Had anyone bothered to document the furniture or artwork? If not, it should be done. A history preserved. Maybe, if the library had research books that could help, she could start. Assuming she wasn’t locked in here like a prisoner.
“There’s only one way to find out,” she murmured, as she crossed the stone floor. But before she reached the carved door, she heard footsteps.
She turned and saw a tall, older woman walking toward her. She was dressed in a flowing long dress that looked both cool and comfortable. Her gray hair had been piled on her head. Gold earrings dangled and there were dozens of bracelets on both wrists.
“You must be Victoria,” she said with a smile. “I was told you were coming. Welcome to the Winter Palace. I am Yusra.”
“Thank you.”
“We are all excited that the harem is back in use. It has been too many months of silence in these walls.”
That made Victoria take a step back. “You think trapping women inside these walls is a good thing?”
“Of course. The old ways must be preserved. Just because something is old doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value.”
“I agree with that, but I’m missing the positive side of being locked up against one’s will for the sole purpose of pleasing a man. How is that helpful to the women?”
Yusra frowned. “To be in the leader’s harem is to be given a privileged life. If one was fortunate enough to bear him children, then that woman would live here forever. Even if the leader got tired of her.”
“Not a great argument. Why does he get to say when he’s tired? Why not her? What if she doesn’t want to stay here? What if she wants to go out in the village and have a real husband and family?”
“Then she would go.”
“Just like that?”
“Of course. There is no lock on the outside of the door, Victoria. Only one on the inside, to keep out those who don’t belong. No woman has ever been kept in the Winter Palace against her will.”
Until now, Victoria thought grimly. Although she wasn’t here against her will. Not exactly. She’d offered herself in exchange for her father. She’d begged Kateb to take her instead.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m tired and everything is new and confusing. I wasn’t expecting…this.”
Yusra smiled again. “The harem is a beautiful place. You will find it such. There are many wonders, many things to explore. Come. I will show you.”
Victoria followed her down a hallway to several sleeping rooms. There were big beds with gauzy curtains and windows that opened out onto the gardens. Beautiful ceiling fans stirred the air and handmade rugs added color to the floor.
“I took the liberty of choosing this room for you,” Yusra said, entering a large space with French doors that led directly into the garden. “If you don’t like it, you may choose another.”
“This is very nice,” Victoria said, trying not to notice the very big bed—one plenty large enough for two…or even six. Kateb was unlikely to come to the harem. While she was here, she was safe. It was only when he called for her that she had to worry. At least that’s what she told herself as she felt nervous tension tightening her throat.
“Your things are here.” Yusra motioned to the suitcases along the far wall. “Will you need assistance unpacking?”
“No, thanks. I can do it.” After all, she’d managed to pack and unpack for herself for years now.
“I have also provided you with more traditional clothing.”
Traditional as in what?
Victoria followed her into a dressing area with a large closet and several sets of drawers. Long, flowing dresses hung in the closet. She touched one of the patterned sleeves and discovered the material was silk and decorated with impossibly small stitches. Each dress was more beautiful than the next, with swirls of color and fluttering sleeves. It was only when she removed one from the hanger and held it in front of her that she realized the fabric was completely sheer.
Her thighs started to tremble. “So, um, what do I wear under something like this?”
Yusra’s smile turned wicked. “Nothing at all.” She laughed. “You will enjoy these. I did in my day. The beading and patterns are designed to provide a little modesty for the woman and some mystery for the man. The fabric caresses the skin, reminds her of her lover’s touch. You’ll see.”
Too much information, Victoria thought as she quickly returned the dress to the closet. She wasn’t sure why she was the one blushing, but she felt definite heat on her cheeks.
“Let me show you the bath,” Yusra said. “You will need time to get ready.”
Victoria ignored the implication in that statement and instead concentrated on seeing the bath. The harem baths of El Deharia were legendary. She’d heard of gold faucets and tubs as big as pools.
They crossed the hall and walked through a beaded curtain. Victoria’s breath caught as she took in the open area with the stained-glass windows and skylights. The sound of a waterfall filled the air.
On either side of the door were vanities with armless upholstered chairs. The fabric looked old and she itched to find it in a book somewhere to date it. A hundred years old at least, she thought excitedly.
After passing through an archway, they moved into the main area of the bath. Yusra pointed to several doors.
“Steam shower,” she said. “Sauna. Treatment room. Should you desire a massage, we have a masseuse who will come here. She is excellent. Whirlpool tub. Regular shower.”
Why would anyone bother with a regular shower? Victoria stepped closer to the huge pool of swirling water. At one end was a raised rock platform with a waterfall pouring from it. The perfect outdoor shower, right here in the harem bath.
Lush plants grew at the water’s edge. The spray caught the light from the stained-glass windows and created rainbows where it fell. It was paradise, right in the middle of the desert.
“Is the water warm?” she asked.
“Yes. About one hundred degrees. The spring below the palace is filtered, heated water. From here it drains through sand and rock and returns to the earth.”
