Bought for the Harem, page 11
‘Wait here,’ he commanded the eunuch. ‘I must question the woman.’
Harriet trembled as she heard the harshness in his voice. She stood up and waited for him. He set the basket and water down on the floor and looked at her.
‘How did you do it?’
‘Do what?’ Harriet swallowed nervously. ‘If you mean impersonate my cousin, I helped the women prepare Marguerite and used the same oils. I asked if I could have my hands and feet painted and then, when we were alone, I changed clothes with her—that is all.’ Harriet raised her eyes to his in an appeal for understanding. He was angry, but he must understand why she had done what she had. ‘My cousin was frightened—and there is someone she loves waiting for her at home.’
‘You admit that you helped her to escape?’
Harriet realised her slip. ‘Has she escaped?’ she asked a little too eagerly.
Kasim’s tone was measured and careful. ‘At the moment we have not been able to discover where she is hiding. The palace and grounds are still being searched, but you must know where she is, lady. If you tell me, your punishment will be less.’
‘I do not know where Marguerite is,’ Harriet said quite truthfully. ‘If I did, I should not tell you. If she has escaped, I am truly happy for her.’
‘You let her go knowing that you risked punishment?’ Kasim’s eyes were icy cold as they rested on her face. ‘Have you any idea what could happen to you?’
Harriet did her best to conceal the shudder that went through her at his words. ‘I suppose I could be whipped or … I might be killed. I thought I was meant to die of starvation and thirst.’
‘Kahlid was inclined to demand the death penalty, but I have managed to persuade him that you did not understand what you were doing.’
‘I did not mean it as an insult—but I hope she is not found,’ Harriet said and looked him straight in the eyes. ‘What I did was for her sake and I am content to take whatever punishment the Caliph decides on.’
‘Foolish woman, have you no idea what might have happened? You were almost the prince’s wife …’ Kasim took a step towards her. He towered over her, reaching out to take hold of her shoulders. His fingers bit into her flesh. His face was set in harsh lines, but in his eyes there was a very different emotion, an emotion that made her wonder. ‘No, I shall not speak of this! What is done is done. You will remain here until I fetch you. Try if you can to reach a proper state of contrition. If you continue to defy the rules here even I shall lose patience.’ He glanced round the bare room. ‘I will have fresh clothes and your combs and perfumes brought to you—also a lamp so that you are not left in the dark.’
‘Thank you …’ Harriet’s throat felt tight. He seemed as if he were in charge of her punishment. What had Kasim had in mind for her and why did she care? ‘Please tell the prince that I am sorry he is hurt, but … my cousin.’
‘He is in no mood to listen for the moment,’ Kasim said. ‘We are still searching for your cousin—and the man who helped her leave the harem.’
‘What man?’ Harriet’s eyes widened. Her mouth felt dry. ‘Surely he will have left the palace?’
‘Do you know who it was?’
‘No … I heard a voice, that is all …’ She licked her lips. ‘What would happen if …?’
‘If the eunuch, and it must have been one of the eunuchs, is found, he will be put to death.’ Kasim’s mouth tightened. ‘Did you think he would be reprimanded and allowed to live? No one escapes from the Caliph’s harem. Others have tried it and been found and punished. Anyone who helps them is automatically executed; it is the law and one of the most stringently observed.’
Harriet gasped, her face pale. She had asked Marguerite to tell her uncle to send their rescuer back for her, but it was useless—and dangerous. She could not expect it, which meant that she was trapped here for life.
‘I knew it was dangerous, but …’ She looked at him. ‘You cannot know who it was?’
‘Believe me, he will be found if he was foolish enough to return. You were seen going towards Katrina’s garden—at least it was thought to be you and must have been your cousin. There is a gate the gardeners use under the supervision of a eunuch. He is the only man to have a key; therefore he must have opened it and returned to lock it again.’ Kasim frowned as she drew her breath sharply. ‘I thought that must be how it was done. Malik cannot be found this morning, but men are searching for him. If he is foolish enough to be taken alive, he will curse your name before he dies.’
