Freshly bathed, her damp hair braided and twisted into a loose knot, and in her uniform complete with stockings and shoes, Jazira squatted beside Frank and shook him ungently. A strong hand reached up and caught her arm, arresting her motion before he opened his eyes. It caught Jazira by surprise and the strength in his fingers left her breathless. When Frank saw her, he shook his head as if to alter the immaculate image over him. Jazira aided his recognition by saying in a rushed voice,
"Frank, I've brought you something to eat. Phillips will be up soon, it would be better if he didn't find you here. I moved the mustang's picket line behind the stable, Phillips won't see him back there."
Frank sat up, as Jazira handed him a large napkin holding warm bread filled with ham, butter and jelly. His mouth watered. She gave him the mug that had been protectively tucked in the crook of her arm.
Frank breathed deeply with delight saying, "Ummm, coffee."
Jazira stood up and said dryly, "Yes, I put a horseshoe in it for you."
Frank looked up at her with sleepy eyes and a beautiful smile. His eyes traveled over her face and figure. She looked so different than she had last night. Her figure was nicely outlined by the fitted dress. He raised an eyebrow and asked,
"Do you have to put the groom to bed often?"
Jazira blushed furiously and said confidently, "I can take care of myself, Frank Hopkins."
Frank grinned mischievously as Jazira turned and walked away.
It was time to find out what Lady Davenport was up to, otherwise he was ready to leave. He swallowed the last of his coffee, it was good and strong, then buried the evidence of his breakfast under the hay in an unnoticed corner of Al-Hattal's stall. Frank picked up his jacket and his Stetson. As he put on his hat Al-Hattal looked at him with dislike. Frank said in a low voice, "We're on the same side friend, trust me."
When he stepped outside it was the dull gray light of early morning. Jazira's freshness and cleanliness had reminded him he needed to clean himself up before he met Lady Davenport. He decided to ride back to the Coachman's Inn to get a bath and a shave.
It was mid-morning when he returned to the manor and knocked on the front door. The footman answered and Frank introduced himself adding, "Lady Davenport's expecting me."
The footman invited him inside to wait in the ornate foyer. Frank took in his surroundings, this was the kind of place he could have, if he wanted it. A maid scurried by in the same gray dress Jazira had worn earlier. Frank supposed he could have servants too if he wanted them, but he shook his head. No person should own another human being. Looking around, Frank saw more clearly what he would wish his ranch to look like one day. The footman returned,
"Lady Davenport will see you sir, please follow me."
Throughout, the house was decorated with statuettes, paintings, and carvings of the finest cut all of it representing the horse in some form or fashion. Frank couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship. The footman led him to the lounge where large glass windows emitted the bright morning light. In a low chair that allowed the graceful line of her figure to recline at advantage, sat Lady Davenport, her dress a soft shade of lavender. She looked soft and human, and she smiled across the room at Frank. It was natural for him to return the smile and yet remind himself that as he had told her before appearances are deceiving. Lady Davenport saw the warm look in his eye quickly vanish to be replaced with a harder look. It caused her own mouth to slip out of the smile and into a hard line. The illusion of warmth disappeared. Lady Davenport remained seated but stretched out a hand in welcome saying,
"Mr. Hopkins, please come in. Welcome to the Davenport Manor. You were quite right when you informed my footman that I was expecting you. I see that Mr. Teague told you how we were working together to find you in that wild country you are so fond of."
Frank's smile was tight and artificial as he said, "No, Mr. Teague didn't mention anything like that, m'am. I suppose I just guessed correctly."
Lady Anne shifted nervously, she had to remember that Frank Hopkins played a close hand. She covered her error by saying, "Yes, you did. I trust your journey went well."
They spoke at polite length about his trip and then Lady Davenport suggested, "Perhaps you are wondering how I came to inherit Al-Hattal?"
Frank betrayed surprise. Since Jazira had already explained the history to him, he had forgotten to ask Lady Davenport. Likewise he covered his mistake by saying honestly, "I was surprised to read about the change of ownership."
Lady Davenport poured out her version of the sad story, painting Jazira in the most pathetic and destitute character and herself as her protectoress. Frank's eyes were dark as he listened to her version of the story and he heard Jazira's words to him earlier that morning, 'I can take care of myself Frank Hopkins.' Lady Davenport added at the end of her account that since she held the Sheik in such high regard, she did offer his daughter a respectable position in her household. Frank was biting the inside of his jaw raw to keep from interrupting. To add drama to her story, Lady Davenport called Mary her personal maid and asked her to send in Jazira.
Frank felt sick and yet there was nothing he could do to stop what was about to happen. When Jazira entered the lounge as requested, Frank immediately stood up in respect, thinking of how noble and beautiful she looked. But Jazira only gave him a veiled glance. It reminded him of the time he first met her in her father's tent. The veil was gone, but the position was almost the same. Frank remained standing and it became evident the display irritated Lady Davenport. Her voice was slightly strained as she said to the young woman,
"Jazira, I think you remember Frank Hopkins. He's come to pay us a visit."
Lady Davenport gestured with her hand in a queenly fashion that it was now appropriate for Jazira to speak to Frank. She turned to Frank, whose eyes were apologizing, his mouth grim and stern. Jazira wouldn't look him in the eye as she replied genuinely with some feeling, "How nice for you to come Mr. Hopkins. My father, Sheik Riyadh admired you very much, he would have liked to see you again."
Frank wished she would look at him, instead she looked down at the carpet and away from him. Frank played along as if they were meeting for the first time in two years saying, "I learned about your father's death. I too would like to have seen him once more. My deepest sympathies on your loss."
It was said with so much feeling that Frank had his wish granted, she almost looked up at him, but Lady Davenport didn't like the intent look on Frank's face and dismissed Jazira. Frank did not sit down until she had completely disappeared from sight. Lady Davenport murmured, "Such politeness, Mr. Hopkins. But I imagine that what you really wish to see is Al-Hattal himself. He is being exercised by my head groom, Phillips, in the far pasture. Would you like to see the stallion?"
Frank responded honestly, "I sure would."
Lady Davenport stood up, her blonde curls falling about her shoulders saying, "Then follow me."
