Tide of Fortune (23 page)

Chapter Nineteen

After a night punctuated by vivid but elusive dreams interspersed with periods of restlessness when all her fears lined up to taunt, mock, and threaten, Kerenza was startled out of sleep by Dina’s knock.

When the maid had gone downstairs again, she drank her coffee then threw back the covers and padded out onto the terrace. Shading her eyes from the low morning sun, she looked across the tiered houses to the sea, seeking
Kestrel.

She ran her fingertips lightly across her lips. Nick had kissed her. She had not flirted or invited it the way she had seen some girls do. So he must have done it because
he
wanted to. That must surely mean he did care for her a little. She yearned to think beyond the next few hours, but resisted. She would need all her strength and her wits if she was to keep Dulcie entertained and unsuspecting.

Washed, dressed, her hair swept up and pinned, she packed all her belongings. After a last look round she carried her bag – Judith’s gift – out onto the terrace, down the steps, and across the court.

She breakfasted alone. Maggot was probably spending these last moments with his stepmother. After three years of believing him dead, Zohra would miss him dreadfully. Faintly in the background, Kerenza could hear distant voices and clattering dishes. She gazed around the room, imprinting it on her mind to store with her other treasured memories. Once back in Cornwall, she would find it easier to survive the difficult days – and inevitably there would be many – if she could escape by reliving happier moments.

She heard Nick arrive and her heartbeat instantly quickened. Rising to her feet, she pressed cold fingers to her burning cheeks, and was smoothing the front of her gown as he walked in and set down the leather case. The money it contained would buy her sister’s freedom. But at what cost to her father and herself? The terrible irony was that Dulcie didn’t want her freedom.

As Nick bowed over her hand, Kerenza inhaled the lemony scent of his soap. She had to fight a powerful urge to smooth back the thick, dark hair that curled on his neck and tumbled across his forehead, tousled by the wind during the trip ashore. Freshly shaved, he wore a clean neckcloth and his uniform coat had been brushed.

Straightening up, he looked deep into her eyes. ‘All right?’ It sounded casual, almost careless. But Kerenza knew the question asked far more than was apparent. He needed reassurance that she would be able to do her part. She nodded.

‘Did you sleep?’

A wry smile flickered across her lips as she answered honestly. ‘More than I expected, less than I would have liked.’

He grimaced. ‘That makes two of us.’

‘How is my father?’

‘Fine. He had another dose of laudanum this morning with his breakfast and is sleeping again. With luck we won’t have to give him any more. You ready?’

Swallowing, she nodded, and drew a deep breath. ‘What shall I do about my bag?’

‘Maggot’s just telling Dina to take it down to the beach. The jolly-boat will take it out to the packet.’

Maggot walked in, and bowed to her. ‘
Azou fl’ouen
.’ As Kerenza blinked he grinned. ‘Sorry, I forget. Good morning.’

Kerenza smiled back. ‘Good morning.’ Picking up her headscarf from the couch, she turned to Nick. ‘I won’t keep you, I just want to goodbye to Zohra.’ She turned to Maggot. ‘How do I say goodbye?’

Maggot shook his head. ‘Is not easy.’

‘I know. She has been so kind. I shall miss her.’

‘No.’ Maggot waved his hands, intimating she had misunderstood. ‘Is not easy to say in Tamasirght. Is
b’hka-alaghair.
’

‘Good God!’ Nick murmured, pulling a droll face as Maggot coaxed and corrected Kerenza one syllable at a time.

‘Right, I think I’ve got it.’ She took a deep breath, repeating the phrase several times under her breath.

‘I fetch her,’ Maggot said, and disappeared.

As Kerenza shook out the scarf, folded it into a triangle and covered her head, she saw Nick was watching her with an odd expression. Instantly self-conscious, she felt her colour rise. ‘What?’

‘You.’ One corner of his mouth lifted in a lop-sided smile, and his gaze held admiration. ‘The things you’ll try. My mother would call you remarkable.’

Smiling, she dropped her glance, longing to ask what
he
would he call her. But that would be fishing. And her grandmother had always told her that a compliment sought was not worth having.

Maggot returned with his stepmother. Seeing Zohra’s red-rimmed eyes, Kerenza felt a sharp pricking in her own. She walked forward, holding out her hand. ‘
Ateikum saha
, Zohra.
B’hka-alaghair.
’

Her hand was ignored. Instead, Kerenza found herself seized in a hug, pressed to Zohra’s broad, soft bosom, and soundly kissed on both cheeks.

Murmuring in her own language, Maggot’s stepmother stepped back, dabbing her eyes and waving them away as she bustled out of the salon.

‘She sad we go,’ Maggot said, his own eyes glistening as he stared after her. He threw a desperate look at Nick.

‘It’s time,’ Nick said, and picked up the leather case.

The two men walked either side of Kerenza, except when the streets were too narrow, then they went ahead and she followed close behind.

The hot wind was gusty, whirling dust and litter. The scarf covered Kerenza’s nose and mouth, but her eyes, with nothing to protect them, soon felt sore and gritty.

When they reached the palace they were admitted at once.

‘What do I tell Dulcie?’ Kerenza whispered frantically.

