Chapter 3

Elizabeth and Nana watched anxiously over the railing of the ship as they slowly came into port in Ireland. It was a time consuming process, as several tugboats nudged the great ship this way and that, trying to steer it into the narrow channel. Elizabeth had her satchel with her, stuffed as full as possible with clothing and a few other keepsakes that she treasured. She opened her handbag and quickly counted the money once again, making sure it was all there. Nana watched Elizabeth's face as she calculated it against what she would need for her journey. Nana's heart swelled with love for her little girl, and it was all she could do to not start crying again. Once Elizabeth disembarked from the ship, Nana would never see her again.

"Is it all there, Elie?" she asked, using her pet nickname for Elizabeth endearingly.

"Yes, it's all here, all 500 pounds," Elizabeth said with a sigh and a smile. "It's not much, but it should get me where I need to be, and hopefully Rachel will let me borrow some."

"How will you pay her back?" frowned Nana.

"I don't know. I'll work and make it up to her, if it takes me the rest of my life to do so."

Nana reached into her own handbag and pulled out an envelope, placing it in Elizabeth's hands as she spoke. "I want you to have this."

Elizabeth looked at her curiously, and then opened up the envelope. She gasped as she saw it contained another 500 pounds. "Nana, where did you get this?" she asked in surprise.

"It's my earnings, saved up over the years in service to your parents. I give it to you and your baby, to help you further in your journey."

"Nana, I can't accept this! This is yours! You're going to need it just as much in America." Elizabeth tried to hand the envelope back to Nana, but Nana refused it.

"No, Elie, I won't need it like you will. I can find a job anywhere as a nanny. I have your father's reference with me, which will ensure my employment in a good house. Use this to make your escape as quickly and comfortably as you possibly can. I couldn't bear the thought of Clive finding you and taking you back to London."

Elizabeth hugged Nana to her, crying into her shoulder. "Oh, Nana! You have been more of a mother to me than my own mother! I love you so much! You are my only family."

They hugged and cried in each other's arms as the ship dropped anchor into the harbor. They both watched as the gangplanks were lowered and some of the London passengers disembarked. Elizabeth turned to Nana.

"I guess it's time for me to go," she said nervously.

"Now, remember, you only have about a week before Clive or your father will know you didn't arrive in Massachusetts. This is the only stop this ship makes, and they'll figure it out quick enough where you've run off to. Get all the help you can from Rachel and then leave her as fast as you can, all right?" Nana hugged her one last time. "Take my love and God go with you, Elie," she said tearfully.

"Keep in touch with Rachel. She will know how to find me and can forward your address to me, once you get established."

"I will," promised Nana.

They separated and Elizabeth slowly walked towards the gangplank along with other passengers who had reached their final destination. She walked down to the dock and turned to find Nana at the railing, smiling and waving at her. She returned the wave, blew a kiss, and walked off to find some transportation to her best friend's summer estate.

She walked along the street into the hustle of the crowd and saw a couple of cabs waiting by the curb. She hailed one and the driver got out to open the back passenger door for her. He made sure she was safely inside, then hopped around to the driver's side and got in. Elizabeth gave him the address and he pulled away from the curb. She sat back and tried to relax as they sped along the roadway. She closed her eyes and her thoughts immediately drifted to Ardeth, wondering what he was doing right at that moment, and if he ever thought of her. She wondered what he would think if he knew she carried his child within her. Would he be happy or angry? She smiled as she thought about the baby. She hoped it would be a boy and look exactly like his father, with dark, curly locks, dark brown eyes, and full lips...she sighed against her longing for Ardeth. She needed to concentrate on here and now, for she still wasn't safe from Clive or her father. She opened her eyes and stared out at the countryside. It had been a while since she'd stayed with Rachel at her summer house, but she remembered the territory well.

It wasn't too long before the cab pulled into the long driveway of her friend's estate. They pulled up to the front door and the driver helped her out of the automobile. Elizabeth paid him what she owed him and he tipped his hat to her and drove away. She walked up to the door and knocked on it tentatively. A few minutes later it opened up and Jane stood there, just like Elizabeth remembered her.

