A young coloured girl in a loose-fitting flowered skirt and a vivid yellow blouse brought in their soup, looking curiously at Amber from beneath lowered lashes. Amber could guess at the speculation going on inside the servant's head, but so deep was her distress at this moment that all she could manage was a weak smile.
Yubaarik Alldahuu leek,' said Hamed as the girl stood by to see whether anything else was required.
'That will be all for now.
After they had spooned their soup in silence for a few minutes Hamed said, 'I trust you find the shorba houd to your liking? I have an excellent cook and you will find all the food in this house is first class:'
'It's very nice,' she said politely. The fish flavour was most appetising, making her realise that they had eaten verr little that day and she had a very real hunger. 'How many servants have you got?' Seeing the young girl Amber realised that she was not as alone in this house as she had at first thought.
'Five altogether,' replied Hamed. 'Mustapha, my cook, also does the housekeeping, Fatima, whom you have just seen, and her sister Hayat. They will look after your every need. There is a bell in your room which will summon either one of them day or night. Then there is my gardener, Rached, and of course Mohammed, who is what you might term a general dogsbody.'
'All these people just to look after you?' asked Amber, sceptically lifting her fine brows. 'Isn't it rather pretentious?'
'Are you suggesting I do the housework myself,' a frown darkened Hamed's brow, 'as well as run my estate and attend to the ever-increasing pile of paperwork?'
Rafika too put in a word in Hamed's defence. 'Don't you realise what a busy man he is? Has Hamed not told you all about his olive groves? They are the finest in the country.'
'I didn't know,' said Amber hesitantly.
'But you knew he was rich,' came back Rafika quickly.
'He Would have to be, living in a place like this,' returned Amber, 'but he's told me nothing of his work.'
'Yet you agreed to marry him without knowing anything of his background.' Rafika looked from Amber to the man at her side. 'Is this some kind of joke, Hamed? Why did you not tell Amber? Who knows, she might not like to be a farmer's wife. Does she know exactly what she is letting herself in for? Perhaps I ought to have a quiet word with her, put her completely in the picture.'
'I think, Rafika,' answered Hamed coldly, 'that it might pay you to mind your own business. What I choose to tell Amber is up to me.'
But Rafika appeared not to notice the warning tone in his voice. 'You mean,' she continued, 'that you intended Amber to fall for you for yourself alone and not what your name stands for?' Her lip curled scornfully. 'I doubt she would be so naïve. One only has to look at you to see that you're wealthy. I think maybe it is you, Hamed, who should be careful.'
'If you think that I've been running after your—your friend—' interjected Amber hotly, 'you're mistaken. Hamed has done nothing but—'
'That is enough—both of you.' Hamed put down his spoon and stood up. 'Please remember that Amber is a guest in my house, Rafika, and I will not have her insulted. If you cannot be civil I suggest you leave. And you, Amber, I'm disappointed that you should rise to Rafika's bait. I know she is jealous of you and does not care what she says, but I would like you to be friends. There will be occasions when I am out of the house and Rafika could be good company. I am sure she will be delighted to oblige, if only to please me?' He
turned a winning smile on the young girl who, after scowling for a few seconds, visibly relaxed.
'When you ask me like that how can I refuse? You know I will do anything for you, Hamed. Perhaps it might be a good idea if I bring a few clothes and stay for a while?'
So that she could keep an eye on what was going on between the two of them, thought Amber, and was relieved when Hamed shook his head. Not that she wanted to be alone with him, she hastened to assure herself, but the thought of this resentful girl being continually present was even more abhorrent.
'I do not think that will be necessary. There will be occasions when Amber and I wish to be alone and I am sure you would not care to be de trop?' He sat down and picked up his spoon once again. 'Shall we continue with our meal? Mustapha will be most disappointed if we do not do it justice.'
Rafika was quiet after that, picking at her food, a petulant expression revealing her innermost thoughts. Hamed ignored her, turning his full attention upon Amber.
Silently and discreetly Fatima took away their dishes and brought in the main course. 'Couscous,' pronounced Hamed, seeing Amber's questioning look. 'Mustapha thought you would like to try one of our national dishes.'
Amber had heard that it was made from semolina and was relieved to find that it looked nothing like her memories of school pudding. The semolina, Hamed informed her, was moistened with water and oil and then cooked in a special colander over boiling meat or vegetables, from which it extracted some of its flavour.
Afterwards it was flavoured with harissa, a spice made from dried red pepper, salt and garlic.
The couscous was accompanied by pieces of meat and vegetables and Amber found the whole meal delightful. 'I must meet your chef,' she said, 'and compliment him on his cooking. That was perfectly delicious.'
To follow came almond bouza, a sort of custard sprinkled with nuts, and finally thick Turkish coffee, piping hot.
At the end of their meal they moved into the room which Amber had first seen, relaxing on the soft cushions on the floor. They chatted for about an hour, Rafika having forgotten her ill humour and making some effort to be friendly. Soon, though, Hamed suggested she leave. 'If you are late getting home your parents will be worried. I will phone for a taxi.'
`They know I am with you,' she argued. 'Ring them and then I can stay as long as I like.'
