Page 31 of Captive Bride

DAMN, BUT ITa??S going to be another sticky day, John Wakefield thought irritably as he sat at his desk sorting out the morninga??s correspondence.

It was winter. It wasna??t as hot as when hea??d first come to this horrible land, but the days had been warm and humid this last week without rain.

The bloody weather was getting under his skin.

At least he could look forward to seeing Kareen Hendricks tonight. Sweet, lovely Kareen. John thanked his lucky stars he had let William Dawson drag him to the Opera House last week, otherwise he wouldna??t have met Kareen.

A cold chill swept over John when he thought of the hell he had lived through during his first three months in Egypt. But everything had changed when he received Crissya??s lettera??including his luck.

The pounding on Johna??s door broke into his wandering thoughts.

a??What is it?a?? John snapped.

The door opened, and Sergeant Towneson walked into the sweatbox that was Johna??s office. He was a portly man about twice Johna??s age, with curly red hair and a bushy moustache of the same bright red.

a??Therea??s an Arab outside who wishes to see you, Lieutenant. He said ita??s a matter of importance,a?? Sergeant Towneson said.

a??Isna??t that what they all say, Sergeant? I understand wea??re here to keep the peace, but isna??t there someone else these people can go to with their petty quarrels?a??

a??There ought to be, sir. These darn people dona??t realize that wea??re here basically to keep Frenchy out. Should I send this one in?a??

a??I suppose so, Sergeant. Damna??Ia??ll be glad when I can get out of this country.a??

a??My sentiments exactly, sir,a?? Sergeant Towneson said, and left to summon the Arab.

A moment later, John heard the door quietly close, and looked up to see an unusually tall Arab striding toward his desk. The young man was the tallest Arab that John had ever seen, even taller than his own six feet.

a??You are John Wakefield?a?? the young man asked as he stood proudly in front of Johna??s desk.

a??Lieutenant Wakefield,a?? John corrected him. a??May I ask your name?a??

a??My name does not matter. I have come for the reward you have promised for the return of your sister.a??

Not another one, John thought miserably.

How many more of these money-grabbing opportunists and thieves was he going to have to put up with?

He had lost count of the many people who had come to him hoping to gain the reward with false information.

Most of them backed down when John told them he must verify their information first. He had gone on many wild hunts through the city and desert, all of them fruitless.

Even though he had received Crissya??s letter from a young Arab whoa??d just handed it to him and run off, he still had not given up looking for her.

He wanted to believe that she was happy where she was, but he had to find out for certain.

After all, it could have been a lie. She could have been forced to write that letter.

He would dearly love to get his hands on the man who had abducted Crissy, and who kept her as his mistress instead of marrying her. John would force the cad to marry her!

a??Do you not want your sister back?a??

a??Ia??m sorry,a?? John said. a??I was lost in thought. Do you know where my sister is?a??

a??Yes.a??

a??And you can take me to her?a??

a??Yes.a??

This man was different. He didna??t hesitate with his answers as the others had. John saw a glimmer of hope.

a??How do I know youa??re telling me the truth? Ia??ve been tricked many times.a??

a??May I ask you a question?a??

a??Of course.a??

a??How do I know you will give me the money after I take you to your sister?a??

a??A good question,a?? John said grimly.

He unlocked the bottom drawer of his desk and lifted out a small, heavy sack.

a??Ia??ve had this money ready and waiting ever since Christina was abducted.

You may count it if you wish, but the total sum I promised is here, and ita??s yours if youa??re telling the truth.

The money doesna??t matter to me. I just want Christina back.a?? John paused a moment, studying this young man.

a??Tell mea??how do you know where my sister is? a??

a??She has been living in my camp.a??

John stood up so fast that his chair fell over behind him. a??Are you the man who took her?a??

a??No,a?? the young man replied simply, not wavering under the stormy blue eyes that glared at him.

John calmed down when he saw that he would not have to do battle.

a??How far is it to your camp?a??

a??We will not have to travel to my camp.a??

a??Well, thena??a??

a??Your sister is outside.a??

a??Outside!a??

a??We have traveled many days. She is asleep on her horse. You can see her from your window.a??