Perfection and environmentally friendly, Victoria thought, unable to believe this really existed.
“You will want to freshen up from your journey,” Yusra told her.
“Possibly for hours.”
The older woman showed her stacks of fluffy towels on shelves and several terry-cloth robes hanging on hooks. Then they returned to the main room.
“It’s beautiful,” Victoria admitted. While she might be nervous about the circumstances, she couldn’t complain about the working conditions.
Yusra showed her a phone on a small table. “Call if you need anything. Meals will be left in the small kitchen in back. There is fresh fruit and water, as well. Tell the main kitchen what you desire and it will be provided.” She looked at an antique grandfather clock. “The prince is expecting you for dinner tonight. I will send someone to escort you to his rooms in two hours.”
Victoria’s good mood faded. Tonight? So soon?
“We welcome you to the Winter Palace,” Yusra said earnestly. “The prince has been sad for many years now.”
Sad? Kateb? She hadn’t noticed.
“You are the first woman he has brought here in a very long time,” the older woman continued. “Perhaps you can make him smile again.”
It seemed like a tall order. At this point she would accept not being terrified all the time as a win.
When Victoria was alone, she returned to the big bedroom and went through her suitcases. As she unpacked, she kept trying not to think about what might happen that night.
“He must be tired,” she whispered. “He’ll want to go to bed early, won’t he?”
Was this the mistress equivalent of whistling in the dark?
She laid out several possible outfits for the evening, all the while knowing that she’d come here to be Kateb’s mistress and that the spirit of their agreement insist she cooperate as best she could. Which mean
t wearing one of the traditional harem dresses left for her. After a few moments of indecision, not to mention a writhing stomach, she went into the dressing area to study the clothes.
They were all beautiful. Swirling diaphanous silk with exquisite stitching and beading. She picked up one done in tones of purple and dark green, then noticed a long cloak next to the dresses. It came to the floor and would cover her completely.
So no one else would see the prince’s mistress, she thought, both horrified and relieved. She wouldn’t have to parade half-naked in front of the palace staff. But wearing it seemed so…submissive. As if she’d agreed to all this.
Which she had.
She collected the dress and carried it to the bath. She was about to sacrifice herself in the name of family honor. But before she did, she was going to have the best shower of her life and take a few laps in her new bathtub.
Victoria was ready on time. She’d put off the final stage of dressing until the last minute, then slipped the dress she’d chosen over her body. It was beautiful, whispering against her skin, cool and soft at the same time. As Yusra had promised, she wasn’t as exposed as she’d feared. But her body was at least partially visible and she was naked underneath. Not exactly a style designed for peace of mind.
She just slipped on the cloak when a young woman appeared in the hallway, no doubt using the old servant’s entrance. She nodded at Victoria.
“If you will come with me,” she said.
Victoria followed her out the main door and through the palace. She saw dozens of rooms filled with low sofas and tables, three different dining rooms and a large library before being led into a maze of hallways that ended in front of a door as big as the one guarding the harem. Two guards stood on either side of it.
One of the men opened the door. The girl stepped back and motioned for Victoria to enter. She hesitated only a second before sucking in a breath and stepping over the threshold into Kateb’s quarters.
She had a brief impression of space and light, beautiful sofas, a small table set for two and surrounded by cushions instead of chairs. There was a cart next to it with covered dishes. Dinner, she presumed, although she was too nervous to even think about eating.
Before she could figure out what she was supposed to do or where she was supposed to go, she saw Kateb walking toward her.
He wore loose white trousers and nothing else. His bare chest, honey-colored and thick with muscles, gleamed in the lamplight. He had one towel around his shoulders and was using another to dry his hair. He didn’t see her right away.
Her first reaction was that he almost looked like a regular guy—if one was in the habit of hanging out with underwear models. His loose-fitting clothes hadn’t prepared her for his physical perfection. As views went, this was a nice one.
Her second reaction was that he didn’t seem as intimidating or powerful. Maybe it was the towel, or the wet hair. But she found herself being slightly less afraid.
He dropped both towels onto a table, then ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing it into place. Only then did he see her.
One eyebrow raised. “Interesting outfit. Very Little Red Riding Hood.”
She fingered the cloak. “I assume it’s traditional to keep the harem girls protected. Apparently my status here is for your eyes only.”
“So there’s more?”
Was he teasing? Did he tease?
“A dress.”
“Can I see it?”
Both nervous and afraid, she unfastened the tie at her neck and let the cloak fall to the floor.
Kateb’s eyes widened slightly. His jaw clenched. Otherwise he didn’t move, but she still wanted to cover herself. And maybe scream. As if the sharp sound could protect her.
“Yusra’s doing?” he asked, turning away and walking to the table. A bottle of wine sat there. He poured two glasses, then shrugged into a shirt left draped across the pillows.
“It’s not something I would buy,” she snapped. “There are four more just like it. She told me that she wore something similar when she was young.”
