broke into her reerie as the& dre$ !p o!tside the illa" 'I'e neer seen her look better" I'm %ertain haing &o! here has made all the differen%e"' In more $a&s than one, Lorna tho!ght $ith dis1!iet" Allan and Dana had been able to see %onsiderabl& more of ea%h other sin%e her o$n engagement to 6halid, and Dana had een made !p a fo!rsome $ith Allan on some of their sightseeing fora&s" 0hat %o!ld be more nat!ral than for Lorna's brother to a%%ompan& them It $as onl& be%a!se 6halid belieed in Lorna's integrit& that he had not s!spe%ted an&thing" 'Yo!'re er& 1!iet,' he %ommented as he helped her o!t of the %ar, kissing her s$iftl& on the lips before mo!nting the steps to the entran%e" 'I hope all &o!r tho!ghts hae  been o%%!pied $ith $ith me' .o$ $as the time to tell him the tr!th, she de%ided" 6halid's !n%le $as giing a part& for affairthe& $ith three g!ests" 2he $o!ld s!ggest the&them hae tonight/an a 1!iet drinke4traagant together before left, andh!ndred she $o!ld tell him then" .ero!s at $hat she had to sa&, Lorna took longer to %hange than she e4pe%ted, b!t she $as an4io!s to look her best, hoping his anger $o!ld be lessened if he $ere distra%ted b& her bea!t&" 7ntil no$ it had neer o%%!rred to her to !se it as a $eapon" 2he had a%%epted her looks $itho!t realising the po$er the& %o!ld $ield9 b!t se4!al attra%tion pla&ed s!%h a strong role in their relationship that she $as prepared to s$a& 6halid b& an& means at her %ommand" H!ge, $orr&-filled iolet e&es stared ba%k at her from the dressing-table mirror" 2!ppos 2!p posee he did no nott !nd !nders erstan tand d an and d bl blam amed ed her for %o %ondo ndonin ning g Allan Allan an and d Da Dana' na'ss  behaio!r 2he felt a tightening in the pit of her stoma%h" It $as foolish to take a pessimisti% ie$" Hadn't 6halid asked her to marr& him in spite of his %oni%tions that East and 0est did tr!e not that mi4Dana's 0h& sho!ldn't he no$ sho$ the same toleran%e to$ards his sister It $as %ir%!mstan%es $ere different/after all, she $as married and had a %hild"

 

(he tho!ght of Amina made Lorna fro$n" It $as the %!stom here for a $ife to gie !p her first %hild to her h!sband's mother/as a re%ompense for taking her son/and she kne$ that had it not been for 6halid's interention, Dana $o!ld hae been obliged to hand oer her little girl to her mother-in-la$" !t Hassan might insist on this if Dana left him, and for this reason too, it $as imperatie to hae 6halid on their side, for onl& he had s!ffi%ient po$er to enfor%e his o$n $ishes"  And I'e got to make him $ish that Dana is free to find happiness $ith the man she loes, Lorna tho!ght, and pra&ed for 6halid to be in a re%eptie mood" 5ne look at his fa%e as she entered the salon told her he $as not" He $as paler than she had eer seen him and his e&es $ere like %hips of bl!e i%e" 'Darling, $hat's $rong' she e4%laimed, and half ran to$ards him" It $as onl& as she %ame f!rther into the room that she had her ans$er" Dana and  Allan $ere sitting %lose together on one of the settees" (heir fa%es $ere strained and Dana's e&es $ere p!ff& from %r&ing" 'I s!ppose &o!'e been a part& to this de%eption all along' 6halid spoke $ith a harshness Lorna had neer heard before" $anted to tell &o!/I $as goinghim to do it tonight"' and'Ikne$ it $as imperatie to make beliee her" 2he sa$ the disbelief on his fa%e 'It's tr!e, 6halid" I hated haing this se%ret from &o!, b!t/' 'It $asn't Lorna's se%ret to tell,' Dana interr!pted" '2he's al$a&s detested haing to lie, b!t she did it for m& sake"' 'And for her brother's too,' 6halid bit o!t" 'eing a member of the al Hashib famil&  $o!ld hae been 1!ite 1!ite a %o!p for him" him"'' '(hat remark is !n%alled-for,' said Allan, and rose s$iftl& to his feet" '#& loe for Dana has nothing to do $ith her position"' 'Her position as m& sister, or her position as a married $oman' 6halid sneered" 'Do  &o! kno$ $hat $hat the penalt& is for ad!lter& in thi thiss %o!ntr&' 'I kno$ there's one la$ for the men and one for the $omen"'  Afraid that if the t$o men $ent on talking like this the& $o!ld %ome to blo$s, Lorna kne$ she had to interene" 'Allan and Dana loe ea%h other, 6halid, the $a& $e do"' '2pare me &o!r lies,' he replied ro!ghl&" 'Yo!r brother and m& sister ma& $ell feel a gen!ine affe%tion for ea%h other, b!t the& %an neer hae a f!t!re together"' '& $hose edi%t' '& the la$s of m& %o!ntr&"' '& your la$s, &o! mean,' she said s$iftl&" 'If &o! $ere $illing to speak to Hassan, I'm s!re he'd/' 'I ref!se to be told $hat to do,' 6halid th!ndered"

 

'Yo! onl& like to give orders,' Lorna snapped ba%k" '!t $hat right do &o! hae to stop Dana from being happ&' '2he is another man's $ife" (hat is $hat is right"' '2he $as for%ed into marriage3' '0e $ill not dis%!ss it an& more"' He s$!ng ro!nd on Allan" 'Yo! m!st hae been delighted $hen Lorna and I be%ame engaged" I s!ppose &o! tho!ght it $o!ld make it easier for &o! to get Dana' 'I tho!ght it might make &o! more !nderstanding of loe" e&ond that, I tho!ght nothing"' '(hen ma&be it $as Lorna $ho did the thinking for &o!"' 'If &o!'re sa&ing m& sister be%ame engaged to &o! in order to help me, &o! m!st be o!t of &o!r mind3' snapped Allan" 'I hae indeed been o!t of m& mind,' 6halid agreed softl&"  All the anger had gone from him9 both his oi%e and demeano!r $ere m!ted, &et Lorna sensed that something dreadf!l had %ome in its pla%e" 2he shiered, fearf!l of  $hat $as in store" store" 2he $ished $ith all her heart that she had fo!nd the %o!rage to tell 6halid the tr!th abo!t Dana and Allan on the da& he had proposed to her" Remembering the id&lli% moments the& had shared together in her bedroom, she kne$ he $o!ld hae listened in a far different frame of mind from the one he $as in no$" e%a!se she !nderstood his f!r& she %o!ld not blame him for his la%k of belief in her good faith" 'I kno$ &o!'re angr& $ith me, 6halid,' she said" '!t don't let it blind &o! to the $a& Dana and Allan feel" Hassan is a bad h!sband, be honest eno!gh to admit that"' 'Yo! dare to talk to me of honest&' '0h& sho!ldn't I' 'e%a!se &o! don't kno$ the meaning of the $ord" Eer&thing &o!'e said to me has  been dishonest" Yo!r inno%en%e, &o!r ao$ed loe, &o!r preten%e at happiness" !t &o! needn't %ontin!e $ith the a%t, nor is it ne%essar& to sa%rifi%e &o!rself"' ' '2a%rifi%e m&self' she 1!eried" '& marr&ing me" Altho!gh perhaps marriage to a millionaire isn't s!%h a sa%rifi%e after all"' 'Don't be sill&,' she said, ref!sing to take s!%h a remark serio!sl&" 'Yo! %an't do!bt m& loe for &o!"' 'Yo! neer loed me,' he said abr!ptl&" '(he s%orn &o! felt for m& ideas $hen $e first met is still $ith &o!" !t &o! pretended other$ise be%a!se of &o!r brother"' (he s%ene $as taking on a nightmare 1!alit& that Lorna ref!sed to %o!ntenan%e" 'I'mmarriage er& fondo$s of m& regard as brother, sa%red"' b!t I'd neer be%ome &o!r $ife in order to help him" I

 