John rushed to the window overlooking the street. After a moment, he turned back to the Arab with anger showing on his tanned face.

a??You lied! Therea??s no one out there except an Arab boy leaning over a horse. What did you expect to gain by this trick?a??

a??Aha??you English are so skeptical. Did you expect your sister to be dressed as was her custom? She has been living with my people and has dressed as they do. If you will go outside, you will see the truth of my words,a?? the Arab replied, then turned on his heel and left the room.

It was too simple to be a trick, John thought. All he had to do was walk outside and see for himself. Why was he still standing here? John picked up the sack of money and followed the Arab outside. It had to be true.

Outside in the sun-baked street, John ran to the two horses tethered in front of the building. He stopped beside the silky black Arabian with the dusty, black-robed figure on its back. If this was another trick, he was afraid he might tear the young Arab standing beside him limb from limb.

If this was Crissy, all he had to do was lift the black kufiyah covering her face, and find out. It was that simple.

Just then the horse moved, and the sleeping figure slowly started to fall. John caught her in his arms. As he did so, the kufiyah fell back to reveal a dirty, tear-streaked face that he would have recognized anywhere.

a??Crissy! Oh, Goda??Crissy!a??

Christina opened her eyes for a moment and whispered Johna??s name, then sagged against him, her head nestling against his shoulder.

a??As I said, she has gone two days and nights without rest. All she needs is sleep.a??

John turned to look at the young man who had brought his sister back to him.

a??I owe you an apology for doubting you. I am eternally grateful for what you have done. If you will take the money from my hand, ita??s yours.a??

a??I am more than happy that I could do this service for you. I will go now, but when Christina wakes, tell her I wish her well.a??

He took the reins of the black horse, mounted his own, and rode off down the street.

John looked down at Christina sleeping peacefully in his arms. Thank God, he thought. Please help me make it up to Christina for what she has suffered.

John carried Christina inside. He sat down in the chair across from Sergeant Townesona??s desk, still holding Christina tenderly.

a??Lieutenant! Did she faint in the street? You had better set her down, sir. The dust on her robe is dirtying your uniform.a??

a??Stop your babbling, Sergeant. I will do no such thing. But I will tell you what you are going to do. First, have my carriage brought around to the front. Then you can inform Colonel Bigley Ia??m leaving for the day.a??

a??Leaving? But what if the colonel asks why?a??

a??Tell him Ia??ve found my sister and Ia??m taking her to my quarters. Do you think you can manage that, Sergeant?a??

a??Yes, sir. But you dona??t mean to say that this girl here is your sister?a?? The sergeant was sorry hea??d asked when he saw the cold glint in Lieutenant Wakefielda??s eyes.

a??You will have my carriage brought around at once, Sergeant. Thata??s an order!a??

It was nearing noon when John reached home. He managed to get the door to his apartment open without disturbing Christina, but as he headed for the spare bedroom, Mrs. Greene, his housekeeper, stopped him.

a??What on earth are you doing home in the middle of the day, John Wakefield? And what have you there?a?? she asked disapprovingly.

a??This is my sister.a??

a??Your sister?a?? Mrs. Greene was shocked. a??You mean this is the little girl youa??ve been searching for high and low? Well, why didna??t you say so? Dona??t just stand there, take your sister into the bedroom.a??

a??That was where I was going until you stopped me, Mrs. Greene,a?? John said. He walked into the room that contained all of Christinaa??s possessions, and laid her gently on the bed.

a??Is she hurta??how did you find her?a??

a??She just needs to sleep, thata??s all,a?? John said. He looked down lovingly at Christina. a??Perhaps you could take off her outer robe so she will be more comfortable, but try not to wake her.a??

a??Well, if you dona??t want her to waken, youa??d better help me.a??

John noticed a crumpled piece of paper squeezed tightly in Christinaa??s hand. He managed to pry it loose, and tossed it on the small bedside table. Then together they removed Christinaa??s robe and slippers. Christina opened her eyes once, but closed them again and continued to sleep.

Mrs. Greene and John left the room, and he quietly closed the door. He went straight to the liquor cabinet in the drawing room, poured a stiff glass of whiskey, and sank down into his favorite stuffed chair.

a??What would you like me to do with this, sira??throw it away?a?? Mrs. Greene asked, holding up Christinaa??s dirt-stained robe.

John looked up at the matronly Mrs. Greene standing in the doorway. a??Just put it aside for now. The decision is Christinaa??s.a??

John wanted to get Christina back to England as soon as possible. Egypt had caused them both nothing but suffering, but now that Crissy was back, they would be happy again.