Hamil did not add that he had also learned his wife was expecting their child at any time. For a moment he forgot Lady Arabella Welles
, dwelling on his joy at the news. Both he and Lella had believed she was barren, but he had not set another above her. He loved her too much.
“Why,” Rayna asked, “did Arabella do such a thing?”
Hamil regretfully let go of his pleasant thoughts and turned to the lovely young girl who was looking so seriously at him. He said to Adam, “Kamal has bedded your sister, my lord. My man did not learn all the details, but it appears she fought him, insulted him, and even tried to kill him once before. All to save her parents, I would guess. But she must have gone to his bed willingly. My half-brother would never force a woman, even one as provoking as your sister.”
Adam’s face was pale in the firelight. “He has much to answer for, Hamil,” he said.
“Yes,” Hamil said. “It would appear so.” He frowned a moment in deep thought. “There is more here, I think. Evidently Kamal also stopped the whipping, and afterward he stayed with her.”
“Perhaps,” Adam said, “he feared she would die. Without her, he would have no bait.”
“I do not think so,” Hamil said. He turned suddenly at a slight noise near their campfire. “Quickly, Rayna,” he said, “put on your cap. No one save my captain, Boroll, knows that you are a woman. Not all of my men are trustworthy, and I do not wish to have to fear for your safety.”
Rayna quickly stuffed her hair under the cap.
“Always stay close to me or to Lord St. Ives,” Hamil continued, “until this business is done. Some of the men owe no particular loyalty to me. And I must admit that you would be a temptation.”
“As is my sister,” Adam said more to himself than to Rayna or Hamil. “She will not stir from my side,” he continued to Hamil. He rose suddenly and began to pace about the fire. “We must face your brother now, Hamil. I cannot allow my sister to endure more.”
“Not yet, my lord. Not yet. His mother, the contessa, has not arrived. More important, it is impossible for me to enter the palace and see Kamal secretly. There are more guards and slaves around him than you can imagine.”
“Dammit.” Adam said. “Your spy managed well enough to get into the palace. I cannot wait longer, not knowing what will happen to her.”
“My lord,” Hamil said, “your sister can do nothing outrageous for a time. She is still recovering in her bed, and quite safe at the moment. We must wait.”
“Wait for what? Wait until my father arrives? Wait until Kamal murders my sister?”
“No. We wait for Kamal to leave his palace. He is known to go into Oran, among the people. I will move quickly when he does.”
The air was charged with violence, and Rayna said, “Your half-brother Kamal. You paint him one minute with a treacherous brush, Hamil, and the next as an honorable man.”
“I suppose it is true. I am torn by doubts. I would have sworn upon everything I hold precious that he never coveted my power or my position. He was educated in Europe, you see, and I wondered if he would ever return to live in Oran. I doubt that he is much of a Muslim now, though it is his duty to be so, and that worries me, for how can a man who does not truly believe in the Muslim ways rule effectively? At least he has Hassan.”
“Who is Hassan?” Rayna asked.
“My minister, now Kamal’s, I trust. A wily old fox who would gladly give his life to see justice done and to keep power in the hands of my father’s sons.”
“How often have you seen your half-brother, Hamil?” Adam asked.
Hamil shrugged. “He visited Oran rarely in the past nine years. I grew to know him best, I think, through his letters. I learned much of the European mind from him, for, you see, he thinks like you, my lord. He sees more than I do in Oran. He understands Napoleon and he understands the English hatred and fear of him. He is an intelligent man.”
“Perhaps,” Adam said suddenly, “I could see him. Privately.”
“No,” Hamil said. “All that would result from such a meeting would be your capture.” Seeing that Adam would continue to argue with him, he said coldly, “I cannot be responsible for Rayna’s safety. I have waited many months, my lord, thought and planned. I regret your sister’s involvement, but it does not change what I must do.”
Rayna said suddenly, “You know, Adam, that Arabella would never give herself to a man she does not care for.”
Adam said wearily, “She doubtless gave herself to bargain for my parents’ safety.”
Hamil laughed. “Perhaps that was one of your sister’s motives, my lord. But know this. Kamal is a handsome man, well-formed, and young. Women have been offering themselves willingly to him since he was a lad.” He added with a grin, “He does not look dark and fierce like me or your lord, Rayna. He is golden as the sun, with eyes the color of the Mediterranean.”
“Oh,” Rayna said.
Adam cursed. He tried to imagine his sister succumbing to a man out of passion, but failed. She had never cared for a man in all her twenty years, and many of the gentlemen buzzing around her had been handsome and quite polished. But he couldn’t imagine her bending to a man who was her enemy, a man who threatened their parents. No, she would have given herself to Kamal only to bargain for their parents’ safety. But she has no experience, he thought, no guile. His fear for her sharpened, for she knew no middle ground. He cursed again. “We are so near to Oran. It does not sit well with me to be idle.”
“Nonetheless,” Hamil said, steel in his voice, “you will do as I bid, my lord.” He rose and dusted off his white trousers. “And if you are tempted to go against my orders, remember your red-haired wench. Tomorrow we will learn more. I bid you good night.”