Love Wild and Fair

by Bertrice Small

  No sooner had the vizier arrived than he commanded Cat to remove her garments. She protested. "I spend a fortune on clothes and jewels to please you, my lord Cica, and you rarely allow me to wear them."

  "Wear them for your friends. I love you as Allah fashioned you."

  Pouting, she obeyed him, slowly and teasingly removing each article of clothing as his eyes glittered hungrily. Susan then served them a hot supper. Cat noted that the meal was filled with foods and spices considered conducive to lovemaking. She shuddered imperceptibly, knowing that the next three days would be exhausting.

  When the dishes had been cleared away, the vizier told Susan, "You may sleep, Mara. But tell Feisal to remain on call in his chamber."

  "Yes, master," replied Susan as she left the room.

  Now he turned his gaze on Cat. "Come here, Incili," and she moved around the low table next to him. Drawing her across his lap, he sighed with contentment as his hands began caressing her.

  "Look at me," he commanded, and she raised her green eyes to meet his gray-blue ones. It was as she had feared. The pupils of his eyes were dilated, and tiny gold flames danced within them. He had obviously consumed a quantity of aphrodisiacs, and would be utterly insatiable. She trembled, and he laughed as if he knew her thoughts.

  His deep voice was low and intimate. "We do not have to hurry, my love. Indeed, we will not," and his free hand slid between her legs to caress her. She felt her strength ebbing as the familiar languorous feelings began to wash over her. At first his touch was delicate, but it soon became an irritation. She tried to squirm away from him but he held her fast.

  Cat began to experience a warmth where he touched her, and a moan escaped her. She could not believe it, but she was fast losing control of herself, sliding away into a rainbow world where exquisite sensation followed exquisite sensation until she was gasping with a passion she was unable to stop. It occurred to her vaguely that he had fed her the same aphrodisiacs he had taken.

  Frightened, she cried out and tried to sit up, but he gently lifted her from his lap and placed her carefully on the colored cushions, her fair-skinned body in startling contrast against, the deep, rich colors of the velvets and satins. Looming over her, he looked like a colossus as he stripped his wide trousers off. Her heart beat wildly at the sight of his long, smooth, well-muscled legs. He knelt and, pushing her legs up, found with his mouth the place where his fingers had lately been. Soon satisfied that he had rendered her mindless, he drew her legs back down. Pulling himself up, he drove into her. She sobbed with relief.

  He thrust cruelly back and forth, deliberately hurting her, yet the pain he inflicted was a part of the wildly sensual experience and she relished it. He caught a nipple in his teeth and bit down sharply on it. She screamed and tried to twist away, but then his hot tongue licked furiously at the injured nipple, soothing away the hurt.

  She began to shiver violently and, unable to control it, she panicked. Desperately she sought to escape the man responsible for what was happening to her. But now, his passion mounting uncontrollably, he was unreachable. She fought him. She was being violently assaulted, buffeted by a stronger sexual force than she had ever known, and she simply couldn't handle it. Then suddenly it was over, and she was falling, falling away into the sweet peaceful darkness of unconsciousness.

  A gentle stroking of her body was her first awareness of returning consciousness. Cat lay quietly with her eyes closed. Her whole being rebelled at this sensuous man who called her "wife," yet treated her solely as an object for his pleasure.

  "Open your eyes, Incili."

  She obeyed, keeping her lashes modestly lowered lest he see the terrible mixture of fear and repulsion she felt.

  "It is time for you to bathe me, Incili."

  "Yes, my lord Cica," she answered. Rising from the bed, she walked across the room to the bath. She was amazed that her legs could hold up. At her call the eunuch came and the bath was made ready. Her slim fingers decanted the bottles holding the both oils. She sniffed each, finally choosing an attar of roses. Pouring it into the tub, she dismissed the eunuch and called to the vizier, "Your bath is ready, my lord."

  Naked, Cicalazade Pasha came into the bath, where Cat waited to serve him. He stood quietly while she laved his body with warm water. Now her hands were gently rubbing a soft soap over his broad chest and back. Kneeling, she soaped his legs, and his genitals quivered. She quickly caught up a boar's-bristle brush and scrubbed him down, sluicing him once more with warm, fresh water.

