The Kadin - Bertrice Small [15]
“Our laws do not apply to infidels any more than your Christian laws apply to us,” said Hadji Bey. “Raise my bid or let me depart with my merchandise.”
“He buys her for a man old enough to be her grandfather,” pleaded Pietro di San Lorenzo. “You all have gold with you. Lend it to me, and I will repay you double. Let me return my cousin’s bride to him.”
Stony silence greeted his words. What Pietro said about the Turkish sultan was true, but no man among the bidders would defy Bajazet’s agent
“Count the gold,” commanded Hadji Bey to the merchant
“No, no, my lord agha,” said Abdul ben Abdul, mentally weighing it in one hand. “There is no need.”
Hadji Bey turned to a now very frightened, shivering Janet Removing his pelisse, he wrapped it about her. “Come, my child,” he said kindly.
“We shall come to Turkey, my lady. We will ransom you!” shouted Pietro di San Lorenzo.
Hadji Bey turned on him, “Do not lie to the girl and fin her with useless hope. There is no ransom from the seraglio of my master. Tell her the truth so that she may face her new life honestly and without fear.”
The knight looked up at Janet with sorrowing eyes.
Her heart went out to him. “Do not grieve, my lord,” she said, “but promise me you will go to my father and tell him of all that has transpired. The slave Mamud betrayed me.” She felt the gentle pressure of a hand upon her shoulder. “And, my lord, tell him I will return to Glenkirk one day. Promise me!”
The knight nodded, and as she walked bravely off the platform, he felt a tear roll down his cheek.
7
BUNDLING JANET into one of the two waiting litters, Hadji Bey stepped into the other. Quickly the bearers hurried their passengers through the warm, moonlit night, finally stopping before a large house. Slaves rushed to help the girl out, leading her through the building’s open atrium into a small, pleasantly furnished, cheerfully lit room. Clapping his hands, Hadji Bey gave instructions in a strange tongue to the slave who answered his summons. Then he turned to Janet
“I have ordered the slave to bring you more suitable garments, but before she returns, please remove the cloak.”
Janet stared at him.
The cloak, my child,” he repeated gently. The light at the merchant Abdul’s was poor. I did not get a proper look at you.”
Then why did you buy me?”
“Your hair and face alone were well worth the price. Now, the cloak,” he said, holding out his hand.
Not quite understanding her compliance, Janet let the cloak slip from her shoulders to the floor. She stood quietly in her young nakedness while the eunuch gravely studied her.
Janet was too young and inexperienced to comprehend how truly lovely she was. Having attained her growth in the last year, she seemed tall for her age, though actually she was of medium height She had long, slim legs. Her narrow waist flowed into softly rounded hips. Her chest was broad, the bones well hidden, and her breasts high and full. Her smooth, flawless skin glowed with good health. Hadji Bey noticed with pleasure that her green-gold eyes were clear, good evidence that she had not wept a great deal and was, therefore, of strong character.
“Turn, please,” he said.
She did so gracefully, which again brought pleasure to the eunuch, and further corroboration of his wisdom in spending such an outrageous sum
The slave returned and helped Janet into lime-green Turkish trousers, a matching bodice, and an amber-colored silk caftan. The slave then silently stole out
“Now, my child,” said Hadji Bey, “I think it is time to introduce you to your two companions.”
Taking Janet’s small hand in his, he led her from the little chamber to a large, airy suite facing on the sea. The first thing Janet saw upon entering were two young women of approximately her own age. One was petite, faintly plump, and silvery-blond; the other was quite tall, dark-haired,