Jazira wished she had been able to spend more time with Frank. After interrupting the explosive scene in the stable, he assured Lady Davenport they would be leaving in the morning, and if she wanted them to leave now, they could find lodging at Lord Wellingham's. He did not know Lady Davenport had just returned from the Wellingham estate. Still, his suggestion found its mark in her pride. She was not about to give Lord Wellingham new ammunition to use against her.

Lady Davenport growled, "I regret the day I mailed those advertisements to your American newspapers."

Frank said in a mild, gentlemanly manner, "I'm sorry you feel that way m'am. I've had a pleasant visit here, up till now."

Frank looked across to Jazira as he said that, and her eyes twinkled responsively. Lady Davenport turned back around to face her and ordered, "Get your things out of here, and out of my house by tomorrow."

Jazira laid a hand on Al-Hattal and said, "I will be glad to."

Lady Davenport's anger had been so focused on the girl that she missed the reference to the stallion, but Frank did not and he nodded with a smile. Jazira saw him and knew things had gone well with Major Davenport. Her eyes lit up and fueled Lady Davenport's rage, and she turned to Frank and saying bitterly,

"I suppose it is no miracle that the two of you are in some kind of alliance together. You have always been attracted to worthless things."

Frank's frown turned ugly, his blue eyes smoldered and he said with dangerous calmness, "If you were a man, you'd be paying for that remark. But I've never hit a woman in my life, and I don't plan to start now. It's a guarantee, you'll be paying for it later, and you'll get what's coming to you."

Lady Davenport blinked wondering what the cowboy meant. It seemed as though he spoke of something specific. Frank added his voice heavy, "Now, the only way we can leave early, is if we turn in for the evening."

"I'll go when I'm good and ready. But as it seems you are turning in, I have one question for you Mr. Hopkins. Where were you today?" challenged Lady Davenport.

Frank couldn't resist the triumphant note in his voice as he replied, "Liverpool."

Lady Davenport's expression froze. There was someone in Liverpool who could dramatically alter her future. There was much to consider and Lady Davenport began to walk out of the stable saying over her shoulder, "Say your goodbyes to Al-Hattal, Jazira."

Frank lingered a moment asking, "Are you ready to go?"

Jazira answered, "I will be. Did you get the book?"

Frank smiled, pulled the leather volume out from under his vest and handed it to her asking, "How did Major Davenport get it?"

Jazira replied, "On the crossing to England, I didn't understand the English protocols of serving. When Lady Davenport told me to take a bottle of gin to the Major, I walked in and found him crying. He was embarrassed. If he had not been so upset he would never have asked, but he wanted to know if I was aware of his wife having improper liaisons during her time in Arabia. I answered him truthfully and felt so sorry for him. He had been very kind to me and I told him that if I had anything left to give him, I would, but Al-Hattal was my last possession, and he and Lady Davenport had already purchased him. After some days at sea, Lady Davenport began asking questions about my father's breeding book. Later Major Davenport pulled me aside and told me the only way the book would be safe from his wife was if it was in his possession." Jazira remembered with sadness, "I had already lost everything, so I decided to trust him."

Frank responded, "It was a good thing you did, with Major Davenport's name on the Writ of Sale, the breeding book served as our title for the Sheik."

A worried look settled in Jazira's eyes as she asked, "Frank, how much did you lose?"

"You make it sound like a gamble. And as I told your father, I'm no gambler." Frank looked over his shoulder. Lady Davenport was nowhere in sight and he said protectively, "I don't think she'll bother you anymore tonight."

Jazira tilted her head up at him saying, "I am not scared of her."

Frank stepped so close to her their bodies touched and he said, his breath warm on her forehead, "No, but I was scared for you."

Jazira asked, "Do you feel better now?"

Frank placed his hands behind her neck saying, "I'll feel better when we are on board the ship in Liverpool tomorrow." He was vividly aware of the lingering apprehension he still felt and said, "I'll be saying goodnight."

His glance lingered on her full lips and Jazira could almost taste the kiss that didn't come when he said as he took a step back, "We'll get an early start."

She answered a little breathlessly, "I will be ready, goodnight."

Frank grinned and walked out of the stable and into the night.

Jazira's emotions were in such turmoil she could not sleep. So many new experiences lay ahead of her, and while Frank had never described their relationship in specific terms, she trusted him. Jazira smiled to herself, knowing her father would have been happy with events turning out as they seemed to be. He had respected and trusted Frank as well. Jazira looked across at Al-Hattal and whispered,

"Sheik, we're going home."

The dawn was just breaking as Jazira led Al-Hattal out of the stable to join Frank. The sun turned the sky into the red and golden hues of a ripe peach, similar in color to the desert robes Jazira wore. Frank gazed at the wakening sun and said to Jazira as she mounted the stallion, "Wait until you see the sunrise from Missouri."

Jazira breathed deeply, happy to be alive and said, "I'm ready."

Frank looked across at her and they admired one another's form in the saddle as they walked in stride across the yard.

Phillips just coming out of his shed saw them and it took only a moment before he realized what was happening. He ran over the ground they had already passed to reach the house and warn Lady Davenport. It was unnecessary, for as Frank and Jazira rounded the corner to step onto the long drive in front of the manor, the heavy front door swung open and Phillips saw Lady Davenport, still in her nightgown long blonde hair spilling over her shoulders, rush across the porch and lift up the heavy end of a rifle and fire at the riders. It was so unexpected the groom had no chance to shout a warning.