'But I don't want you here,' he insisted good-humouredly. 'Can't you see that I want to be alone with Amber?'
'I suppose you will always be sending me away now that she's here,' said Rafika spitefully. 'It never used to be like that. You always said you enjoyed my company.'
'So I did, my little one, and I still do, but not now. Do I have to spell it out for you?'
Amber said nothing, but wished Hamed had not been so insistent that Rafika leave. It meant that until it was time for bed the two of them would be together. As alone as if there were no servants in the house, for she somehow knew that they would not be interrupted.
At the Sahara Beach now her friends would be
puzzling over her absence. Would they make enquiries, she wondered, or guess that she had gone out with Hamed Slouma and not worry at all? There seemed little she could do except take matters as they came and hope that in some way the situation would resolve itself. Hamed could not make her marry him, she was convinced of that, but it was what else he would try to do that worried her. He had said that she was now his property to do, with as he liked. If there had been a lock on her bedroom door she would have gone there now while he was saying goodbye to Rafika, but there was no point when he could so easily follow. She could only hope that his intentions were honourable.
When he returned to the room Amber's nerves were stretched to breaking point and while he was filling two glasses at the drinks cabinet she stood up, leaning back against the wall, her fingertips restlessly moving across the painted surface, her breathing erratic and a fearful expression on her face.
When he turned and saw her his face hardened, his easy smile disappearing. 'What the devil's the matter? You look as though you're scared half out of your mind! '
Amber swallowed convulsively, her mouth dry and her heart pumping wildly. 'I—I—nothing. Nothing's the matter. Why should it be?'
He snorted .angrily. 'You expect me to believe that when you're pressed back against that wall like a frightened rabbit? I'm not going to rape you, my dear Amber, if that's what you have in mind. I want our association to hold nothing but pleasant memories. Sit down and take your drink. I got rid of Rafika so that you and I could spend a happy
evening together. I
hope you're not going to deny me that pleasure.'
'Only if you p-promise not to touch me,' said Amber tremulously. Not that she did not want him to, but how could she trust herself? And where would it lead? She was not so sure it would be as innocent as he had intimated.
At her words he slammed down the glasses on one of the low tables, half spilling the contents. 'What is this? You were not averse to my touch a short while ago.' And with sudden intuition, 'Is it yourself you're afraid of—and not me?'
Amber shook her head vigorously, but could not disguise the flicker of truth that shone for one moment in her eyes. 'Of course not. I've told you before that you mean nothing to me.'
'Maybe not—not yet,' he answered mildly, his narrowed eyes watchful, 'but I disturb you, and that is what frightens you. It is written clearly in your eyes.'
Determined to deny all existence of these treacherous feelings, Amber said hotly, 'Oh, go to the devil! I know what type of man you are. You've dragged me here against my will and now that your servants have finished and Rafika gone you think you can get your own way, but if you so much as lay one finger on me I shall scream and scream until someone arrives. Now that I know I'm no longer entirely alone in this house you won't find me so easily swayed by your amorous advances.'
To her surprise he argued no more, sitting down and picking up his glass, sipping the liquid as his eyes ran insolently over her body.
`Do you have to look at me like that?' she snapped, when her nerves could stand no more.
I like the kaftan,' he remarked agreeably. 'It moulds
your curves sufficiently to whet a man's appetite.'
Amber flushed and said, 'I shouldn't let yourself get
carried away.'
'I have no intention of doing that,' he replied calmly. 'Unlike you, my passionate one, I have no difficulty in controlling my feelings.'
'How dare you! ' Amber stepped forward, her eyes blazing. 'How dare you suggest that I have no self-restraint!'
'Well, have you?' he mocked.
She stared belligerently back. 'I'm always in complete command.'
Thick brows rose in disbelief, but he said, 'I'm glad to hear it.'
'Then you'd better not forget,' she finished crossly.
'Oh, I shan't, but you can rest assured that should your control—perhaps slip—I shall not hesitate to take advantage. I mean, if you're as strong-willed as you say, and then I find you returning my kisses, what am I expected to believe?'
Amber tossed her head. 'You're despicable ! '
'And you're beautiful. When you're angry I want to kiss you.'
'Then I must remember never to get angry.' She held her head high and walked towards the door. 'If you'll excuse me I will go to my room. It's been quite a day one way and another and I'm exhausted.'
Unfortunately she had to cross near to Hamed to reach the door. Quick as lightning his arm shot out and he caught her wrist, pulling her down on to the cushion beside him with an ignominious bump. Her loose skirt rode high, showing an embarrassing length
of leg, and in an endeavour to tug it down Amber lost her balance altogether. 'You beast, I hate you ! she cried from her position flat on her back.
'Have you not heard that hate is another form of love?' he queried softly, leaning over her and pinning her shoulders to the floor with his large capable hands. 'Your testing time has come sooner than you thought. Are you ready, Amber? Ready to deny the clamouring of your pulses and erratic beating of your heart?' He placed one hand beneath her breast, pausing his head tilted to one side. 'Ah, already it is beating twice as fast.'
Amber glared, 'Don't flatter yourself It's only because I was struggling to get up.'