‘Please …’ Harriet’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Can you not save him? You have influence with the Caliph and the prince.’
‘Not enough to save Malik. I may be able to help you, because I once saved Hassan’s life. As a child he was in some danger from men who would have abducted or killed him. I prevented his capture and his father rewarded me with my present position at court. You are in my charge, to punish as I see fit, but Malik is a dead man if they find him.’
‘No …’ Harriet sat down on her mattress. She bent her head, covering her face with her hands as the shock rushed through her. ‘I cannot bear the thought.’
‘I warned you that escape was impossible. The eunuchs who took you to the prince have already been punished …’ Kasim shook his head as her gaze flew to him. ‘No, they were not executed, but they have lost privileges. Mellina will also lose privileges.’
‘She does not deserve to be punished. She knew nothing.’
‘She should not have left you alone together.’ Kasim looked at her sternly. ‘You should have thought about what you were doing.’
‘I thought only of my cousin’s fear and distress.’
‘She would soon have forgotten it. Hassan is young and generous. In time she would have taken pride in her position as his first wife … it was an honour and by doing what you did, you offered him a grave insult.’
Harriet did not answer. Her throat was tight and she felt like weeping. She could not bear to look at him. Why could he not understand that he expected too much?
‘Marguerite loves someone else. She would always have been miserable. I had to help her—you must understand that, surely? I never meant to harm others or to insult the prince.’
‘Mellina will be forgiven soon enough. The Caliph still respects her,’ he said in a softer tone. ‘I shall send some things to make you more comfortable.’
He turned and went out. The door was locked after him.
Harriet had not answered him. She could find no words—there was nothing she could say. If he did not understand why her cousin had been desperate to escape, there was no way of reasoning with him. She felt the dryness in her throat and got up to investigate the contents of the basket. She had been brought fruit and fresh soft rolls, some cold cooked chicken pieces, honey and nougat, also sweetmeats and water. There was enough to keep her from starving for at least two days.
Harriet lifted the jug and drank a few mouthfuls of the cool water. It felt so good on her parched throat. Taking out a fig, she bit into it, the soft fruit tasting delicious on her tongue.
Kasim’s visit had lifted her spirits. At least she knew that Marguerite had not been found yet. It seemed that innocent men and women had been punished for her sin by loss of privilege. As yet, her own punishment had been lenient, but Kasim was angry with her. He was deciding what her punishment should be.
It was almost dusk when the door to her cell was opened once more. Harriet looked up, hoping it might be her clothes being delivered or Kasim, but the eunuch standing there was a stranger to her. Her heart pounded with fear as he beckoned to her. Where was she being taken now?
‘What is happening? Where are you taking me?’
‘You will not speak,’ the eunuch said harshly.
Harriet felt the prickle of fear all over her body. He had clearly been warned not to speak to her lest she corrupt him and tempt him into helping her.
She gripped her hands behind her back, trying not to show fear. Whatever happened she would bear it as best she could. They were walking down the long corridor they had taken the previous night—going back to the palace, she thought. Was she being returned to the harem or taken somewhere else? What was going to happen to her now?
They entered a courtyard that led to a part of the palace she knew well. Harriet’s heart skipped a beat. She swallowed hard, trying to control her trembling limbs. Harriet was almost certain now she was being taken to the apartments where she had spent some happy times with the Caliph’s chief wife—but why?
The eunuch rapped at the door and another opened it. Harriet knew him. His face was expressionless as he bowed and stood back for her to enter. Why was she being treated with respect?
Going into the beautiful room that belonged to Katrina, she saw that her friend was lying on her sleeping couch and that there were several women and one man gathered about her. A man in Katrina’s chamber! What was going on?
‘Harriet …’ Katrina’s fretful voice came to her. ‘Please help me … they say I may die if my child does not come soon.’