  "There, my lord," she said briskly, "you may now soak in your tub."

  The voice that answered her was amused. "Thank you, my love. Wash quickly, and join me," and he submerged himself in the large square green-tiled pool.

  Slowly she soaped herself, putting off the moment when she must join him in the bath. He watched her from beneath hooded eyelids, knowing almost precisely what she was thinking and thoroughly enjoying her discomfort. He kept her nude and forced her to these menial duties in an attempt to tame her. Too, her helplessness gave him a delicious feeling of power. The pleasure he gained from this constant battle between them was far better than the easy conquest of a dozen other beautiful women.

  Finally, unable to delay any longer, she was forced to enter the heavily scented tub. He immediately reached out and drew her against him, her soft breasts straining against his chest, the tender nipples irritated by the dark furry mat of his chest. His mouth closed over hers for the first time that evening, his probing tongue almost gagging her. He drew her arms around his neck. Then his hands slid beneath the water to cup her buttocks and, pressing her against the back of the tile tub wall, he raised her up and impaled her on his hardness. She gasped her surprise, but the sound was muffled by his lips. Pressing fierce little thrusts into her, he released his passion, and then held her more tenderly, for she was half-fainting.

  Chuckling happily at his sense of dominance, he vaulted quickly from the water and, reaching down, drew her out. Weakened by the warm water and the vizier's lovemaking, but still obedient to her duties, she picked up a warmed towel from the top of the tile stove and wrapped it about him. Taking a second towel, she sat him down and dried him, careful to rub the dampness from between his toes. Stretching him out face down on a marble bath bench, she massaged his muscled body with body cream smelling of roses. As her hands skillfully kneaded the firm body, he rumbled contentment like a large, sleek cat.

  Finally he called, "Enough," and rose up to reveal a once again engorged organ. Laughing at the look on her face, he said, "The night has just begun, Incili, and I have yet to get enough of you. I must somehow cool the fires you create in my loins if we are to be parted for several months."

  She was shaking. Holding out her hands, she pleaded with him, "Please, my lord husband, no more! Not just yet!"

  It was if she had not spoken. Catching her hands, he forced her facedown onto the same marble bench and, straddling her, he parted her thighs and entered her gently from behind. His hands raised her a little so he could fondle her breasts. He crushed the warm flesh in his big hands, reveling in its softness, pinching the nipples so that she cried out.

  In that moment Cat's tolerance of Cicalazade Pasha vanished. He was using her like an animal, without any thought for her at all. Only the knowledge that she would soon be free of him kept her from shrieking her fury. As it was, her temples had begun to throb.

  Grunting with pleasure, he finally loosed her and rose up, exclaiming, "I have labored hard so far this evening, and I am thirsty. Fetch me a sherbet, my dove!"

  She stood for a moment on trembling legs, then left the bath and crossed the bedchamber to the table where the sherbet decanters stood. Mixing his favorites together, she looked carefully to see where he was, and found him sprawled on the bed looking up through the glass dome at the night sky. With a thumbnail she carefully flicked open the top of her turquoise ring and dropped a pinch of white powder into his cup. Esther Kira had given her the sleeping potion, but she had nev
er dared use it before. Tonight, however, she could take no more, and she knew that the aphrodisiacs he had consumed would confuse him anyway.

  She smilingly crossed the room and presented him with the cup. He drank it down thirstily and, carelessly flinging the cup to the floor, pulled her onto the bed. 'You are so beautiful," he said. "How you please me, Incili! You please me greatly. Did you know that, my jewel? I treasure you above all my women. Never has a mere female delighted me so much."

  She pressed her face into his shoulder so he might not see it. "It makes me happy that I pleasure you, my lord husband," she lied smoothly.

  He groped for her breasts, fumbling at her, his movements beginning to become clumsy. Then suddenly she heard him snore lightly. She eased herself out of his grasp and lay apart from him, waiting to see whether he missed her. He was sound asleep, drugged by the white powder she had slipped into his sherbet. In the morning she would add a different powder to his coffee, one which would counteract the effect of the aphrodisiacs and render him almost desireless. That should keep her safe for at least part of the day.

