Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [66]
What Ware had asked was outrageous and totally out of the question. She would think no more about it, and if he posed the question again to her, she would tell him what she thought of such ruthless selfishness.
She would think no more about it….
“MY LORD WISHES to speak with you,” Jasmine said. “You must come to the Great Hall at once.”
Thea glanced up at her before pouring more water at the base of the tree. “When I’m gone, you must be careful not to give these trees too much water. Too much is worse than not enough.”
“Have you told Allah this secret so that he can ration his rain?” Jasmine asked dryly.
“We can do nothing about God, but we can do all we can ourselves.”
“My lord wants you.”
There was no use putting it off any longer. She had been avoiding Ware all day, but she would have to face him sometime. “I’m coming.” She rose to her feet, dusted the earth from her skirt, and started back toward the castle. “I was finished here anyway.”
Jasmine fell into step with her. “He set me searching all over the castle for you. You are angry with him?”
“No.”
“He is angry with you?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps.” She changed the subject. “Have you practiced that loop stitch I showed you yesterday?”
Jasmine nodded. “But I’m still very clumsy.”
“The skill will come.”
“I showed it to Tasza. She did it better than I did.”
“You’re teaching Tasza to embroider? I thought she had no interest in learning it.”
“This is a good thing. Tasza will do as I tell her.”
Thea shook her head. “No, Jasmine. She must do it because it is her wish, or it will become slavery for her. I will not have that happen.”
Jasmine frowned. “Sometimes she doesn’t know what is good for her. I must tell her.” She paused. “I think she is afraid.”
“Afraid?”
“To fail. Everyone must take pride in something. Tasza may be a whore, but she is a very good whore. Through all the cruelties heaped upon her, she could hold to that. Now she must start at the beginning and it frightens her.” Her lips tightened. “But I’ll not permit her to stop. I could not save her when she went on the streets, but this is another chance. So do not tell me not to teach her.”
How could she remonstrate with Jasmine? She was not even sure she wanted to do so. Both these women had suffered and sacrificed for each other. It was not for her to interfere with a bond of such strength. “If I can help, call on me.”
“You can help us by staying. We need your teaching.”
She should have known Jasmine would ask that of her. “I cannot stay. As soon as Selene arrives, I must go to Damascus and make a life for us. You can understand how I want the best for her. You feel the same about your Tasza. I’ll teach you all I can before I leave.”
“It may not be enough.”
“Perhaps someday both of you can come and work with me. You are free women. It’s best now that you stay with Lord Ware, since I cannot offer you a place. But once I have my own house, I’ll send for you.”
Jasmine turned and stared directly into her eyes. “You promise me?”
“I promise you.”
Jasmine slowly nodded. “Then all will be well.”
Thea wished she were as confident. Those first few years were going to be a hard struggle for both her and Selene. “You may have to be patient.”
“I have patience.” She fixed Thea with a stern glance. “But you must work very hard, you understand?”
Thea smothered a smile and nodded meekly. “Every hour of the day.”
“Perhaps not every hour,” Jasmine said grimly. “But many hours of the day. And don’t wait until you can make a place for us. We’ll make a place for ourselves when you open your house. Soon you’ll find you won’t be able to do without us.”
What had she got herself into by that offer? she wondered ruefully. Jasmine and Tasza were both extremely strong-willed. If she wasn’t careful, they would be giving her orders in her own house. The thought brought no unease. It would be good to have about her people she knew and trusted when she ventured forth into the world of trade.
They had reached the castle and Jasmine opened the door.