'(hen $h& are &o! ado%ating a dior%e for Dana' 'e%a!se she $as for%ed into her marriage and her o$s meant nothing to her"' '2he made them and the& still e4ist,' said 6halid" '2he is not onl& Hassan's $ife b& religio!s la$ b!t b& 6!$aiti la$ as $ell"' 2eeing the impli%ation behind his $ords, Lorna %a!ght her breath" 'Yo! mean &o!'d allo$ Hassan to take Amina a$a& from Dana Ho$ %an &o! persist in follo$ing s!%h o!tmoded traditions Yo!r mother $as English, 6halid/for +od's sake remember that"' 'I prefer to remember m& father,' he replied" 'His people are m& people" I hae no other"' 'Don't arg!e $ith him,' said Allan, tight-lipped" 'I don't $ant &o! to r!in &o!r %han%e of happiness be%a!se of me"' 'Allan's right,' said Dana, giing her brother a frightened look" 'If there's no other $a& that $e %an be together, I ma& hae to leae Amina"'  Allan t!rned s$iftl& to Dana, b!t before he %o!ld speak she p!t her hand against his mo!th and gae a slight shake of her head, as if to let him kno$ this $as something the&  $o!ld talk abo!t abo!t later, $hen th the& e& $ere alone alone""  0at%hing them, Lorna kne$ her brother $o!ld neer allo$ Dana to leae her bab&" (ho!gh she said she $as $illing to do so, she $as too deepl& atta%hed to her %hild to forget her, and the memor& of Amina/$ere she to be left/$o!ld eent!all& so!r their loe" 5n%e again Lorna t!rned to 6halid, b!t he met her pleading look $ith a ston& e4pression" '0e hae nothing more to sa& to ea%h other, Lorna" I $ish &o! to leae m& home"' 2pee%hlessl& she $ent on staring at him, and Allan moed to her side and looked at 6halid fearlessl&" 'I kno$ ho$ &o! feel abo!t me, b!t &o!'re $rong to take it o!t on Lorna" 2he loes  &o!"' 'I hae alread& told &o! there is nothing more to sa&"' 6halid t!rned his ba%k on them both" His %arriage $as ere%t and his head $as held high, hig h, gi giing ing him an air of ha! ha!te! te!rr tha thatt ma made de him appea appearr ee een n mo more re int intra ransi nsigen gent" t" Looking at the dark head Lorna kne$ it $as hopeless to tr& to make him !nderstand  $h& she had not told him abo!t abo!t Allan and Dana Dana,, or to make him beliee that her loe loe for him $as gen!ine" (heir engagement $as oer" (heir interl!de of happiness $as a brief one that $o!ld hae to last her for the rest of her life" It $as something she %o!ld not 1!ite take in/as if the sho%k of eents had n!mbed her/and she $as glad of it, for it $o!ld enable her to get thro!gh the ne4t fe$ bitter da&s !ntil she ret!rned to England" '0hat abo!t tonight's part&' Dana's 1!estion broke into the silen%e, and 6halid m!ttered an oath and s$!ng ro!nd to them" Lorna sa$ from his e4pression that he had forgotten all abo!t it"

 

'Yo! m!st tell &o!r !n%le to %an%el it,' she said" 6halid glared at her" 'Commitments obio!sl& obio!sl& mean as little to &o! as honest&" 5n no a%%o!nt $ill I let m& !n%le do$n" 0e are the g!ests of hono!r and $e $ill attend the part& and pretend $e are still in loe"' 'Is it a preten%e' Lorna asked, !n%aring that Allan and Dana %o!ld hear her, and intent on tr&ing to sae her happiness" 'Is &o!r loe for me so shallo$ that it %an dr& !p in a matter of min!tes' '.o,' he said bitterl&" 'It is so deep that it $ill %!t into m& so!l like a knife and leae a s%ar that $ill remain $ith me !ntil I die"' '(hen ho$ %an &o! ask me to leae' 'e%a!se I $o!ld rather lie $ith m& torment than lie $ith a $oman I don't tr!st"' 2he trembled so iolentl& that she $as gratef!l for the strength of Allan's arm aro!nd her" 'I %an't go to the part&,' she said shakil&" 'Yo! $ill,' 6halid %ommanded" 'Yo!r brother still has a %ontra%t at o!r hospital, and if &o! don't do as I sa&, I $ill hae it terminated and tell &o!r "#"A" $h&"' 'Yo!r threats are inalid,' Allan %!t in f!rio!sl&" 'Dana $as neer m& patient and I haen't done an&thing ethi%all& $rong"' 'It $ill still harm &o!r rep!tation if &o! $ere dismissed from &o!r post before &o!r time $as !p"'  0at%hing 6halid, 6halid, Lorna kne$ he $ $o!ld o!ld %arr& o!t his thr threat" eat" (here $as a glit glitter ter in his e&es she had neer seen before, a harshness in his fa%e that made it eas& to liken him to the r!thless ha$ks so beloed of the Arabs" 2he t!rned and gae her brother a resigned look" '0e m!st do as 6halid sa&s" He's so obsessed $ith his o$n a!thorit& he %an't see an&one else's point of ie$"' (he rest of the eening $as a nightmare" (he part&, gien in a magnifi%ent modern  illa o!tside the %apital, %apital, $as as laish as Lorna had %ome %ome to e4pe%t from 6!$aiti so%iet&, so%iet&, and listening to the spe%iall& imported Ameri%an band and for%ing herself to nibble at the %aiar and foie gras $hi%h had been flo$n in from abroad, she !nderstood $h& 6halid had not $anted to let do$n his !n%le" 0hat she did not !nderstand $as his abilit& to pretend he $as her loing fian%=" He remained %lose to her side, giing her fre1!ent ardent glan%es and %at%hing hold of her hand from time to time and raising it to his lips" .o one %o!ld hae g!essed it $as a %harade, and that $ithin ho!rs the& $o!ld part, neer to see one another again" 'I %an't go on $ith this,' she $hispered shakil& as he dre$ her on to the dan%e floor" 'Yo! hae no %hoi%e"' His fingers d!g deep into her $aist, tho!gh he kept a tender smile on his lips" 'Yo!'re h!rting me3' she protested"

 

'I is nothing to $hat I $o!ld like to do to &o!"' His fingers d!g deeper" 'e m& mistress, Lorna" Yo! %an hae all the mone& &o! $ant in e4%hange for giing me &o!r  bod&"' 2he gasped at his %r!elt&, b!t it $as eno!gh to gie her the impet!s to %arr& on, and she follo$ed him as he g!ided her aro!nd the floor, een managing to smile as she did so" '0ell,' he said into her ear, '$ill &o! a%%ept the offer' 'I'd rather be dead3' 'A pit&" Yo! are a bea!tif!l %reat!re and I $ill al$a&s regret that I $asn't able to possess &o!"' 'Een if &o! $ent to bed $ith me, &o! $o!ldn't possess me,' she said bitterl&" He did not ans$er, and for the rest of the eening he onl& spoke to her $hen other people $ere $ithin earshot" It $as da$n before the part& ended and she looked aro!nd for Allan to take her ba%k to his apartment" 'Yo! in %an't here $ith$ill &o!r brother,' 6halid said %!rtl&" &o! are sta&ing m& leae home, so &o! hae to %ome in m& %ar" Allan'Eer&one %an follo$kno$s !s, and $hen  $e're o!t of sight &o! &o! %an go $ith him him"'"' '#& %lothes/' she began" 'efore $e left home I told the serants to pa%k &o!r things and send the %ases ro!nd to &o!r brother's apartment"' His abilit& to think so %learl& in time of stress bro!ght it home to her ho$ strong his %hara%ter $as" It made her realise the f!tilit& of tr&ing to make him listen to her side of the sit!atio sit!ation, n, an and d she silen silentl tl& & %l %limb imbed ed int into o his %ar an and d gri grippe pped d her ha hands nds tig tight htl& l& together in an effort to stop herself b!rsting into tears" 2he felt the hardness of her engagement ring, $hi%h he had gien her t$o da&s ago< an enormo!s diamond that had embarrassed her b& its si:e !ntil he had asked her to see it as b!t a small token of his loe" (hinking of these $ords, she p!lled the ring off, glad she $as $earing none of the other *e$eller& *e$eller& he had gien to her" '(hanks for the loan of this,' she $hispered" 'I'm s!re &o!'ll find someone else to gie it to"' '6eep it,' he shr!gged" 'All the gifts I gae &o! are &o!rs"' 'I $ant nothing from &o!"' 2ilentl& he %ontin!ed to drie, and glan%ing behind her she sa$ Allan's %ar thro!gh the rear s%reen $indo$" A fe$ h!ndred &ards f!rther on, 6halid stopped, and she opened the door and *!mped o!t" 'Yo!'re a hard man,' she %ried" '5ne da& I hope &o!'ll regret $hat &o!'e done"' 'I regret it no$, b!t it is the $ill of Allah"' 'R!bbish3 Yo!/'

 

