‘He didn’t come within three feet of me,’ she assured him.
‘It would have surprised me if he had. He’s fond of harking back to the past, reminding me that his father was the elder brother. I reminded him that in those days he could have been beheaded for what he did. In view of his contrition, you have my permission to receive him.’
‘Thank you,’ she said ironically. ‘You’re very poor company tonight. Yasir was far more entertaining.’
‘May I ask why?’ Ali enquired coolly.
‘He told me of his horses. He said I should ask you to let me ride one of your best mares, and if you’re too mean I can ride his.’
‘There will be no need for that. My animals are at your disposal. We can travel to Wadi Sita whenever you wish.’
‘Wadi Sita?’ she echoed, trying to sound indifferent.
She knew the name well. Wadi Sita was the legendary oasis that no journalist had ever penetrated. Here Ali indulged himself in exotic orgies of pleasure, safely hidden from the world’s prying eyes. And now he had invited her there. But he would withdraw the invitation if he knew her eagerness, so she kept all trace of it out of her voice.
‘Sita is the Arabic word for six,’ he explained. ‘Wadi means a valley, usually a pleasant valley with trees and water. We have six such places in the Kamar desert, but Wadi Sita is my favourite. I shall mount you on Safiya. She is my best mare, white as milk, light and strong, but gentle.’
‘It sounds wonderful. When can we leave?’
‘Tomorrow.’ He rose. ‘I’ll give orders immediately. In fact, I won’t be back tonight at all. I have urgent matters to attend to.’
His eyes met hers, and he nodded slightly.
‘I heeded your warning. I checked, as you said.’
‘And you discovered that your men were letting you down.’
Ali’s lips twisted in bitterness. ‘Worse. They were engaged in an active conspiracy to steal from me. They are being brought here now to be questioned about the money they’ve taken-how much, and where it’s hidden. That will occupy me for the next few hours.’
‘Suppose they won’t talk?’
His eyes were as bleak as a steel wall. ‘They will,’ he said simply, and Fran knew a fleeting moment of pity for those who had dared to cross Ali Ben Saleem.
He paused, and she could tell that the next words cost him an effort. ‘I am in your debt for revealing their dishonesty.’
Fran smiled, but was too tactful to say anything.
‘Thank you,’ Ali said jerkily, and went away.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THEY left for Wadi Sita late the following afternoon, when the sun was already sinking. A helicopter took them direct from the roof of the palace to a landing pad in the oasis itself.
Fran spent the journey glued to the window, watching for her first glimpse of the famous oasis. At last Wadi Sita came in sight. Far below she could make out the glitter of water, palm trees and beautiful gardens. Surrounding this was what seemed to be a small town, with a few buildings and many tents.
‘When in the desert I like to live simply,’ Ali explained. ‘So we live in tents.’
Because the oasis was so small they were met not by a car, but by Ali’s favourite stallion, and also a dainty white mare for Fran, so beautiful that she cried out with delight.
‘She is called Safiya, which means patient,’ Ali told her.
Safiya lived up to her name. She had large, beautiful eyes, was silken-mouthed and moved with a soft, gliding step. Fran immediately felt safe on her back.
It was still very warm, but the sun was no longer at furnace heat, and a pleasant breeze sprang up. Fran glanced at Ali, enjoying the sight of him on his black horse. He rode proudly, with his head up, his white burnouse fluttering in the breeze, and the sunset gleaming off the gold cords that held it in place.
He glanced in her direction, and she quickly looked away, dismayed to have been caught looking at him. She had an uneasy notion that she’d been smiling at the magnificent picture he presented, which might mislead him into thinking that she was weakening.
Looking around, she noticed a high building, larger than the others, where every window was covered with bars. They were elegant and ornate, and the last of the sun turned the brass to gold, making them beautiful. But still, this was obviously some kind of prison.
‘You’ve noticed my harem,’ Ali said casually. ‘I keep a special one out here for the sake of convenience. My raiders travel far and wide kidnapping women who are kept locked up there, awaiting my pleasure.’
‘What?’ Then Fran noticed that he was grinning. ‘You-!’
‘I couldn’t resist it. You’re so ready to believe every tall tale about me.’
‘There wouldn’t be any tall tales if you came clean.’
‘Why should I? I’m not accountable to the world for what I do in my own country.’
‘Of all the arrogant-!’
He laughed aloud. ‘You goose, that’s the Water Extraction Company. The water here is rich in minerals and sulphur, and has unique properties for curing many ailments.
‘The company works on finding new cures. But we have to look out for industrial spies. Several major drug companies have tried to steal our discoveries, so that they can patent them before we can do so ourselves. Then they could charge extortionate prices, whereas I only want a reasonable profit for my country. So the bars are part of the security arrangements.’
He glanced at her, his lips twitching. ‘You’re not taking notes,’ he complained. ‘Of course, this isn’t as interesting as the tales of the wicked sheikh who makes love to fifty women a night.’
‘Only fifty? I’d heard a hundred.’
‘No, no, I’m only human.’
She burst out laughing and he joined her.
At last they reached the edge of the oasis, where there was a village of tents, bounded by palm trees, and, beyond them, the desert. Darkness had fallen, but the village was lit by flaming torches held high by a hundred arms, illuminating a path as the Sheikh and his favourite rode side by side in majesty.
When they reached her tent he lifted her down himself, holding her high for a moment before lowering her slowly against his chest. Then he kissed her before all the world, and all the world cheered.
Her tent was a mini palace, thickly carpeted, hung with silken drapes and lavishly provided with huge cushions. Partitions divided it into rooms, one for eating, one for sleeping, one for washing away the hot dust. Her maids were already there, having been sent on ahead to prepare.
When she had bathed and Leena had anointed her with sweet-smelling oils, there was the serious process of deciding what to wear for the evening. Leena displayed several garments, but gently nudged her towards one of white and saffron, against which her skin glowed warmly.
Ali’s eyes, too, glowed, when he saw her. He had come to fetch her for the feast that was to be given in her honour.
‘Tonight we eat under the stars,’ he said. ‘And because this is an informal place there is no need for your veil. Many tribesmen are here. They are my friends, and they have come for miles across the desert for a glimpse of you.’
‘But we only planned this trip last night. How did they know to make the journey?’
‘For a woman who prides herself on being modern, you ask some remarkably silly questions. Even tribesmen have mobile phones these days.’
He took her hand and led her out of the tent. Fran’s first thought was that the place had caught fire. Men stood as far as the eye could see, each carrying a torch. She put her head up and smiled.
Ali led her to two huge cushions, and they sat together, cross-legged, and presided over the feast. All the finest