'And the colour in your cheeks? Surely you're not going to disappoint me by saying that it is not due to my nearness?'
'You're so conceited!' she spat through clenched teeth. 'I wish I was a man so that I could fight you, knock some of that egotism out of you.'
'I certainly don't wish you to be a man,' he smiled irritatingly, 'but if you want to fight, go ahead, it could be fun.'
He was displaying that superb self-control that disturbed her. 'What's the point?' she questioned hotly. 'I would only make a fool of myself. Why don't you just let me go? I can't see what enjoyment you get by keeping me here.'
'On the contrary, I'm enjoying myself tremendously. You're very entertaining, Amber, or didn't you know that? You rise to my bait beautifully.'
For a few seconds there was silence while she digested his words. Then she said, with as much
dignity as she could muster, 'I didn't realise I was here to amuse you. I thought it was a—wife you wanted.'
'Primarily,' he conceded, 'but this byplay is an added bonus. Of course, it can only lead to one thing, as you well know.' He moved his hand to cover her breast and Amber caught in her breath quickly as her instantly heightened emotions threatened to choke her.
'I know this doesn't mean a thing to you,' she said, as his fingers probed and teased, sliding into the open front of her dress, feeling warm against the soft smoothness of her skin. 'But try to enjoy it. You'll find it infinitely more rewarding than struggling.'
As he lowered his face she closed her eyes, not wanting to see his naked desire. When his mouth found hers it was as though an explosion took place inside her, burning a trail of fire through her limbs, weakening her defences, totally destroying the immunity she had built up.
Despite these feelings she frenziedly tried to push him away, but the more she struggled the harder his kisses became, totally ravaging her senses and demanding surrender.
'No, no!' she mouthed, shaking her head from side to side as his mouth slid down her throat, nudging away the thin Material from her shoulders and exposing the creamy fullness of her breasts.
'My darling,' he whispered hoarsely, 'how can I resist such beauty?' For a few seconds he looked down on her nakedness before with a groan he lowered himself on top of her and it was impossible for Amber to ignore the urgency of his body.
With sudden shame she knew that she wanted him, that should he carry their lovemaking to its ultimate
end she would be powerless to stop him; indeed even now her hands crept seemingly of their own volition to the hollow of his back, pulling him against her, her lips parted and her breathing ragged and uneven. The last time this had happened she had had the power to stop him, but now it was as though all sanity had departed. Every nerve-end responded, every fibre of her being was vibrantly alive and the blood pounded in her head. She was no longer responsible for her actions.
`Dearest Amber, I am going to make love to you—do you mind?'
His voice reached her as from a distance and she shook her head shamelessly. 'I—I want you to. Oh, Hamed, I want you.' Through tear-blurred eyes she looked at him. He had won, but what did it matter? What could possibly matter compared to the whole host of emotions that had taken over her body?
Gently now his fingers traced the outline of her face, stroking away the tears. 'Do you love me, Amber? Do you mind very much?'
She looked up into the depths of his stormy dark eyes, raising one hand to touch the thick curling hair. 'I want what you want,' she whispered, 'and if what I'm feeling right now is love, then yes, I do love you, very much.'
He groaned as he pulled her close once again, but there was a subtle change in his voice when he said, 'That is all I wanted to hear.' And when she looked at him his face had changed. It was as though a mask had been pulled over his feelings. He smiled coolly and sprang to his feet. 'That was all I wanted, dearest Amber. You have lost your battle. The truth has come
out. You may go to bed now.'
For a few long tortured seconds Amber lay there, hardly able to comprehend what was happening. Her body clamoured for his touch, but he stood over her with no trace of the deep emotion she was so sure had tempered his actions. It had all been a game, a game designed to force an admission of her feelings—and she had fallen for it! How
gullible she had been, and what a fool she felt now.
`Get out!' she shouted. 'Leave me alone. Don't touch me again—ever!'
CHAPTER SIX
THERE had been no sign of Hamed when Amber made her way to her room a few minutes after the scene that had robbed her of every shred of pride. She had flung herself down on the bed asking herself repeatedly why she had fallen for this man who could play about with her feelings with no compunction whatsoever.
There was no doubt in her own mind now that she did love him. She tried to persuade herself that it was flattery, but would that account for the weakness of her body whenever he touched her—or her own breathlessness when she so much as looked at him? Or pure animal magnetism? But even this she discarded, for the thought of returning to England and spending the rest of her life apart from Hamed was suddenly frightening. It had to be love—but this made his rejection of her doubly hard to bear. Though she knew it was only a game he had played it hurt; even the death of her mother had not left this unbearable emptiness inside.
She wanted to run away but was trapped by the love that was growing hourly. Surely there was something she could do? Some way she could remain without losing her dignity altogether? Hamed would expect her now to want to leave, and would take an even greater delight in holding her prisoner—but if there was some other reason for her being here? Perhaps—an idea occurred to-her—perhaps she could help him with his
paper work? Hadn't he complained about it piling up —and she herself was used to office routine, so it shouldn't be difficult. It would lighten his own load and she would find it fun sharing things with Hamed, becoming an integral part of his life, without feeling that she was being kept here against her will.
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