6halid did not $ait for her to %omplete the senten%e" 0ith a sharp s%ree%h of his  $heels he set the the %ar in mot motion ion and disappear disappeared ed do$n the road in a %lo!d of d!st"  Allan %ame to stand beside her, and een in the moonlight she sa$ the pallor of his fa%e" 2&mpath& for him alleiated some of her o$n pain, and she p!t her hand on his arm and for an instant rested her head against his sho!lder" %o!ldthe ki%k m&self and for getting intohim" this I'll mess,' hehim saidtoinlisten a strained 'I'll  $ait'I !ntil morning then go&o! to see for%e to me"oi%e" He %an't  blame &o! be%a!se be%a!se Dana and I lloe oe ea%h other" other"'' 'He blames me for not telling him,' she said shakil&" 'Yo!'ll be $asting &o!r time going to see him" He's not onl& a rigid man, Allan, he's a %r!el one"' 'Yet &o! loe him"' 'I loe the man I tho!ght he $as" I don't loe the 6halid I'e *!st dis%oered him to  be"' In silen%e Allan led her to his %ar, and he did not speak again !ntil he $as !nlo%king the door of his apartment" 'I $on't let Dana leae the bab&,' he said" 'If I did, she'd end !p hating me"' 'If &o! leae, she might follo$ &o!"' '.ot if I make it %lear that I $on't see her again"' For the first time that eening Lorna %o!ld not %ontrol her tears, nor did she make an& attempt to do so" 2he kne$ the& $o!ld onl& bring her momentar& relief and that onl& time $o!ld ease the depth of her pain" (ime and $ork9 that $as the best $a& to keep 6halid o!t of her mind, if not o!t of her heart"

 

CH+/%0 3,3

(HE follo$ing morning Lorna tried to book a flight home, b!t $as told that the earliest seat aailable $as in t$o da&s" (he tho!ght of remaining here and possibl& meeting people $ho $o!ld $onder at her s!dden depart!re kept her %onfined to the apartment, tho!gh she telephoned Ellen Drier to tell her she $as leaing, and to e4plain $h&" !t Ellen insisted that the& meet" 'I'd %ome oer to &o!,' she said briskl&, 'b!t it $ill do &o! more good to get o!t and kno$ that the $orld still e4ists/een if &o! think you don't"' Lorna appre%iated the %omment and agreed to see Ellen, and shortl& after$ards  Allan's manserant manserant depos deposited ited her at the Dr Driers' iers' apartm apartment ent ho!se" 2he $ent !p in the lift to the pentho!se the& o%%!pied and fo!nd Ellen $aiting $aiting b& the door to greet her" 2he h!gged Lorna and dre$ her o!t on to the terra%e" '(he $hole of this $as %oered in sand this morning,' she gr!mbled, 'and it $ill be the same again b& the eening" It een seeps !nder the doors and $indo$s"' '(here's no $a& of stopping it,' Lorna replied" 'It's the same at 6halid's ho!se"' Her lips trembled as she !ttered his name, and she $ished desperatel& that she had not %ome here" 2he sho!ld hae sta&ed at home $here she %o!ld gie $a& to her miser&" '.o, &o! don't,' said Ellen" 'If &o!'re going to %r&, %r& here, $here I %an help &o! to get oer it"' 'I $on't %r&,' Lorna said $ith determination determination"" 'He isn't $orth it"' '.o man is $orth it,' Ellen said %heerf!ll&" '!t sit do$n and tell me the $hole stor&"' Lorna did so, her anger against 6halid reinfor%ed as she sa$ Ellen's e4pression" Yet  $hen the $oman $oman spoke she $ $as as !n!s!all !n!s!all& & philosophi%al, tho! tho!gh gh also pessim pessimisti%" isti%" 'Een if &o! had told 6halid abo!t Dana and Allan the moment &o! got engaged to him, he $o!ldn't hae %hanged his mind abo!t them" I don't kno$ him as $ell as ill does, b!t he's er& m!%h his father's son" He beliees in the san%tit& of marriage"' '!t his father got dior%ed,' Lorna protested" 'And $as al$a&s e4tremel& bitter abo!t it"' 'If 6halid's father $as as obstinate as his son, I'm not s!rprised an English$oman

 

 $asn't happ& $ith $ith him3' '(hen &o! sho!ld be glad &o!r engagement's off,' said Ellen" 'I probabl& $ill be,' Lorna said" '!t for the moment all she %o!ld think of $as 6halid's arms aro!nd her and the $armth of his mo!th as it had taken possession of hers" His bod& had promised !ntold delights, b!t the& $ere delights she $o!ld neer e4perien%e $ith him" 'He's a handsome br!te,' Ellen said into the silen%e" '!t &o!'ll meet another man some da& $ho'll help &o! to forget him" .o$ ho$ abo!t sharing a %heese omelette $ith me I bet &o! haen't eaten an&thing all da&"' 'I haen't,' Lorna %onfessed, and follo$ed her friend into the resplendent modern kit%hen" Later, as the& sipped their %offee on the terra%e, Ellen de%ided to %all Allan at the hospital and s!ggest he *oined them for dinner" He a%%epted gratef!ll&, kno$ing that if he and Lorna remained alone together the& $o!ld make ea%h other more miserable than the& alread& $ere" .o one shied a$a& from talking abo!t the sit!ation, and ob e%hoed Ellen's opinion in sa&ingtothat if Lorna told the tr!th soon as she had engaged him,een it $o!ld haehad made no6halid differen%e to his as attit!de to$ards hisbe%ome sister's marriage" 'Possibl& not,' Allan agreed" '!t it $o!ld hae made a differen%e to Lorna" At least she and 6halid $o!ld still be engaged"' 'I don't think Lorna $o!ld hae married him if he'd gone on being so obstinate abo!t Dana and &o!,' Ellen interened" It $as something Lorna had neer %onsidered, and she $as not s!re if Ellen $as right" '6halid's not a bad g!&,' ill said" 'It's onl& $hen it %omes to $omen that he thinks like an Arab"' '(he 6oran ma& see $omen as se%ond-%lass %iti:ens, b!t the ible doesn't,' Allan pointed o!t" 'And 6halid is a Christian"' 'He's also a 6!$aiti,' ill said $himsi%all&" (his is s!pposed to be the most progressie state in the +!lf for $omen,' said Lorna, e%hoing one of 6halid's remarks to her" 'Don't &o! beliee it,' Ellen replied" (he& ma& hae the ote, and een a $omen's moement, b!t the&'re merel& stat!s s&mbols" (his is a man's %o!ntr& and &o!'d do $ell not to forget it" 6!$aiti famil& life is a mo%ker& of freedom, and in some $a&s it's more segregated and harsher than an&$here else"' 2he stopped to sip at her %offee" ')!st look at th thee diw diwani ania. a.  0here else $o!ld a h!sband be allo$ed a room of his o$n $ith a separate entran%e, $hi%h he !ses e4%l!siel& for entertaining other men' '(r!l&' Lorna asked" '(r!l&" It's s!pposed to be a pla%e $here he %an gossip and pla& %ards, b!t I s!spe%t

 

he pla&s a lot of other games there too3' 'It's all perfe%tl& inno%ent,' her h!sband protested" '(he& ma& import an o%%asional  bell& dan%er for entertainm entertainment, ent, b!t that's all. all.''  His e&es lit !p mis%hieo!sl&" 'It might een %at%h on in the 2tates, if onl& someone had the nere to introd!%e it3' 'If &o! start behaing like a 6!$aiti h!sband,' Ellen $arned, 'I'll start spending &o!r mone& like a 6!$aiti $ife3' (he Driers' pla&f!l banter did $onders for Lorna and Allan, and for a $hile at least the& $ere able to forget their o$n tro!bles" (he& $ere standing in the hall$a&, read& to leae, $hen the telephone rang" ill ans$ered it and then handed it to Allan" 'It's the hospital,' he said"  Allan fro$ned" 'I'm not on %all tonight"' tonight"' He spoke into the re%eier, then stopped and listened, his %olo!r s$iftl& re%eding" 'It's Dana,' he m!ttered, setting do$n the phone" '2he's %rashed her %ar into a tree"' '2he doesn't drie,' Lorna %ried"  Allan %losed his (hat e&es, $as then6halid opened again" (he& $ere opa1!efrom $iththe sho%k" '2he tried to kill herself" onthem the phone" He $as speaking hospital" 2he's barel& %ons%io!s, b!t she's asking for me"' 'I'll drie &o!,' ill said at on%e, and $ithin a min!te the& $ere on their $a&, moing as fast as the b!mper-to-b!mper traffi% $o!ld allo$" Lorna had been into the hospital seeral times sin%e %oming to 6!$ait, b!t as al$a&s she marelled at its l!4!rio!sness, and %o!ld not !nderstand $h& the 6!$aitis still %hose to %ome to London for their operations" Perhaps the& regarded it as a fashionable thing to do/the Arab e1!ialent of keeping !p $ith the )oneses"  As she and the Driers stepped o!t on to the fo!rth floor, she sa$ 6halid b& the re%eption desk, talking to one of the n!rses" Lorna had a %han%e to st!d& him for a brief instant before he noti%ed them, and sa$ that in less than t$ent&-fo!r ho!rs he had aged ten &ears" His fa%e $as ga!nt and hollo$, his e&es lifeless" Yet she did not tr& to make herself beliee it $as on her o$n a%%o!nt" If he $as s!ffering, it $as be%a!se of Dana" Reiterating this tho!ght to herself, she $as able to look at him $ith %ompos!re, as he sa$ her and strode oer" '0here's &o!r brother' he demanded" 'He r!shed !p ahead of !s" He m!st hae $alked past &o!"' '#a&be he $ent dire%tl& to the operating theatre,' 6halid said h!skil&" 'Ho$ bad is she' Ellen asked" 6halid's e&es glittered $ith moist!re moist!re and he bit hard on his lo$er lip" 'Are &o! afraid to %r&' Lorna flared, be&ond %aring $hat she said to him" '5r $on't  &o!r her3' %ons%ien%e let &o! Yo!'re as g!ilt& of h!rting Dana as if &o!'d %rashed the %ar into