‘Nothing.’ Nick was firm. ‘You don’t know anything. You have come to keep her company while negotiations over the ransom are completed. Ask her about her time here. If you can get her talking about herself all you will have to do is listen.’

He saw her catch her lip as she gave an uncertain nod. He had asked for her trust, and she had given it. But even though she was trying hard to hide it, he could see her anxiety. Did he know what he was doing? By God, he hoped so.

The female servant appeared and beckoned Kerenza to follow. He saw her look back and mouth “good luck” as she was led away. Then a male servant, dark-skinned and white-robed, wearing a white rimless cap guided him and Maggot to the same anteroom as before, and indicated they should sit.

‘Tell him to inform the prince we are here,’ Nick instructed Maggot. ‘Make it clear the prince asked to be told of our arrival.’ The servant bowed and left. After an hour, another servant appeared.

‘He say we must follow,’ Maggot explained. ‘He take us to Mulai Aruj.’

In the prince’s luxuriously furnished apartments they waited for another hour. Then, without warning, and minus his usual retinue, Mulai Aruj appeared. Nick and Maggot stood. The prince seated himself opposite and motioned for them to sit again. Nick explained his plan, pausing frequently to allow Maggot time to translate. When he’d finished he waited, outwardly calm while his heart hammered painfully against his breastbone.

The prince studied him. Nick forced himself to hold the man’s gaze. It was a battle of wills. They both knew Mulai Aruj was in a jam. They both knew he wanted rid of Dulcie with as little fuss and inconvenience as possible. And they both knew Nick’s plan offered a solution. But Nick was very aware that the prince resented being in a position of weakness. This made him very dangerous.

When Mulai Aruj gave a terse nod indicating his agreement, Nick was careful to keep his face free of expression. Any hint of relief or triumph could sabotage the whole scheme.

‘You have brought money for Pasha Abd-er-Azzak Medja?’ Maggot translated. Nick showed him the bag. ‘I will take it to him.’ As he relayed the prince’s words Maggot’s face was as blank as a bare wall, but his eyes conveyed both anxiety and warning.

Nick could feel drops of sweat sliding down his chest and sides soaking into his shirt. Even without translation, the imperious tone had made it clear this was a command.

‘It is a gracious offer, your Excellency. I regret I must decline. I am not acting for myself, but for Miss Vyvyan’s father. The governor requested the money be given directly into his hands. Mr Vyvyan gave his solemn oath to obey. Honour demands I do what Mr Vyvyan would himself have done.’

‘Where is Mr Vyvyan?’

‘He was taken ill last night and was carried to my ship.’ Nick knew it was likely the prince had spies watching everything that went on in Tangier, particularly anything concerning foreigners. No doubt he had already been informed, and had asked simply to see how Nick would respond.

‘So you are ready to sail?’

‘We will leave as soon as Miss Vyvyan and her sister are aboard.’

As the prince stood up Nick and Maggot immediately did the same. ‘You will see the Pasha shortly.’

Lying on her couch, Dulcie fiddled with the gold braid decorating the neckline and cuffs of her saffron-coloured kaftan. ‘We weren’t allowed to leave the castle grounds, but at least they let us walk in the gardens.’ She heaved a sigh. ‘I’m so bored.’

‘Shall we walk a little?’ Kerenza suggested.

Dulcie shook her head. ‘No. I hate this wind. I feel sticky all the time.’

Kerenza had followed Nick’s advice and had kept asking questions that encouraged Dulcie to talk about herself. The trouble was Dulcie had little positive to say about anything. Her answers were brief, her comments invariably critical.

Kerenza tried again. ‘Is there a
hammam
in your apartments? Zohra, Maggot’s stepmother, took me to one near her house.’

‘What sort of a name is
Maggot
?’ Dulcie interrupted, pulling a face.

‘One easier to pronounce than his real name.’ Kerenza shrugged and smiled. ‘I really enjoyed the
hammam
once I got used it.’

‘The bathing was all right,’ Dulcie said grudgingly. ‘But after the first time I wouldn’t let them massage me. It hurt too much. I was afraid I’d have bruises, they were so rough and heavy-handed. And then they kept trying to pull my hair out.’

Kerenza sat up. ‘What do you mean? The women set upon you?’

‘No.’ Dulcie was impatient. ‘I don’t mean handfuls. They just pulled out one hair at a time.’

‘Why?’ Kerenza asked, bewildered. ‘What was their reason?’

‘Aruj told me the Moors believe fair hair has
baraka.
It’s some kind of blessing or power that makes you able to heal the sick and protect against the evil eye.’

‘But – Surely after mama –’ Kerenza began, then quickly closed her mouth.

‘Yes,
Mama
died,’ Dulcie said with heavy patience. ‘
I
didn’t. I didn’t even get the fever. So they thought Mama must have done something to upset the
jinoon
, the evil spirits. Anyway, I let Aruj have some of my hair. He plaited it into a thin braid that he wears on his wrist. He says it makes him invincible.’ Her mouth curved briefly in a proud smile before drooping again. ‘Invisible, more like. I know he’s busy, but I wish he’d come and see me more often. It’s so boring having to stay in the palace. And the slaves are rude to me. Not that I can understand a word they say. But I can tell by their eyes.’

‘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.