Chapter 20
“Are you ready, luv?” asked Crawford.
“Yes,” said Elizabeth, “I just need to get this veil on. I can’t believe Angellah sent over another one of these stupid costumes!”
“You know,” began Crawford as he looked at her thoughtfully, his head cocked to the side “I kind of like it!”
“Men are such pigs!” growled Elizabeth as she struggled with the veil.
“Here, let me help you,” said Crawford, attempting to hide a smirk as he took the sheer cloth from her and draped it over her head. “You’re stunning, by the way,” he added as he stepped back, looked at her, and smiled. She was wearing the same white beaded undergarments that she wore the first night they spent together. Only tonight they were covered with a sheer nude colored skirt and veil.
“I feel ridiculous,” she pouted as together they stepped out into the night.
“God, where is a camera when you need one,” said Crawford, looking at her in the moonlight as they walked towards Angellha’s tent.
Elizabeth flashed him an angry look and scowled, “No way, mister. This is humiliating enough. I don’t need the moment captured on film forever. I work at Harvard! We have standards, a dress code! I’m not used to being out and about, half-naked, being leered at by strange men!”
Elizabeth took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and walked through the entrance to the tent. She held out her hand, expecting Crawford to grasp it, but found only air. “Will?” she whispered as she opened the tents flap and peered back outside. “Why am I alone in here?”
Crawford had stopped dead in his tracks he was standing there just outside the tent, staring straight ahead with his hands buried deep in the pockets of his uniform trousers. He looked tense, the muscle of his jaw twitched from anger.
“Will?” she asked, walking back out.
He looked off to the side and pursed his lips.
“What is it?” she asked as she reached up and fingered the collar of his white cotton shirt.
“I hadn’t thought about that part,” he said with a combination of embarrassment and anger.
“What are you talking about?” asked Elizabeth confused.
“The other men, looking at you,” he responded simply. “I’m not going to like it, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth stepped a bit closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’ll be the one taking me home,” she tried to assure him.
“Listen, Will. We’re in a different country. We’re going to need to play by some of their rules if we want to be accepted. Trust me, I know these people, their customs. I don’t like this,” she said looking down at her outfit. “It’s just a prop, a costume.”
“Hmmm,” he said, barely registering her comment.
“Look at me, Will. Will!” she said, sternly.
“What?” he snapped.
“Are you with me here?” she asked. “We’ve got a job to do, remember?.”
“Yes! Yes! I’m with you,” he said.
“Good, let’s go,” said Elizabeth as she laced her fingers through his and walked again towards the tent.
“I’m not going to like it,” Crawford murmured like a stubborn child as they passed through the entrance.
“Well, our guests have finally arrived!” announced Angellah as he walked up to the couple.
“Our apologies, my lord, traffic was horrendous,” said Crawford, dryly, as he bowed before the prince.
“I think I liked her better in the blue,” said Angellah as he made a circle around Elizabeth, openly studying her scantily clad body. “You?”
“Actually-” Elizabeth started to say.
Angellah held up his hand to silence her and continued to look at Crawford, awaiting a response.
“To be perfectly honest,” started Crawford, leaning forward conspiratorially, “Elizabeth is not entirely comfortable-”
As Crawford began his sentence Elizabeth noted the expression change to one of confusion on Angellah’s face. She quickly interjected, “in this top,” as she tugged on the cups of the beaded brassiere. “Doesn’t it seem too small?” she added fluttering her eyelashes at the Prince.
Angellah stared at her full breasts and swallowed, “Too small?” he asked, his voice constricted.
“My wife has lovely eyes, my lord. Don’t you agree?” asked Crawford as he unconsciously began to clench and unclench his fist.
“My, yes,” answered Angellah, a bit breathlessly.
“They’re a little higher, mate,” said Crawford with irritation as he removed his uniform jacket and draped it over Elizabeth’s shoulders.
“Of course,” said Angellah as he stepped away, amused. “I can understand why you are protective of her, Lieutenant. You are a lucky man. Come, have a smoke and a drink with me. Our food will arrive shortly.”
“Drink?” asked the Lieutenant.
“Harrhas mentioned you have a fondness for scotch,” said the prince as Harrhas walked into the tent carrying a tray with two glasses.
Angellah took one and handed the second to Crawford. Crawford handed his to Elizabeth, then looked pointedly back at the tray and frowned.
Angellah chuckled, “Very well, Lieutenant,” he said, shaking his head. “Another glass, Harrhas. Happy, Lieutenant?”
“Yup,” said Crawford, taking a sip of the scotch brought to him by Harrhas.
“Bring me Iman!” ordered Angellah to no one in particular as he walked over, retrieved a lit cigarette, and inhaled deeply. “And show the other guests in,” he added.
“Right away, my lord,” answered Harrhas, while bowing down to the prince.
Elizabeth and Crawford immediately looked at one another. “What the hell was that?” hissed Crawford.
“That was me, saving your ass,” answered Elizabeth. “He doesn’t care how I feel. If you act like it matters to you, you’ll appear weak.”
“Bloody Hell! You’re right, of course,” said Crawford as he ran his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I’m a bit off,” he said as he tilted his head to the side and cracked his head. “I’ll be alright.”
“Think possessive caveman, Will. You’re the champion,” said Elizabeth as she reached up on tiptoes and whispered in his ear, “my champion. Show them, Will. Show them you’re the master here.”
“And what are you?” Crawford asked with a smirk.
“Me?” asked Elizabeth, coyly as she removed his coat from her shoulders and handed it back to him. “I am your willing slave, my love. Here only to do your bidding.”
“Nice work!” exclaimed Angellah as he slapped Crawford on the back. “I don’t even see any scars,” he commented as he scrutinized Elizabeth’s body for the second time that evening. “You must share your technique!”