Harriet understood then what was going on and why the elderly man was by the Caliph’s wife’s bed. She must have been in labour some hours and a doctor had been called to tend her. Quickening her steps, she went to her friend and took the hand she offered.
‘How long have you been in labour?’ she asked.
‘Hours …’ Katrina told her. ‘It happened this morning when I rose. I had been weeping all night because I was concerned for you—have they hurt you?’ Her anxious eyes went over Harriet. She held on tight to her hand as a pain struck. ‘It hurts so much …’
‘You must not worry about me,’ Harriet replied and smiled at her. She had been brought here because Katrina had asked for her. ‘All that matters is you and the child you carry. Try not to fight the pain when it comes. You must breathe deeply and push as hard as you can.’
‘It is what I have been telling her,’ the old man said, looking at her with respect. ‘Perhaps now you are here we can be rid of these clacking fools.’
‘I am ready to do whatever you ask of me,’ Harriet said. ‘The others may retire to the other end of the room. My lady needs air and some privacy.’
The old man nodded his agreement and waved the women away. They went reluctantly, watching from a distance. Harriet forgot them as Katrina screamed. She bent over her, smoothing her brow and smiling down at her.
‘Hold my hand, my dearest. Pant as if you had been running. I am told it helps. I was with my brother’s wife when she gave birth to her daughter and her physician was a clever man. Hold on to me if the pain is bad.’
Katrina responded by squeezing her hand so hard that Harriet almost cried out herself, but she made no sound, continuing to encourage and praise her friend. The doctor was working discreetly on his patient and Harriet did her best to take Katrina’s mind from what he was doing. She thought that he might be turning the child, for Katrina was in terrible agony and her screams were pitiful.
‘The child comes …’
Katrina screamed, then sobbed, her body sagging as the child was drawn out. In a moment or two the cord was cut and the child handed to one of the other women, who came running. The doctor worked a little longer and then smiled at Harriet.
‘The lady Katrina will be best in your hands now, madame. I thank you for your help.’
‘I did nothing,’ Harriet said. ‘Lady Katrina did it all herself.’
‘You gave her the courage she needed. Excuse me, I must show the Caliph his son—but first the mother should see that she has a beautiful child.’
The babe was brought to Katrina who smiled and kissed the red-faced infant, then returned him to the doctor. ‘Show Ahmed to his father,’ she said. ‘Thank you, doctor. I shall do well with my women now.’
‘My lady.’ He bowed to her and took the child away.
‘Do you not wish to feed and hold him yourself?’ Harriet asked and Katrina shook her head.
‘His wet-nurses will care for him. Kahlid will allow me to have him for a few hours a day, but it is not fitting that I should have him with me all the time. He must learn to be a man and a prince. When he is old enough to learn with the others we shall teach him, Harriet. He will be special to you as well as me, because you were here when he was born.’
‘I am not sure I shall be allowed to teach the children … after what I did …’
Katrina reached for her hand. ‘The Caliph can refuse me nothing now that I have given him his son. He has others, but my son will be special, the next in line after Hassan—the other sons are from the women of the harem, not his wives. None of them has given him a son, apart from Hassan’s mother.’
‘Then your son is special indeed.’ Harriet smiled at her. ‘I am glad I was permitted to be with you, Katrina.’
‘I asked that you be with me during this time. You will not be able to live near me, as I once hoped, for you are to be taken to Kasim’s harem, but we shall see each other when I come to the schoolroom. We are to share the teaching, because Kahlid does not want me to tire myself too much. The doctor has told him I must rest.’
Harriet struggled to take in all that she was being told.
‘I am to live in Kasim’s harem?’
‘Kahlid told me he has given you to him. Kasim has been ordered to teach you to behave in a more seemly way.’
‘I see …’ Harriet bit her lip.
‘It will not be so very bad, Harriet. Kasim is very popular with the ladies of his harem. I am sure you will be happy in time, and we shall meet when we teach the children together. My husband, Kahlid, was very angry and he spoke of having you executed, but he seems to have accepted that it was meant to be.’