 

'Lorna, don't"' Ellen %a!ght her arm and dre$ her into one of the $aiting rooms" '(elling 6halid $hat &o! think of him isn't going to help an&one" All $e %an do is pra& for Dana"' Lorna sank do$n on a %hair and b!ried her head in her hands" 2he $anted to go to th thee op oper erat atin ing g th thea eatr tre, e, b! b!tt kn kne$ e$ sh shee $o $o!l !ld d no nott be allo allo$e $ed d in, in, rega regard rdle less ss of he herr professionall stat!s" 5nl& Allan %o!ld do that, and sin%e he $as alread& there, the& $o!ld professiona get first-hand information $hen he ret!rned" (here $as a 1!iet moement beside her and she looked !p into 6halid's bl!e e&es" (he& $ere red-rimmed, b!t she felt no s&mpath& for him" He desered to s!ffer" (he onl& pit& $as that other people had to s!ffer $ith him" 'Does &o!r stepmother kno$' she asked" 'Yes" 2he $anted to %ome here, b!t I $o!ldn't let her"' '2he's Dana's mother,' Lorna said bitterl&" '2he has a right to be $ith her da!ghter" 5r aren't $omen s!pposed to be %apable of feeling sorro$' Deep h!rt flashed a%ross 6halid's fa%e" 'Do &o! think I $o!ldn't let her %ome here  be%a!se she's a $oman Is that ho$ badl badl& & &o! think of me' 'I'm tr&ing not to think of &o!" All m& tho!ghts are $ith Dana"' '2o are mine"' He took the seat ne4t to her" 'I $o!ldn't let m& stepmother %ome here  be%a!se she $ent $ent into a stat statee of sho%k and had tto o be sedated"' 'I see"' Lorna still felt too bitterl& to$ards him to apologise" 'Does Hassan kno$' 'He's $aiting b& the telephone in London" He $anted to fl& o!t immediatel&, b!t I  $o!ldn't let him" I didn't $ant him to %ome here and see Allan $ith her" If he did, he'd soon g!ess $hat's been going on"' '2till determined to presere an empt& marriage, aren't &o!' Lorna a%%!sed" 'I am intent on presering m& sister's good name" If she dies, I don't $ant there to be an& s%andal s!rro!nding her"' 'And if she lies' 6halid said nothing" Like a stat!e he sat beside her" He $as $earing the $hite dashdasha and it for%ibl& bro!ght his foreignness home to her" 2he had been %ra:& to think the& %o!ld be happ& together" '(here's no point in !s sitting here and $aiting like this,' ob Drier said s!ddenl&" 'I s!ggest &o! t$o ladies ask one of the n!rses $here &o! %an get some %offee, and 6halid and I $ill go do$n to the %ar" I bro!ght some brand& $ith me, and he looks as if he %an do $ith a stiff drink"' 'I $ant nothing,' 6halid said tonelessl&" '0ell, I do,' the Ameri%an replied" 'And as &o!r la$&er, I insist &o! take m& adi%e and hae one $ith me"' Like an a!tomaton 6halid rose, and the t$o men $ent o!t" 'He's taking it er& badl&,' Ellen %ommented as soon as the& $ere alone"

 

'Cons%ien%e,' Lorna retorted" '#a&be"' Ellen sighed" 'Poor Dana3 2he m!st reall& loe &o!r brother to do a st!pid thing like this"' 'And $here $ill it leae her if she re%oers' Lorna asked" 'a%k at s1!are one" It hasn't soled a thing"' 'Yo! neer kno$" 6halid might hae a %hange of heart and allo$ her to dior%e Hassan"' 'At this moment he'd probabl& agree to an&thing" !t he'll %hange his mind if she gets better" I'e seen it happen so man& times/families times/families $ho forget their griean%es oer the si%k-bed of a loed one, and then fall o!t again $hen the patient re%oers" And if the& don't, and die, the& !s!all& end !p fighting oer the $ill"' '.!rsing has made &o! %&ni%al,' sighed Ellen" 'It's made me realisti%' 'Does that mean &o! still intend leaing tomorro$' 'I $on't go !ntil Dana's off the danger list,' Lorna told her" 'And then &o!'ll leae' '(here $on't be an& reason for me to sta&"' Ellen hesitated" 'I'm s!re that $hat's happened tonight $ill make 6halid see things differentl&" He ma& $ant &o! ba%k"' '5!t of a belated sense of g!ilt I %an *!st see into his mind no$,' Lorna said bitterl&" '#aking a pa%t $ith +od that if He'll let Dana re%oer/' 'Don't talk like that,' Ellen interr!pted" '(hen don't talk to me abo!t 6halid" I don't mean to be r!de, Ellen, b!t some things are better left !nsaid"' .either of them spoke again and Ellen left the $aiting room and ret!rned shortl& after$ards $iththe& a tra& of %offee bis%!its"on%e Lorna drank the the %offee b!tret!rned" %o!ld not(he eat an&thing, and $ere sittingand in silen%e again $hen men  brand& 6halid had dr!nk had bro!ght some %olo!r ba%k into his skin, and he no longer  blended into his $hite dashdasha, dashdasha, b!t the lines $ere still still heail& marked on his fa%e and and his e&es $ere bleak" (he ho!rs slo$l& ti%ked a$a& and it $as three a"m" before Allan %ame in to tell them Dana $o!ld lie" 'I'm sta&ing beside her tonight,' he said" '2he's in intensie %are and $e'll keep her there for the ne4t t$ent&-fo!r ho!rs"' 6halid looked as tho!gh he $anted to speak, b!t een $hen he opened his lips, no  $ords %ame o!t" He p!t his hand to his fa%e and %losed his e&es, and Allan moed oer and spoke softl& to him, so that no one else %o!ld hear" Lorna did not kno$ $hat her brother said, b!t it had the effe%t of making 6halid straighten and look more %omposed" Allan is more forgiing than I am, she tho!ght

 

 $r&l&, and still %o!ld not bring herself to make an& gest!re of s&mpath& to the man  $hom she both both loed and despis despised" ed" 'If Allan's going to sta& at the hospital, $h& don't &o! %ome home $ith !s' Ellen asked her" 'I'd rather go ba%k to the apartment,' Lorna m!rm!red, and ref!sed to look in 6halid's dire%tion as the& left the hospital and $ent to their respe%tie %ars" It $as three da&s later before Lorna sa$ 6halid again, and then it $as onl& as she  $as $alking do$n the %orridor to Dana's room, and he $as %oming o!t of it" He still looked haggard, b!t it in no $a& detra%ted from his looks" Indeed it enhan%ed them, giing his e&es greater depth and dra$ing attention to the fine %!t of his mo!th" 'Dana $ill be delighted to see &o!,' he said" '2he $as *!st asking abo!t &o!"' '2he kne$ from Allan that I hadn't gone home &et,' Lorna said stiffl&" 'I $anted to see her first"' 'And then &o!'re leaing' 'Yes"' 'Yo! $o!ldn't %onsider sta&ing on for a $hile as her %ompanion' 'I'm s!re &o!'d feel happier if &o!r sister had an Arab $oman as her %ompanion,' Lorna said i%il&" '2omeone $ho'd be less likel& to %orr!pt her $ith liberated ideas of  being happ& $ith $ith one's h!sband" h!sband"'' 2he $ent to $alk past him, b!t he p!t o!t his hand and detained her" '(r& not to think bitterl& of me, Lorna" I/' 'I don't think of &o! at all,' she lied" 'I'm ama:ed at ho$ 1!i%kl& &o!'e %ome to mean nothing to me" I g!ess I m!st hae been bo$led oer b& &o!r glamo!r and mone& after all, b!t %oming to the hospital ea%h da& has gien me ba%k m& old perspe%tie"' 6halid's hand dropped a$a& from her" '(he& sa& the tong!e of a $oman %an kill 1!i%ker than the tong!e of a serpent,' he said, 'and &o! are proing the sages right"' .ot looking at him, she $alked a$a&, her e&es so blinded b& tears that it $as onl& p!re %han%e that she stopped in front of Dana's room" 5ne sight of her friend p!t her o$n personal tho!ghts o!t of her mind, for the girl  $as %oered in bandages bandages and had a leg and an a arm rm in tra%tion" !t sshe he managed to sm smile ile a greeting and Lorna $ent oer to kiss her, then dre$ a %hair %lose to the bed" '6halid's *!st left,' Dana $hispered" 'I kno$, I sa$ him"' 'Yo! spoke to him' '5f %o!rse"' 'Are &o!;" 0ill &o! %ome together again' '.o"' Lorna made her oi%e light" '(hat's all in the past" I'm going ba%k to London"' 'Hassan isn't %oming here,' said Dana" '6halid didn't tell him ho$ badl& in*!red I