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell,” said Crawford in a hushed voice as he possessively wrapped his arm around Elizabeth’s waist, pulled her close, and crushed his lips to hers in a resounding kiss.
“Oooo, can I be next?” asked Iman as she sashayed up to Crawford and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Sorry, doll, not willing to share her,” answered William as he pulled back from the kiss and looked at her. “I’m a greedy bastard. She’s all mine,” he added as he looked over Iman’s shoulder, his eyes connecting with Ahmed’s.
“I wasn’t asking about a kiss from her,” answered Iman as she attempted to worm her way between the couple. “I was hoping for a taste of you,” she added as she suggestively swept her eyes down the length of his body.
“Oh, were you now?” responded Crawford, playfully. For a moment he appeared to be considering her offer.
“What? No!” cried Elizabeth.
Suddenly she felt a strong tug on her arm. Before she new it she was forcefully pulled into Crawford’s embrace. Silence fell throughout the tent. All eyes were on them. “I gave you my word, didn’t I?” asked Crawford, patiently as he possessively ran his hands over her.
“Y-yes,” answered Elizabeth with trepidation.
“You doubt me? Is that it?” he asked, a hint of anger creeping into his voice.
“Take some advice, kiss and make up, fast,” whispered Iman in Elizabeth’s direction.
After a few seconds of silence she turned to Angellah and added, “On second thought, maybe she should add some groveling.”
“Well? What do you have to say for yourself? Do you think the commitment I made to you means nothing?” demanded Crawford.
Elizabeth looked at him hesitantly. “No. I- I,” she began.
“I share with no one,”’ he interrupted. “My word is my bond. I have made a promise to you, Elizabeth. Don’t insult me again by doubting my integrity. You’re mine and I am yours. That is the way it will be. Do you understand?” he asked.
“Yes?” she said, her eyes darting around the room, aware that they were being scrutinized.
“Don’t look at them! Look at me!” he commanded angrily. “Do we understand one another?” he growled.
Her eyes darted back to his face and settled there. Her breaths were coming rapidly now. Their conversation from the night before replayed through her head. She wondered just how much she had yet to learn about him. She wondered, for instance, just what he was truly capable of. For a brief moment she felt threatened. She searched his eyes looking for evidence that this was part of an act and she saw…. nothing. Nothing but empty steel blue eyes staring back at her.
The second her eyes met his he knew he had gone too far. He was frightening her. He moved closer and for a few seconds let his guard down. Allowing just enough time for her to see that he was still there, behind the mask. As soon as her breathing began to slow He stepped back slightly, reached for her hand, slowly brought it to his lips, and kissed it. “Say it,” he demanded when he released her hand. “You know what I want to hear.”
“I’m yours,” she responded, searching his eyes for the hint of her William that had appeared, if only fleetingly, moments before.
He rested his forehead against hers, closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply. He could smell the scent of scotch that still lingered on her lips. Crawford sniffed, stepped back, and laid his hand over her heart. “No one commands you but me. Do you understand? You bow to no one else. No one but me.”
“Yes,” she replied, “I understand”.
“Drink up!” shouted out Angellah, waving to the musicians to resume playing. “Lieutenant, a word,” said Angellah, quietly, as he approached the couple.
They turned, in unison, and looked at him, “I understand what you are trying to do, here. But, let’s be clear. She has to bow down to me. Everybody bows down to me, Lieutenant, I am in command here.”
Crawford nodded, “Of course.” Then, turning to Elizabeth he added, “Tell him. It’s time he knew.”
Elizabeth looked slightly panicked then glanced around the tent noting that the others were still watching and listening. She swallowed, hard.
“Clear the tent,” barked Angellah. Within seconds they were alone. Angellah took a long drag from the cigarette and offered it to Crawford.
“I prefer to keep my head clear,” he responded.
“If you stay in command, you will die,” said Elizabeth clearly as she looked Angellah steadily in the eye, her gaze unwavering.
Angellah broke into laughter, “There are dozens of men that have sworn their loyalty to me. It is their job to serve me, protect me.”
“They won’t be able to. One by one the Turks will pick them off. Finally, they will pick you off. I saw it, every night, every night until the Lieutenant came. That’s when it changed,” said Elizabeth.
“What changed?” asked Angellah.
“Your destiny,” said Elizabeth.
“What do you see?” asked Angellah as he sat down and again lifted the cigarette to his lips.
“The Lieutenant will form an army, an army that will lead us to victory, lead us to Acaba. Together we will drive the Ottoman’s out. You will be a hero. A hero,” finished Elizabeth.
Angellah looked skeptical. For a few moments he said nothing. He sat and smoked in silence.
Crawford crouched down and studied him carefully. “Angellah has all the respect he needs, he doesn’t care about being a hero,” he said, appearing to be thinking out loud. “He is already a hero to his people.”
Angellah looked at Crawford and smiled. Crawford continued, “He won’t go to Acaba for glory.” Angellah leaned forward, his attention captured. “And he won’t go to Acaba for the gold either-” added the British soldier.
“Gold?” asked Angellah.
“They have boxes in Acaba, filled with gold. What they pull out each month to pay you with? It’s just a trifle. Ah, yes, I know. I know they pay you to stay out of their way. They pay you with their women and with an insulting pittance. Angellah, it’s a trifle compared to the resources of the British and the American’s. We’re going. We’re going to Acaba and you are going to be rewarded handsomely just to tag along.”
“You think so?” Angellah asked.
“Yes. But not for glory,” said Crawford.
“No,” answered Angellah.
“Not for gold,” confirmed Crawford.
“No,” answered Angellah.
“You should come…purely for the pleasure,” said Crawford, a huge smile on his face.
“Pleasure?” asked Angellah.
“Victory, my lord, is truly the most intoxicating of elixirs,” added Crawford. Then, leaning forward he whispered, “There is nothing like it. Nothing.”
