by Jane Jackson
‘It’s bound to feel strange and a bit lonely here,’ Kerenza said, intending to comfort. ‘Once you’re home –’
‘Home?’ Startled, Dulcie pushed herself up. ‘I’m not going home. As soon as Papa has paid the ransom and I can leave here I shall go away with Aruj. I’m going to be a princess. What do you think of that?’ Fortunately for Kerenza, Dulcie didn’t wait for an answer. ‘There’s nothing for me back in Falmouth.’ One hand strayed to her pregnant belly, but she didn’t look down. ‘No, after all I had to put up with taking care of Mama, it’s my turn now. Being stuck in here has been really boring. Still, at least I’ve had time to pamper myself. Back in Falmouth I was always busy doing things for Mama and running errands. Now I have slaves to bathe me and look after my hair and nails. I only have to clap my hands and a servant will bring me a drink or some fruit.’ Her smile was triumphant. ‘I’ve got people running about after me for a change. Why would I want to give that up? I don’t know why you bothered coming. You needn’t have.’
Kerenza gazed at her hands, fighting hard to hang on to her temper. Looking up, she caught Dulcie’s glare. ‘I came because Papa insisted. He said you and Mama needed someone to look after you on the voyage home.’
Dulcie laughed. ‘Were you angry? I expect you were. You certainly wouldn’t have wanted to come. You should have refused. As you can see, you’re not needed after all.’
Kerenza swallowed. ‘We didn’t know that at the time.’
‘Well, you do now, so there. I’m happy. I won’t let you spoil it, not again.’
Kerenza stared at her, shaken. ‘What do you mean? Again? When did I ever spoil your happiness?’ As far back as Kerenza could remember, it had always been the other way around.
‘When? The day you were born.’ Dulcie hurled the words at her. ‘Until then I’d had Mama and Papa all to myself. They doted on me. They used to call me their little treasure. Then you had to come along. Mama had a terrible time with you. She made the midwife take you away into another room. She couldn’t bring herself even to look, let alone hold you.’
Kerenza gazed at her sister, each word a crushing blow. ‘I still don’t understand. What has that to do with you and me?’
‘You are so stupid, Kerenza. After a few days’ rest Mama felt better. Then she was beside herself with guilt. She was terrified in case anything should happen to you. You only had to sneeze and she was afraid you had lung fever. She believed it was God punishing her for her wickedness.’
Kerenza struggled to work out the logic that made her illness her mother’s punishment.
‘From then on,’ Dulcie glowered, ‘you were the centre of attention, fussed over and admired, and shown off to all mama’s and Papa’s friends. It was “the baby” this, and “the baby” that.’ A sudden flush reddened her face, her eyes watered, and her mouth trembled. ‘Nobody noticed me any more.’ Her face twisted. ‘I hated you.’
It wasn’t my fault. I didn’t ask for all that attention. I didn’t even know. It certainly didn’t last long, because I can’t remember it. Surely I would have? Even as these thoughts, and anger at being blamed for situations outside her control, raced through Kerenza’s mind, she knew there was no point in trying to explain.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said quietly, shocked and saddened at the reason for her sister’s hatred, and appalled at the depth of it.
‘Yes, well, I’m important now. I’m happy. And I’m going to marry a prince.’
‘If you’re happy, then I’m glad for you,’ Kerenza said.
Dulcie peered at her suspiciously. ‘You are? Truly?’
Kerenza nodded, biting the inside of her lip as she fought the urge to weep at the tragedy of it all.
Dulcie’s eyes narrowed. Then she smirked. ‘Admit it, you’re jealous, aren’t you?’
Jealous? Jealous over a man who used you and now can’t wait to be rid of you? Do you love him, Dulcie? Are you capable of loving anyone? Kerenza tasted sudden salty warmth. Some questions must never be asked. They were too cruel.
The approaching sound of a male voice made them look round. The prince crossed the court, accompanied by a man dressed in similar fashion to the vice-consul’s Jewish interpreter. A veiled female slave followed with a white bundle folded over her arms.