  Rising from the rumpled bed, she returned to the bath. Filling and refilling the silver ewer, she laved herself over and over, washing away all evidence of the past hour. The bath was the one aspect of Turkish life she truly enjoyed. Dry again, she slipped a sheer nightgar-ment over her head. When he awoke he would object and demand its removal. But for now she would have some protection from the cool night air.

  Laying herself at the farthest edge of the bed, she wrapped herself in a light wool blanket and immediately fell asleep.

  When she awoke the sun was already rising. Cicalazade Pasha lay sprawled on his back snoring mightily, much as she had left him last night. She stretched and, unrolling herself from the blanket, got up. The air was chilly, so she lifted from her trunk a soft white wool caftan and slid it over her nightgown. She slipped her feet into a pair of wool-lined slippers and, checking again to be sure the vizier was asleep, she ran out into the garden.

  The wet grass glistened diamondlike in the early sunlight, and the beds of tulips and narcissus were just beginning to open and perfume the air. A faint silvery haze hung just above the dark sea, and the surrounding hillsides were bright-green with spring growth. For a few minutes she was free again, and she reveled in it. If she could get through the next two days and could convince Cica to let her remain on the island, the Kiras would liberate her. Obviously it would be easier to free her from the island than from Cicalazade's palace. She was sorry she had not been able to say goodbye to Lateefa. When she was safe again she would send her kindly cousin a message through the Kiras…

  Suddenly a smile lit Cat's face. She had just thought how she could convince the vizier to leave her on the island for a few days. She would use his masculine pride against him to gain her own ends. It would serve the bastard right!

  It bothered Cicalazade that she had not become pregnant. He knew she had borne nine living children and he had sired Lateefa's children and forty on the harem women besides. He longed for a child of her body and, not knowing of the potion she took to prevent conception, could not understand why she had not swelled with his fruit.

  She would tell him she believed she was pregnant. Pleading the strange fancies of a breeding woman, she would beg to remain a few extra days on the island. Should he refuse her she would weep and pout to gain her way. He would expect it, as he had no view of women other than as soft, foolish creatures.

  A little breeze had sprung up, and Cat shivered in anticipation. She always enjoyed mapping battle strategy. Laughing to herself, she wondered which side of her ancestry was asserting itself-the Scots or the Turkish?

  Chapter 56

  NO!" said the vizier firmly. "I will not allow it, Incili."

  She burst into tears. "You do not love me," she sobbed. "You have stolen me from my husband and used me like an animal! You care nothing for me! Would that the child and I were dead!"

  "Child?" His mouth fell open. "What child?"

  She raised a teary face to him. "I am not completely sure, my lord, for it is a trifle too early to be entirely sure, but there is a strong possibility that I am with child."

  A look of incredulous delight passed over his face, and she nearly allowed herself a twinge of guilt. "A child," he breathed. "Then, my dove, there can be no question of your remaining here. I will not endanger my son."

  She forced a fresh torrent of tears from her eyes. "I cannot bear to be penned within the harem right now, my lord husband! It is so pleasant and peaceful here." She lowered her voice so that he was forced to bend down in order to hear her. It also allowed him a wonderful view of her swelling breasts. The seductive scent that issued from the valley between those glorious bills was deliriously overpowering to the vizier.

  "We have spent so many joyous hours here, my husband. It is the one place I do not have to share with anyone, even my dear Lateefa." She caught at his arm and pressed it meaningfully. "We have yet another wonderful day ahead of us and-" her lashes fanned down over her pink cheeks-"another wonderful night. Let me remain here dreaming but a few days after you leave me. I need a few more days to be completely sure. It would make me so happy. Don't you want me to be happy, my husband?" And her green eyes filled with tears that threatened to overflow while her soft mouth pouted.

  He was tolerantly amused by the obviousness of her approach. She was so typically, predictably feminine, and it delighted him. The look she cast up at him bespoke a night of incredible pleasures should he consent to her wishes, and he could honestly see no harm in allowing her to have her way in this. She was no girl swelling with her first child. She was a successful and a proven breeder. He knew that pregnant women had strange whims which should be indulged whenever possible. She would be perfectly safe on his island with her female servant for companionship. But he intended sending back Osman and half a dozen others so there would be protection-not that anyone would dare to intrude on his island.