“Really, Lieutenant? Is that why you do it?” asked Angellah.
“Oh, yeah!” said Crawford, confidently as he stood back up and confidently swaggered over to Elizabeth. He reached for her forcefully pulling her close and began to nuzzle her neck while he ran a hand possessively over her breasts and down her stomach. After a few seconds he paused, turned to Angellah and asked, “And pleasure is important, no?”
Angellah nodded, thinking it over. “But I want to be in charge,” he said as he stood up, walked over to the couple and raked his eyes over Elizabeth.
“It won’t work that way, you don’t know enough about fighting. I need to be given the power to organize the men and train them,” responded Crawford.
“Fine, you do whatever you want, but I am in charge,” said Angellah stubbornly as he licked his lips.
“Of course, my lord,” Crawford relented as he stepped between Angellah and Elizabeth, momentarily cutting off his view.
“And I get the white horse,” Angellah quickly added, smiling.
Crawford shrugged, “Always liked black better anyways,” he said. “Oh, and Elizabeth will need a horse too.”
“She will stay behind with the other women,” said Angellah.
“No, she rides with me. I am not leaving her. She will fight alongside of me,” said Crawford, definitively.
Angellah raised an eyebrow, “Interesting battle strategy, Lieutenant. Are you sure about that? She could prove… distracting.”
“Oh,” Crawford responded, turning to look at his wife. “I’m counting on it.”
Chapter 21
It had been several hours since Angellah had emerged from the tent and announced to the camp, “Tonight we celebrate! Tomorrow, we begin the job of preparing for war. Acaba will be ours!”
The people went wild with excitement. The mood of the camp changed almost instantly. It seemed that everyone was quickly caught up in the celebration. Torches now lighted the area, a soft glow reflecting off the sand.Exotic music played loudly and the scent of opium permeated the air. Food was plentiful and the flow of drinks seemingly endless. Sahar, dressed exquisitely in black and red silk, was in the middle of performing an erotic dance.
Elizabeth noticed Angellah’s eyes glaze over with want as he focused on the young girls fluid movements. He licked his lips as he watched her lithe body dance enticingly to the pulsating rhythm of the music. “Sahar is very young,” said Elizabeth softly.
“She is old enough,” said Angellah as he continued to watch her.
Elizabeth shrugged, “She believes she is to marry your son.”
The prince looked over at her and smiled, “You feel protective of her? Are you afraid I might get it into my head to keep her for myself?”
“How old is your son, the one she is to marry?” asked Elizabeth trying desperately to stay focused.
“Sixteen,” answered Angellah. “Do you dance?”
“Me? No. A world of no,” responded Elizabeth as she shook her head.
“Sahar could teach you,” suggested the prince.
“Teach me what?” asked Elizabeth, suddenly aware that she had lost track of the conversation.
“To dance,” responded Angellah, patiently.
“Thank you, my lord, but that’s not necessary,” said Elizabeth as she peered into her empty cup and frowned.
“It would undoubtedly please your husband. It’s an important skill, Elizabeth. I will have her teach you, ” said Angellah, clearly having made up his mind.
“What are we talking about?” asked Crawford as he walked up to join the conversation.
“The prince is suggesting lessons, so I can better please you,” answered Elizabeth with a flirtatious smile.
“You don’t need any lessons,” said Crawford as he encircled her waist with his arm and pulled her towards him.
“He’s being verrr-rry insistent,” responsed Elizabeth.
Crawford leaned down and looked searchingly into her eyes.
“What?” she asked feeling a little defensive under his scrutiny?
“You’re completely smashed,” he said, surprised.
“I am not,” she said, stunned by his accusation.
“I can barely see your irises your pupils are so big,” observed Crawford. “Have you been letting her smoke that?” Crawford asked Angellah, obviously annoyed, pointing to his cigarette?
“She’s surrounded by it, Lieutenant. It’s perfectly harmless, I assure you,” answered Angellah. “Would you like another drink?” he asked turning to Elizabeth as Harrhas approached with a tray.
“Sure!” she responded.
“No,” interjected Crawford, “I think she’s had enough.”
As Elizabeth reached out for the glass Crawford quickly grasped her wrist. “Will!” she exclaimed as she tried to pull her hand away, “Let go!”
“Don’t you go getting shirty with me, now. I said you’ve had enough,” said Crawford calmly.
“Shirty!” laughed Elizabeth. “Is that even a word? ‘Don’t you go getting shirty with me!’” she mocked.
“You forget yourself,” he said, tightening his hold on her wrist. “The party is lovely, my lord,” continued Crawford turning towards Angellah “But I’m afraid Elizabeth is in desperate need of some fresh air. We must take our leave,” said Crawford.
“But the night is still young, Lieutenant. Stay. The celebration is just getting started,” Angellah responded.
“Will you let go?” shouted Elizabeth as she tried to pry his fingers from around her wrist. “You’re hurting me!”
Crawford leaned over, scooped Elizabeth up, and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, “Oh!” she cried out, surprised. Elizabeth balled up her fists and hit Crawford’s back. “Put me down!” she shouted, kicking her feet.
“Goodnight, my lord. We’ll have to do this again sometime,” said Crawford before turning and walking away.
“Where are you taking me?” shouted Elizabeth.
“Just going for a moonlit stroll,” said Crawford casually.
Elizabeth had stopped struggling and hung limply over his shoulder. She yawned, loudly, then dreamily said, “But there isn’t any moon tonight, or stars for that matter.”
“You’re looking at the ground, pet,” replied Crawford as he stopped and set her down on the ground.
“Whoa,” said Elizabeth as she stumbled a bit.
Crawford silently pointed up towards the sky and looked up. Elizabeth followed his gaze and after locating the stars and the moon quietly said “Oh.”
Suddenly the ground seemed to shift from underneath her and Elizabeth found herself sprawled in the sand. “Can you feel it, Will?”
she asked, laying down.