"Why Miss Elizabeth! Hello! My, look at how you've grown!" exclaimed the housemistress. "Come in, come in! Rachel is waiting for you in the parlor." She ushered Elizabeth in, taking her satchel from her and guiding her to the parlor, even though Elizabeth knew perfectly well where it was. Jane insisted on etiquette, so Elizabeth followed her. She walked into the parlor, and there sat her childhood friend, small and dainty, with long, curly, golden locks and big blue eyes. She jumped up as she saw Elizabeth and came running over to her.

"Elizabeth! Oh, how good it is to see you!" She threw her arms around her childhood friend and gave her a big hug.

Elizabeth hugged her back, reminded of the very first time they met. They had both been eight years old when they were sent to the elite boarding school, their parents shipping them off without much ado. Elizabeth had kept to herself and was reading a book when she walked into the dormitory and found Rachel sitting on her bunk alone and crying. She went over to her and gave her a hug, and that was all it had taken. They had been inseparable ever since, spending their holidays at one another's estates. Now that they were grown, they didn't spend as much time together, but time and distance never altered the love they had for each other.

"Rachel! It's good to be here," replied Elizabeth. She stepped back, holding Rachel's hands, as she gave her a look. "You haven't changed a bit!"

Rachel smiled. "I would say the same about you, but it wouldn't be true, would it?" The smile left her face and was replaced by a deep concern for her dear friend.

Elizabeth sighed with a smile. "No, it wouldn't."

"I want you to tell me all about it," said Rachel as she led Elizabeth out towards the gazebo in the back gardens. "Nana didn't say much on the phone. I suspect she wanted you to tell me in your own words."

"What did Nana tell you then?" asked Elizabeth.

"She said you were in desperate trouble and needed to get away from your family and Clive. Is this true?"

"Yes," replied Elizabeth, and she proceeded to tell Rachel everything that had happened, including how Ardeth and her had made love, and the baby she was now carrying. It was some hours later, having finished lunch as they sat in the gardens, when Elizabeth finally came to the end of her tale.

Rachel was in shock. "Elizabeth! I can't believe it! It's too fantastical a tale! I know you would never lie, but it's just so...so...like something out of a dream."

"Yes, sometimes I can hardly believe it myself," said Elizabeth as she sipped her tea.

Rachel turned a beaming smile on Elizabeth. "And now you're going to have a baby! Oh, Elizabeth, it's thrilling, even though it may not be the best of situations." She sighed as she sat back in her chair dreamily. "My best friend, swept off her feet by some exotic desert creature, and carrying his child." She sat up suddenly. "Of course, we can't let Clive ever find you! Imagine him, wanting you to give up your child! Sometimes, men just don't understand, do they?"

Elizabeth laughed at her friend. "There's a lot that men don't understand, that is very true." She sobered up as she thought of Clive and her father. "So, Rachel, can you help me? I don't know where to go and I don't have much money."

"The money is no problem, you know that, but give me a couple of days to think of a plan. Right now, you need some rest. You're looking a little pale and I don't want anything to happen to you or your baby."

Elizabeth sighed in relief as she put her trust in her friend. "Thank you, I knew I could count on you."

Rachel and Elizabeth got up from the table and walked back into the house, where she showed Elizabeth her room. "If you need anything, just ring for Jane and she'll be here straight away. You lie down for a while and I'll see you for dinner, all right?"

Elizabeth gave her friend a squeeze. "All right."

Rachel closed the door behind her as she left, leaving Elizabeth alone. Elizabeth walked over to the window and gazed out, watching the sun slowly sinking in the sky. She thought about her friend's loyalty to her, and hoped that she wasn't putting Rachel in any danger with Clive. She rubbed her temples and turned to look at the bed, suddenly noticing how comfortable and inviting it looked. She walked over and stretched herself out on it, letting her eyes close as the warmth from the last rays of the afternoon sun lulled her to sleep.

