The Kadin - Bertrice Small [9]
“Aye. Do you, Mamud?”
“Yes, mistress. I love the sea.”
Janet pointed to a strip of secluded beach a short distance away. “Very well, go along.”
“But, mistress, I should watch you lest you drown.”
“I am a strong swimmer, and you need have no fears, my good Mamud. Go.”
Reluctantly he left her, and, now alone, Janet divested herself of the simple peasant skirt and bodice she wore. The sea was cool and tingling, and she swam slowly, letting the gentle current waft her along. Turning, she returned to the shore and flopped down on the warm sand. Loosening her hair, she shook the water out of it and braided it up, then slipped her skirt and bodice back on over her dry skin.
Down the beach Mamud cavorted in the waves like a porpoise, and when he returned she motioned him to sit Delving into the hamper, she spread the simple meal on a napkin.
The late-afternoon sun was warm, and the wine from the hamper sweet. Janet lazily studied the young black man who sat slightly apart from her. She was normally an outgoing, inquisitive girl, and by this time should have known everything about Mamud’s history right down to his great-grandparents, but her recent elevation as the future duchess of San Lorenzo had completely occupied her time. Mamud actually spent more time with her brother. Adam, she was sure, knew all about him Suddenly she could no longer contain her curiosity.
“Mamud,” she said, “I wish to know of your past life. Were you born a slave?”
“No, mistress. I am the son of a chief in my own land. One day Muslim slavers raided our village. I was captured while seeing to the safety of my wife and son. My only consolation is that they are safe.”
“You are married? Then you cannot be a eunuch.”
“The slaver told that to my lord Rudolfo so he would buy me.”
“Oh,” she said in a small voice.
The slave laughed. “My lady need not be afraid. By the standards of my tribe, my lady is quite ugly.”
Janet stared at him for a moment, wondering if she should be offended. Then she chuckled. “This will be our secret, Mamud. As soon as I can find a way, you shall have your freedom”
“Thank you, mistress. I would do anything for my freedom.”
Picking up the basket, Mamud helped his young mistress into their small boat and pushed it back into the sea. Raising the sail, he turned the craft to catch the wind. The sun was just beginning its nightly trip into the Mediterranean. Staying close to the coast, he guided the boat toward Arcobaleno.
As they rounded a small point, they saw a ship within the cove, apparently taking on water. Mamud made for it
“What are you doing, Mamud? We have not time to visit that ship, and besides, it doesn’t look like a merchantman to me. Turn the boat”
The slave stared straight ahead and gripped the ruler.
“I order you to turn this boat at once, Mamud. The sun will soon be gone. We must reach home before dark.”
“You will not be going home, mistress. I told you I would do anything for my freedom, and delivering you to a slaver for gold will gain me that freedom.”
Flinging herself at him, she grappled with him for the tiller. She fought desperately, but Mamud raised his arm and shoved her away. Tumbling back, she struck her head against the side of the boat She struggled to maintain consciousness, but the blow was hard, and she spiraled downward into the blackness. Somewhere in that darkness she felt a thud, then hands upon her body, followed by the feeling of floating freely, and then the hands again.
Upon regaining her senses, she became aware of a rocking motion and realized she was aboard the ship. Hearing voices nearby, she cautiously opened her eyes and looked about her. She was lying on a divan in a moderate-sized cabin. Beside her a little window looked out on the sea. There was the coast of San Lorenzo. The ship was still at anchor.
Turning her head slightly, she saw Mamud and another man who was white but was dressed like her slave. They were talking. She cocked her head to hear.
“How will you explain the girl’s disappearance to her father?” the white man asked.
“I will tell him we were attacked