The Kadin by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online

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
    B UNDLING J ANET 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, and had an oval face containing two bright almond-shaped eyes of jet black. They rose as Hadji Bey came toward them. Drawing the blond to him, he said to Janet “This is Firousi, so called because her eyes are the shade of the turquoise, or firousi in our tongue. She is from the Caucasus.”
    Firousi smiled at Janet “How wonderful that you are to join us. We are now a beautiful trio.” She spoke in perfect but accented French.
    “And,” continued Hadji Bey, “this is Zuleika.”
    “I’ve never seen anyone like her before,” whispered Janet
    “Of course you haven’t. I am from Cathay.” She, too, spoke in French, though she was harder to understand than Firousi.
    “You are from Marco Polo’s Cathay?”
    “Yes.”
    “What is her name, Hadji Bey?” asked Firousi.
    “She will be called Cyra.”
    “My name is Janet Mary Leslie,” snapped Janet with a flash of her old spirit
    “Hardly a suitable name for a Turkish sultan’s gediklis,” smiled Hadji Bey. “In my own ancient tongue, Cyra means ‘Flame.’ It is most suitable. Now, my children, I shall leave you to get acquainted. You will have tomorrow to rest and gather your strength. We leave on tomorrow night’s tide for Constantinople.” Bowing slightly, he turned and departed.
    Janet stood gazing out over the silvery, moonlit harbor of Candia. It was packed with ships whose tiny lights twinkled at her in a friendly fashion.