  He tried to look stern and thoughtful, and she knew she had won. "Very well," he said. "I will allow you to remain for a week, but Osman will come to guard you."

  "Of course, my lord," she answered him demurely. He pulled her across his lap into his arms. "Do I not get a reward, my dove?" She pulled his head down and kissed him deeply and convincingly, beginning another session of sensuality.

  In the morning he left the island in his caique and was rowed back down the Bosporus to his palace in the city, where he made arrangements for Cat's stay on the island.

  She stood on the stone quay waving him goodbye, but no sooner was he out of hearing than she whirled about with joy, shouting in her own language, "Goodbye, my lord vizier! Farewell forever!"

  Susan was astounded at Cat's behavior. "My lady, are you all right?"

  "Better than I have been in almost a year, my girl," laughed Cat. "Now that he is gone I dare tell ye. My beloved Francis is near, and yer Uncle Conall too! I dinna know when, but we'll be rescued in a few days at the most!"

  "Thank God," breathed Susan fervently.

  " 'Twill nae be easy," Cat warned her. "We hae a long and dangerous journey ahead of us. But I should rather die wi Bothwell than spend my days a pampered wife of Cicalazade Pasha!"

  "Then yer nae wi bairn? He said ye were, and that I should take extra care of ye."

  "God's bones, no! I'd nae bear that lustful devil's bairn! 'Twas but an excuse so we might remain here. 'Tis easier to escape from here than from the vizier's palace. Now, keep yer wits about ye, girl. Osman and a few others will be arriving later today to aid Feisel in 'protecting' me. Ye must nae gie them any reason to be suspicious of us."

  "Will my lord kill the eunuchs here?"

  "Of course. We'll need all the time we can get for a head start before they discover us gone."

  "Good! I hate Osman, and I want him dead!"

  Cat looked at Susan with amazement. "Why? What has he done to you?"

  They had climbed back up to the top of the island. They sat
down on a marble bench by the edge of a small goldfish pond.

  "Ye know that eunuchs dinna function as normal men," said Susan, "but there are several ways of gelding a male. Some have the rod and sac cut away. These are usually small children. Boys who are older are gelded by simply cutting the sac away so they may not reproduce. Though they are not supposed to, they can function with the aid of special drugs. They cannot have children, of course. Osman is one of these. If a girl takes a eunuch's fancy…" She stopped. "Well, they have several ways of satisfying themselves."

  "And Osman singled ye out?" said Cat furiously. "He dared? Why did ye nae tell me, girl? I would hae put an instant stop to it!"

  "I thought ye had enough to contend wi, my lady," said Susan simply.

  Cat put an arm about her servant and hugged her. "Ah, Susan! When we are safely out of this I swear ye'll nae lack for anything ever again. As yer great-grand-mam and yer grandmother were loyal to my ancestress, so hae ye been faithful to me. I will nae forget it."

  "We are family, my lady, though ye be the mistress and I the tiring woman. A Leslie dinna forget his own."

  "Aye, Susan, a Leslie dinna forget," replied Cat.

  And as the two women sat quietly watching the fan-tail goldfish cavorting in the small blue-tiled pool, Both-well impatiently pa.ced a room in the Kiras' Instanbul house. His wife had been kidnapped almost a year ago, in the early summer of 1598. In mid-September of the same year, Lord Bothwell and Conall More-Leslie had begun a dangerous journey sailing a small fishing boat from Brindisi across the Adriatic Sea to Elyria, and the mouth of the Aous River.

  They had entered the river by night and sailed up it for many days until they could go no farther. They had then left the boat, after dragging it ashore and well back into a hidden cave. As they hiked across the mountain forest the weather remained mild, and they encountered no snow. Reaching the headwaters of the Peneus River in Thessaly, they found, following Pietro Kira's directions, another well-stocked boat. Waiting with the boat was a young man who introduced himself as Asher Kira, the son of Eli.