by Lori Wick
“So much?”
“That is what Calla said,” Shani told her, referring to the woman who’d been brought from the north border to sew for the emir’s young ward.
“Maybe the day you visit this ship will be cool, and you will be glad for much cloth.”
“Indira,” Shani said, suddenly very serious, “do you know what day I’m to go?”
“No, little one. Poppy has not spoken of this to me.”
“Indira,” Shani questioned again, her voice now a little frightened. “Is Poppy angry with me?”
“No, little one.” Indira’s voice was gentleness itself, knowing they had not hidden their emotions as well as they had believed. “Much is happening in the palace,” she explained.
“Rashad tells me the centennial approaches.”
“And so it does, but Poppy’s mind is full of many things, one of
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which is your happiness. Always understand, Shani, his only wish is to see you happy.”
Shani’s mind was put to rest and she turned back to the glass. She studied her reflection again for long moments, not even aware of her mother taking leave of her chambers.
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September 5,1844
captain brandon hawkesbury stood on the deck of theflying Surprise,his eyes intent on the shoreline beyond. Flynn, his first mate, had come up beside him, but a longboat had left shore, and the captain did not turn or even acknowledge him.
An older man by several years, Flynn allowed the captain his silence. Only when he saw that the smaller vessel was drawing near, did he disturb his long-time friend, knowing the question could wait no longer.
“How many of the crew do you want on deck, Hawk?”
Brandon never took his eyes from the approaching longboat. “I really don’t expect trouble.” The younger man’s voice was deep and calm. “Just tell the men to act normally, and to be courteous if spoken to.”
The mate left him then, and Brandon went back to his thoughts, the first and foremost of which was that she would be on board in a matter of minutes.
Shani’s excitement mounted as they drew closer to the tall frigate that rested easily in the water. Of all the English ships she had spotted, this was the largest. TheFlying Surprisewas a proud ship,
Shani determined, her mind running after a daydream of being the captain of such a fine craft.
As the longboat neared, her eyes grew round with wonder. The ship that had looked so small from the tower, and then bigger from shore, now loomed before her. Her mouth opened in unfeminine surprise for just a moment before she caught herself.
The boat pulled alongside, and in a moment Shani was swept into Rashad’s massive arms. With Shani’s arms around his neck and one arm behind her knees, he used his free hand to steady them on the ladder that Jed up to the deck. Shani held on with all the trust of a tiny child. Determined not to miss a thing, her head turned in every direction.
The moment her feet touched the deck, Shani felt a thrill race through her. She had finally made it onto the deck of an English ship. Why it had been such a cherished dream she wasn’t certain, but it was so special to her, so unlike anything she’d ever imagined. She was for the moment, speechless.
She knew her rather had been a little upset this morning. He had seen her new dress, kissed her goodbye, and told her not to disgrace him. She hoped she hadn’t pushed too hard in an effort to get her way. Indira had said he had a lot on his mind lately, but Shani was not entirely sure that this was the problem. She decided to speak to him the moment they returned to the palace.
“Captain Hawkesbury,” Shani heard Ali say, “we appreciate your kind hospitality in this matter. Please meet Ahmad Khan’s ward.” Shani came forward at these words and gave a small curtsy, just as Calla had shown her.
“This is Shani. Shani, this is our host, Captain Hawkesbury.”
Brandon extended his hand and smiled at the small brunette with the huge amethyst eyes. Had Shani known him better, she would have seen that behind the smile was some very real worry over Ali’s introduction. To this moment, Brandon had been led to believe his coming to get her had been the girl’s idea, but now he was having serious doubts. Her first words to him only confirmed this doubt.
“I’ve wanted to see an English ship for the longest time,” she said in softly accented English. “I can’t thank you enough for your kindness.”
She was so sweet, her manner so innocent and genuinely appreciative, that Brandon found he had to suddenly clear his throat. “The pleasure is all mine,” he told her gently.
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A moment later they began a tour of the ship. The crew, a handicked group of experienced sailors, knew exactly who the girl was. They were extremely polite when their young guest came across their paths.
The tour was detailed, with Shani’s enthusiasm pushing them through every nook and cranny of the large vessel. They went below decks as for down as the hold and also saw the crew’s quarters. They moved over every inch of the deck and took in the wheelhouse, the galley, and a small dining room used mainly by the captain and his officers.
They ended their excursion in the captain’s cabin, and Shani was surprised to see that his cabin had a dining table also. Not as large as the other, but more than sufficient. She was taking in the warm, almost plush room, which, unlike the crew’s quarters with mere hammocks, sported a real bed, writing desk, two large chairs, and a bathtub that seemed to be bolted to the floor, when AH spoke.
“I took the liberty of bringing aboard some refreshment,” Ali commented placidly. Shani had moved to study the maps over Brandon’s desk and gave him little heed. In fact, she’d heard almost nothing since she came aboard, so thrilled was she with all there was to see.
Her host was very surprised at Ali’s words, but Shani took no notice. Brandon was glad of her preoccupation for the first time, as he tried to figure out how he could politely refuse. As cups were filled by one of the two servants who had accompanied them, his mind was still searching for why Ali’s actions disturbed him. Ali passed one to Brandon, took one for himself, and gave the last to Shani. Ali had correctly read the look on the captain’s face, and when Shani’s attention was once again diverted, he spoke for Brandon’s ears alone.
