Read Online Charis by Mary Francis - Free Book Online

went and it was
wonderful. When I walked with Sir Giles he never touched me, but Ben did. He
helped me over the stile. He caught me when I jumped off a wall. He held my
hand when we crossed a little stream and after that I never felt shy with him
again. I thought he was the most wonderful person in the world.”
    Ben smiled. “And now?” he asked.
    “Oh, I haven't seen him since I was sixteen,” she said.
    “When was the last time?” he wanted to know.
    “At my last day at school - our annual prize giving. It was
Jennifer's last day, too, so all her family were out in force. I was asked to
play a solo on the piano and I also received an award for some history thing
I'd done. Oh, and it was announced about my Oxford placement. Afterwards, Ben
congratulated me and told me I was a very clever and talented young lady and he
kissed me on the cheek.” She smiled at the memory. “For weeks I would touch my
cheek and remember.” And she put her hand up to her cheek as though remembering
his kiss again.
    They lapsed into a comfortable silence watching the fields and
houses go by, Ben's fingers caressing her arm. She didn't notice his expression
as he looked at her.
    “Would that be Sir Giles Covington?” he asked.
    “Yes,” she replied, looking up at him, a surprised expression on her
face. “Do you know the family?”
    “I think you could say that I am somewhat acquainted with them.”
    “How does an Arab prince know a family like that?”
    “I was educated in England and went to school with Jennifer's
brothers. It's not such a coincidence as you might think.”
    “You've been to their house at Willow Bend then?”
    “On occasion, yes.”
    “Promise me something?” she asked.
    “For you? Anything,” he smiled.
    “Well, if you ever see the other Ben again, please don't tell
him any of this.”
    “Oh I won't have to tell him…he'll already know,” he told her.  And
as she looked up at him again, embarrassed at the thought, he said, “Young men
always know if a girl is keen on them. Why don't you want him to know? He'd be
flattered.”
    “I'd be mortified.” 
    But he just smiled and held her a little tighter and suddenly they’d
arrived at their destination.
    *****
    The first thing they did was to check into a hotel. Their room was
luxurious and elegantly decorated but they didn’t stay long. Ben took Charis
out to explore the city until it was time for dinner. She loved the market,
looking at all the trinkets and interesting things for sale. Ben tried to buy
her gifts but she refused everything.
    Dinner was delicious. They dined at a French restaurant and as they
both spoke French, Ben better than Charis, they had no trouble ordering their
meal. He asked if she would like wine to drink and when she said she didn't
drink he seemed pleased and told her that he didn't either.
    After dinner they ventured to a nightclub he’d heard of and she was relieved
she’d packed a suitable dress. She looked lovely; the dark blue of the dress
not only brought out the colour of her eyes, but showed up her fair, clear
skin. She’d put her hair up, showing the shape of her face, and unusually for
her, had put on a little make up around her eyes. As they danced, Ben held her
close and she felt both safe and comfortable in his arms…as though she belonged
there.
    They hadn’t been dancing for very long when he whispered to her, “I
can't take any more of this. Charis, do you mind if we go back to our hotel
now? I want you all to myself,” so they quickly returned to their hotel room.
The door had barely closed before she was in his arms and he was kissing her and
holding her as though he would never let her go.
    When Ben awoke the next morning, he watched her sleeping soundly beside
him. He studied her face, her long eyelashes dark against her fair skin, the
shape of her cheeks, and the way her hair curled lightly around her face. He
thought about her when she was very young and remembered well the little