believed that, moments before he saw the riders, he had been thinking of giving in to her pleas.
Suddenly, she heard a burst of cheering and risked a glance through the curtains. She saw at once that the mood had changed and Kasim’s men were greeting the newcomers with smiles and laughter.
One of the men seemed to be a leader for the others genuflected to him. He was younger than Kasim and handsome in a wild, fierce way. He looked towards the litters, as if he wished to discover who was inside, but Kasim placed a hand on his arm and said something to him. For a moment his expression was mutinous, but then he nodded and for a few minutes the two men talked eagerly together, obviously great friends.
Then Kasim came towards the litter where Harriet sat. She withdrew inside, holding it open just a little so that she could see him.
‘Who is it?’
‘Prince Hassan came with some of the Janissaries to escort us to the palace. There have been hill tribesmen seen in the area and he knew I had only a few men with me. It is a great honour to have the prince as our escort, Lady Harriet. He was concerned for our safety, but his father would not be pleased if he knew—he does not like the prince to risk his own life.’
‘You seemed pleased to see him?’
‘The prince is like a brother to me,’ Kasim told her. ‘He is young and handsome and soon now he will take a bride.’
‘Oh …’ Harriet was at a loss to know what to say. She had hoped that she could persuade Kasim to let them rest for a day or so before they reached the palace, but now that the prince had come to escort them himself it was impossible. ‘Thank you for explaining.’
‘You should not concern yourself overly for your cousin, Lady Harriet. The future may bring more happiness for you both than you imagine.’
Harriet made no reply. She sat back in her litter as the order to move off was given. How could either Marguerite or she be happy as prisoners of the Caliph’s harem?
Chapter Three
The journey took much of the day, but they did not stop again for more than a few minutes so that the bearers could change places with other men. Once a hand appeared through the curtains and she was offered fruit and water, but the awkward, swaying motion of the litter made her feel disinclined to eat or drink on the move. She thought of the few moments at the stream and wondered what might have happened had the prince not arrived with his men. Would Kasim have made a concession? Sighing, she put the faint hope from her mind. Now that the prince was a part of their escort there was no prospect of a delay. Perhaps even Kasim could no longer control their destiny.
Harriet had begun to think that the journey would go on for ever, but towards dusk she heard the sound of trumpets, and, glancing out, saw a cluster of buildings, which she imagined must be the Caliph’s palace. At first glance it was very strange to her English eyes, but then she began to see how well it fitted its situation as a fort with a backdrop of forbidding hills.
As soon as they were inside the palace walls, the litters were deposited on the ground. Marguerite immediately jumped out and ran to join Harriet as she too emerged. She took Marguerite’s hand and they clung together, trying to take in the strangeness of their surroundings and yet glad to have arrived at their journey’s end. It was a relief to stand on her own two feet again, Harriet thought, and looked about her, wondering how soon she would be able to speak to someone in command and persuade him to ransom them both.
‘It is pink …’ Marguerite whispered to Harriet. ‘The walls are pink. It looks like something out of a fairytale.’
‘Yes, I suppose it does with those domes and the pink walls.’ Harriet smiled at her, attempting to give her courage, even though her own pulses were racing. ‘We must think of this as an adventure. Perhaps it will not be too terrible, dearest. At least we are both alive and still together.’
‘Yes …’ Marguerite attempted a wan smile. ‘Who is that man with Kasim? He came with the riders we thought might attack us.’
‘He is Prince Hassan, the Caliph’s son.’
‘Oh … he looks fierce.’
‘Yes, but quite handsome.’
‘He frightens me.’ Marguerite shrank against Harriet as Kasim came up to them.
‘Ladies …’ he bowed before them ‘… welcome to the Caliph’s palace. If you will follow me, I shall show you to your apartments.’
‘Where are you taking us?’ Harriet said looking at him suspiciously. Her heart was thudding wildly. ‘We shall be together?’
‘For the moment, yes,’ Kasim replied. ‘Later … that is for the Caliph to decide. His word is law and we must all obey him.’
‘Why?’ Harriet gave him a challenging look. Her eyes met his furiously. ‘Are you not a free man?’
‘I am free, but I have given my bond. I serve a man for whom I have admiration and respect. It is a matter of honour with me not to betray his trust.’
‘But we do not have either respect or admiration for him,’ Harriet replied. ‘We are Englishwomen and we bow our heads to no one but the Queen.’ It was not quite true, but it made her point and she saw a gleam of what might have humour in his eyes.
‘You must learn to curb your pride, lady. You are now a member of the Caliph’s household. By his law he may do anything he wishes with you—either of you. I would advise you to speak softly for … both your sakes.’
Marguerite pressed closer to Harriet’s side. Knowing that her cousin was anxious, Harriet did not push him further. They were truly slaves now, though Kasim had not treated them as prisoners on the journey. She sensed that things were different now and knew they might already have been beaten had this man been other than he was. So far they had been treated with respect. She must simply hope that the Caliph was of a similar temper and that she would get her chance to plead for their freedom.
They had both been given soft slippers, which made no sound on the polished marble floors. Inside the palace the walls were of many hues—many of them were tiled and quite beautiful. She could hear water and they passed several little courts with indoor fountains, which gave the palace a cool feeling. It was a blessed relief from the heat of the sun in the palace forecourt. Kasim led the way as they crossed through a paved courtyard and some beautiful shaded gardens into another part of the palace. Here, there were screens with pierced fretwork and the rooms seemed more private. When their guide stopped outside an impressive door studded with what looked like silver and semi-precious stones, Harriet caught her breath. She had seen something like this in one of her father’s books and understood what lay beyond. She glanced at Kasim as the door answered to his knock and a very large fat man with a shaved head answered it.
‘Is this place what I think it is?’ she asked Kasim as the man beckoned them inside.
‘I leave you here for I am not permitted beyond this door. Only the eunuchs and members of the royal family may pass here.’
‘You have brought us to the harem?’ Harriet threw an accusing look at him.
‘You will be safe here, ladies. I may see you again or I may not. It is for the Caliph to decide.’
‘Please
