Still he remained uncertain, until she raised her eyes to his face. No one, he thought, could remain indifferent to those fathomless eyes. The master would be pleased were the girl to smile. Raj nodded. “I will bring you something. Wait here.”
“So,” Elena said, stepping out of the shadows, “you play games to be with the master.”
Arabella said nothing.
“He will tire of you, and quickly. You are cold and he will find no warmth between your skinny legs.”
“You are probably right,” Arabella said. “
Perhaps his highness will desire something quite different after tonight.”
Elena snarled in frustration, and beat a hasty retreat when Raj approached.
“This should brighten your spirits, my lady,” he said, and to Arabella’s utter chagrin, he slipped a sapphire-and-diamond necklace over her head. She wanted to laugh aloud and howl at the same time at the failure of her plan. She tried to tell herself that a brooch clasp probably wouldn’t have been strong enough for the task. She managed a smile. “It is beautiful, Raj. I thank you.”
He nodded. “Come, my lady.”
She followed him silently, thinking furiously. She had to do something. Raj’s chambers. She gazed at him through her lashes, waiting until they had nearly reached the harem gates.
“Raj?”
He turned somewhat impatiently to face her. “My lady?”
“I must—that is, I have to—” She managed a flush of embarrassment and lowered her head.
“I see,” he said, smiling slightly. “I will await you here, my lady.”
Arabella dashed back toward the harem suites. Before she veered away from her own small room, she glanced back toward Raj. To her profound relief, he was in close conversation with one of the girls. She slipped into the outer chamber that Raj used for his sitting room. She saw a small writing desk and hurried toward it.
She rejoined Raj some minutes later.
She followed him docilely from the harem compound to the palace. The air was warm and perfumed from the profusion of flowers. A full moon lit the night sky. She felt her heart begin to thud as they neared Kamal’s chambers. Please, she prayed silently, give me strength to do what I must.
She heard music as they neared, barbaric sounds, she thought.
Kamal reclined on cushions, his eyes on a dancing girl. He was dressed in pristine white, a wide crimson leather belt around his waist. His head was bare and his streaked wheat-colored hair gleamed in the candlelight. He raised his eyes from the dancing girl when he saw Arabella. He saw no anger on her beautiful face. She looked calm, accepting.
He frowned as he said crisply, “Here, girl. We will enjoy the entertainment while we dine.”
Arabella briefly met Raj’s eyes, and her own held a hint of—apology? “Thank you, Raj,” she said, and quickly left his side.
She lowered herself onto the cushions beside Kamal.
To her chagrin, her stomach growled.
Kamal smiled at her bowed head. “Here, you may eat while you watch Orna.”
She accepted the flaky pastry filled with small chunks of lamb, peppers, and rice. It was delicious and gone quickly.
“You are too thin. Here, have another.”
She ate the second slowly, her eyes on the dancing girl. The music increased in volume and tempo. The girl was covered from head to toe in sheer silk veils. As she whirled about to the sound of the clashing cymbals, one of the veils floated to the floor. For a moment Arabella felt herself drawn into the frenetic, savage music and the movements of the dancer. The veils billowed around her body. Arabella gulped. The girl would soon be naked.
“Does Orna’s performance please you?” Kamal asked, watching her widened eyes.
“It is unusual.”
“Do you dance?”