CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Charlotte stopped breathing and just stared at him. He was her husband? "But, we didn't do anything...not really..."

"Had you not been bruised, we would not have stopped. For me to refuse to take you as my wife would be to condemn you as a whore in front of my people. That, I will not do!" he didn't know what he had expected really, but he had hoped for her to accept it easily.

"I didn't know..." she broke off and swallowed, looking at the anger on his face. He obviously regretted what had happened. "I'm sorry."

Ardeth's anger stopped in it's tracks as he studied her expression. "Why are you sorry?"

"I didn't want to be a burden to you before, and now you're stuck with me, and you don't want to be." She swallowed again and felt incredibly sad. The thought of being his wife, although not something she had considered before, had filled her with warmth. She would have liked living here, with these people, no matter how much harder it would be than England, because she would have been here with him. She realised for the first time how much Ardeth actually meant to her. "You don't have to do this, I know you don't want to," she continued, cutting him off when he would have spoken. "These people don't know me, and they'll probably never see me again, so it...it doesn't matter what they think of me really, does it?"

Ardeth frowned again as he realised she was trying to let him off the hook easily. "Charlotte..."

"I know you...you like kissing me...and things...but..." she took a deep breath when he tried to hold her, moving away from him until they were no longer touching. "You don't have to make a sacrifice like that, I know I'm not the sort of woman you would want for a wife."

Ardeth was stunned by her words. She had no idea how he really felt about her and he had been reluctant to say anything because he had known her for such a short time. But for her to think that he wouldn't want to marry her! She looked so crestfallen that he couldn't bear it. Just as he began to speak a female voice called from the living area, footsteps sounding on the floor, and he cursed loudly, making Charlotte jump.

A beautiful redheaded woman walked into the room, smiling as she saw Ardeth. "Ardeth, it is good to see you again! It has been too long!" she said, her voice heavily accented, but definitely not local.

She turned and looked Charlotte over with friendly blue eyes. "You must be Charlotte Carnahan, Evy's cousin. I am Svetlana, Salin's wife. You have met Salin?"

Charlotte nodded numbly, trying to smile. Svetlana frowned with concern. "You are alright? Are you unwell? I know how this desert heat can get to you."

"I'm...I'm fine, just a little tired," Charlotte said, her voice barely above a whisper. In truth, she felt as though her heart was breaking. If only Ardeth really wanted her to be his wife, instead of merely doing his duty because he felt he had compromised her.

"Of course you are, you have had a long journey. Come, I will take you to a place you can rest. Ardeth, we will see you later?"

Ardeth nodded curtly and walked out of the room before them, his back stiff with the feelings of uncertainty. Unused to the emotion, he found it settling upon his shoulders heavily. He didn't look to see where Svetlana took Charlotte, but went in search of Rick and Evy, needing to talk to them.

Rick grinned at him as he entered the small house they had been given to refresh themselves. "I like your village, buddy, nice people."

"Thank you, I am glad you find it to your taste," Ardeth replied, settling down into a low seat.

"Something wrong?" Rick asked him, frowning at his unsettled expression.

Evy looked from one of them to the other and lifted Libby up. "I'll go and lay Libby down, she needs a rest," she said, tactfully leaving the two men to talk.

Ardeth waited until Evy was out of earshot and then sighed, rubbing a hand across his jaw. He needed a shave, he noted absently, frowning.

"So come on, out with it. What's the problem?" Rick prompted him.

"Charlotte," Ardeth said, clenching his teeth as he thought about her reaction.

"Mmm-hmm. What about her?"

Ardeth explained to Rick his customs and that he had informed Charlotte about the fact that they were now man and wife.

"I see. She didn't take the news well I assume?"

"She was..." Ardeth searched for words. "She was shocked, I think. She told me that since my people would probably never see her again that it didn't matter what they thought of her. But I will not have her branded a whore!" Ardeth stood up, agitated.

"Whoa, sit down," Rick said, motioning Ardeth back into the chair. "So she doesn't want to marry you then?"

"I do not know! She said that she knew I didn't want to marry her and that I would not want a woman such as her for my wife. I do not understand her words."

"Sounds to me like she doesn't want you to feel guilty," Rick mused.

"I do not feel guilty about what brought this about, we have done nothing that could cause shame. She said I do not need to make such a sacrifice," Ardeth said, feeling frustrated.

