“Hell no, why do you think I’m so sick?” Exhausted, Samuel wilted back into the grass.
Alec waited, not answering, and not sure at all that he could endure any more of Samuel’s conscience clearing.
“I had to ply him with enough alcohol to loosen his tongue.” Samuel thought to explain after a time. “Clever wasn’t it?”
“Let me get this straight,” Alec fumed. “You, the guest,” he paused for effect, “plied the Sheik, our questionable host,” he waited as Samuel nodded in agreement, “with liquor, so that you could find out that the potential bride was a snake haired pyromaniac who can shrivel the male member of any potential mate that looks upon her, so that you could marry her to… me?”
Samuel, who had been nodding slightly, stopped and tilted his head slightly toward Alec. “No… it wasn’t like that.”
“Yes! Right, how clever of you!”
Samuel had the decency to wince at the words or perhaps it was the volume Alec was now using.
“I’m going to kill you. Not yet, however, I don’t want to put you out of your misery. After you’re feeling better I’m going to slowly dismember you! How’s that for clever?” Alec raised his brows and stared down at him.
“You don’t understand, you’re taking this entirely too personal.” Samuel uttered meekly as he put his head back down.
Alec looked at the wounded expression that crossed his features. Alec couldn’t believe he was trying to worm his way out of this one.
“Every time the Sheik would slip up, he had to make the pot sweeter. And I, on the other hand, made you seem all that more grand, a King among the elite. Why do you think we were given everything back?”
“I don’t know, but thanks to you, now all I can do is extricate myself from this situation.” Alec heaved a long-suffering sigh. “That is to say if that is the full extent of the problem. There isn’t anything else I should know, is there?”
“Other than The Plague? No, that’s it. I mean,” Samuel sank back into the grass. “That’s all the Sheik told me.” Though weary he looked relieved, like a man that had just stepped out of the confessional.
“Well, that, at least, is good news,” Alec replied disparagingly as he lifted the jug.
“I’m beginning to think that there is something to that curse,” Samuel groaned.
Alec looked down at the wretch; his complexion was almost as bright as a ripe tomato from the sun beating down on him all day. He could almost take pity on him… almost. A smile flickered at the corners of Alec’s mouth. “That’s not a curse, that’s my prayers being answered.”
Samuel groaned again, weakly pulling himself toward the bushes.
Alec’s smile widened as he left him, now that was justice. With a lighter step he returned to his bride, moving as stealthily as he could. Regrettably, she seemed to sense him and covered herself just before he arrived. Damn! If he could just get a glimpse of her, perhaps that would dispel his feelings of dread…either that or make it worse.
He stopped himself short as the realization struck. Good God, what had he been thinking? He didn’t even know her name. There was only one thing he could do under the circumstances… introduce himself.
“By the way… I am Alec.” Perhaps he should have bowed and formally introduced himself using his full name as one would normally in the civilized world, but he just couldn’t seem to do it while peering into the black shroud that faced him. It was starting to get on his nerves that he felt vulnerable when near this concealed woman. She could be old enough to be his mother for all he knew.
“It is nice to meet you, Sir Alec.”
Her voice did sound surprisingly young, he realized with relief. “And, what may I call you?” He asked as he tried to see through the black curtain that veiled her face.
“My name is Genevieve,” she breathed.
A very English name, Alec thought in surprise. Curiously he studied the black covering, trying to see beyond the veil, until she dropped her gaze peering down.
Scorching heat hit his upper thighs. “Aaugh,” he bent forward. The ladle had slipped from her fingers and splashed into the pot splattering him with the hot liquid.
“Are you all right?” she reached forward to grab the swirling spoon, ramming her head right up and into his face.
Thump! The sound of the impact seemed to reverberate in his head. He stepped back with his hand up to his injured nose. Bloody hell! It felt like she’d just broken it. Fighting the tears that were welling up in his eyes, he stepped back.
