"Shiek" - читать интересную книгу автора (Connie Mason)

"I struck a bargain with him."

Youssef frowned. "You have no bargaining power, daughter."

"You're wrong, Father." She flushed and looked away. "I have something Jamal wants."

"You mean he hasn't already taken what he wants from you?"

"Nay, he has taken nothing from me. I was not willing, and he would not force me."

Youssef appeared confused. "You are his slave, are you not? He has the right to do with you as he pleases."

"You don't know Jamal, Father. He is... not like most men. Perhaps his English mother influenced him, but he is not a man who enjoys taking a woman by force."

"You can't sacrifice yourself for me," Youssef argued, appalled. "I won't let you."

"You can't stop me. Jamal won't hurt me, I'm certain of that. I know I can find a way to free us once I earn his trust."

"It's too dangerous. You must not do this. Have you forgotten your betrothed so soon?"

"Nay, I've not forgotten. But I won't let you lose your head without doing everything within my power to prevent it."

Suddenly the door opened and Jamal stepped inside. He sensed the tension between father and daughter but did not remark upon it. "As you can see, Zara, your father is well. He has been neither starved nor beaten. Go with Hammet; he will take you to the harem."

Zara wanted to protest but dared not. For her plan to work, Jamal must learn to trust her. "I will return tomorrow, Father."

Jamal's gaze followed Zara out the door. Then he turned his attention to Youssef. "Your daughter has pleaded for your life."

"I thought my fate was up to the sultan."

"So it is, but it pleases me to grant Zara's wish, at least for the time being. You are to remain here as my prisoner until such time that I decide you are no longer of use to me."

"By that I take it to mean that you will keep me alive for as long as my daughter pleases you in bed. When you tire of her, you will send me to Meknes. What will become of my daughter then, Sheik Jamal?"

Jamal frowned. Youssef's accusation came too close to the truth for his liking. "What did Zara tell you?"

"That you have not harmed her, and that she has struck a bargain with you. Zara is a beautiful woman, and few men would leave her untouched. I thank you for that. But 'tis not my wish that she sacrifice herself for me."

"'Tis no sacrifice, Youssef. What Zara and I do will be for our mutual pleasure. Count yourself lucky to have such a caring daughter. Whatever happens, Zara will not be made to suffer for your sins. She and I have struck a bargain. I am a man of my word."

"You are a man who wants a woman and will go to any lengths to get her," Youssef charged. "I cannot like what Zara is doing. Take her to wife if you want her that badly."

"Wife?" Jamal nearly strangled on the word. "Zara is my slave, nothing more. I have three concubines. I do not need a wife. I am at sea for long periods at a time, and a wife would be a hindrance. Besides, your daughter has already had a lover. She knows a man wants a wife who's had no others before him."

Youssef nearly choked on his anger. Jamal deemed it expedient to leave and did so while Youssef was still raving over Jamal's unjust accusation.