"How did she look when she said that?"

"She looked...I don't know. I think she looked sad," he said, his frown getting deeper.

"Do you think it's at all possible that she thinks you're doing this just out of duty, not out of any finer feelings? Have you told her how you feel?" Rick asked, leaning back and looking at Ardeth's confusion. It was odd to see this man at a loss.

"I did not have a chance, Svetlana interrupted us, no doubt sent by one of the elders," Ardeth said, his disgusted tone making Rick laugh.

"So she's trying to let you off the hook, then? Leave you free so you can marry someone you actually love?"

"I love her, no-one else!" Ardeth protested, feeling surprised at the lightness he felt at that admission.

"I see. But you haven't told her that, have you?"

"no."

"Hmm. You know what I think?" Rick asked him, raising his eyebrows. Ardeth shook his head and waited. "I think that if she knew the true reason you wanted to marry her, that she'd accept. I think she really likes you, maybe even loves you, who knows?"

"If she loved me she would have been happy at the union!" Ardeth argued, still feeling uncertain.

"No woman of our culture would be happy to be told she was already your wife, with no ceremony and no promises of love and happy ever after. Western women expect to be romanced a little, treated with a little bit of gentleness. Believe me, I know," Rick said dryly, thinking of his courtship of Evy.

"What would you suggest?" Ardeth asked, not liking having to ask someone else what to do, always having been sure of himself before now.

"I would suggest you romance her, woo her if you will. Come out to the dig site and treat her like something precious to you, someone you want to win. Not like you already own her and that you rate her along with a new saddle or a blanket!"

"I have never treated her in such a way!"

"No? Not in all the..what? Five or six days you've known her? A week? As far as I can recall you've beaten her, threatened to beat her again and then again, and smooched. Yet despite all that, she still seems to be making big googly eyes at you at every given opportunity. I wonder why?"

Ardeth stared at Rick and chewed the inside of his lip thoughtfully. "You think she has deep feelings for me?"

Rick nodded. "I think you've made quite an impression on her. Now you have to build on that. Chances are she would love to marry you, but you'll never know unless you stop ordering her about and treat her fairly for a while."

"You are right, my friend, thank you. I will try some of this courtship you talk about, try to act more like you do, perhaps?"

Rick laughed. "I wouldn't act like me or you'll have both women trying to beat you to death. Be yourself, only not quite as...you know, dark and forbidding!"

Ardeth laughed at the description and relaxed somewhat, thinking of how to woo this female from England. It was not something he was used to doing and he hoped he would be successful at it.

He stood up and smiled, feeling better now that he had talked this through with his friend. "I must go and meet with my mother, she will be wondering why I have not seen her yet. Rest, my friend, and I will join you to eat before we start back to the dig site."

Rick watched Ardeth walk out of the house, shaking his head at Evy and rolling his eyes as she sat down next to him. "Did you hear all of that?"

"Of course I did!" Evy said, not in the least embarrassed that he knew she had been eavesdropping.

"Was the advice I gave him any good?"

"Very good, I think Charlotte's already halfway in love with him. But I know something you don't, and I think I should tell Ardeth, too," Evy said, chewing her lip.

Rick reached over and placed his thumb on her bottom lip, pulling it away from her teeth. "Don't do that, honey, I won't be able to kiss you if your lip's sore, will I?" He grinned at her as she narrowed her eyes. "So what do you know that I don't?"
"I don't think Charlotte's just trying to let him off the hook, you know. When she said he wouldn't want a woman such as her for his wife, I think she meant because she isn't pretty enough for him."

Rick frowned. "But she's very pretty, why would she think that?"

Evy shrugged. "As much as I liked my Aunt, she wasn't very nice sometimes. She was very beautiful and she always managed to point out Charlotte's faults, usually when there was an audience. Charlotte hasn't got much self esteem because of her."

"And you liked the woman? She sounds hideous. Imagine doing that to Libby?" Rick said, looking angry.

"I couldn't imagine doing it to anyone, let alone my own daughter. Charlotte needs a boost to her ego and I think that Ardeth is just the one to give it to her!"

"I think you could be right. You know, I could give you something, too, if you'd like?" Rick murmured, pulling his wife close to him. "After all, we are all alone..."

"Richard O'Connell! It's the middle of the day and anyone could walk in..." she stopped as he kissed her.