“I didn’t need to know that,” he muttered, then sipped the wine. He held out a glass to her, but she shook her head. “Are you hungry?”
Did he expect her to eat before he had his way with her? Or was she just supposed to stand there, practically naked and be the evening’s entertainment? It was all she could do not to pull off one of her strappy gold sandals and throw it at him.
“Okay, look,” she snapped. “This has gone on long enough. I’m tired, I’m jet-lagged or desert-lagged or whatever it is. I’m in a strange place and you’re scaring me. What happens now? What does being your mistress mean? What are the ground rules? Daily sex? Weekly? Am I just supposed to assume the position whenever you say? And what kind of sex? Who’s on top? What are you going to do to me?”
She had about a thousand more questions, but these seemed like enough for tonight. She folded her arms across her chest and did her best not to give in to the tears she could feel forming.
Kateb stared at her. “It is not my intention to frighten you.”
“Then you’re not doing a very good job.”
“Apparently not.” He picked up the second glass of wine and carried it over to her. “I have never had a mistress before, so I don’t have any set expectations.”
She took the wine without looking at him. “You have a harem.”
“It came with the property.”
“Sort of like a three-car garage when you only have two cars?”
“Something like that.” He returned to the table and sank onto several of the cushions. “I am tired as well, Victoria. I will not seek your company in my bed tonight.”
Another reprieve, she thought. But for how long? “What will you expect when you do?”
“There is more to being a mistress than simply sex. You are to provide me with companionship, to be entertaining.”
“Like a trained bear?” She narrowed her gaze. “I don’t know how to juggle, and if you’re expecting one of the veil dances, you can forget it.”
He sighed. “It is possible you’re not true mistress material.”
“You think?”
One corner of his mouth twitched. “Perhaps we will begin with you serving me dinner.”
She stayed where she was. “Are we talking about me putting food on your plate or stuffing it directly into your mouth?”
“On my plate is sufficient.”
“And no sex tonight. You swear?”
“You have my word as Prince Kateb of El Deharia.”
She wanted to press for more, but giving his word was a big deal for the royal set. “We’ll discuss the details later?”
“We will have full disclosure before anything happens.”
“Which is not the same as agreeing to a talk after dinner.”
“I know.”
“You just want the last word,” she grumbled as she approached the table. “It’s just so typical.”
She set her wineglass on the table and crossed to the cart. She removed the domed lids and found sliced roast, some kind of fancy potato dish she’d had at the palace and knew was delicious and made her hips spread just by looking at it, salad and vegetables.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Very Western. Do you always eat like this?”
“I enjoy a variety of food.”
Did he enjoy a variety of women?
The question surprised her, although she didn’t ask it. Maybe she didn’t want to know. Under other circumstances she would have liked Kateb. Maybe too much.
She dished up the meal and passed him a plate, then took a much smaller serving for herself. She was still nervous enough that she wasn’t sure how much she could eat.
Dining on cushions looked more romantic than it was, she thought as she tried to find a comfortable position. Kateb sprawled with a masculine grace that she found annoying, while she couldn’t figure out how to sit comfortably in the stupid dress.
She managed
to prop herself up and reached for her fork. “So you’ve never had a mistress, but have you had other women in the harem?”
“Not personally. Bahjat had about fifteen women.” He smiled. “As they aged, he did not replace them. Perhaps out of affection or because it was not worth the effort. Regardless of the reason, by the time he was in his seventies, they were only a few years younger.”
She laughed despite her tensions. “Geriatric harem girls? Seriously?”
“Yes. It could be startling when one came to dinner and was served by scantily clad women in their sixties.”
“I can’t even imagine.” She speared a few green beans on her fork. “Will I be expected to serve at dinners?”
“No.”
She nearly pointed out she’d already worked as a waitress so there wasn’t a big difference. Then she remembered what she was doing here. Did she really want to serve a roomful of men wearing what she had on?
“So what are the rules as far as where I can go?” she asked. “Is the palace okay? The grounds? The village? What am I supposed to do with my day? I’m used to working. Sex can only take so long. Six minutes. Eight, tops. That leaves a lot of free time.”
Kateb looked at Victoria, who was blithely eating her dinner. “You insult me so freely?”
“What?” Her eyes widened and she looked genuinely confused. “Oh, you mean the time thing? I wasn’t trying to be insulting.”
“I’m sure the outcome will be impressive when you do.”
She picked up her wine. “I’m sure it will take hours, but afterward, I still have a day to fill.”
He found he enjoyed her company, when she forgot to be afraid. She reminded him a little of Cantara, who had known him most of her life. But with his late wife, there was always an element of separation. She was aware of him as the man in the relationship, of him as a prince. They would never be equals. Victoria had been raised in the West, where women and men were supposed to be more alike than they were different.
“You may go anywhere in the palace or the village. No one will bother you. But you are not to travel past the beginning of the fields.”
The Sheikh and the Bought Bride Page 5