‘Kismet?’ Harriet was puzzled. ‘Why has he relented?’
‘You have been forgiven for my sake,’ Katrina said. Her eyes dropped away. ‘The eunuch who helped your cousin to escape has been punished.’ Harriet gasped and Katrina held her hand tighter. ‘Do not look so distressed, Harriet. He rushed at the Janissaries with a sword and died in battle—an honourable death for any man.’
Harriet blinked away the tears. ‘He was a brave man. I do not know why he did what he did for us—he must have known the price he would pay if he were caught.’
‘I think that perhaps he hated what was done to him,’ Katrina offered. ‘And he hated those who made him less than a man. Rather than continue his life as he was, he chose a warrior’s death.’
‘I feel responsible,’ Harriet said and brushed a hand over her eyes. ‘He died because of us.’
‘He died because he wished it,’ Katrina said. ‘Think what life must have been for him.’
‘If you understand him … why …?’ Harriet’s words died away for she could not ask such a question of her friend.
‘Why am I happy as Kahlid’s wife?’ Katrina smiled sadly. ‘I have always known about these things. They are as they are and I have no power to change them. Perhaps one day customs will evolve and change, but I shall play no part in that change. I am spoiled and indulged, and I may sometimes beg a favour, as I did in your case—but I may not demand. I may not ask why a thing must be as it is.’ Katrina smiled. ‘I am loved and I love. I ask for no more.’
Harriet looked at her, then nodded. ‘Yes, I do understand how you feel, Katrina. In my own country it was not so very different. My father loved and indulged me. My brother is lazy and content to leave the estate to my care—but I knew that there was a line over which I must not step. The Queen is powerful enough to make men listen to her, but there are few women with her power—though a few achieve something like. In our house my mother might have been a queen for she ruled my father’s heart, and I would have been content with a life such as hers.’
‘So you are not so very different from us,’ Katrina said. ‘Kahlid’s first wife would never bend to him and I believe she did much good for the slaves while she lived. Try to be happy, Harriet. I cannot ask for you to be set free. It would only anger Kahlid.’ She lay back against the pillows with a sigh. ‘Sit with me while I sleep and then someone will come to take you to your new apartments.’
Harriet sat back, holding her hand until she knew Katrina was asleep. Her heart was full and she felt close to tears. She had fought against her imprisonment, but she had no will to resist any longer. Marguerite was free. If they had found the unfortunate eunuch, but not her cousin, then she must be safe. Perhaps she was on a ship bound for England by now. Harriet was happy for her sake.
There would be no rescue for her. Harriet’s instincts told her that she was lucky to have escaped worse punishment. However, she would be watched constantly from now on. They knew how Marguerite had managed to leave the harem gardens. That way would be secured. One man would not be trusted with the key. The other eunuchs would know what had happened and would not be tempted unless they too wished for death, and it was unlikely that another martyr would be found. Her uncle had his daughter back. Her brother would be distressed for a while, but he had his wife and his children. After a while Harriet would be forgotten.
A part of her kicked against her fate and longed for freedom, and yet another part of her knew that her life in the palace need not be so very terrible, if she were allowed to teach the children and visit her friends—and she would make new friends if she tried. She might be content if she had what Katrina had. Katrina was loved and she loved. Harriet knew that if she had been told she was to marry Kasim she would be content to live here as his wife, but of course he would not wish to wed her. She was not beautiful like her cousin. Hassan had been horrified when he saw her face. No doubt Kasim had many beautiful women in his harem.
Harriet thought of what was to happen to her now. She would be taken to Kasim’s harem, but what would happen then? Did he intend to punish her for what she had done?
‘Kasim has come for you. He waits outside.’
The woman’s voice broke into her thoughts making her start. She rose and glanced at Katrina. ‘Let your mistress sleep for a while. She is very tired.’
‘Yes, my lady.’ The woman bowed to her respectfully. Harriet smiled inwardly. It seemed she had become a person of some importance, at least as far as the serving women were concerned.