“I am so sorry, did I hurt you?” She stood up and took a step forward with her hand raised as if to touch him.
With his hand still raised to his injury and his vision suddenly blurred, the apparition in front of him did indeed look like a large black bird coming towards him. He took another step back.
She took another step towards him.
He took another three away from her.
She raised her arms higher the further he leaned away. Unfortunately, he was teetering on the edge of the embankment. He tried to catch his balance, but it was too late. He stumbled, completing a backward summersault as he tumbled, finally coming to a halt some distance down the trail.
Alec stood abruptly and dusted himself off, acting for the world like nothing untoward had passed. “Huh-um,” he cleared his throat. “I think I hear Samuel calling… I’ll just go check on him.” He practically shouted in the silence, while continuing to back down the trail away from her.
Samuel was smiling up at him when he returned to the pool.
“What?” Alec absently fingered his nose as he went to the water’s edge. It was tender and felt slightly swollen, but not broken.
“Nothing,” Samuel’s grin widened, “I didn’t see anything… I certainly didn’t see you being manhandled by your wee wifey.”
Alec glared at him before splashing some water on his face. He couldn’t fathom what had come over him. What a bumbling idiot he had been. Even if she had looked like a vulture with wings spread, it was still unlike him to run from anything. Let alone a mere woman, even if she did have the plague… and snakes for hair… and a withering glance.
He really had to stop this. One minute he’s fantasizing over her hands, and the next undone by the thought of her touch. The maddening need he felt to see her was best squelched before he got more than he bargained for. He really had no interest in contracting a disease or whatever else she had.
~*~
Alec leaned back against the tree trunk that he had claimed as his own and stretched his legs before him. Sopping up the last of the sauce with a piece of flat bread he chewed with pleasure, despite his concerns. It had actually taken quite a bit of bravery on his part to take the first bite.
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that a forced marriage had ended by poisoning the groom, especially when one considered the name by which she was known. Unfortunately, his would-be food tester was out of commission for the moment.
Samuel was currently sitting propped up against a tree, sipping on a concoction that she had prepared specifically for his condition. The fact he was at least sitting now gave the claim some merit. By the expression on his face, it didn’t appear he was enjoying it much. Alec had to smile at that.
Alec glanced over at the woman who was now reluctant to be near him. He couldn’t blame her, especially since he’d run from her like a schoolboy. He wasn’t even surprised when she’d set the plate of food down on the blanket rather than hand it to him directly. She was probably afraid he might run off again, he thought with embarrassment.
After that, she had retreated to sit by herself a short distance away. He watched her as she finished her meal. Much to his consternation, she had the ability to eat with that damn scarf on. With one hand she’d hold the veil away from her face and slip food right up under the edge with the other, where it disappeared.
Alec cleared his throat, “Thank you, Lady Genevieve, the meal was wonderful.” He hoped the awkwardness he felt wasn’t
apparent, especially when she only nodded in response. It was like talking to a damn wall.
It appeared she wasn’t going to forgive him for his rather hasty and humiliating departure. He wasn’t about to mention it in Samuel’s company. It was bad enough he’d witnessed his fall from grace.
Samuel decided to join the living then and exclaimed, “Genevieve? You don’t say?” With his tone surprisingly jovial, he continued in his usual flare. “What a lovely name,” he glanced towards Alec. “Just like your grandmother’s, what a coincidence.”
He gave Alec a conspiratorial wink before favoring the black shroud with his delighted attention and continued. “Please forgive me, fair Lady, my deplorable manners and allow me to introduce myself. Sir Samuel Augustus George St. Clair the Third at your service. But please call me Samuel, dear. My friends all do.”
Here he goes again. Alec threw his eyes heavenward in mute dismay. That was another thing about Samuel, Alec bemoaned, shaking his head. He actually confused himself with a ladies man.
“I would like nothing better than to bow over your lovely hand,” Samuel grinned, gesturing to his feet, “but I seem to have lost the use of my legs.”
Genevieve giggled at his audacity.
