Page 44 of Silver Angel

And he had still said immediately, she realized. “But why the rush? She’s going to be denied the preparation ritual that is so important for her self-esteem. To be the chosen one is an honor—”

“Do you really thinkshewill consider it such?”

Rahine stopped cold, paling. “Allah help us, what if she resists him?”

“That is a distinct possibility.”

“I should have spoken to her myself, should have warned her what could happen if she displeases him.”

Omar continued walking, saying over his shoulder, “He has called for her before she is ready, Rahine. He will have to take that into consideration and have patience with her.”

She hurried to catch up with him. “Butwillhe? You know how short-tempered he has been—”

“Which is why there is no time for this speculation. We only have time to see her properly dressed.”

On inquiry of Shahar’s whereabouts, they were directed to thehammam. Thank Allah for small favors. But Rahine had recalled by now that Shahar had not been denuded of all her body hair. She decided not to mention this appalling fact to Haji, since there was nothing they could do about it now. There was no telling what Jamil’s reaction would be, but again, he had to accept what he got when he allowed no time for preparation.

Rahine sighed to herself. She couldn’t even be annoyed with Jamil for breaking tradition because of this unprecedented impatience on his part. He was under a strain. He was not himself, and hadn’t been for months. If Shahar could take his mind off his troubles for a while, Rahine would be thankful for it. She was just afraid that this particular girl was going to add to his frustration, rather than appease it.

They found her stretched out on a bench in the main chamber of thehammam, her head resting on her crossed arms, her eyes closed. The girl who had been given to her knelt beside her, gently running a brush through that wealth of platinum hair, spread down her back and over her hips. If Jamil could see her like this he would find no fault with her no matter her attitude, for her skinniness was hidden beneath a caftan that covered her completely, falling to the floor on each side of the bench. She presented a sensual picture, with a dreamy smile on her lips in her relaxation.

A light coating of cosmetics had already been applied to her face, a very light coat, Rahine noted, and realized it suited her fairness. She made a mental note to reward Shahar’s servant for having her in a state of readiness even though she was still in training.Thatcircumstance had abruptly changed. Now for the battle that Rahine fully anticipated.

Chantelle’s eyes popped open as she heard the surprised gasps all around her and the quickly uttered greetings to the Dey’s mother and his Chief Black Eunuch. But then she groaned, seeing that the pair were moving directly toward her. What now? she wondered with a distinct flare of irritation. Had Vashti complained of her surliness? But that wasn’t her fault, for that haughty little twit gave her a very real headache each time she showed up for Chantelle’s “lessons in the arts of love.”

As she sat up, she glanced briefly at the culprit in question and saw Vashti preening in what was supposedly a provocative pose, naked from the waist up, her large melonlike breasts looking grotesque with the nipples hennaed, as many of the women’s were; they used henna not only on nipples but on hands and feet, too. One lady had even put the red dye around her hairless pubic region, a sight which Chantelle had had to pinch herself to keep from laughing at, it had looked so ridiculous.

The nakedness in the baths was not unusual, for half the women in the room were partially clothed as well, and there were about twenty concubines present at the moment. Chantelle had even managed not to feel quite so disturbed by it today, so she supposed this was one thing she was quickly getting used to, though she refused to lie about in such a state of indecency.

“Lalla Rahine, Haji Agha.” Chantelle gave them the barest semblance of a nod to allow them their due respect. “Is there something you require of me?”

“What is that scent you are wearing?” Rahine asked abruptly.

“Attar of roses.”

“I would have preferred something more sensual, but it will do, I suppose.” Rahine waved the girl Oma away when she rushed up behind her with her own box of scents, and directed her next question to Adamma. “Was she thoroughly bathed today?”

Adamma was in a frozen state of shock, as well as rendered speechless, at being spoken to by Lalla Rahine for the first time ever. Chantelle’s eyes narrowed at these pointless questions. As far as she was concerned, her cleanliness was no one’s business but her own. Did they have to pry intoeverythinghere?

Irritation prodding her, and after having listened to nothing but allusions to sex for the past three days, she drawled, “Why,lalla, you could eat off me, I’m so clean. Is that what you wanted to know?”

Rahine’s lips twitched despite herself. “You must inform Jamil that he has that option, Haji.”

“He might find it a unique experience,” the old eunuch agreed, his grin more obvious.

“Now just a minute—” Chantelle began, but was distracted by another servant running toward her, arms laden with the sheerest silk she had ever seen, in the most exquisite shade of lavender.

The material was laid out carefully on the bench beside her, and now Chantelle saw that it wasn’t just material, but a finished product, an outfit in the same design as what she was already used to wearing. The silk pantaloons were shot through with silver thread, making them glitter at the slightest movement. And she gasped to find that the little vest was trimmed with silver-mounted amethysts. There were also transparent veils in the same color, but of gauze; a stunning head circlet of silver, pearls, and much larger amethysts to attach the veils to; and satin slippers studded with still more purple gems.

It was an outfit unlike any she had seen in common wear around the harem, an outfit worthy of…the Dey’s pleasure. Her eyes flew to Rahine with that horrid thought, but she could sense nothing in the older woman’s expression to panic her. Besides, she had been assured that she wouldn’t be summoned until her training was completed, and it had only just begun. She had also been assured she wouldn’t be summoned until she put on some weight, and at the most she had gained back only a pound or two, enough to take the gauntness from her face.

“Is this costume for me?” Chantelle asked Rahine.

Rahine had not missed the brief moment of fear that was revealed in Shahar’s expression. But then she had been anticipating a battle royal, only it was a battle the girl couldn’t win.

For a long moment, she actually debated lying to Shahar about where she was going. That would get her dressed quickly, get her all the way to Jamil’s apartment without incident, and also keep the girl from hating her, and she realized with a degree of surprise that she didn’t want Shahar to hate her.

Rahine sighed, for she knew she was only fooling herself. In no way could they leave the battle to come on Jamil’s doorstep. The results of that would affect the whole palace, and that was something she couldn’t risk, even if she was willing to cause Jamil’s displeasure, which she wasn’t. Besides, lying to the girl would undoubtedly gain her hate anyway.