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

Zara wondered what Jamal and her father were talking about as she followed Hammet into the courtyard where the three concubines were taking their ease. Leila sat at the edge of the pool, dangling her feet in the water. Saha sprawled on her stomach on a nearby bench, popping sweetmeats into her mouth while Amar sat at her feet, strumming a stringed instrument. When Zara appeared, all activity came to a halt.

"The Berber witch is back," Saha said disparagingly. "Why does Jamal subject us to such a violent person?"

"She has bewitched our master," Leila said.

"What is that offensive slave doing here, Hammet?"

"I but follow my master's orders," Hammet said, shoving Zara before him. "I'm to take Zara to Nafisa. Zara is to entertain Jamal tonight in his chamber."

"What!" Saha cried, eyes blazing. "How can Jamal want someone like her when he can have us? You must have heard wrong, Hammet."

"My hearing is perfect, Lady Saha. It is not your place to tell our master whom to bed."

"Why would Jamal prefer a bad-tempered stable slave when we are all eager to please him?" Leila asked with a pout. "'Tis as I said, Saha, the Berber slave has bewitched Jamal."

"I am no witch!" Zara denied hotly.

"Inside with you," Hammet said, pushing Zara through the door into the harem. "Pay them no heed. They are jealous because Sheik Jamal has been sorely neglecting them since you arrived. I will leave you to Nafisa but will return later to escort you to the sheik's chambers.

"Make Zara presentable, Nafisa," Hammet said to the old woman, who met them at the door. "She is to entertain the sheik tonight."

Nafisa's weathered face broke into a knowing grin. "So Jamal will finally have you. I wondered how long you would hold out. He is brave and handsome and an extraordinary lover, I am told. You have caused much contention among Jamal's concubines. He summoned Leila to his bed chamber then sent her away without giving her a chance to pleasure him. They blame you for his lack of interest."

"'Tis not my fault," Zara claimed. "I would rather mate with a camel."

Nafisa's eyes widened. "I know Jamal. He would not force an unwilling woman, slave or no. He has his mother's kind heart."

Zara's chin rose slightly as she began to refute Nafisa's words, but she couldn't. Jamal wasn't forcing her. She had been the one to suggest the bargain they had eventually struck and now she must pay the price. And do so willingly.

"You are right, Nafisa. I go to Jamal willingly. You must help me to prepare myself for him. I"тАФ she nearly choked on the wordsтАФ"wish to please him." At least until I have gained his trust and freed my father, she thought.

"I knew you would come around," Nafisa cackled. "Our master is a persuasive man, and according to Saha, Leila and Amar, an experienced and unselfish lover. You are fortunate, Zara, that Jamal has been so patient with you. Come, I will prepare you for our master's bed."

The day passed swiftly as Zara was stripped of all bodily hair, bathed, massaged, pummeled, oiled and pumiced. Her long blond tresses were washed and rubbed to a brilliant shine with a silken cloth, and her fingernails and toenails were painted with red enamel. During the grueling session, Saha, Leila and Amar wandered into the hammam to watch.

"She is too skinny to please Jamal," Leila declared.

"She has big feet," Amar added snidely.

"I'll wager she has had so many men, her sheath is as large as that of a she-camel," Saha snickered. "After one night with Zara, Jamal will send her back to the stables."

"Leave us," Nafisa severely admonished. "Your remarks are uncalled for and unbefitting a lady."

One by one the three concubines disappeared into their rooms, leaving behind a heavy cloud of enmity. "They hate me," Zara said, not really caring. Soon she'd be gone, and Jamal and his harem could go to the devil for all she cared. But tonight was a different story. In order to keep her father safe from the sultan's wrath, she had to please Jamal. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to go about it.

"You may rest in your room until Hammet comes for you," Nafisa said. "He will bring appropriate clothing for you to wear."

When Zara hesitated, Nafisa asked, "Is something bothering you, child? You have nothing to fear from Jamal. He will not harm you."