"Such a foolish tongue. I curse it! May it shrivelup and fall from my mouth,thenI shall stomp upon it!"
"What utter nonsense. You have done nothing wrong,only given of your heart's joy. Come. Sit here by me."
With a plaintive sigh,Majidarose. She smiled apologetically at Leila as she sat on the edge of the divan.
"There. That is so much better," Eve saidcalmly, though she still appeared flustered. She patted the odalisque's hand. "Now.Go on,Majida. Tell Leila why you are so elated."
Leila stared at her mother, feeling for some strangereason that Eve was reluctant to share this news herself. She glancedquestioningly atMajida, who was again smilingbroadly.
"A date has been set for your marriage to Jamal Al-Aziz.One month hence, my young mistress, you will be a bride!"
Excitement blazed through Leila. "When was thisdecided?" she asked, astounded that she had been thinking of such a thingonly a short while ago.
"Late this afternoon," Eve replied quietly. "Yourfather received a letter from Jamal at the hospital not long after you left,but since his work will stretch far into the night he sent a message requestingI give you the news. Jamal believes the caliph's family will be fully curedwithin a few weeks, and he has requested that the wedding preparations begin atonce. He is most eager for the marriage."
Leila lowered her head, overwhelmed. Her dream hadsuddenly moved that much closer to becoming reality. If she was to marry sosoon, that meant her apprenticeship was almost over.
"I take it you are pleased."
The sadness in her mother's voice cut through her ownhappiness. Leila met her eyes, a stunning likeness to her own, and wasastonished to see tears trailing down Eve's alabaster cheeks. "Are you nothappy for me, Mother?" she asked, perplexed.
Eve did not answer for so long that Leila grew fearful,not knowing what her mother would say.
"Jamal is a good man, the son of my belovedhusband," Eve finally replied, wiping away her tears with a gossamer silkhandkerchief. "If God wills it to be so . . ."
Her voice trailed off and she rose to her feet, atremulous smile on her lips. "We will talk more tomorrow, my daughter. Enjoyyour supper and rest well this night. May your dreams be sweet and full ofpromise."
As Eve walked away, her silk garments rustling softlyin the breeze,Majidajumped up from the divan tofollow, but Leila caught her hand.
"Majida, please. What istroubling my mother?" Leila whispered fervently, raising her voice whenEve disappeared down the stairs. "You have served her since she came to myfather's house. You know her soul. Tell me. I cannot bear to see her sodistressed."
Majida'sface became strangelyimpassive, and Leila sensed at once that the odalisque was loath to answer. SheknewMajida'sallegiance was first and foremost toher mother.
"Please, you must tell me," Leila insisted,almost pleading. "Have I hurt her in some way?"
"No, young mistress,"Majidasaid solemnly, shaking her head. "You bring your mother great joy"—afaint smile stirred her lips— "ah, in truth, a bit of trouble now andthen, but nothing that would so distress her heart."
"Is there unhappiness between my parents?"Leila desperately hoped this was not the case. She had seen broken heartsaplenty in the opulent harems she visited, neglected wives and forgottenconcubines. Another reason to be thankful for her profession. A physician wasalways needed. Not so a wife.
Majidareached out and gentlystroked her cheek, as if sensing her unease. "Never fear, beloved one. Mymaster's love for my mistress is as eternal as the spring, her devotion to himlike the jade oasis in the desert with its deep, life-giving pools."
"What is it, then?"
Majidadrew a deep breath,and Leila could sense she was choosing her words carefully. The odalisqueseemed about to speak when a small, pale-breasted pigeon alighted on a nearbytrellis, distracting her. When she met Leila's gaze once more, Leila could tellfrom the slave woman's guarded expression that she had changed her mind.
"I must go, my young mistress,"Majidasaid, bowing so low that the fringed ends of herveil touched the tiles. She turned and hurried away, her bare feet making nosound.
Leila had it on the tip of her tongue to callMajidaback and demand an explanation for her mother'stears, but within an instant, she was alone again.
What right didMajidahave tokeep her mother's troubles from her?shefumed. Surelyif it was something serious the odalisque would put aside her iron-clad loyaltyand let Leila know what was in Eve's heart. She was her daughter, after all.
Frowning, Leila poured herself a goblet of cool whitewine and took a long sip, enjoying the liquid's tart flavor. She was glad herfather did not so strictly adhere to his faith's dietary regulations that heforbade wine in his home, although he himself did not drink it. She nibbled ona meat pastry, ripe olives, and sliced pomegranate, easing her hunger pains atlast. Soon she felt much better, her stomach full, the wine soothing hertemper.
Perhaps whatever plagued her mother was really not soserious, Leila reasoned, lying back on the divan.
Maybe it was nothing more than the normal feelings oflosing one's daughter to the man she would marry. Leila would be moving toanother house, another harem. She and her mother would still see each other,but not as often. That could certainly cause Eve pain, since they had alwaysbeen so close.
It also seemed her mother became distressed wheneverthey talked about crusaders, and Leila determined then and there that she wouldnot mention the barbarian again. It puzzled her that Eve was praying for him.She should really be praying for the guards who had to watch him instead.