 

 $as" He $as afraid that if Hassan %ame here he'd g!ess the $a& Allan and I feel abo!t ea%h other"' (he bro$n e&es $ere lambent $ith tears" 'L&ing here alone like this has made me gie m!%h more tho!ght to m& brother's point of ie$" Altho!gh I don't agree  $ith it, I %an see $h& he behaes this $a&" (radition, and the $ishes of o!r father, mean eer&thing to him, and m& father $o!ld neer hae allo$ed me to leae Hassan" 0hen his o$n marriage to 6halid's mother ended, he %ompletel& abandoned all his 0estern ideas and be%ame the most deo!t #!slim"' 'Yet he allo$ed 6halid to be ed!%ated in the 0est,' said Lorna" 'e%a!se he $anted the best ed!%ation for him" !t 6halid al$a&s had an Arab %ompanion $ith him $hen he $as abroad"' (his f!rther insight into 6halid's !pbringing made Lorna een more astonished that he %o!ld hae forgotten his heritage s!ffi%ientl& to %onsider marr&ing marr&ing her, and she began to appre%iate ho$ strong his desire for her had been" !t it $as desire, not loe, she reminded herself, for loe $o!ld hae bro!ght !nderstanding of the predi%ament she had been in $ith Allan" 'Don't go ba%k to London,' Dana broke into her tho!ghts" '2ta& another fe$ $eeks"' 'It's impossible" I hae a *ob $aiting for me,' she lied" 'I telephoned the #atron of m& old hospital in London *!st before &o! had &o!r a%%ident, and she agreed to take me  ba%k"' (ho!gh Dana looked s%epti%al she did not arg!e, and Lorna $as thankf!l for it" (he da& before her depart!re she de%ided it $o!ld be impolite to leae 6!$ait  $itho!t sa&ing goodb&e to #adam al Hashib" 2he kne$ from Allan that 6halid had flo$n to London on b!siness, and $ith no fear of r!nning into him, she $ent to the illa" (he $oman looked pleased to see her, and tho!gh her English $as poor, she seemed more fl!ent in it no$ that she $as alone $ith Lorna than $hen her stepson or da!ghter had been present" '6halid told me all,' she said, after greetings $ere made and %offee and s$eetmeats had been sered" 'I sorr& for Dana" !t m& parents %hose h!sband for me, and I happ&"' 'e%a!se &o!r h!sband $as a good man,' Lorna said" '!t Dana's h!sband is 1!ite different, and she's terribl& !nhapp& $ith him"' '2he m!st a%%ept" 6halid he happ& too, $hen he marr&"' Lorna s$allo$ed hard" 'Is ; is 6halid getting married' '2oon" I like &o!, b!t is better he marr& 6!$aiti girl" He agree I find bride for him"' e%a!se of the $oman's limited English, Lorna $as not s!re $hether he had alread& agreed or his stepmother $as ass!ming he $o!ld, and it $as not !ntil she $ent to sa& goodb&e to Dana that she $as able to %larif& the m&ster&" '#other $as referring to .a*at Rahman,' Dana ans$ered" '.a*at's father is her first %o!sin and he has been a b!siness %ompetitor of 6halid's for &ears" Her greatest $ish has been to !nite the t$o families in marriage" It $as m& father's $ish too"' 'I'm s!rprised 6halid didn't marr& her &ears ago" If he $as s!%h a d!tif!l son;"'

 

'.a*at $as too &o!ng" 2he's onl& seenteen no$"' Lorna sniffed" '2he so!nds far more s!itable than I $o!ld hae been"' '2he is,' said Dana, $ith $hat Lorna %onsidered sing!lar la%k of ta%t" 'And she's a$f!ll& prett&" !t %hildish and do%ile"' ')!st right for &o!r brother"' 'I'm pleased to see &o! %an *oke abo!t it,' %ommented Dana" '0h& sho!ldn't I I'e told &o!, the past is past"' Dana nodded" 'Perhaps it $on't t!rn o!t as drear& for 6halid as I !sed to think" 0ith .a*at as his $ife he $on't be inoled emotionall&, so he $on't be !nhapp&" He'll hae lots of affairs/ the $a& Hassan does"' Lorna almost %hoked" 'If &o!'re ado%ating marriage 6!$aiti st&le for &o!r brother, it's a pit& &o! %an't be happ& $ith 6!$aiti st&le marriage &o!rself,' she said" 'I might be, if I $as allo$ed the same freedom" 5r if I $eren't desperatel& in loe  $ith &o!r hard-headed brother" Yo! kno$ he's asked to be released from his %ontra%t and intends to ret!rn to England' Lorna nodded" Allan had told her of his intention and she had not arg!ed him o!t of it, de%iding he $as taking the best %o!rse of a%tion" '6halid told me he is sending Hassan to .e$ York,' Dana %ontin!ed" 'He's gone to London to arrange it no$"' 'At least &o! $on't b!mp into Allan there,' said Lorna" '(hat's $h& 6halid's moing !s,' Dana replied bleakl&" 'I begged him to p!t press!re on Hassan to set me free, b!t he ref!sed een to dis%!ss it"' Lorna bit her lip" If onl& Ellen %o!ld hear Dana she $o!ld no longer %all Lorna a %&ni% for the opinions she had e4pressed the other night" 6halid $as proing them all too tr!e" 'Yo! $on't do an&thing foolish again, $ill &o!' she asked" '.o,' Dana said gl!ml&" 'I didn't intend to %ommit s!i%ide last $eekend either" I $as  *!st so beside m&self $ith miser& miser& that I $anted to go for a drie" I neer offi%iall& passed m& test $hen I $as in London, b!t I did hae half a do:en lessons"' 'And &o!'e paid for the most e4pensie lesson of all,' Lorna %ommented, looking at the bandaged arm and leg" 'Con%entr 'Con%entrate ate on &o!r bab& and forget eer&thing else"' 'I %an neer forget Allan" Een if he marries someone else, I $ill al$a&s loe him"' (here $as nothing Lorna %o!ld sa& to this" From the $a& Allan had spoken to her, she %o!ld not imagine him falling in loe $ith another girl, &et she kne$ that $hen one  $as &o!ng the deepest $o!nds %o!ld heal, and it $as more than %on%eiabl %on%eiablee that her  brother $o!ld find, if not great happiness, %ontentment ent $ith someone else" As she herself $o!ld hope to do in the f!t!re" at least %ontentm

 

Her final parting from Dana $as sad for both of them, b!t the& had both s!ffered too deep a sho%k to %r&, and it $as onl& $hen Lorna $as on the plane that she %o!ld no longer %ontrol her tears" Ho$ different her depart!re $as from her arrial 3 (here $as no priate *et, no Con%orde and no 8IP treatment" Yet it $as not these l!4!ries that she missed, b!t 6halid's dark, irile presen%e, and the memor& of him o%%!pied all her tho!ghts d!ring the long *o!rne& ba%k to England"

 