‘Aruj!’ A smile of delight lit Dulcie’s moon-like face, banishing her usual expression of fretful discontent. She looked almost pretty. ‘Why didn’t you come to see me when you got back? I’ve been waiting. I’m just so tired today, what with the heat and everything. Oh, this is my sister.’ She gestured vaguely.
Kerenza immediately rose and dropped a deep curtsy. As the Jew murmured into the prince’s ear, Kerenza realised he fulfilled the same function as Mordecai. But if the prince relied on an interpreter, then how had he and Dulcie –? She shut off the thought, ashamed of her curiosity, telling herself it was none of her business. Only that wasn’t true. Dulcie’s condition made it very much her business, for Dulcie had involved her in a situation that would change all their lives.
With the briefest of nods at Kerenza, the prince lifted Dulcie’s hand and held it between his, though he did not raise it to his lips. Dulcie darted a sidelong glance at her sister before tilting her face and arching her swollen body toward her reluctant lover.
Kerenza turned away, embarrassed by Dulcie’s attempt to elicit a public display of affection, sickened by the prince’s duplicity, and anxious neither should glimpse her reactions.
‘Now the ransom has been paid –’ the prince’s voice was deep and harsh, the interpreter’s soft and heavily accented ‘– you are free to leave the palace, and I can take you to meet my father.’
Dulcie’s eyes widened and her cheeks turned pink with excitement as she struggled to sit up and swung her feet off the couch. ‘Really? I’m going to meet the sultan?’ She looked over her shoulder. ‘Do you hear that, Kerenza? I am going to meet the sultan. He’s emperor of all Morocco, you know. There used to be four, all ruling different bits. But now he’s the only one.’
‘Indeed?’ Kerenza murmured politely. Had it ever occurred to Dulcie to wonder how many men, women, and children might have been killed or maimed during the sultan’s battle for supremacy? Feeling the prince’s black gaze on her, she moistened her lips, hating what she was being forced to do, yet aware there was no alternative. ‘That’s a wonderful honour, Dulcie.’
Dulcie’s smile faltered as she glanced down. ‘But perhaps it might be better to wait until after the baby is born. It cannot be long now.’
As the Jew translated, the prince’s dark eyes flicked to Kerenza’s. Unable to stop herself, desperate that nothing should prevent them leaving as planned, she made a tiny negative movement.
‘No –’ The prince broke in before the interpreter had finished. Then he switched to his own language. ‘I do not wish to wait. You have proved you are fertile. That is of great importance in my country. We go today.’ He gave a brisk nod, then spoke some more.
‘Your condition makes it impossible for you to ride,’ the interpreter translated. ‘So his highness, Mulai Aruj, has arranged for you to sail to Rabat aboard the ship Kestrel. Your sister will be on hand to attend to your needs, and the journey will be more comfortable for you.’
So that was Nick’s plan. It was brilliant – if it worked. Kerenza could feel her heart pounding in her breast, its rhythm fast and loud in her ears, as she saw suspicion cloud her sister’s features.
‘What about you?’ Dulcie demanded of the prince. ‘You are coming with me?’
‘But of course,’ the interpreter said as Mulai Aruj lifted Dulcie’s plump fingers to his lips. ‘His highness says it grieves him that you have been apart for so long. When you reach Rabat, he wishes to spend time with you, for there is much to discuss.’
‘Oh yes. There is indeed. When we’ll be married, and where we shall live.’ Dulcie laid her cheek against the prince’s hand.
Kerenza looked away, unable to watch. The prince’s caress and loving smiles we
re a lie, a Judas kiss, so he could be rid of a young woman whose life he had ruined. Dulcie’s dream would soon become a nightmare.
What of her life? Slowly, warily, she had begun to hope again, to believe that she and Nick might have a future together. But now –
The prince snapped his fingers and the slave girl stepped forward, placed the bulky bundle on the couch, and helped Dulcie to her feet.
‘What’s this?’ Dulcie asked as the slave picked up a white robe and started to help her into it.
‘It is a ha’ik,’ the interpreter said. ‘To cover you while you walk to the harbour.’
‘But it’s so hot. Why do I –?’