“Feel what, luv?” responded Crawford.
“The earth moving. Are you cross with me, Will?” asked Elizabeth.
“No, pet, not cross,” answered Crawford as he knelt down beside her and helped her get to a sitting position. “But you shouldn’t have had anything to drink. You know you can’t hold your liquor. You might have slipped up, said something you shouldn’t have. And for Christ’s sake you shouldn’t be flirting with Angellah!”
“But I didn’t drink any liquor, I only had the tea,” answered Elizabeth as she blew at a loose strand of hair that had managed to escape her veil.
“Tea, huh?” said Crawford as he removed her veil then tucked the strand of hair behind her ear.
“And I wasn’t flirting!” said Elizabeth jerking away from his touch and wagging a finger in his face. “I’ll have you know that…that I don’t flirt!”
“Oh, you flirt!” said Crawford trying to playfully bite her finger.
“I do not!” she insisted incredulous. “And you should trust me more. A marriage should be based on a foundation of trust! That’s the most important element of a good marriage.”
“And here I though it was a great shag,” said Crawford. “I guess I’ve been wrong headed about that. Perhaps I should stop working so hard to please you?”
“What? No!” said Elizabeth as she looked at him with an expression of utter seriousness. “You should continue, Will. Really, you should. Pleasing me, I mean. Frequently. I like it. A lot.”
“Oh you do, do you?” he asked, smiling at her.
Elizabeth gasped, then smiled, “You’re teasing me!”
“Getting even for the flirting,” he said, as he helped her to her feet. “Just what kind of lessons in pleasure was Angellah going to give you anyways?”
“Huh?” asked Elizabeth as she brushed the sand off her backside.
“When I walked up to the two of you, you were discussing lessons,” Crawford patiently reminded her as he interlaced his fingers with hers and began to lead her back towards their tent.
“With Sahar,” clarified Elizabeth, “not with Angellah.”
Crawford looked a bit alarmed and swallowed, “Sahar? The young girl that was dancing?”
“Yes! Angellah says that she’s the best. I declined his offer, at first, but he was very insistent. He feels that there are certain skills a good wife should know,” explained Elizabeth. “She can show me how it’s done and work with me until I get it just right. I have some experience, but the truth is I’d love to be as good as she is.”
“You actually think this is a good idea?” asked Crawford, obviously uncomfortable.
“Don’t you?” asked Elizabeth.
“Well, no, not really. She’s- she’s so young. I hate the thought of her…It’s just wrong, pet. She’s only a girl…” Crawford trailed off.
“What?” inquired Elizabeth.
“Well, course even if she were older I’d feel the same way. Not that I’ve never considered what it would be like before. I’d be lying if I said I’d never thought about it, I mean, what man hasn’t?” he said with a shrug. “I know that couples sometime experiment,” he continued, as he ran his hand nervously through his hair, “with, you know, other people. But, the fact is, luv, I want to keep it just the two of us. I don’t want anyone else in our bed.” William opened the flap to their tent and stepped aside to let Elizabeth enter.
“In our what?” asked Elizabeth, confused as she walked inside their tent. “Oh my, you thought…”
“What?” asked Crawford, tilting his head to the side.
“You thought we were talking about-” started Elizabeth blushing crimson. Then, suddenly she started giggle.
“What’s so bloody funny?” Crawford demanded annoyed.
“We were talking about dancing!” exclaimed Elizabeth, now clutching her stomach as she doubled up with laughter. “Oh! Oh, that’s so funny!” she managed to get out as she flopped down on their sleeping pallet and wiped at the tears that were forming in her eyes. “I know that couples sometimes experiment,” she repeated in a terrible British accent.
“Are you making fun of me?” asked Crawford, annoyed.
“No!” said Elizabeth, solemnly, shaking her head. “I would never do that.”
“God I hope that you don’t remember any of this in the morning!” moaned Crawford as he lay down alongside of her.
Another round of giggles began to erupt from Elizabeth. “Go to sleep, pet,” encouraged Crawford as he leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek.
“I don’t want to go to sleep. I’m having fun. Let’s do something!” she said standing up and seductively running her fingertips over the mounds of her full breasts.
William smirked and asked, “What did you have in mind?” as he pulled off his boots.
“Anything….” Elizabeth trailed off, twirling a long lock of her honey blonde hair around one finger.
“Anything?” asked Crawford, leaning back on his forearms a now prominent bulge evident in his pants.
“Anything you want,” said Elizabeth slowly. “There’s just one…little…catch.”
Crawford’s eyes grew wide with anticipation, “And that would be?”
Elizabeth backed away from him towards the entrance to the tent. She held her finger up to her lips and made a “Shh” sound before opening up the flap and peering outside. She then looked over her shoulder back towards Crawford a playful smile forming on her lips and a glint of mischief in her eye.
“What?” he asked almost overwhelmed now with anticipation.
“You’ve got to catch me first!” she shouted as she bolted from the tent.
“Bloody Hell!” he said as he jumped to his feet and flew out of tent. She was already about 50 feet ahead of him. The beads of her costume shimmered as her body was bathed in moonlight. Her hair flew out behind her as she dashed away, her feet kicking up sand as she went. Her melodious laughter traveled back to him on the night’s breeze. Crawford paused for a second, wanting to commit the vision to memory. “If you can catch me…you can have me!” she shouted back over her shoulder as she continued to run, taunting him.
“Oh, I can catch you, luv” he said, confidently before darting after her.
Chapter 22
Crawford entered the tent carrying a bucket of fresh water. He paused for a moment to look at Elizabeth, still sleeping comfortably under the silk sheet that covered their pallet. He could see the outline of her body through the thin material and had to resist the urge to touch her. He quietly set down the bucket and stripped off his sweat-drenched clothes. As he pulled off his shirt he winced. Ahmed was a fast learner and had managed to get in a punch to his mid-section. A bruise was already forming.
