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

She followed him into the main room where Saha, Amar and Leila huddled together on a couch, sobbing quietly. One look at Jamal's stern visage sent them into a fresh paroxysm of tears.

"Quiet!" Jamal ordered harshly. "What you have done is wrong and must be punished. Since Saha is the perpetrator, she will be dealt with first." He crooked a finger at Saha. "Come with me." He strode through the harem, taking both Zara and Saha with him.

Once beyond the harem doors, Zara noted with surprise that Haroun awaited them. Haroun had eyes for no one but Saha. His lust for the beautiful concubine was evidenced by the burning look he bestowed on her.

"What are you going to do to me?" Saha asked fearfully. "I could not bear being whipped, my lord. And the bastinado would kill me. Forgive me, Jamal, I beg you."

"I can't forgive you, Saha, but neither can I inflict pain upon a woman. Though you deserve to be beaten, it will not be by my hand."

Hope flared in Saha's eyes, but Jamal was quick to extinguish it. "I am giving you to Haroun. May Allah have pity on him."

Haroun looked thunderstruck. Jamal's generosity humbled him. He had long lusted after Lady Saha. He knew what Saha had tried to do to Zara, but still he wanted her. He was strong. He would tame Saha and keep her in line. He would see to it that she never bothered Jamal or Zara again.

"I am truly grateful, my lord," Haroun said, finally finding his voice. "You will not regret your generosity."

"So be it," Jamal said. "Take her away; the sight of her sickens me. Keep her in the village, tie her to the bed, beat her if you wish, but keep her out of my sight. Choose two worthy men from among my men-at-arms and I will present Amar and Leila to them."

Afraid that Jamal would change his mind, Haroun sent Saha for her djellaba. When she returned, he literally dragged her away. Jamal watched them go without visible regret.

"All three, Jamal?" Zara asked, stunned by his swift and decisive justice. "You will give away all three of your women?"

Jamal sent her a smoldering look that spoke eloquently of his desire. "I have said it before and I will say it again, Zara. I need no other woman but you."





CHAPTER 10




A week had passed since Zara's first visit to the village. Just today she had returned to the souk, with Jamal's permission, and arranged with Rachid to have racing camels waiting at the back gate during the darkest hours of night. Zara had discovered the gate during her explorations and learned that it was little used and normally left unguarded except for one sentry, who made rounds every hour or so.

Zara dressed carefully for her visit to Jamal that night, choosing a sunny yellow caftan with a deep pocket. She knew what must be done but not how to accomplish it, except that Jamal had to ingest the sleeping draught before he took off her clothing. Without her caftan she would have no access to the sleeping draught in her pocket. The escape had to be accomplished tonight. All the arrangements were made; she had to make it happen.

Zara was ready when Hammet came for her. Her footsteps echoed hollowly as she walked through the empty harem. All three concubines were gone now. Jamal's justice had been swift and relentless. Amar and Leila had been given to two deserving soldiers, who found houses for them in the village. The soldiers looked decent enough to Zara, but the concubines would never again have the luxuries they had enjoyed in Jamal's household.

Jamal drew Zara into his arms when she entered his chamber. He never tired of seeing her, of holding her in his arms, of making love to her. It still frightened him when he recalled how close he had come to losing her. Saha had gotten off easy; he could have put her to death had he been of a mind to do so. Had Zara actually consumed the poison, his retribution would have been harsh and swift.

"There is something I must tell you tonight," Jamal said, drawing Zara down with him on a couch. "I have thought upon it during this past week, since my last visit with the sultan."

Zara lost the ability to breathe. "It's about my father, isn't it?"

"In a way. 'Tis time I returned to pirating. The sultan is a greedy man. He is ever eager to add to his depleted coffers, and my pirate ship brings him substantial riches. Your father cannot stay here in my absence. I have no choice, Zara. Youssef must be turned over to Moulay Ishmail."

Zara blanched. Praise Allah that her escape plans had been set into motion.