“Drink without fear, Captain.”
Brandon looked sharply at the smaller man, but did as he’d been instructed. Shani drank also as she stood on tiptoe to see out the window.
“Oh,” Shani exclaimed suddenly. She took a stumbling step away from the window and sat down hard on the bed. “The ship must have rocked.”
Brandon, observing her intently, did not mention the ship had only rocked slightly in the waves. He watched as she put one hand to her forehead, and he reached for her glass as it began to slip from her suddenly limp fingers.
“I must not be a very good sailor, AU.” Shani’s voice had gone very weak. “I don’t feel well at all.” The last words were whispered, and Brandon watched in stunned fascination as she fell back on the bed. The entire episode happened so swiftly that he’d not even been able to react.
“There is no need for the worry I read in your face, Captain Hawkesbury. She will sleep but a few hours.”
^Tou drugged her?yltwas more of an accusation than a question.
Ali nodded serenely.
Brandon was furious at this deception.
“I assure you it was necessary,” Ali told him sedately before speaking a few words in his native tongue to the servants. Both men left the cabin, and Ali proceeded smoothly.
“Shani believed this tour was our granting of her wish to visit one of your English ships.”
“Then she doesn’t know who I am?” Brandon was astounded.
“She knows nothing. Again, I assure you my actions were necessary. Shani is of a strong nature. She would never have agreed to leave Darhabar on her own.”
“But she will never believe I haven’t kidnapped her,” Brandon went on, his mind racing for a possible sol
ution. It concerned him greatly that this man was so calm about something that was about to turn a young girl’s world upside down.
Ali removed a folded document from the pocket of his cloak. “This will explain all to her.”
Brandon took the paper and would have said more, but the servants returned, each carrying a large, ornate trunk. They placed the trunks out of the way and then returned to stand by the door. Brandon noticed that one man, the larger of the two, hesitated next to the bed for a moment, his eyes on the face of the sleeping girl. His expression gave no hint of his thoughts.
When Brandon’s attention returned to Ali, he noticed the older man had produced a simple but beautiful jewelry box. Where it had come from, Brandon could only guess, but then guessing was all he’d done since these visitors had come aboard.
Ali held it out to him and spoke. “She will not be ready for this when she awakens. When she is calm enough to keep from throwing it overboard, please give this to her. It is a gift from his highness, Ahmad Khan.”
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They left then, and Brandon, having finally come to grips with the feet that no part of this affair had been left to chance, followed them up onto the deck. He watched from the railing as they again entered the longboat and the oarsmen rowed for shore.
He stood for long moments and watched as they worked their way through the surf. When he turned, it was to find his first mate waiting for orders. Brandon’s first thought was of the girl below. Asleep or not, he felt he needed to be near her. After only a few instructions, he went below decks of theFlying Surprise,leaving Flynn in charge as they set sail for home.
shani moaned softly as she woke after just 20 minutes of sleep. Though she hadn’t had enough tea to experience its full effects, her head felt as though she’d been held under water too long. It didn’t really ache, but everything was fuzzy to her eyes. When her vision cleared somewhat, she found that she was still in the captain’s quarters. The first question on her mind was the whereabouts of All.
She stood, thinking to open the door and call to him, but the ship lurched suddenly, and Shani felt panicked as fear welled within her. She ran to the window, squinted out, and tried desperately to clear her vision. What she saw made her wish she hadn’t looked. They were moving!
Shani, still slightly dizzy, made a dash for the door. She wrenched the portal open, only to collide with the hard expanse of Captain Hawkesbury’s chest. She tried to move past him, but as surprised as he was to find her awake, Brandon was not about to let her escape.
*Tve got to find AH,” Shani spoke breathlessly. “The ship is moving, and I’ve got to see him.”
Brandon’s heart wrenched at the anguish in her voice, but he knew he couldn’t hide the truth from her. “The ship is moving; however, Ali has returned to Darhabar.”
Shani finally looked up, full into his face. Tears had puddled in those captivating eyes, and Brandon eased her backward into the chamber and shut the door.
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“You must not do this,” Shani spoke in desperation, suddenly afraid to be alone with this man.
“Your leaving was planned by the emir,” Brandon told her softly.
Even as he said the words, Shani knew he was telling the truth. Still she shook her head and tried to deny them.
Brandon reached for the document on his desk. “He left this for you. Ali said it would explain everything.**
Shani took the offered paper with a shaking hand. She sat on the edge of the bed and read the first line. “It is because of my love for you that I have taken this action.*5The words were written in the language of Shani’s adopted homeland, and even though she kept her head bent over the paper, she was not reading. Her mind was moving furiously, very aware of the way the captain watched her.
Years of living on the threshold of a harem, in a land where women were to be seen and not heard, had taught Shani how to hide her emotions well. Carefully schooling her features, she looked at the captain.
“I am sorry if my behavior was rude earlier, and I hope you will not find me rude now, but I wish to be alone.”
