we should still be in England.’
‘Yes, though I was thinking of travelling …’
‘I should never have left my home if I had guessed what could happen.’
Harriet sat on the bed beside her, reaching for her hand. ‘There is no point in wishing that we had not left home, dearest. We are here and must make the best of it.’
‘I do not know how you can be so cheerful.’
‘Weeping will not help. I am going on deck for some fresh air. Why don’t you wash your face and join me? There are some clean clothes for you to put on. Captain Kasim has been thoughtful enough to send water and these garments, also some fruit. The grapes are delicious.’
‘I want my own clothes …’ Marguerite pulled a face.
‘Some of these are quite pretty,’ Harriet said. ‘I chose white again, because I thought you might like the pink. If you do not wish to come, I shall go on deck for a little air.’
‘Are we not prisoners, then?’
‘We are free to go on deck. There is no escape, Marguerite. Even if you jumped into the sea they would come after you. Be sensible and wait until we are at the palace. I shall ask to speak to the Caliph and perhaps he will listen.’
Harriet left her cousin to decide whether she would get up or stay in bed. She climbed the small iron ladder to the deck above and hesitated as she stood looking about her. She had seen very little of the corsairs’ ship, because it had been dark when they were taken on board and she saw little shut away in the hold. This ship was very like an English ship, though most of the crew were Arab or perhaps Turkish. They glanced her way, but turned back to their work as the captain spoke to them in a language she did not understand.
He came to her then, looking at her oddly. ‘You should have used the veil to cover your hair, my lady.
It makes the men curious when they see you without a covering.’
‘Forgive me. I did not realise.’ Harriet’s cheeks were pink—she had known what the fine shawl was for, but had deliberately ignored it. ‘I was just admiring the ship—is it yours?’
‘What makes you think it is mine?’
‘Because it is unlike the corsairs’ vessel. I thought perhaps it was an English ship and I thought you might …’
Kasim did not smile as his eyes met hers. ‘Even if it were my ship I could not change course and take you home, Lady Harriet.’
‘May I ask why you owe such loyalty to the Caliph?’
‘He has been like a second father to me and his son is a younger brother.’ ‘I see.’
‘Clearly you do not,’ he said. ‘But we shall not argue. Will it content you if I promise to tell the Caliph of your request to be ransomed?’
‘Would you do that for us?’
‘For you, yes,’ Kasim said. ‘I fear it would not be possible to do the same for your cousin.’
‘Then I cannot leave her.’
For a moment hope had flared bright in her, but it was dashed as she saw this was his final word on the matter.
‘Then you have made your choice. Please feel free to enjoy the air on deck whenever you wish.’
He tipped his head to her and walked away to speak to his crew. Harriet bit her lip, watching from a distance as he gave orders the men jumped to obey. He was clearly in his element, a powerful man.
Why must he be so stubborn? Why could he not accept her offer of a ransom and set them both free? He had offered to ask the Caliph if she could be ransomed, she supposed because she was not beautiful enough to attract the Caliph’s attention—but Marguerite would have been left behind.
Harriet would not leave her. If they wanted to part them, she would hold on until they tore them apart.
Marguerite was better the next morning, but nothing could raise her spirits. However, she had ceased to weep at last. They had been treated well, given food and wine to drink and water to wash, also more clean clothes from which she had picked something to suit her colouring.
Since Harriet’s brief visit to the deck, they had seen little of the man who had bought them, though he had sent a young boy to ask if they were comfortable and had all they needed. She had recognised him as the slave master’s boy and asked if he too had been purchased for the Caliph.
‘The lord Kasim bought me for his own servant,’ Yuri told her with a grin. ‘I could have had my freedom had I wished, but where would I go? I shall be happy enough to serve my lord. He is an honest man and there are not many as generous as the lord Kasim.’
Harriet wondered why the lord Kasim did not come to the cabin himself, for it was surely his. He must be sleeping somewhere else for the time being. She had discovered things in the sea chest that must belong to him, and could not help wondering if he had deliberately been avoiding their company. Was he afraid she would ask again if he would ransom them?
Late in the afternoon on the second day, they reached what she believed must be the port of Istanbul. The buildings were strange and beautiful and Harriet stood entranced when she went up on deck to look.
‘It is a magnificent sight, is it not?’
Harriet turned to look at the man who had spoken. Unbidden, a smile came to her lips; her fear had somehow fled and she felt that she was on the verge of a great adventure.
‘I should have thought so had I come here as a visitor.’
‘Very few English ladies have come here as visitors, I imagine,’ he said. ‘I have heard of one or two bold spirits who adopted the life of their own free will. One woman in particular converted to the Muslim religion and was allowed to live here without being married or being a slave. I think she visited the court of the Sultan and talked to him of many things.’
‘She must have been an intrepid explorer. I should have enjoyed her life, I think.’
‘Indeed?’
‘My father and I travelled in Europe before he was taken ill some years ago. I always intended to see Constantinople one day …’
‘I am sorry it should be in this way, Lady Harriet.’
‘Are you?’ She arched her brows at him. ‘I am not impressed by words, sir. Actions would have spoken louder in your case.’
‘You asked too much. Please go below now. You will be sent for when we are ready to go ashore.’
‘Do you imagine I might dive into the sea? I see no point when I should be brought out and made to look foolish. I have told you before that I will not leave my cousin—until she is restored to her family. I shall not give up, sir. You and your master may do as you will, but I shall protect my cousin with my last breath.’
‘She is more fortunate than she knows.’
Kasim inclined his head to her,