“Lieutenant,” whispered Harrhas from outside the tent.
Crawford opened the flap just a bit, allowing a small stream of light in. “You have the coffee?”
“Yes, and fresh bread,” answered Harrhas. “Anyakalha can wash your clothes if you would like.”
“Yes, thank you,” responded Crawford as he traded his clothing for the coffee and bread.
As Harrhas left, Crawford set down the food and walked back over to the water bucket. He lifted a ladle from it and drank deeply. He felt drained from the mornings training and desperately needed to replenish himself. He poured some water into a washbowl and after gathering his bar of soap and a towel from his satchel he began to wash the dirt and sweat from his body. Once his body was clean he leaned over the washbowl and ladled some fresh water over his hair. He found himself momentarily lost in the memory of the day he first met Elizabeth. As he turned the bar of soap over in his hands, creating lather, he remembered how wonderful it had felt when she bathed him that first day. How soft and tender her hands were as they worked the lather through his hair. Crawford reached for the ladle again and rinsed. He grabbed the small towel and ran it over his still dripping head, and then retrieved his mirror and razor from his satchel. After quickly shaving he returned his belongings to their rightful place, walked over to the entrance of the tent, and tossed the water from the washbowl out into the sand.
He felt much better now. Not completely renewed, but definitely better. He took another drink of the fresh water and spent a quiet moment watching his love sleep. “What am I going to do with you?” he whispered to her in the semi-darkness. “Perhaps the more pointed question is what on earth am I going to do without you?” he then thought to himself. Crawford crawled over to her, slipped under the sheet, and gently ran his hand over the side of her face, over her shoulder and down the length of her arm. “Time to wake up, sleepyhead,” he said quietly, as he lightly shook her body.
Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. He lay alongside of her, his intense blue eyes staring into hers, a smile on his lips. Elizabeth stretched and yawned, “Is it morning already?”
Crawford leaned up on one elbow and said, “Afternoon, actually,” as he handed her the cup of coffee.
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Afternoon? What time did we fall asleep?” she asked taking a sip.
“I think you passed out, luv,” said Crawford with a smirk. He could tell that she was searching her memory, trying to piece together events from the night before. “You were amazing,” he said, dropping his voice an octave and reaching over to fondle her breast. He pulled the sheet down a bit, and leaned over to lave at one nipple with his tongue and then he looked up at her.
“You got the job done yourself,” said Elizabeth, as she sat her cup down, desperately trying to remember what had happened after Sahar began dancing.
“I was just trying to keep up. The things you do ... ...the way you make it hurt in all the wrong places. I've never been with such an animal,” responded Crawford, huskily.
“I'm not an animal,” said Elizabeth, now a little alarmed.
“You wanna see the bite marks and bruises?” he asked lowering his sheet and showing her the purple marks on his mid-section.
Elizabeth gasped and lightly ran her hand over the area, “I-I did that? Oh, Will, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what…What did we do?” she asked hesitantly.
“What didn’t we do? Really, luv, you outdid yourself, made my every wish come true,” answered Crawford vaguely.
“Crossed some things off your list?” she asked shyly, unable to look him in the eye as she traced little circles around his pecs.
“Don’t have any more lists, baby,” he said as he lifted her finger to his mouth, and began to lick the tip.
“No more lists?” she squeaked. “You mean…we even?”
Crawford looked steadily at her and nodded slowly as he drew her finger in and out of his mouth. Elizabeth gasped. Crawford released her finger and leaned over to sweep his tongue across her lips before confirming, “Oh, yeah, and once more? You loved it! Made me promise we would do it again first thing this morning as a matter of fact.”
“I-I did?” she asked, nervously.
Crawford rolled her over so that he was spooned up behind her. He ran his hand over her bottom, caressing her possessively. She could feel his erection grow even more as he lifted one of her legs and draped it over his so that he could move in closer to her. “No,” he said, as he began to trail kisses down the back of her neck.
“No?” repeated Elizabeth as he separated her folds. “No?” she said again, the meaning finally registering. Elizabeth quickly pulled away from him, turned around, rolled him onto his back and pinned him to the pallet. “No?”
“No.” he confirmed.
“What part?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she climbed on top of him straddling his body. “You’re in trouble, mister!”
Crawford smiled, “Really? What kind of trouble? You realize this isn’t really isn’t much of a punishment don’t you?” he asked wiggling his eyebrows.
“Big trouble!” she said, feeling annoyed.
“Big huh?” he said as he tilted his hips up so that his erection ran up and down the length of her backside.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and moaned, her resolve crumbling, “Stop that! We’re in the middle of a fight here, Will.”
“Not me,” he said turning them and slipping the head of his cock inside of her moist channel. “I’m not fighting. I’m fu-”
“Don’t call it that,” said Elizabeth, covering his mouth with her hand.
Crawford’s eyes softened and he stilled his movements. He reached up and removed her hand from his mouth. “Last night you were completely smashed, pet. There was so much opium around and then Angellah gave you this tea. It lowered your inhibitions. You were a huge tease. You made me chase you around the bloody desert for what seemed like hours then you passed out and I carried you back here, tucked you in snug as a bug, and had myself a very unsatisfying wank.”
“Honest and truly?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers. “Can we make love?”
“Thought you just wanted to fuck,” challenged Elizabeth, struggling to keep her voice neutral.
Crawford pulled back slightly so that he could look her in the eyes, “I’m a bad, rude man, pet.”
“Not always,” she replied simply.
“I love you, Elizabeth. I’m sure of it. These feelings that I have for you, they’re growing, every day. I need you,” he said, almost hoarse with desire.
“I need you too,” she said raising her hips slightly, inviting him in further.
Crawford hissed and closed his eyes, “God, you’re so wet.”