Brandon felt it was the worst thing for her, but he could see no alternative. “All right. I’ll check on you shortly.** He rose reluctantly and left the cabin.
For the space of several heartbeats Shani sat still. In that brief time she convinced herself that her Poppy had made a mistake, and that if she could only speak with him, she could change his mind. Her eyes cast miserably around the room and fell upon the wardrobe. With a glance at the door and one at the buttons on the front of her dress, Shani went to work.
“I can see you’d rather be below, Hawk,” Flynn commented. “You’ve only been up here a few minutes, and you’re already pacing the deck.”
“She said she wanted to be alone,** Brandon commented as though trying to convince himself of that feet.
“You said as much, but if you feel it’s not best, go back down. Remember, you’re the authority where that little girl is concerned, and maybe the sooner she realizes it, the better off she’ll be.”
Brandon silently agreed with him, and after giving him a swift pat on the shoulder, moved to go back below deck.
Shani had no more dosed the cabin door than she heard footsteps approaching in the passageway. She stepped back into the shadows, hoping she would be able to quiet her breathing before she gave herself away. She was dressed in her bloomers and a pair of pants she’d found in the wardrobe, along with a gigantic shirt. She was in danger of losing the pants, but if that was the price she had to pay to get home, she would gladly pay it.
The footsteps drew nearer. Shani nearly gasped when they stopped not five feet from her and the captain’s door was opened. Shani knew she had only seconds before her disappearance was reported, but they were seconds she planned to use to her own advantage.
On silent, bare feet she moved toward the steps that led upward to the deck. When her foot was on the first step, the captain’s door crashed behind her. No longer bothering to stay silent, Shani scrambled up the stairs in a panic. She heard the captain’s shout behind her, but there was no hesitation as she gained the deck and ran for the stern of the ship.
Like a wild animal on the run, Shani rounded the wheelhouse, leaping over riggings, barrels, ropes, and other obstacles that stood in the way of her home. Even as she ran, her eyes caught glimpses of the shoreline on the horizon. It was shrinking at a rapid rate, but Shani had no doubt she could swim the distance.
The ship was in pandemonium in her wake. Brandon had come topside, shouting orders as he charged after the young girl. He’d finally got her in his sight, but wasn’t close enough to stop the inevitable. He watched her dive without a moment’s hesitation, reaching the railing in time to see her land in the water with perfect form. He tore his boots off, watched her surface, and then joined her in the sea.
The water, although not cold, was still something of a shock to Shani. She came up gasping for air and struggling to pull up the pants she was losing under the water. She realized she was going to have to let them go if she was going to swim the distance. After
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wrapping them around the back of her neck, Shani started toward shore with strong, sure strokes.
She hadn’t gone 40 feet when Brandon laid hands on her. She’d still been removing the pants when his body hit the surface, and since the waters of the Arabian Sea were choppy, she had no warning of his presence.
Brandon thought he had a full-grown shark on his hands when Shani realized who held her captive. She fought him with every ounce of strength. Later Brandon wondered how long he could have held her if one of the longboats had not reached them so swiftly.
He passed Shani up to the waiting arms of a crewman, and then hoisted himself in behind her. She was still fighting, so as soon as he was aboard, he took her back into his arms. The men knew what to do and rowed immediately for the ship. Shani took no notice of them.
Brandon tried to subdue he
r without hurting her, but because she was bent on escape, this was no small task. At one point he secured her flailing arms and legs, only to have her bite him on the forearm. They were still struggling furiously when the boat pulled alongside the ladder.
Without ceremony Brandon slung her across his shoulder. He mounted the ladder so swiftly that Shani had scarcely taken a breath before she was back aboard the ship. Although she heard the orders he spoke as they moved across the deck, she didn’t understand them. Shani was still over his shoulder when they entered his cabin. He shut the door and placed her on her feet.
A piece of toweling flew in her direction, and Shani grabbed it automatically. She didn’t dry herself, but held it to her chest and looked at the tall man across from her. Why had she not noticed his size before? Shani shrank back, sure she was about to receive the beating of her life, but all Brandon did was look at her, the expression in his dark eyes unreadable.
Shani would have said something, but the door opened after a brief knock and a wiry, gray-haired man entered carrying two steaming buckets. He disappeared behind the screened-off corner of the room Shani had noticed earlier. Another man entered, more buckets in hand, and by the time the two had finished behind the screen and exited the room, Shani was shivering uncontrollably.
Brandon pointed to the partition. “Get behind that screen and into the tub.”
Shani nodded, and even though Brandon hated the fear he saw in her eyes, he was too spent to reassure her. His only objective at the moment was to move swiftly out of these waters and take his young charge as far from these shores as he could possibly get her.
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As soon as brandon was certain Shani was well ensconced behind the screen, he stripped out of his own wet attire and slipped into dry pants and a robe. A crewman entered bearing two steaming mugs, and Brandon accepted his with a grateful word.
Once again alone, Brandon sat at his desk and sipped the tea. Nothing had been as he had expected. He was under the impression that he would be going ashore for the girl, and that she was anticipating his arrival. Brandon sat quietly and tried to take it all in.
