And that was the cause of her anger, she ruefully acknowledged.
Not because Dimitri Tipova had intruded into the harem grounds, but because he had left them.
Stepping out of the seraglio that suddenly threatened to smother her, Emma breathed deeply of the perfumed air, glancing up at the sky spattered with twinkling stars. She was a fool, of course. She had been adamant that she would never forgive Dimitri for his betrayal, and yet, he had only to kiss her for her to toss aside all common sense and melt in his arms.
She shivered, startled by the bittersweet pang of yearning that pierced her heart without warning.
She wished she was home in her shabby cottage.
Perhaps it was not so surprising.
Since her mother’s death her life had never been easy. Not only had she faced the duties of the household and caring for Anya, but she had been forced to toss aside her own dreams of a future. But for all her sacrifices, she had never felt as…lost as she did now.
In Yabinsk she knew what each day would bring.
Now she felt as if she were floundering through a blizzard with no notion of where she was headed, or what was awaiting her at the end of the road.
Consumed by her disturbing thoughts, Emma welcomed the soft sound of slippers on the path. Turning her head she watched as the veiled servant hurried toward her.
“There you are, mistress,” the girl said, her voice soft but edged with surprising urgency.
“Samira.” She stepped toward the servant. “Is there something you need?”
“Yes. The caliph is waiting for you.”
“He has returned?”
“He is waiting in a carriage behind the seraglio.”
Emma frowned in confusion, disturbed by the odd chill that crept down her spine.
“I do not understand. Why would he be waiting in a carriage?”
“His message merely said that I was to request you join him.” The woman cast a furtive glance around the garden, as if fearful of being overheard. “Do you wish me to inform him that it is inconvenient?”
“No. I…” She shook her head. There was no reason to be uneasy. Rajih would never harm her. And it might very well be that he had discovered information that could lead them to Anya. “Of course I will join him. Thank you, Samira.”
There was the briefest hesitation before the servant bowed, then she turned to lead Emma through the banks of mimosa.
“This way.”
They traveled through the garden in silence, Emma occasionally glancing over her shoulder to ensure that Dimitri was not lurking among the shadows.
Against her will she wondered where he had gone and why he had left so abruptly.
Had he somehow been alerted to Rajih’s return and left before he could be discovered? Or had he simply achieved what he wanted with her and was now seeking fresh entertainment?
She stumbled, shocked by the pain of the thought of Dimitri enjoying the pleasures of another woman.
No. She would not think of Dimitri or the manner he could infuriate her one moment and send her pulse fluttering the next. Not when such a task did nothing but leave her with an aching head.
Far better to concentrate on Rajih and his mysterious request.
Samira paused to unlock the back gate, motioning Emma through with a wave of her hand.
Emma absently smoothed her hands down her robes, acutely aware of her mussed appearance. Would Rajih suspect the reason for her wrinkled robes and flushed cheeks?
Her brief flare of unease was forgotten as she stepped past the high wall of the palace to discover the dark carriage waiting for her.