“That’s what you do to me,” whispered Elizabeth as she reached out and took his earlobe between her teeth. She groaned. “You make me so wet. I want you so bad, baby. Can you feel how wet you make me?”
“God, yes,” moaned Crawford as he started to move.
“Oh, Will, you feel so good. That’s it. Let me feel that big cock of yours,” groaned Elizabeth.
“Are you talking, dirty for me, pet?” asked Crawford, pausing for a moment and smiling down at her.
“I’m trying,” admitted Elizabeth, a little embarrassed.
“I love you,” said Crawford, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. “And, I love you for trying.”
“I want to be the one to fulfill your fantasies, Will. I want to be the one you want to be with,” replied Elizabeth as she wrapped her legs around his waist pulling him back in.
“You are the one, Elizabeth. God help me, it’s all about you. There isn’t anyone else, there never will be anyone else,” he told her, as he thrust slowly into her over and over again.
Thoughts of Drusilla permeated Elizabeth’s mind, she just couldn’t help herself, there was someone else, a very real someone else.
“Look at me,” Crawford demanded.
Elizabeth looked at him, desperately trying to conceal the disappointment and sadness that had flooded her.
“I love you!” he said as he paused, almost pleading. “Please believe that.”
“I believe you,” she whispered. “I believe that in some way you love me. But, you also love her. You said it, Will. You will always love her. And…she’s the one that’s really your wife, isn’t she? She’s the one you really love.”
He looked into her green eyes and the pain reflected in them was enough to fall the strongest of men. He shrank inside of her. All of the passion instantly drained from his body. His heart filled with regret and shame. He pulled out of her and ran his hand over his face.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
“No you’re not, but it’s nice of you to say so,” replied Elizabeth.
Crawford looked at her for a long minute then admitted, “I love her, yes. But, not like I love you. The simple truth is that I never had the kind of love for Drusilla that I have for you. I-I never knew it could be like this. She’s not my wife, Elizabeth, not really. You are. You are in every way that matters to me. And, someday, I will make you my wife in every way that matters to you, I promise. I promise.”
“I don’t want to force you to make promises that you might not be able to keep,” she said, angrily, tears forming in her eyes. “This is a confusing time, Will, and- and-” she continued, choking back tears.
Crawford grabbed her by the forearms and pulled her flush to him, and growled, “You think you can force me to do anything, little girl? Trust me, you can’t. Now I want you to listen to me. I. Love. You.”
Elizabeth’s eyes opened wide as the intensity behind his emotion hit her full force. “I. Love. You,” he said more softly as a lone tear escaped his eye and ran down his cheek. “I need for you to believe me. If something were to happen to me, or you…I need for you to-”
Elizabeth cut off the remainder of his sentence as she crushed her lips to his in a fervent kiss. “I do,” she said as she pulled back slightly. “I do.”
Crawford released a sigh and kissed her lips tenderly before resting his head on the soft pillow of her breasts. “I’m completely knackered,” he said, feeling spent, “only slept a couple hours before getting up to train. And, we’re not done for the day. There’s so much to do if the men are going to be ready. I’ve got to go back-”
“Shh. You don’t have to go back now,” responded Elizabeth as she wrapped one arm around his torso and then rhythmically ran a hand through his white-blonde locks. “For now, you rest. You’re gong to exhaust yourself and you’ll be good to no one.”
“Rest,” repeated Crawford. “Can-Can we rest now? Elizabeth, can we rest?”
“Yes, darling,” answered Elizabeth as she placed a kiss on the top of his head. “Rest now. I’ll wake you in a bit. Everything will be alright, you’ll see,” added Elizabeth as tears began to quietly stream down her face.
Chapter 23
The past few days had been spent much like this one. Everyone in the camp had become accustomed to the routine of rising before sunrise, and then a light breakfast, followed by hours of grueling drilling and training. They would break for a few hours in the afternoon, when the sun was at its high point in the sky and the desert the hottest. During those hours most of the men ate, then napped to replenish themselves for the afternoon session. By sunset the women of the camp had a meal prepared that most were to tired too fully enjoy.
Crawford pushed them all to their limits and then some. On the afternoon of the first day of training he successfully recruited Ahmed to assist him with the simple acknowledgment, in front of the other men, that Ahmed’s sword skills were superior to his own. Since then, Ahmed had been working extremely hard to do whatever he could to improve the troops skills with both the sword and scimitar. No one, however, worked harder than Crawford. There were not many that owned guns, but he worked on marksmanship with those that did. He also taught hand-to-hand combat techniques, incorporating use of a knife.
When the other men returned to camp at sunset to retire for the day, Crawford stopped for a quick drink of water and proceeded to the prince’s tent. Angellah refused to train with the other men, afraid to allow them to see any sign of weakness. So Crawford trained him and Elizabeth together, in the privacy of Angellah’s tent under the cover of darkness. Tomorrow was to be their last day of training, the last day before they would begin the journey to Acaba. They would train in the morning, and then the men would be released to rest up for the arduous journey.
It had been decided that they would travel by night, under the cover of darkness, and sleep during the day when the sun would make progress difficult. Most of the men were accustomed to traveling long distances in the hot sun, but Crawford wanted to use caution. He needed to ensure that they would be in fighting form when they reached their destination.
“Are you two ready?” asked Crawford as he entered Angellah’s tent, wiping the sweat off his brow with his sleeve.
“Aye, Aye, Captain,” answered Elizabeth, saluting smartly.
“I believe his rank is Lieutenant,” Angellah leaned over and whispered in her ear.
“I know that!” replied Elizabeth, playfully giving him a shove.
Angellah smiled at her and then turned to Crawford, “Well?”
“Start with your warm-up drills,” said Crawford as he sat down and watched.
After twenty minutes he announced, “I want to see the two of you spar.”