‘Believe me, Dulcie, it is better we are not recognised,’ Kerenza said as she donned the voluminous garment and adjusted her headscarf. She would never forget the hisses and stares she had endured the day of her arrival. ‘If we are dressed like Muslim women we will not be insulted, or even noticed.’
‘But why should I hide?’ Dulcie pouted.
‘Dulcie,’ Kerenza interrupted gently. ‘It has nothing to do with hiding. The rules of behaviour are different here. The prince will expect you to set an example.’ She noticed the interpreter murmuring into the prince’s ear, caught the prince’s dark gaze, glimpsed speculation, and looked swiftly away as fury surged through her.
Clicking her tongue, Dulcie heaved a sigh. ‘Oh well, if I must.’ She stopped resisting and allowed the slave to shroud her in white folds.
A few moments later, another slave emerged from Dulcie’s quarters with a large bundle. With the prince leading the way, his interpreter at his shoulder, the sisters following with the two slaves behind them, the party set off through the courts and passages of the palace.
Kerenza sensed their departure was being watched, though all she glimpsed was an occasional veiled face swiftly withdrawn behind a pillar or a colourful robe disappearing through an arch.
‘Did you do any gardening?’ she asked, saying the first thing she could think of to distract Dulcie’s attention.
‘Of course not,’ Dulcie snapped. ‘Really, Kerenza, what a stupid question. There are slaves for that sort of thing. Why would I want to get my hands dirty?’
At main entrance to the castle grounds, the prince spoke briefly to the slaves, who glanced at each other, and quickly nodded. Then, smiling at Dulcie, he spoke again. The interpreter explained that his highness had instructed the slaves to accompany the sisters down to the beach. As soon as he had completed some last-minute business he would join them. His bags were even now being packed.
Kerenza’s heart lurched into her throat as Dulcie hunched her shoulders in a manner all too familiar. It signalled mutiny.
Once more the prince lifted Dulcie’s hand, kissing each finger then covering them with both his. His harsh voice grew softer, huskier. Listening to the soothing sound, watching him bend and fix Dulcie with his limpid dark-lashed gaze, Kerenza understood how her lonely, inexperienced sister had been beguiled. The man was a skilled seducer, practised and predatory. Poor Dulcie.
‘You must know that I cannot walk through the streets with you,’ the Jew translated. ‘My rank forbids it. But I will join you within the hour. Now you must go. Already I am counting the moments until we are together again.’ Releasing her hand, the prince waved her away, smiling.
Kerenza drew Dulcie’s arm through hers and coaxed her away. ‘Come, Dulcie. It’s not good for you to be standing about. As soon as we are on board I’ll ask the steward to prepare cool drinks for you. And for the prince,’ she added quickly.
Dulcie hung heavily on her arm as they walked down the narrow sloping streets toward the Water Gate, the two slaves following behind.
The wind funnelled up through the street, swirling and flapping their ha’iks. Kerenza’s eyes stung and her chemise clung uncomfortably to her damp skin.
‘This is awful,’ Dulcie whined. ‘I shouldn’t have to walk. Aruj should have ordered a litter for me.’
‘I think that might have been difficult because of the slope. It’s this wind that’s so uncomfortable,’ Kerenza sympathised. ‘You’ll feel much better once we’re on the ship. I found the movement of the waves helped me sleep.’
‘I hope I won’t be sick,’ Dulcie said.
As they passed through the Water Gate and started down the long ramp, Kerenza’s stomach cramped with apprehension as she saw the state of the sea. The wind had pushed up a heavy swell that thundered against the remains of the mole on the northern side of the bay. To the south and west, waves broke and foamed up the beach before being sucked back to rear, curl, and crash again.
Kestrel had left her anchorage. Headsail and jib set, her fore and mainsails reefed down, she cruised slowly about 200 yards out. The wind was angled onshore. Kerenza knew it would require remarkable skill to steer the packet close enough to pick up the cutter while keeping well clear of the mole. She guessed Maggot was at the wheel, assisted by able seaman Collins.
Searching anxiously among fishing boats for the cutter, she released a tremulous sigh of relief as she saw it nosing in through the surf. Then she glimpsed Nick at the water’s edge. Just as she spotted him he turned and waved, beckoning her down.