"Mmm-hmm. But I bet they won't!" He picked her up and carried her through to the bedroom, both of them giggling like teenagers.

Ardeth sat in his mother's house, frowning grumpily whilst she told him off. Some things never changed, he mused.

"So I am to be the last to know that my own son has chosen a wife? Where is this wife? Am I to be the last one to see her as well?"

"Are you going to take a long enough breath so I can explain?" Ardeth asked dryly, receiving a smack around the back of the head. This was the only woman he had ever known that was allowed to strike him, that was until he had met Evy and now Charlotte.

"Do not think of being rude to me, child!" his mother admonished, pushing his hair away from his face affectionately. "Have you given your heart Ardeth?"

He nodded and smiled, taking her hands to plant a kiss on the back of each one. "Yes, I have given my heart. But the lady in question may not actually want it."

"Is she blind? Is she a foolish woman?"

He shook his head and laughed, taking the time to explain the situation. His mother slapped him again and tut-tutted. "I am ashamed of you Ardeth! Have I not brought you up better than this, to respect a woman and her wishes as well as your own?"

"Mother, how did my father ask you to marry him?"

"He did not ask me, he told me. Then we were married before I had a chance to say no, as he kept me prisoner in his house all night. But that is different!"

"Is it? Had he given you the chance, would you have refused him?"

"Of course not, I loved him. But Ardeth, I had known him for many years, since I was a child. I fell in love with him and he with me, long before we married. You have not given this young woman a chance to know her own heart yet. Take time and have patience, my son, and all will be well." She smiled, her eyes crinkling up as she looked upon her son, still a child in her eyes. "Who could stop themselves from loving one so handsome?"

He spent the next few hours with his mother and aunts, answering questions about Charlotte and what had happened to her since she had been in the country. One of his aunt's had heard some gossip about Ardeth punishing the young English girl and they all sat, fascinated, as he went red under their scrutiny and defended his actions. More noisy chatting followed and another aunt said she had seen a glimpse of Charlotte, describing her face and figure to his mother. She made her sound beautiful and enchanting, something that Ardeth echoed when he was asked.

His mother got up and opened a large chest in the corner, withdrawing a bundle of cloth and handing it to Ardeth. "Give her this to wear, my son, and tell her of your heart."

Ardeth looked down at the soft gold silk he held, knowing that this was his mother's bridal gown. His mother was a small woman, not much bigger than Charlotte and he knew the fit would be good. "Thank you," he said softly.

"It is nothing. But this is not her wedding gown, you understand? We will have new clothing made for your union. This is for her to wear and enchant you. Give it to her at your soonest opportunity."

"I will," Ardeth said, kissing her cheek as he left the house. he packed the gown and veils away into his saddlebags, careful not to crush the delicate material.

It would soon be time to leave and he remembered he had promised to eat with the O'Connells before they set off. First, he searched out Svetlana, needing to find out where Charlotte was and take her with him to her cousin.

Svetlana invited him in and took him through to her bedroom, where Charlotte lay curled up on the bed, snoring softly. He smiled helplessly at the sight. Allah, how he wanted her in his bed looking so soft and welcoming! Only with less clothing, he mused, feeling slightly wicked. Svetlana sent him a knowing look and patted his arm.

"She will come around, Ardeth, you wait and see," she said softly.

"Like you did?" he asked her, grinning as he remembered the way Salin had kidnapped this gorgeous redheaded Russian woman.

"Ah, Salin and I fought well, did we not? But I love him, maybe more now than I did then. I can see the signs in her eyes, how much she truly cares for you. She is merely confused."

"Does everyone know of my troubles?" Ardeth asked in exasperation as he walked toward the bed.

"Everyone but the animals and children, and I would not be so sure that the children are ignorant!" Svetlana teased him happily. "Has Salin told you our news?"

Ardeth stopped walking to look at her. "What news?"

"We are expecting another child. Salin hopes for a girl this time, but I would be happy with another boy. Perhaps, soon, we will see you with your own children, hmm?"

Ardeth smiled. "Insh'allah, Svetlana. I am happy for you both."

Svetlana nodded. "Now, take your wife and be on your way, Ardeth. You have much to do, do you not?"

"Yes. I have much to talk to her about, it seems." He lifted Charlotte from the bed and held her against him easily, nuzzling her hair as she stirred in his arms.