“With each other?” asked Angellah.
“Not afraid she’ll hurt you, are you?” teased Crawford.
“Certainly not!” responded Angellah.
“Look,” said Crawford, walking up to them. “In battle, no one is going to refrain from trying to best you simply because you are the prince.” He turned to Elizabeth and added, “And I can’t be everywhere at once. I want to know that you can hold your own. We can continue to train at night as we travel, if we need to, but we’re running out of time.”
Elizabeth and Angellah exchanged a look then Angellah responded, “Very well.”
“No holds barred,” said Crawford. “Fight to win. Ready? Go!”
The two of them simply stood there, staring at one another. “What the hell are you two doing?” asked Crawford. “Elizabeth, he’s wide open!”
At Crawford’s prompting she let loose a series of blows. Angellah managed to keep up with her, blocking her with ease. She changed tacks quickly, executing an almost perfect roundhouse kick and setting him sprawling on the ground.
“Ha!” she shouted as she jumped in the air, pumping her arm up and down, victoriously.
Angellah scrambled to his feet, charged her and knocked her over. She landed hard and for a brief moment was unable to breathe. He grabbed her wrists and wrenched them up over her head, holding them firmly in his grasp. “Not laughing now, are you?” he asked as he used his knee to separate her legs.
Crawford stood up and slowly approached them. Elizabeth was flush and breathing deeply. Her chest was heaving and the pupils of her eyes were dilated. She was afraid, plain and simple. “Get off me!” she shouted as she squirmed underneath him.
“Oh yeah, just like that. Got to admit, I like it when they give a little resistance. I’d love to give you a go,” he whispered. “Do you know what’s stopping me?”
Elizabeth looked up at him. Unable to speak she merely shook her head. “Nothing,” he said before grinding his hips into hers. “Lieutenant, we may need to rethink this arrangement. She’s really quite exquisite. And, what is that smell?” he said, sniffing at her neck and collarbone. “Could it be…desire I’m smelling on my girl? I simply must have a taste. Feel free to watch,” he finished glancing over at Crawford and shrugged, “or not, whichever you prefer.”
“Not sure I’m one to just stand by and watch, mate,” responded Crawford.
“Well, how about I have a go first, then you can join in. I don’t normally like to share my toys, but-” started Angellah.
“I’d be honored,” interjected Crawford. “I’ll, ah, just wait until you’re finished.”
Elizabeth couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was as if the entire world suddenly went into a spin around her. She could hear the rushing of blood roaring in her ears. Then, everything slowed down. She leaned her head up and captured Angellah’s lips in an enticing kiss, sweeping her tongue out along his lower lip, begging entrance. As soon as his lips parted she sucked the lower one into her mouth and bit, drawing blood.
“Ow!” yelped Angellah as he let go of her wrists, spontaneously reaching for his lip.
Elizabeth wasted no time. Her wrists were now free. She brought one hand up, slightly curled the tips of her fingers under and jabbed forcefully with her knuckles at his Adam’s apple. Angellah’s eyes filled with tears and he spontaneously choked and gagged as his windpipe was painfully constricted, momentarily cutting off his air. Elizabeth bucked her hips and twisted, throwing him off her. Before Angellah could recover she was on him, straddling his chest and raining down a series of blows to his face, tears streaming down hers as she shouted, “You bastard! How dare you! I could never be your girl!”
Crawford approached them and pulled Elizabeth off of Angellah. For a few moments she continued to struggle against him, trying to break free and continue her assault.
“Christ, luv! You kicked his ass! Good show!” shouted Crawford.
Elizabeth forced herself to calm down and cease her movements. Crawford set her on the ground and she turned to face him, “Good show?”
Angellah sat up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “It was Will’s idea. He thought you wouldn’t let go and really defend yourself against me unless you felt truly threatened. We had to know if you’d be safe. I think she passed,” finished Angellah with a wink to Crawford.
Elizabeth was furious. She spun around and ran from the tent, out into the night to the safety of her tent.
“Is it just me, or did that not go so well?” asked Angellah.
“Shit! Shit, shit, shit! I better…” said Crawford.
“Yeah, you better,” confirmed Angellah as he dabbed at his bloody lip.
Crawford ran from the tent and looked around, frantically searching for Elizabeth. He spotted her heading towards their tent and caught up with her just as she was reaching to open the tents flap. He reached out and grabbed her arm.
“Didn’t you hear me calling to you?” he asked, a bit winded from the sprint.
“Didn’t you notice me ignoring you?” she countered.
“Elizabeth-” he began.
She held up her hand to stop him, “No. I can’t talk to you right now. I can’t even look at you right now.” She looked down at his hand, the one that was holding her arm and continued, “Let go of me.”
He instantly released her and tried again, “Please! I need to explain!”
“You know what? You may find this very hard to believe but I don’t care about what you need right now. I’m tired and I’m upset. I’m going to bed. Goodnight!” said Elizabeth before disappearing inside the tent.
Crawford pushed open the flap and started to walk through. “What do you think you’re doing?” she yelled, as she spun around and advanced on him.
Crawford stumbled back outside, totally surprised by her anger. “I was just going to get ready for bed?” he responded.
“You’re not sleeping here tonight. You, mister, are in the proverbial dog-house,” said Elizabeth poking his chest with her finger.
“Where am I supposed to sleep?” he asked, incredulous.
Elizabeth looked like she couldn’t decide if she wanted to burst into tears or punch him. “You are so stupid!” she yelled shoving him backwards.
“Yeah? Well, seems to me you’re over-reacting a bit. If you’ll just give me a minute to explain I-” she started.
“Over-reacting! Over-reacting?” Elizabeth spun around, went back into the tent, pulled the flap closed behind her and shouted, “Dumbass!”
“Bitch!” he hollered back.
“What did you call me?” she demanded as she opened the flap up and stormed out.