Encouraged, Samuel continued in his usual stride. “As soon as I’m able to stand, however, I should very much like to remedy that.”
Alec interrupted the debaucher before he could sign for her first dance. “It would be a good idea to get some rest before we set out tomorrow. We’re already starting to lose the light. Perhaps you could help by bringing up the camels.”
“I’m truly sorry Alec,” Samuel feigned regret, “but I’m weak as a wee bairn. Should I even be able to stand, I truly doubt that I’d be up to much.”
Alec graced him with a look of annoyance as he stood. Gathering the blanket that Genevieve had placed the rinsed dishes in, he hoisted it up like a sailor’s sack.
Genevieve stood, offering to help the useless sod as he attempted to rise, which to Alec’s disgust, the despot accepted with a grin on his face. The invalid even leaned against her for support, oozing charm all the way up the hill, thanking her on and on for saving his life. Alec had to fight the urge to make that statement fact as he walked behind them.
He would have liked to have broken his scrawny neck by the time the idiot was situated in front of the dying embers of her cooking fire, but decided to return to the oasis to collect the camels instead. Quite simply, he was just plain tired of the man’s foolery and needed fresh air.
Before he could leave, however, Genevieve stopped him, “Sir Alec.” He turned toward her, but kept his distance as she spoke. “Thank you for bringing up the dishes.”
He was struck yet again by the woman’s incredibly sultry voice. Had she been born to seduce a man simply with the sound of it? Then wilt him with the sight of her? That thought came to him unbidden. He had to stop these absurd ideas, he warned himself. The very idea was ludicrous. He was a man of science for God’s sake, a man of the modern world. Not one of these superstitious barbarians. Besides, she certainly seemed to have the opposite effect on him.
~*~
Camels were, Alec decided, the most stubborn, cantankerous, ornery beasts he’d ever had the displeasure of meeting. He decided to urge the largest one up the hill hoping the others would follow, but it wouldn’t budge from the water’s edge. The damn thing would not cooperate no matter what he did. He resorted to pulling upon the reins and then pushing from the rear. He even tried to jump up and swing a leg over.
In response, the camel stepped to the side every time he tried to get a foot up. He chased it around in circles, hopping on one leg every other step until he actually managed to swing a leg up over the damn thing and pull himself up. Incredulously the beast just lay down in response.
He stayed in the saddle, rocking back and forth like a small child on the back of a great rocking horse… feeling like an even a greater fool, until the beast bellowed its’ discontent.
“Alright, you win! I’ll get off, but only if you get up.” Exasperated he slid off and to Alec’s astonishment the camel actually stood. He was amazed even further by the beast when it rewarded him for all his efforts with a large wad of cud, which landed squarely in his face.
The damn thing had spit on him.
Unbelievable!
He wiped the foul-smelling, green slime dripping from his hair onto his face and eyed the ornery beast with suspicion. The fickle animal had returned to grazing as if nothing had happened. From the direction of the camp, a whistle sounded and clucking ensued. To his utter amazement, the three demon beasts merrily danced up the path toward the sound without further prodding.
He could do nothing, but stand where he was, dripping with slime and watch them go. He wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve and did the only thing left to him. He dove into the water clothes and all.
~*~
“You’re looking rather wet.” Samuel greeted Alec as he emerged from the darkness. “I was starting to think I would have to see about your welfare.” Samuel still sat in front of the fire that he’d managed to stoke, resting against a saddle. The blaze had died down some, but was cheery nonetheless. The sight didn’t improve Alec’s mood.
Samuel procured a flask from his jacket and held it out to him. “You look like you could use some.”
Alec nodded agreement, but didn’t take it. Instead, he sat down, pulled off a boot and poured the water out. He managed to arrange it upside down near the fire and followed it with the other.
Samuel sat back with a little shrug of nonchalance and took a heavy draught of the contents in his hand. He shivered as he swallowed. “Aaugh…”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Alec asked, amazed he could even stomach something like that after his ordeal.