‘We’re nearly there,’ she encouraged her sister. ‘It’s not far now.’
Suddenly Dulcie stopped, tugging Kerenza’s arm. ‘Look how rough the water is.’
‘It’s nothing to worry about,’ Kerenza reassured her. ‘The cutter’s crew is used to far worse than this. To them it’s no more than a ripple. They’ll have us on board the packet before we know it.’
‘No.’ Dulcie pulled against Kerenza. ‘It doesn’t look safe.’
Hearing whispering behind them, Kerenza glanced round. The two female slaves had stopped a few feet further back. The one carrying the bundle threw it down. Then they both turned and ran back up the ramp.
Chapter Twenty
‘Where are they going?’ Dulcie demanded. ‘How dare they? They can’t just run away.’
But Kerenza had stopped listening, her attention caught by Nick’s voice. She could hear him shouting, but the noise of wind and surf made it impossible to discern the words. His waving arm urged them to hurry. As the cutter surfed in, two seamen jumped out, working swiftly with the others, who used their oars to turn the boat so it was facing seaward again.
‘Come on, Dulcie.’ Kerenza tried to draw her sister forward. ‘They are waiting for us.’
Dulcie shook herself loose. ‘Well, they’ll just have to carry on waiting. We can’t leave without Aruj. I’m sure that once he sees how rough it is he’ll say we shouldn’t go at all. Then I’ll have walked all this way for nothing. I don’t know what you were thinking of, Kerenza.’
Kerenza’s heart hammered against her ribs. To get Dulcie into the boat, she had first to get her to the bottom of the ramp. She moistened her lips. ‘I expect the prince is on his way. Look, while we wait, why don’t we –?’
A shot rang out. Kerenza gasped as chips of stone flew off the top of the wall a couple of feet behind Dulcie’s head.
‘What was that?’ Dulcie said. ‘It sounded like –’
‘Quickly.’ Kerenza grabbed her sister. ‘We can’t stay here. It’s not safe. We have to get down onto the beach.’
The crack of a second shot was followed by another ping as more chips flew from the wall. Dulcie’s shriek was lost amid a volley of gunfire.
Kerenza’s heart threatened to burst through her ribs. Who? Why? Then she realised that though the first two shots had come from somewhere above them, the rattling fusillade had come from a different direction, from below – from the beach. Please God let it be from Kestrel’s cutter.
Peering anxiously over the wall, she saw two seamen kneeling on the sand and shingle, guns at their shoulders aiming toward the castle, as Nick raced up the beach toward the ramp. Nick had armed the crew. Had he suspected this might happen?
Instinctively ducking so she would offer a smaller target, Kerenza supported her whimpe
ring sister down the slope. Another shot cracked. Dulcie jerked, screamed, and fell. The sudden dragging weight pulled Kerenza to her knees and she toppled over, landing heavily on her right shoulder and bumping her head on the stone ramp. Everything went dark for an instant and her ears rang. She longed to just curl up and let whatever was going to happen take its course. But she couldn’t.
‘Dulcie?’ she croaked, scrambling dizzily to her knees and crawling toward the crumpled, groaning figure. The sound of running feet brought her head up. ‘Oh, thank God,’ she gasped as Nick and two more seamen pounded up the slope. ‘She’s hurt, but I don’t know where or how badly.’
‘We’ll worry about that once we get her on board the ship.’ As the two seamen hefted Dulcie’s semiconscious body between them and hurried back down the ramp, she felt herself lifted to her feet.
‘Were you hit?’ His voice sounded rough, strained.
She shook her head and wished she hadn’t, clutching at him while the world spun and black dots hovered at the edges of her vision. ‘N-no, just a bit shaken. I’m all right.’
‘Of course you are,’ he said dryly.
Hearing the underlying tenderness, she was torn between hysterical laughter and aching despair. She had to be all right, for Dulcie’s sake, and her father’s. Nick’s arm encircled her waist and she felt as if she was melting. As he took her weight, she yearned to lean into him, hide her face against his chest, and let go of all the responsibilities she had never sought in the first place.
He urged her forward. ‘Let’s get out of here.’