"Forgive me, my lord. I did not hear you."
"I said we can't have that." Damned if hewanted a mewling female to contend with on their journey to Acre. Better todrug her and deal with any tears later, when the danger was past. "Verywell. What do I have to do?"
"When Iliftmy veilover my head, which is your signal, pour the sedative over the sponge and thencreep up behind her as you did to me and cover her mouth. In only a moment thedrug will take effect, and she will sleep for a day or better." Evedrummed her slender fingers on the latticework. "Oh, yes. You must washyour hands as soon as Leila is unconscious. The fumes left on your skin arepotent enough to give you a terrible headache if you inhale them."
"My thanks for the warning," Guy said,wincing at the pain in his neck and shoulders. He couldn't stay cramped up likethis much longer. "When did you say your friend would get here with thatwagon?"
"Soon, my lord. I am sorry about the cabinet, butI have nowhere else to hide you," she apologized, sensing his discomfort. "Youare as tall and broad a man as I have ever seen, other than William." Shesighed softly,thenasked, "Is Roger the same?"
"Close," Guy answered tersely, then quicklychanged the unsavory topic. "What of your husband, Al-Aziz? Do you expecthim soon?"
"No. No.'Tisa mostfortunate thing. Tonight he spends with his second wife . . . though Leila didsay he wished to speak with her when he returned from the hospital." Sheappeared momentarily concerned,thenshook her head. "Ah,either way, he will not come home until very late. A great physician's life isa taxing one." She fell silent, leaning her shoulder lightly on the doors.
"What will you tell him, my lady, when hediscovers Leila is missing?"
"I do not know," she replied simply, meetinghis eyes through the ornamental grille. "Perhaps I will tell him thetruth. It is hard to deceive one who knows your heart as if it washis very own."
"That is insane!" Guy blurted, not believingher. "You must come with us. I cannot leave you here, thinking you mightbe imprisoned or worse—"
"No, I have told you, my lord. My place is herewith my husband. As for my fate, whatever I decide to tell him about this night. . . we are all in God's hands." A small smile curved her lips. "Imust go now and get the sedative from Leila's medical supplies.Majidatold me she was still in the baths. Perhaps youmight try resting on one knee for a while instead of hunching over like that. Iwill return shortly."
Guy followed Eve's suggestion as she turned and walkedgracefully from the room, her gauze-like garments shimmering in the lamplight.He leaned his head on the side of the cabinet and closed his eyes, sighingheavily.
What a strange day this had been, fraught with moreunsettling surprises than he could ever have imagined when he awoke thatmorning. And there was every indication that the day would continue its chaoticcourse. Soon he would be rumbling across a city swarming with soldiers in somesort of wagon with a drugged young woman who was none other than the sister ofhis worst enemy and the adopted daughter of the most renowned physician in theArab Empire!
If he had any guardian angels, he seriously hoped theywere watching.
Chapter 7
Leila glanced up from her book of Persian poetry asMajidaentered the room and hurried over to the divan whereshe was reclining on a half dozen soft pillows.
"Forgive me, O my young mistress," theodalisque said, her hand pressed over her heart. "It is growing late and Ido not mean to disturb your hour of solitude, but your beloved mother hasrequested that I escort you to her apartments."
Surprised, Leila lowered the book to her lap. "Ithought she had gone to GovernorMawdud'spalace. Issomething wrong? Is Mother ill?"
"No, no, dearest one, she is well, but she haschanged her mind about visiting our lord governor. She merely wishes to speakwith you before she retires for the night."
Leila frowned. Eve changed her mind? That was indeedodd. Once her mother decided to do something, she rarely swerved from herpurpose. And why wasMajidalooking at her sointently, as if she were memorizing every line of her face? The odalisque'sgray eyes were misty and red-rimmed as if she might have been crying, and herhands were trembling slightly. "Majida, what istroubling you?"
The odalisque started at her question and backed away,bowing. "I am tired, my young mistress, nothing more. Your devotedMajidagrows older with each passing day, do not forget.Please, your motherawaits."
Leila sighed softly as she flung aside the lightcoverlet and rose from the divan. She left her book lying open on a cushion andmarked the page with a flat brass ornament shaped like a tulip, determined thatshe would finish reading the lengthy poem when she returned to her room.
"If you will kindly wear this,"Majidasaid, holding up one of Leila's plainer robes madeof dark bluelinen. "The air has grown cool thisnight, and you are hardly dressed to withstand its chill."
Leila glanced down at the clothes she was wearing, alavender silkthobwith a V-shaped collar embroideredin silver thread, and matchingsirwal. The iridescentfabric was so sheer she could see her rose-pink nipples and the pearly whitenessof her skin through the lightly embroidered bodice.
"Very well,Majida, Iwill wear the robe," she agreed, bringing her long, beribboned braid overher shoulder and shrugging into the garment. She tied the proffered sash aroundher waist, adding, "Though I am only going across the courtyard."
"And shoes, my dearest Leila."
Leila stared at the odalisque.Majidahardly ever called her by her name unless she was frustrated by Leila'sstubbornness, which had happened often as a child. But the odalisque hardlylooked angry now.Majidaseemed nervous anddistressed, as if she might burst into tears at any moment. For that reasonLeila slipped on the soft leather sandals laid at her feet, whereas otherwiseshe might have objected.
"There. Satisfied?" she asked with anindulgent smile.
Majidaonly nodded and leftthe room, leading the way as Leila followed quickly after her, growing moreperplexed.
In the courtyard Leila paused briefly and looked upinto the sky, drinking in the jasmine-scented air. How beautiful was the night,the heavens so black and deep, the stars like many-faceted diamonds, sparklingand twinkling. She might have stood there longer ifMajidahadn't tugged impatiently on her sleeve.