“Hair of the dog Alec, hair of the dog,” Samuel quipped.
“More like the bite if you ask me. Don’t suppose you’ve seen any of our clothing recently?” Alec’s voice was muffled as he stripped off his shirt and draped it over a nearby bush.
“Actually… No. I believe I played the part of the suffering villain while you and the little wife set up camp.” Samuel smiled at his own wit. “Our belongings are probably still tied to the horses we left behind,” he chuckled. “Never knew I’d miss the stride of a horse so much. The thought of the ride that awaits me on the morrow makes me ill.”
“No doubt… but I’m still in need of some dry pants.” Alec muttered.
“I had no idea one could get seasick in the middle of the desert,” Samuel continued without pause.
There was obviously only one other possibility as to where his pack could be… Alec turned towards the tent and took a deep breath to fortify himself. What if he found himself the recipient of her unwanted attentions?
Alec admitted being curious about her, but the idea of being chased around by the woman shrouded in black, all the while thwarting her advances, was the last thing he wanted to endure this evening.
“Would you like me to go ask her?” Samuel whispered, “It’s the least I could do. I mean… I understand if you’re afraid.”
Alec gave him a baleful glance before walking towards the tent. Samuel’s grin broadened as he watched him go.
Heavy footed, Alec approached the enclosure. There was a soft glow emanating from within. He paused at the opening of the tent, feeling like a marauding bandit. It wasn’t as if he were trespassing on a sanctified shrine, he admonished himself as he cleared his throat.
“Lady Genevieve… may I enter? I’m in need of dry clothing and was wondering…” Alec explained in a rush. He certainly didn’t want her to misunderstand his intentions.
“You may enter.” Her soft, silken voice stopped him short.
Silenced by the admittance, he stood for a moment, took a deep breath and opened the flap. Bracing himself he stepped inside… Dear God almighty, he couldn’t believe his eyes!
The vision that greeted him stunned and left him speechl
ess. She was sitting beside an oil lamp, which cast a soft glow about her features. He blinked in amazement, never had he seen such perfection.
Her hair was of the blackest blue imaginable, the long tresses cascaded down her back in shimmering moonbeams that ended well past her waist. Her large blue eyes held him entranced, light in color yet fringed by the longest, darkest eyelashes he’d ever seen. Her dark brows were delicately arched and her cheekbones were high, leaving a hollow below that only emphasized them.
She had a strong, angular jaw, yet it too only added to her feminine, exotic beauty. Her lips were full, lush and ripe. She must have sensed his attention there for she ran a light, pink tongue across them as he watched. He stood entranced, feeling a strong reaction to her in his very core.
He couldn’t for the life of him tear his gaze from her. His hungry eyes searched lower exploring her sumptuous form. The area where her long, elegant neck met her delicately sculptured collarbone entranced him as he imagined kissing the spot. Her skin glowed with pearlescent highlights against dark, golden honey.
Her full breasts swelled above the tight bodice of the garment she wore, riveting his attention. It was modestly cut, but to his eyes it was the most sensual display he’d ever seen. The color of the material matched her eyes and sparkled iridescent in the flickering light.
He took a step toward her as if drawn by an irresistible need as he watched her rise in a fluid graceful motion that only accentuated her femininity. His eyes flared at what the rest of the garment revealed and his jaw dropped.
The bodice ended just above her midriff, leaving his eyes to feast on the flesh of her narrow waist. The skin of her belly glistened in the glow of the small flame beside her. The light only emphasized the filmy layers of diaphanous blue hugging her hips.
The goddess in front of him was made of sea mist and moonlight. He blinked his eyes, and found the sense to close his mouth, despite the fact he’d just witnessed the birth of Venus.
“I say Alec… does she know where your pants are?” Samuel called out.
Samuel’s words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Alec, effectively breaking any spell he was under. He looked away, raising an arm as he did to drag a hand through his hair.
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