"Beautiful," Zilah breathed. "She's a magnificent horsewoman, isn't she?"

"The best I've ever known," Philip said. "And the most foolhardy." He jumped down from the fence into the pasture. "I'd suggest you take Miss Dabala back to the house, Daniel. I haven't decided what form Pandora's punishment is going to take, but I just may beat her bottom until she can't sit down." He cast a twisted smile over his shoulder. "I wouldn't want to offend our guest's tender sensibilities."

Zilah watched him stride swiftly toward the girl, who sat waiting across the pasture, her body language practically shouting defiance. "He won't really hurt her, will he?" she asked worriedly. "Perhaps we should phone Dr. Madchen."

Daniel shook his head. "Madchen can't control her. I don't think he even tries. He's let her run wild ever since they arrived in Sedikhan three years ago. Philip is the only one she'll obey." He shrugged. "Sometimes."

He slipped to the ground and reached up to place

his big hands on her waist and swing her down. "Come on, I'll take you back to the house. You've seen enough for one day. Tomorrow, if you're stronger, I'll take you for a short ride."

Her troubled gaze returned to the tiny girl on the huge horse. "But I don't think ..."

He tilted her chin up to meet his eyes. "Philip won't hurt her. He's very decent to her really. He gives her the run of the stables. He lets her trail around after him all over the estate. He's even made sure that she can't come to any harm while running wild in the village." His lips tightened. "But Oedipus is still half wild and too damn strong for her. Philip knows that and he's not about to let her kill herself. In spite of what you think of him, Philip has a hell of a lot of good points. He's honest and scrupulously fair. It may amuse him to act the playboy on occasion, but he also works as hard as any man I've ever met. He's no profligate ruler taking everything from his country and putting nothing back. He's poured millions into that irrigation project, trying to reclaim farmland from the desert. Education and per capita income have soared here since Philip inherited the sheikhdom." He lifted her easily into his arms. "So don't worry about Pandora. Philip isn't going to tie her to a fence post and beat her with a whip. She certainly doesn't need you to mother her. She wouldn't appreciate your interference."

Zilah instantly nestled closer as he carried her swiftly through the stableyard. "She shouldn't be allowed to run wild. It's dangerous for her. Things happen. . . ."

She felt his arms tighten around her for the briefest instant. "Nothing is going to happen to Pandora," he said gently. "She's under Philip's protection." He brushed the lightest of kisses on the top of her head. "And nothing will happen to you either.

I'll take care of that. Now, just relax and let me get you back to your room. I think you should try to take a nap. I'll wake you for dinner."

"I didn't get to see inside the stables." It was merely a token protest. She was suddenly feeling maddeningly weak, utterly sapped of strength.

"I've never seen a woman so fascinated by four-footed creatures. I never thought I'd be forced on the back of a horse to play guardian angel to a horse-crazy cowgirl."

She glanced up in surprise. "You don't ride?"

He shook his head. "There are some people who don't, you know," he told her solemnly. "I realize it's hard for centaurs like you and Philip to understand, but there are a few of us who even prefer it that way. The last animal I rode was the orneriest mule ever begat on the face of the earth. I was forced to suffer excruciatingly for an entire two-week trip through the Andes." He glared down at her with mock ferocity. "Why the devil are you giggling, you heartless woman? It was a very traumatic experience."

"I'm sure it was." She chuckled. "Don't worry, riding a horse is much more pleasant. I'll teach you. It will be fun, you'll see."

"Will it?" he asked gloomily. "I couldn't persuade you to recuperate on a nice peaceful cruise around the Mediterranean, I suppose. I have a yacht anchored at the harbor at Marasef, and I assure you that I'm much better at riding the waves than I ever will be a horse."

"Don't be a defeatist," she said with a grin. You'll be an expert in no time. It's much easier than captaining a ship or blowing up airplanes. Besides, I think I like the idea of being in charge for a change. It's rather nice to know that you're not the master of quite all you survey. "

His expression became grave. "Where the hell did

you get an idea like that? I don't pretend to be any kind of superbrain. I learn things fairly quickly and my lifestyle has provided me with a variety of skills, but you're probably far better educated than I am." He shrugged. "Hell, I didn't even get my college degree until I retired a couple of years ago. There are probably any number of things you can teach me." He smiled down at her. "And maybe a few I can teach you. It will be interesting to find out anyway, won't it?"

"Yes, I think it will," she said softly. He actually believed that, she realized with a touch of incredulity. He didn't realize how very extraordinary a man he was. He possessed humor, intelligence, and a dogged determination that would always enable him to move mountains. Yet he honestly believed there was nothing unusual about him. "I understand that's a big part of what friendship is all about." She tried to hide the pang of tenderness she was feeling as she nestled nearer to him and closed her eyes. She could hear the throb of his heart more clearly when she shut out the rest of the world. Such a strong vital sound. Just like Daniel himself.

When Zilah opened her eyes she experienced a momentary disorientation that brought her heart leaping to her throat. The slight figure lounging in the wing chair by her bed was totally unfamiliar, and the dusk that pervaded the room threw that stranger into shadow. Dear God, how she hated those shadows. Not this time! Without thinking she scrambled to her knees on the bed, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "No! Go away."

The slender shadow figure froze in surprise; the trousered leg flung over one arm of the chair halted its lazy swinging. "I can't. Philip won't let me." The hoarse voice was indignant. "It's not that I want to be here, blast it."

"Philip?" Zilah shook her head to clear it, and the shadows of the past disappeared into the mists. Philip El Kabbar. Daniel. "Who are you?"

"Pandora Madchen." The boyish figure straightened in the chair, stretching her booted legs out before her and crossing them at the ankle. Scornful defiance breathed out of every pore. "I'm your new maid," she drawled. "Ma'am."

"My new maid?" Zilah asked blankly. "I've never had an old one. What will I do with you?"

The girl shrugged. "Search me. That's up to you. Scrub your back, brush your hair, junk like that. You're my punishment."

"Punishment?"

"For taking out Oedipus. Philip was mad as hell."

"Yes, he was," Zilah said. "I was there when you took the fence. It was a beautiful jump."

"I've made better," Pandora said. "I saw you on the fence with Philip and Daniel. Which one are you sleeping with?"

"What?"

There was an odd tenseness to the girl's silhouette. "I asked if you were sleeping with Philip. Are you?"