CH+/%0 %3

'PH5.E %all for &o!, 2ister"' Chriss& 0ilson, a %heek& &o!ng st!dent n!rse, popped her head ro!nd the door of the priate room $here Lorna $as listening to the $oes of her patient" Pleased to hae a  alid e4%!se to leae the spoiled elderl& $oman $itho!t h!rting her feelings, she ret!rned to her $ell-f!rnished offi%e at the end of the %orridor" Een the staff had e4%ellent a%%ommodation in this most e4%l!sie of priate %lini%s" ')!st making s!re &o! haen't forgotten o!r dinner date for tonight,' a pl!mm& male  oi%e reminded her" her" '5f %o!rse I haen't forgotten,' Lorna lied, thankf!l she had not made another date for this eening" '0hat time are &o! pi%king me !p' 'At eight-thirt&" I'e booked a table at the Elephant"'  At least the eening $o!ldn't be a %omplete $aste, she tho!ght, as she droe ba%k to her flat to %hange" R!pert #elille $as not her ideal es%ort /no one $as, after 6halid/  b!t at least he $as am!sing, fairl& intelligent and al$a&s took her to her fao!rite resta!rants" 2he had been introd!%ed to him at a mat%hmaking dinner part& gien b& one of her mother's friends, and tho!gh she had at first ref!sed to go o!t $ith him, his persisten%e finall& $on the da&" Haing taken the pl!nge and a%%epted an initation from a man, she fo!nd it eas& to a%%ept more, and hoped she $o!ld eent!all& meet someone $ho $o!ld make her heart  beat *!st that little bit faster" !t for the moment 6halid $as still too %lear in her mind, and she %ompared eer&one $ith him9 finding their kisses too ine4pert, their hold too ro!gh, their to!%h too hea&" For a dominant man, 6halid had been a sensitie loer" .ot her loer in the real sense of the $ord, b!t as near to it as he had allo$ed himself to %ome" 2he fo!nd herself regretting the %ontrol he had pla%ed !pon their behaio!r9 at least if she had gien herself to him she $o!ld hae that m!%h more to remember" Promptl& at eight-thirt& she $as $aiting for R!pert, $earing one of the man& dresses 6halid had insisted on b!&ing her as part of her tro!ssea!" 7npa%king them all in London she had tempted gie them a$a&, of and the memories the&  $o!ld eoke ea%hbeen timesorel& she $ore them"to !t sense had $onafraid the da&, she had for%ed herself to see them onl& as bea!tif!l garments $hi%h she $o!ld neer hae been able to

 

afford had she been b!&ing them herself" (onight her %hoi%e $as one of the last dresses 6halid had bo!ght her" 5f floating %hiffon, it disg!ised the $eight she had lost sin%e ret!rning home, and the deli%ate pink %olo!r lessened the shado$s belo$ her %heekbones and the darker ones that la& belo$ her e&es" R!pert did his best to entertain her, b!t for some reason 6halid seemed %loser than eer, and b& the time she ret!rned home she $as so depressed that she had to take a sleeping pill" In %onse1!en%e she $as late getting !p, and staring at her haggard fa%e in the mirror, determined to snap o!t of the self-pit&ing mood she had been in sin%e her ret!rn" (hink posi po siti tie e,, she she to told ld he herr refl refle% e%ti tion on,, an and d fo forr pit& pit&'s 's sa sake ke stop stop th thin inking king ab abo! o!tt 6h 6hal alid id"" (ightening her belt a not%h, she $ent into the tin& kit%henette she shared $ith her friend  Ann" ')!st in time for a %!p of %old %offee,' Ann remarked %heerf!ll&" 'Does oersleeping impl& that &o! had a parti%!larl& good eening' '.o"' '(hen ho$ %ome &o!'re looking less miserable' 'I think I'm finall& getting oer 6halid,' Lorna told her" 'Pigs might fl& if their bottoms $eren't so hea&,' Ann ans$ered dril&" '0hat does that mean' 'It means I don't beliee in mira%les"' Lorna smiled" '!t it's tr!e" I am getting oer him" And to proe it, I'll hae m& hair re-st&led" He al$a&s liked it long, so I'll hae it %!t short"' '(hat so!nds more like an a%t of defian%e than proof that &o!'re getting oer him" !t at least it's a start"' Ann e&ed her" 'Don't hae it %ompletel& shorn"' (here $as a rattle from the postman at the front door, and Ann rose to %olle%t the letters" 'An&thing for me from Allan' Lorna asked hopef!ll&" He hadn't $ritten for a fe$  $eeks, not sin%e informing her that his repla%eme repla%ement nt at the 2a!d Hospital had been dela&ed" '.othing e4%ept bills/b!t the&'re all for me, so &o! %an still afford to tootle off to #a&fair and get &o!r lo%ks shorn"' 2eeral ho!rs later Lorna emerged from 2assoon's ond 2treet salon $ith the latest  8idal %reation" It gae her a different kind of bea!t& and she $as delighted b& it" Her hair fell sleekl& to the lobes of her ears and then %!rled !p$ards in $isp& fronds" Her %ool, sophisti%ated appearan%e had gone, and $as no$ repla%ed b& a more gamine %harm" 2he might not feel like a ne$ $oman &et, b!t she had taken the first steps to $ards it" 'I like it,' #ar%ia Reed, her %o-floor s!perisor, remarked as she entered their shared offi%e" 'Yo!'ll hae all the male temperat!res rising3'

 

Lorna smiled her thanks" 'An&thing ne$' '5ne em '5ne emerg ergen% en%& & adm admitt ittan an%e" %e" A &o! &o!ng ng Ara Arab b $om $oman an/s /s!sp !spe%t e%ted ed broke broken n an ankl kle" e"  Apparentl&  Apparentl & she's on her hone&moon, and her h!sband $ants her o!t of here as 1!i%kl& as possible"' (he& looked at ea%h other and la!ghed" 'Dr 2impson's her ph&si%ian,' #ar%ia added" 'He's d!e in soon to see the G-ra&s"' Lorna settled do$n to read some reports before doing her ro!nds, b!t no sooner had she opened a folder $hen there $as a tap at the door" 'Dr 2impson's here to see the ne$ patient, 2ister,' a &o!ng staff n!rse informed her" Lorna stood !p" 'Is the s!rgeon $ith him' '.o" 5nl& a dish&-looking man/the h!sband, I think"' Lorna $alked briskl& to$ards the priate $ard" (he door of the room $as sh!t, b!t she sa$ thro!gh the small glass pane, and her steps faltered" .e4t to the bed, $at%hing $ith %on%ern as the spe%ialist held an G-ra& plate !p to the light, stood 6halid" (he blood drained from Lorna's fa%e" 2o he had finall& married .a*at3 2he $ent on staring at him" Ho$ handsome he looked, and ho$ e4a%tl& the $a& she so often dreamed of him" In his $ell-fitting na& s!it he seemed the epitome of %harm, instead of an a!to%rat !sed to giing orders and haing them obe&ed" Yet regardless of $hat he $ore, the man beneath the %lothes remained the same" 'An&thing $rong, 2ister' A n!rse $alking past stopped to look at her" Lorna $anted to t!rn tail and r!n, b!t if she did, the ne$s of it $o!ld be all oer the hospital in an ho!r" 0ith an effort she %ontrolled herself" '.o,' she said, and $ith an effort dre$ a deep breath, p!shed open the door and $ent inside" (hree pairs of e&es s$ielled in her dire%tion, altho!gh it $as left to the do%tor to speak" '+ood morning, 2ister" .othing too %ompli%ated here, I'm glad to sa&" )!st a simple fra%t!re that $e %an deal $ith if &o!'ll telephone the (heatre"' 'I'll arrange it immediatel&, sir"' Lorna ignored 6halid, and $ished she %o!ld also ignore the er& prett& doe-e&ed &o!ng girl l&ing on the bed" 2he %o!ld hae passed for Dana' Da na'ss sis sister ter,, ha haing ing th thee sam samee l!s l!s%io %io!s !s dar dark-h k-hair aired ed loo looks ks"" Ho Ho$e $eer, er, she she see seemed med e4tremel& nero!s and Lorna moed to the side of the bed, glad that it took her een f!rther a$a& from 6halid, $ho $as b& the $indo$" 'Yo!'e nothing to be afraid of,' she said in her most professionall& soothing oi%e" 'Yo!'ll be ba%k in this room $ithin half an ho!r and &o! %an be o!t of here this afternoon"' '2he doesn't !nderstand English,' the s!rgeon m!rm!red 1!ietl&, and gae the &o!ng girl a beaming smile"

 

