After Frank and Jazira had filled in the gaps of the last two years, Frank still lying on his back, drifted off to sleep, but Jazira was too busy contemplating their current situation to sleep. Jazira, lying on her belly, propped up on one elbow, observing Frank's face as he slept. He was roughly handsome, and his skin was dark from living under the sun. The peace in his features made him look youthful. Jazira felt a yearning within herself to be with him, to make his life pleasant, to sweeten it so he could be at such peace with life even when he was awake. She wanted to touch him, to wake him up and see him as his expressive eyes revealed him to her. As she controlled herself she suddenly wanted to kiss him.
This new dominant feeling scared her and she immediately sat up and hugged her knees to herself as if to better contain her feelings. What would her father say? To express her feelings to a man who had given no evidence of his own, that's what the veil was for, to prevent a woman from being so forward and presumptuous. After all, Frank had not come to see her, he had come in answer to Lady Davenport's advertisement. She simply happened to be at the same place. Would he have come to Arabia if he had not been on the reservation? A doubt crept into her heart, and there were no blue eyes open to take the little fear away. When Frank did understand the motive behind Lady Davenport's invitation, Jazira wondered what her own situation would be then. When his business with Lady Davenport was concluded he would return to America, and where would she be?
Al-Hattal sensing Jazira was awake lifted his magnificent head and turned to look at her. He blinked and Jazira suddenly felt as if he were the only thing she had left in the world that she could depend on. She gradually wished for the veil she had been so eager to throw off after her father's funeral. She could only hope she had not revealed her barest feelings to Frank. Perhaps he didn't know yet, how she felt about him, how she longed to stay with him, always, to fight his battles with him, to be held in his arms.
In her past world a man had to ask permission from her father before he could even look at face unveiled. How were things done in Frank's world? Would she ever get to know?
Whatever happened, Jazira knew that when Frank woke up, life would not be the same as it had been before he went to sleep. The morning would bring his visit with Lady Anne. Jazira remembered that conniving look she had seen reflected in the polished brass, and she didn't know what it meant, but she already felt involved in the plot. Yes, life would be different in the morning.
Suddenly Jazira heard swaggering footsteps approaching the stable and knew it was Phillips returning home from the tavern. His favorite mare heard him too and nickered softly in response. Jazira got to her feet. Phillips couldn't find Frank in here, not now, or things would get difficult for both of them. She would go out to meet him before he entered the stable. Phillips always talked loud and disturbed the horses when he was drunk, and he always spoke fresh to Jazira, but he never touched her after that morning she had taught him a hard lesson. Still, that hadn't stopped his mouth. Jazira tried to creep quietly past Frank and then rushed outside. As silent as she had been however, Frank woke up, took in his surroundings and remembered where he was. Jazira was gone and Al-Hattal eyed him suspiciously. With half opened eyes Frank said to the stallion,
"Take it easy Sheik, she'll be back."
Then he wondered if she would, and he halfway sat up, resting back on his elbows. He heard voices outside the open door, one of them a man's. Jazira's voice traveled through the air,
"Don't go in there Phillips, you'll get the whole stable roused up and if the Sheik is in a bad temper tomorrow her ladyship will take it out on you. You know how she is. Don't worry, just go on to bed, I'll keep an eye on the horses. You go sleep this off. Come on now. You know you better be presentable in the morning if she comes for her ride. Do you want to get fired? Do you?"
Frank smiled as he listened to her reasoning with the drunken man.
Phillips slurred when he spoke, "You're soo bee-u-tee-fool. Did. . .did. . .I tell you you Ja-sher-ahh? Yoor eyes are. . .are. . .like. . .they arrre. And yourrr hair is so. . ."
Frank sat up completely and the voices became fainter. She must be taking him to his room. Frank decided he should follow them. Once outside, with his long strides, he stayed a few paces behind them, still unnoticed by either one. The drunken groom was still talking as Jazira struggled with him,
"Soo, bee-u-tee-fool. Why. . .why. . .arrre you sooo mean too me? Why. . .why won't you bee nice Ja-sher-ahh? I'll bee nice too you and youuu bee nice to mee."
Frank was glad he had come. Jazira pulled the man along urging, "Come on Phillips, a few steps more. No, no you don't need your key. No I don't have it either. I tell you, you don't need it. Hush, before Lady Davenport hears you. Come on now."
Jazira turned the handle to the small shed where Phillips lived and said, "I'm going to put you to bed."
Phillips laughed and said, "Yesssss."
Suddenly his weight was lifted off of her and Jazira turned to see Frank supporting the drunk man as he said to her, "I've got it from here."
Jazira was surprised, she hadn't even know he was awake. Was this how it was done in Frank's world?