The week went by quickly for Elizabeth, as she and Rachel reminisced about their childhood together. The quiet days without tension had been good for Elizabeth, and her appetite had finally increased again. By the end of the week she had a healthy glow to her skin, and Jane often would look at her and nod in satisfaction. Rachel had been true to her word, and had found an older female cousin of hers who was looking for a companion. Lady Jacquelina Trent was a wealthy woman in her late fifties, eccentric in her ways but down to earth. Her husband had died several years before and they had no children, so she lived in a big, old mansion alone, except for her staff of servants, in France. When Rachel told Lady 'Lina, as she liked to be called, of Elizabeth's troubles, she had been more than willing to help her out.

Rachel was helping Elizabeth pack her few belongings as she spoke about her plan.

"You will live with Lady 'Lina and be her companion, it's simple Elie."

Elizabeth was in doubt. "But Rachel, in a few months I'm going to have a child! How can I be a companion to someone when I have a baby to tend?"

"Lady 'Lina will love having a baby in the house." She turned to her friend and saw the worried expression on her face. "Look, if things don't work out, you can always come back here."

"No," said Elizabeth shaking her head, "I don't want Clive coming after you. I'll make it work out." She smiled to her friend and they walked out of the bedroom. They didn't say much to each other as they walked out of the mansion and to the waiting cab. As the driver put the bags in the cab, Rachel took Elizabeth's hand in her own.

"Now remember, you are traveling under the name of Caroline Goodwin, a distant cousin of mine. That way, Clive will never be able to track you down and you will be safe." Rachel gave Elizabeth a big hug. "Goodbye, dear friend. Write often and tell me how things work out."

"I will, Rachel, and I will repay you for all you've given me," said Elizabeth with a promise.

Rachel waved it off. "I could give you more, if you'd let me! Paying for your trip to France doesn't seem like much at all, and I don't want to hear of repayment. This is my gift to you and the baby."

Elizabeth's eyes shone with tears as she hugged her friend to her once more. "Thank you so much, Rachel. I promise, I will write every week and let you know how things go." They separated and Elizabeth was helped into the cab. As it pulled away, she smiled and waved to her close friend, until they were well down the roadway and she could no longer see her. She sat back and contemplated this new adventure of hers, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. Companion to a wealthy widow in the heart of France, she thought to herself. Well, she would take it day by day and deal with it the best she could.

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Ardeth stood before the council of elders once again, only this time, the dark chief had the upper hand. Ardeth had explained what had happened between Hamid and Anara and the elders took it in stride, knowing that the laws had to be upheld, and the two would be married as soon as possible. As the elders continued to badger him about marriage, Ardeth stood calm and collected, answering their questions with ease.

"The events of last night are truly remarkable," spoke Bakkar, "but it still does not excuse you from the fact that you must marry and bring forth an heir."

"I will marry, Bakkar, but this is not the time. Allah intervened last night, showing us all, that there is a time and place for everything. I will know when it is my time."

Bakkar stared at the young lord, seeing the strength of his conviction, and not knowing how to fight this argument. He looked to the council of elders for help, but he found none. He looked back to Ardeth in doubt.

Ardeth saw the frustration in the face of the elders and decided to make them a promise. "Bakkar and elders, I promise that I will bring forth an heir, when it is the right time. I will not leave my people without a future but you must trust in Allah and his timing, or another disaster might occur."

Ardeth's eyes sparkled, as he knew he had them where he wanted them. Bakkar looked once again to the council, as they all nodded their acquiescence. Bakkar turned back to Ardeth. "My lord has made the promise and will honour it when the time comes," he pronounced. "Council is dismissed."

The men got up to leave the tent, passing by Ardeth with a new respect in their eyes for the great chief. As Bakkar passed him, Ardeth put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Do not worry, Bakkar, things will happen as Allah permits them to." Bakkar gave him a wan smile and continued out of the tent. Ardeth followed him out and went over to the corral. He called for his group of warriors to mount up, which they quickly did, and they thundered out of the compound, on their quest to eradicate the bandits.