Lorna had neer kno$n Dr 2impson to displa& s!%h $armth, and $ondered %&ni%all& %&ni%all&  $hether the al al Hashib nam namee had somethin something g to do $ith it" 2he t!rn t!rned ed to$ards the d door" oor" 'I'll phone the (heatre,' she m!rm!red, 'and ask them to send !p a porter $ith a  $heel%hair"'  $heel%hai r"' 2he had arranged it and $as ba%k in her offi%e, sipping a %!p of %offee and $ishing it  $ere a stiff drink drink $hen the door o opened pened $itho!t a $ $arning arning kno%k a and nd 6halid %am %amee in"  0ith a deep sense of ineitabilit ineitabilit& & she $aited for him to speak" Ho$ bl!e his e&es  $ere3 Her bones seemed to melt and her breathing $as ragged" 2he had kno$n he  $o!ld seek her o!t the moment moment his $ife had been $h $heeled eeled a$a&, and she $onder $ondered ed if he  $ere a sadist or merel& %!r %!rio!s io!s to kno$ ho$ sshe he no$ felt ab abo!t o!t him" 'Yo!'e had &o!r hair %!t,' he said" His %omment $as so !ne4pe%ted that she $as at a loss for $ords" 'It s!its &o!,' he $ent on" 'Yo! look more bea!tif!l than eer"' He %ame %loser to the desk and she $as glad she $as sitting do$n9 if she hadn't she  $o!ld hae fallen" fallen" 'Yo!'e lost $eight,' he $ent on, 'and there are shado$s !nder &o!r e&es"' 'Are &o! making an inentor& of me' Lorna finall& fo!nd her oi%e and, $ith it, her temper" 'I'e no time to/' '0hen are &o! off d!t&' he interr!pted" 'I $ant to talk to &o!"' '0ell, I don't $ant to talk to &o!"' 'I don't blame &o!,' he said" '!t &o!'ll hae to talk to me an&$a&"' 'I $on't3' 'Please,' he pleaded" 'I kno$ &o! hae been terribl& h!rt, b!t so $as I"' 'Poor 6halid3' she ta!nted" '2t!pid 6halid,' he replied" 'I behaed like a mania% oer &o! and Dana"' 2!rprise kept her silent" 2he dared not think $hat he meant in %ase she p!t the  $rong interpretat interpretation ion on it" 2he felt his e&es !pon her" (heir bl!e $as no$ intensified, glo$ing $ith a passion that set her bod& aflame" 2he a%hed to hold him %lose, to feel him tremble the $a& he al$a&s did $hen she $as near him" Yet none of these tho!ghts sho$ed on her fa%e, $hi%h remained as %ool as an angel's %ared in stone" 'I loe &o!,' 6halid said h!skil&" (hat's $hat I'm tr&ing to tell &o!" I $ant &o! to be m& $ife"' 2he $as not s!re she had heard %orre%tl&" Had he %hanged his religion in order to marr& .a*at, and $as he no$ seeing Lorna as part of his harem '0ell' he asked" 'Haen't &o! an&thing to sa&' '5nl& that m& ans$er is no, and that &o!'re still behaing like a mania% if &o! think I'll agree"'

 

(he %olo!r seeped from his skin and she had a s$ift image of him as he had been the night that Dana's life had h!ng in the balan%e" Yet $h& sho!ld he look so bereft no$ 2he ref!sed to beliee he gen!inel& loed her" Had he done, he $o!ld neer hae married .a*at" 'Do &o! honestl& see me as part of &o!r harem' she b!rst o!t" '5r do &o! plan to set me !p in a ho!se in London and isit me $hen &o! %ome oer from 6!$ait I don't kno$ $hat rights se%ond $ies hae, b!t/' '2e%ond $ies' he %!t in" 'Yo! think I am married to .a*at' 'Don't tell me she's &o!r mistress too3' 'I $o!ldn't,' he said $ith inf!riating %alm" '2he is definitel& a $ife, tho!gh not mine" 2he is married to Hassan"' Lorna $as too asto!nded to speak" 2he s$allo$ed hard" 'Are &o! ; are &o! telling me Dana and Hassan are dior%ed' 'Yes"' He %ame ro!nd the side of the desk, b!t seeing her shrink ba%k in the %hair, he stopped" 'Don't be frightened of me, Lorna" I $on't to!%h &o! if &o! don't $ant me"' 2he dre$ a deep breath and ignored $hat he had said" '0here's Dana And $hat's happened $ith Allan He $rote to me t$o $eeks ago, b!t he neer said a $ord abo!t an& dior%e"' 'e%a!se he didn't kno$ of it" .obod& kne$/ not een Dana herself" I arranged it all  $ith Hassan"' Hassan"' (his behaio!r seemed so t&pi%al of 6halid that Lorna felt h&steri%al am!sement rising !p in her" 5nl& this man $o!ld hae the gall to arrange for his sister's dior%e  $itho!t letting his sister kno$" He $as as likel& to marr& her off to someone else in the same $a&" 2!spi%io! 2!spi% io!sl sl& & she she regar regarded ded him him"" 'I as ass!m s!mee &o! &o!'e 'e alrea alread& d& pi% pi%ke ked d o!t her ne ne4t 4t h!sband' 'Dana's done that for herself, as &o! damn $ell kno$"' 6halid's temper $as less e1!able no$" '2top pla&ing $ith me, Lorna" I'e had t$o months of hell tr&ing to $ork things o!t, and for%ing m&self not to let &o! kno$ $hat $as going on !ntil I'd got it all settled"' '2ettled' she e%hoed" 'Hassan remarried and is s!ffi%ientl& pleased $ith himself to let Dana keep Amina"' '.o3' Lorna %ried, and *!mped !p so 1!i%kl& that the %hair fell ba%k" Disregarding it, she fl!ng herself into 6halid's arms, a pla%e $here she had neer e4pe%ted to be again" '0h& didn't &o! tell me $hat &o! $ere doing' she %ried" 'I $as afraid to, in %ase Hassan $o!ldn't do as I $anted" He isn't as eas& to deal $ith as &o! think" I kno$ I hae a!thorit& oer him in b!siness, b!t he has a!thorit& oer  Amina, and he $as $as determine determined d to e4er%ise it to his best adantage"' 'Yo! mean he bla%kmailed &o!'

 

6halid nodded" '!t I'd hae paid an& pri%e to gie m&self the right to %ome ba%k to  &o!"' His hold on her tightened and she felt the hea& beat of his heart" His mo!th so!ght hers h!ngril& and she responded to him $ildl&"  Again and again the& kissed, and een $hen he finall& lifted his head he did not release her, b!t rested his %heek !pon her o$n, his breath $arm on her skin" His thin silk s!it did little to disg!ise the !rgen%& of his desire, and a$are that she felt it, he gae a half sigh" 'Do I need to ask &o! again to marr& me' he said" '0hat a sill& 1!estion 3' 2he %aressed the ba%k of his ne%k, loing the feel of his soft hair" 'As soon as &o! like, darling"' 'Is the end of the $eek too soon' '.o"' 2he p!lled slightl& ba%k from him" 'I s!ppose &o!'ll $ant !s to be married in 6!$ait' '.o" I tho!ght &o! $o!ld like to be married here"' He pa!sed, then said< '(here's something else I hae to tell &o!, b!t I'd rather $ait !ntil this eening"' His grait& faintl& dis1!ieted her, and she might not hae been able to %ontain her %!riosit& if one of her n!rses hadn't %ome in to sa& the patient $as ba%k from the (heatre, $ith her foot set in plaster" (his reminded Lorna to ask 6halid $h& he had %ome here $ith .a*at, instead of Hassan" 'e%a!se the three of !s $ere at London Airport" I had *!st flo$n in from 6!$ait and Hassan and .a*at met me at the airport" (he& $ere on their $a& to Ameri%a" (hen .a*at fell on the steps of the plane, and sin%e it $as essential for Hassan to attend attend a meeting in .e$ York, he asked me to take %are of her"' '5ther$ise &o!'d be on &o!r $a& to .e$ York too' He gae her a none too gentle shake" 'I $as on m& $a& here" ringing .a*at along $ith me $as simple" !t no more e4planations" I'll see &o! tonight"' He $as at the door $hen she %alled him, and he t!rned to look at her, one dark e&ebro$ raised" 'Yo! don't kno$ $here I lie, 6halid"' 'I kno$ &o!r address and &o!r phone n!mber" I kno$ the ho!rs &o! are on d!t& and also that &o! are onl& $orking here on a temporar& basis !ntil &o! get &o!r old *ob ba%k at the hospital"' 2he gae a shak& la!gh" 'Hae &o! been haing me $at%hed' 'Yes,' he said slo$l&" 'If &o! had gone o!t $ith the same man more than three three times, I  $o!ld hae flo$n here to see &o! regardless of ho$ m& negotiations $ere going $ith Hassan"'

 