They were standing toe to toe. Crawford could see the rage in her eyes. He could tell that she was furious, but he was angry too. Crawford struggled to rein in his temper. His own breaths were coming fast. He took a step back and allowed his eyes to rake over her. She was positively glowing from the thin sheen of perspiration that covered her body. He took in the movement of her chest as it rose and fell in time with her angry breaths. Next he noticed her tousled hair and how it reflected the moonlight. Finally he looked in her eyes, beautiful green eyes that reflected the hurt that he had stupidly inflicted.
“I shouldn’t have called you a bitch. You’re not a bitch,” he said reaching out to her. “Come on, baby, let’s kiss and make up.”
Elizabeth pulled her arm back and slapped him, hard, across the face. The resounding crack could be heard across the camp. Crawford, stunned, reached up, immediately covering his cheek with his hand. Before he could speak she turned and walked back towards the entrance to the tent. When she reached it she stopped, turned slightly and over her shoulder quietly said, “You treated me like a whore tonight, Will. I am no one’s whore, especially not yours. I gave myself freely to you, I trusted you.” Elizabeth hung her head in sorrow and proceeded to walk into the confines of their tent.
“Trouble in paradise?” came a voice from behind him.
“Don’t you bloody start with me!” said Crawford as he spun around to find Ahmed standing behind him.
Ahmed held up his hands and replied, “Whoa, tiger! I’m not starting anything. Thought perhaps you could use some company, or a place to stay.”
Crawford raised an eyebrow and said, “Thanks ever so, but you’re really not my type,” before sinking to a crouching position in the sand.
Ahmed sat down alongside of him, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and offered a drag to Crawford.
“No thanks,” said Crawford. “I like to keep a straight head.”
“Yes. That’s probably wise. Who knows what kinds of foolish thoughts you would have…or….what kinds of impulsive things you would say…I shudder to think. This way, you stay clear of trouble, yes?” said Ahmed dryly as he inhaled on his cigarette.
“You have no idea, mate,” responded Crawford.
“I might have some idea,” replied Ahmed. As he tilted his head to the side and listened for a moment. “She is crying,” he said, quietly.
Crawford nodded and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
“You should go to her,” added Ahmed.
“What do you recommend? Oh, I know, perhaps I should tie her up and torture her until she loves me again?” asked Crawford sarcastically.
“You believe she has actually felt love for you?” asked Ahmed, leaning forward so as to ensure no one passing by would hear his question.
“Should that be a secret?” whispered Crawford.
“It- it is just very rare Lieutenant. And, if it is something that a woman feels for her husband, it is something rarely admitted to. I had a wife you know,” began Ahmed.
“No, I didn’t know,” responded Crawford.
“We were married at age fifteen. I never told her I loved her,” said Ahmed.
“Where is she now?” asked Crawford.
“Dead. Killed by Turks, along with my two sons,” answered Ahmed, as he turned his head and looked out into the distant night.
“That’s why you agreed to help train the men. This is personal for you,” said Crawford.
“Yes,” admitted Ahmed. “And that’s why you did what you did tonight. I understand. You plan to bring her into battle. You fear for her life. It is personal for you too, yes? You want to instill in her the understanding that years of fighting wars have brought to you. You want to teach her the skills that you’ve come to possess after almost a lifetime of being trained to defend yourself, to kill if necessary.”
Ahmed paused and turned back to look Crawford in the eye, “How am I doing?” he asked as he offered the cigarette to him again.
Crawford accepted the cigarette, took a drag, and handed it back to him. “Seemed like a good plan at the time,” he said, sadly.
“Tomorrow evening we go into battle, Lieutenant,” stated Ahmed.
“Thank you Captain Obvious,” responded Crawford handing the cigarette back to Ahmed and exhaling the smoke up into the air, making little smoke rings.
“Neat trick,” remarked Ahmed, pointing at the circles of smoke as the climbed higher into the sky and slowly dissipated.
Crawford shrugged. “It’s a gift, I can also wiggle my ears and make a perfect martini. Most birds would consider me quite the catch,” he said a little more loudly.
Ahmed smiled, “Lieutenant, if I had won the fight-”
“You didn’t,” interrupted Crawford.
“No,” agreed Ahmed. “I didn’t. But, if I had, do you know what I would be doing tonight?”
“No, Ahmed. Enlighten me,” responded Crawford accepting the cigarette again.
“I would be doing everything I could to convince my wife that I loved her more than anything in this world, even more than life itself. I like to think I can learn from my mistakes. I was young and foolish. I thought I would have more time. I thought such words were unnecessary. I was wrong. You, Lieutenant, were wrong. You demanded her trust in front of the entire camp, pledged your fidelity, then appeared to betray her for no apparent reason.”
Ahmed retrieved his cigarette and then stood up and brushed the sand from his robes. “You, my friend, have some explaining to do.”
“Have you been eavesdropping?” challenged Crawford. “And, are you sure you’re Arabian?” asked Crawford.
“We live in tents, Lieutenant, there are few secrets here. And, yes, I am sure I am Arabian. Although, I am giving the idea of leaving Arabia after the war serious thought. Perhaps I can get a job giving relationship advice, what do you think?” asked Ahmed
Crawford raised an eyebrow, rose to his feet, and reached out for Ahmed’s cigarette. “I think you’ve smoked enough for tonight,” he said.
Ahmed pulled the cigarette back out of reach and then defiantly lifted it to his lips, “Or, maybe I’ll go and study with that Freud fellow.”
Crawford shook his head and chuckled. “You’re really something, you know that?”
“Yes, but alas, you’re already spoken for. See you in the morning, Lieutenant,” said Ahmed before turning to walk away.
“Ahmed, just so as you know, I would have killed you for her,” said Crawford.
“Of that, I have no doubt,” responded Ahmed before walking off, into the darkness.