Arabian Nights with a Rake by Bronwyn Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

the Englishman’s tent while his friend kept us at cards. She was there a long while.”
    The sheikh’s face darkened with anger. “How do you know this?”
    â€œI saw the desire in the Englishman’s face the first night she danced. I had her followed, for her protection, of course, in case the Englishman forced his attentions upon her.” Bassam said slyly. “But last night, there was no forcing. She went to him.”
    Bassam watched the implications become clear to Muhsin. After a calculated silence, Bassam spoke. “She has abused your generosity and patience. She has shamed you by giving herself to an infidel.”
    The English bitch had shown him nothing but disdain since her arrival in camp, Bassam thought. A woman in her precarious position should have welcomed the bargain he’d been willing to make her. But she’d shunned him just as she’d shunned his powerful brother-in-law. She would soon learn her place. She would soon see that the power of her wiles extended only so far, and that the real power over life and death, freedom and captivity, lay with him. She would regret her choice to go it alone.
    Muhsin’s anger grew. “She favors the Englishman over me? She favors a meager horse trader ?”
    â€œIt is perhaps more than that.” Bassam insinuated. The seed of doubt had been planted and he nurtured it with his other suspicions. “The two newcomers are more than horse traders, don’t you think?”
    He had all of Muhsin’s attention now. “What do you suspect they’re hiding?”
    â€œThey’ve come for her, perhaps? Maybe they have been sent to find out the truth about the entourage that disappeared in the desert? Perhaps they’ve come to finish what the entourage started? They’ve come to ferret out alliances and see where the tribes will side?”
    â€œSpies? Is this what they do in exchange for my hospitality? I have welcomed them into my tent and shared the hookah with them.”
    Bassam nodded solemnly. “They have misused the hospitality of the desert quite horribly. Punishment would not be out of order. The moussem ends tomorrow, it would be a good time to make an example out of them, to show the tribes what it means to defy Sheikh Muhsin ibn Bitar.”
    Muhsin was thoughtful. “Yes, I think you may be right about that. I will start with the captive tonight.”
    A wicked gleam lit Bassam’s eyes. “She can be used to draw the Englishman out and force him to perjure himself. If she is known to be in jeopardy, he may show his hand.”
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    Something was wrong. Susannah stumbled in the sand, fighting against the strong grip of Bassam’s hand about her wrist. He was angry. This was no polite escort and she could only speculate why.
    She had danced tonight for the sheikh, as always, had pleased the audience. It was the last time she’d have to dance in that manner. Tomorrow she’d be free. Alex would make his request tonight as the men sat and talked. Had he already made his request? Was that why Bassam had come for her without warning?
    â€œYou have defiled yourself with an Englishman, without permission. Now, you will pay.” Bassam jerked her to an abrupt halt outside the sheikh’s tent. His face was close to her. She could smell the residue of spices on his breath, the gaminess of the roasted lamb. She fought the urge to cringe. She could not afford to show weakness in front of Bassam.
    He forced himself upon her lips, his mouth demanding she open to him. She struggled against him, twisting her head to avoid contact. She kicked out with her foot, but Bassam was too swift. He pinioned her against him. “You’re a feisty one, and I find I am less discerning than my brother-in-law. I do not care that I have not had you first, only that I have you next and last. I can still save you. Remember that before you lash out.” He bit at her ear, nothing like