'I see"' 2he trembled at the s!ppressed iolen%e in his oi%e" 'Yo!'re er& possessie, aren't &o!' 'Yo! are m& life, Lorna" 0hen I remembered ho$ %r!el I $as to &o! be%a!se of &o!r lo&alt& to &o!r brother;"' 'Yo!'e more than made !p for it,' she said" 'Don't be h!mble, 6halid, or I $on't kno$ &o!"' His smile $as brief and the door %losed on him" Left alone, Lorna resisted the !rge to sit at her desk and think of the f!t!re" (here $as $ork to do first" (onight $as hers and 6halid's" e%a!se she $as on late %all, it $as eight o'%lo%k before she $as free, and nine o'%lo%k  before she $as at home $aiting for 6halid" Hearing of his arrial, Ann had ta%tf!ll& made herself s%ar%e, sa&ing she $o!ld spend the night $ith a friend, an offer $hi%h Lorna had a%%epted, kno$ing that if 6halid made loe to her here, she $o!ld not let him leae her" His step on the stairs sent her ra%ing to the door, and she opened it before he %o!ld ring" It $as a good thing she did, for he $as laden $ith %hampagne and a $i%ker basket  $hi%h !npa%ked !npa%ked to dis%lose %%aiar, aiar, %old lob lobster ster and fres fresh h stra$berries" 'I kne$ &o! $o!ldn't hae eaten,' he e4plained, 'and I $as too restless to eat either, !ntil I'd seen &o! again"' In the bright light of the liing-room she %o!ld see he hadn't eaten m!%h for $eeks, for tho!gh he looked happ&, his fa%e $as bone-thin" (enderness $elled !p in her and  $ith a m!rm!r she %laspe %lasped d him %lose an and d pressed her m mo!th o!th to his tem temple" ple" 'Yo! said &o! had something to tell me,' she $hispered $hispered"" 'Later,' he replied" 'First $e $ill eat"' (he& did so in the kit%hen, 6halid looking in%ongr!o!sl& elegant elegant among the bl!e and  $hite formi%a %abinets" !t it $as not !ntil the meal $as oer and the& $ere seated in the lo!nge that he finall& 1!ieted her %!riosit&" '($o da&s after I asked &o! to marr& me,' he began, 'ob Drier told me that m& father had gien him a letter before he died, and instr!%ted him onl& to let me hae it if I married a 0estern $oman" I asked ob to let me hae it, b!t he $as !nder orders not to do so !ntil the night before m& marriage"' 'Yo! m!st hae been a$f!ll& %!rio!s,' she said, her o$n %!riosit& mo!nting" 'I $as" !t ob $o!ldn't break his orders" 0hen I parted from &o! he nat!rall& felt  indi%ated abo!t haing st!%k to his prin%iples prin%iples,, tho!gh it still left me $ondering $hat m& father had $ritten"' '2o that's $h& &o!'re marr&ing me,' she la!ghed" ')!st to get that letter3' 'Ho$ %leer of &o! to g!ess"' He smiled, b!t it $as not $ith his e&es, $hi%h remained serio!s" '0hen I told ob I $as fl&ing here to marr& &o!, he gae me the letter the da& I left 6!$ait"' 6halid pa!sed, and $as silent for so long that Lorna tho!ght he had %hanged his

 

mind abo!t telling her the %ontents, or that $hat he had to sa& $as so diffi%!lt that he did not kno$ ho$ to begin" '(he letter $as s!%h a sho%k to me that een no$ I %an hardl& beliee it,' he $ent on finall&" 'Yet I kno$ it is tr!e, and it makes me loe m& father een more" For it sho$s ho$ deep his loe $as for me"' '!t &o! neer do!bted that"' 'I neer do!bted that I $as his son, either,' 6halid said gr!ffl&" '!t it seems I'm not"' Lorna %o!ldn't beliee she had heard %orre%tl&" 'Yo!'re not;"' '.o" Apparentl& m& mother $as married to an Englishman before, an offi%er in the arm& $ho $as killed in a%tion eight months before I $as born" 2he had kno$n m& father /I still think of him that $a&,' he added, 'before her first marriage, and tho!gh he $as in loe $ith her, she did not ret!rn his feelings" (hen, $hen she $as $ido$ed and fo!nd herself $ith a small pension and a bab& on the $a&, she agreed to marr& A%hmed al Hashib"' 'Yo! mean he $as $illing to take someone else's %hild and bring it !p as his o$n' 'I don't think he tho!ght that far ahead" He loed m& mother so m!%h that he %o!ldn't think of an&thing else" & the time he realised the marriage $asn't $orking o!t, he had gro$n to regard me as his o$n %hild" If he had had a son b& his se%ond marriage, I am s! s!re re he $o $o!l !ld d ha hae e to told ld me the the tr tr!t !th h ea earl rlie ier, r, b! b!tt afte afterr Da Dana na $a $ass bo born rn m& stepmother %o!ldn't hae an& more %hildren"' '0hat made &o!r father leae a letter for &o! I mean, if he didn't $ant to tell &o! the tr!th $hen he $as alie, $h& do so after$ards' 'I $o!ld neer hae learned the tr!th had I married an Arab" !t if I married a  0esterner he %onsidered it his d!t& to let me kno$ I $as an Englishman Englishman,, so that if I  $ished, m& %hildren %o!ld be English too" It $o!ld make no differen%e to the inheritan%e I had re%eied from him, nor from m& remaining head of the al Hashib famil& /if that $as $hat I still $anted" !t he felt he had to tell me the tr!th, so that if m& f!t!re $ife $anted me to lie else$here, I $o!ld feel free to do so $itho!t a g!ilt& %ons%ien%e"' It $as not diffi%!lt for Lorna to !nderstand the %onfli%t that 6halid's stepfather had gone thro!gh in order to $rite s!%h a letter, and she began to appre%iate the genero!s so!l of the man, and to !nderstand $h& 6halid had loed him so deepl&" 'It's &o!r de%ision no$, Lorna,' 6halid said" '(he name of m& real father is 0inters, Edm!nd #orle& 0inters" It's !p to &o! to %hoose $hi%h name I sho!ld take"' 'Yo! $o!ld let me de%ide s!%h a thing' 'It's the least I %an do after the $o!nding things I said to &o!"' 'I %o!ld neer make s!%h a de%ision,' she de%lared" 'Yo! are the onl& one $ho %an do it"' He $alked oer to the $indo$, as if onl& b& standing some distan%e a$a& from her %o!ld he marshal his tho!ghts"

 

'0ho r!les me, Lorna #& heart or m& head' (here $as $r& h!mo!r in his oi%e" '0o!ld it s!rprise &o! to kno$ that the& both sa& the same thing' '.o,' she said instantl&" 'e%a!se I e4pe%ted it" Yo! $o!ldn't be the man I loe if &o! %o!ld think other$ise"' (hen &o! kno$ $hat I $ish to do' 'I kno$ $hat's the right thing to do, and sin%e &o! al$a&s $ant to do the right thing;"'  0ith a groan he ret!rned ret!rned to her and %a %a!ght !ght her hands hands"" (he al Hashibs are the onl& famil& I hae kno$n" (ho!gh Edm!nd 0inters $as no do!bt an admirable man, he is a stranger to me" It is A%hmed al Hashib $ho gae me loe and his name9 $ho took me in $hen m& mother dis%arded me, and $ho tr!l& regarded me as his o$n %hild" (o gie !p his name $o!ld be to dis%ard that loe, and I  $o!ld rather %!t %!t off m& right ha hand"' nd"' Lorna dre$ his hand !p to her fa%e and pressed her lips against it" 'I loe &o!r hand,' she m!rm!red, 'and I $ant &o! to keep it"' #omentaril& she held herself a$a& from him" 'Hae &o! told an&one else the tr!th' 'Yo! are the first to kno$"' (hen let me be the last"' (his time she %o!ld not eade his !rgent mo!th, nor did she $ant to, and she gae herself !p to the delight of his to!%h" His hands $ere gentle on her, almost as if he $ere still not s!re of her response, and she $as the one $ho made the adan%es !ntil, fired b& her passion, he be%ame the master on%e again" (he depth of his kisses intensified, and he slipped her dress from her sho!lders and let his mo!th trael along the sloping %!re of her breasts" (he& $ere s$ollen $ith desire for him, and he b!ried his fa%e in the shado$& %left bet$een them" (hen $ith a m!ffled groan, he p!shed her a$a&" 'Don't tempt me, Lorna" I'm onl& h!man"' '2o am I,' she said, '$hi%h is $h& Ann isn't %oming ba%k tonight3' His e&es darkened, b!t he still remained motionless" 'I'm $illing to $ait for &o!, m& darling"' '0h& sho!ld &o!' she asked, '$hen I am more than $illing"' Rising to her feet, she p!lled him !p, and arms ent$ined the& $alked to$ards the  bedroom" (he& $ere at the door $hen he stopped" '.o,' he said firml&" 'I $ill not" (he al Hashib men hae al$a&s $aited to possess their $ies !ntil their $edding night and/' 'And as &o!r father's son &o! $ish to do the same,' Lorna finished for him, and gentl& led him to the front door" 'Yo!'re right, 6halid" !t then &o! al$a&s are"' 'I'll hae that t&ped o!t and get &o! to sign it,' he %h!%kled as he kissed her bro$"

 

'7ntil the da& after tomorro$, m& golden girl/$hen $e $ill neer hae to part again"'