by Bobbi Smith
"Don't kill me!" he cried, trying to get to his feet.
"He begs for mercy, and we have not even threatened him yet," one of the pirates sneered.
"Perhaps we should see what he is trying to hide . . ."
Cruel, hard hands dragged him from the trunk and stripped him of his jewelry and clothes, leaving him standing before them barefoot and clad only in his trousers.
"Please don't hurt me. Please don't . . ." Tears of humiliation poured down his cheeks as he sobbed and begged for his life. Groveling before them, he pleaded for mercy.
After a few minutes, one of the corsairs grew bored with his begging and silenced him with a single, murderous blow from his sword. The others stared dispassionately at the mutilated body of the dead Englishman, then turned and left the cabin. They felt no remorse over the murder. The man had been less than a woman and had deserved to die.
Chapter Six
Catherine and Alex were taken to Muhammed's spartanly furnished cabin and locked inside. Judging pirates by the stories he and his grandfather had read, Alex had thought the raiders of the high seas exciting, but after seeing the death and destruction they'd wreaked on board the Dolphin, he knew now that they were very dangerous, deadly men.
"Aunt Catherine, what do you think they're going to do to us?" He gazed up at her trustingly. In his heart, he believed that as long as they were together, they would be all right.
Catherine had a very good idea what fate had in store for her. A chill frissoned down her spine as she thought of the look the pirate had given her before sending them here to his cabin. She longed for Gerald to save her, but knew it was foolish to even consider it, just as it was foolish to even think that Avery might come to their aid. She had no one but herself to rely on now. It was up to her to make sure they survived and returned home safely.
"I don't know, Alex," she lied stoutheartedly. "I've heard that sometimes captives are ransomed back to their relatives in England. So once Father finds out where we are, he'll send the money for us."
Alex looked up at her, his expression nothing short of courageous. "We're really kind of lucky that the pirates took us, aren't we, Aunt Catherine?"
His statement surprised her. "What do you mean?"
"At least this way, we'll get back home to Grandfather."
Alex was so innocent in the ways of the world that Catherine couldn't stop the impulse to kneel down, gather him close, and give him a big hug and kiss. "You're absolutely right, and this way it looks like we'll get to stay together, too."
"Good. I want to stay with you. I don't ever want us to be apart."
"I want to stay with you, too, and I'll do everything I can to make sure we do," Catherine promised with all her heart.
Once the Dolphin was completely under their control, Muhammed left a skeleton crew on board to sail her, and then returned with Selim to his own ship. He was looking forward to having the woman captive all to himself, but Selim's private warning gave him pause.
"You know I would never question your judgment in any matter, Muhammed Reis, but I must speak out this time to caution you."
"What is it?" he demanded, his thoughts centered on the beautiful woman waiting in his cabin.
"The woman—"
"What about her?"
"I know you want her for your own, but have you considered what might happen if you do take her?" Selim remained quiet for a moment to let the full impact of his words sink in. "You know how powerful Malik is. And you know he has men everywhere, watching. Wouldn't it be more prudent to wait until after we have seen him and shared what we have with him to claim her as yours?"
Muhammed looked thoughtful. Selim's words, while not welcome, were not unwise. Malik was truly a formidable foe. He'd known that for all the years he'd been trying to defeat him and take his place as dey of Algiers. The man's power was widespread and his supporters many. If just one person told Malik that he was withholding a captured prize from him, he could be killed on the spot. "Perhaps you are right. I will not take the woman now, though I am sorely tempted to have her. If Malik does not ask about her when we pay our tribute, I will know she is mine to do with as I please."
"As always you have shown what a shrewd man you are. I'm sure that one day your dream of ruling Algiers will be realized."
Muhammed smiled at Selim. "Come, let's go below. Let's make sure she is worth the risk of deceiving Malik. I would not test his good humor over a valueless female."
The two men went down the companionway to his cabin and entered to find Catherine and Alex standing by the porthole watching the activities on the Dolphin. At the sound of the door opening, Catherine and Alex both turned, startled, to face their captors.
"What is your name, woman?" Muhammed demanded as he studied her. She was dirty and unkempt now, but he knew once she was washed, perfumed, and dressed appropriately, she would be a glorious enhancement to any man's harem. There was no doubt in his mind that she was a valuable prize. He wanted her, and he would do whatever he had to to keep her.
"I am Catherine Wakefield, daughter of the Duke of Huntington, and this is Alexander Wakefield, grandson of the duke," she replied with dignity. "If it's money you're after, I'm sure my father will pay handsomely to have us back."
The pirate grunted his satisfaction with the news. Now he knew for sure that he wouldn't part with her. First, he would have his fill of her, and then, he would sell her back to her English family for an outrageous amount. The arrangement pleased him very much. All he had to do was get her past Malik. He said a silent prayer to Allah that he might find success in this endeavor.
"Selim, take her and the boy to the forward cabin and lock them there. You will be responsible for them until we reach port."
Catherine had been bracing herself for the worst, and she almost collapsed in relief when he gave the order for them to be taken away together. She said nothing as they walked from his cabin, although she was certain her expression must have reflected her feelings.
Muhammed laughed silently to himself as Selim ushered them from the cabin. "Do not think I do not desire you, my pretty one. The day will come very soon, when you will be mine . . ."
Malik el Mansour, the brave and fearless thirty-year-old dey of Algiers, listened attentively to the tale of betrayal his man, Faid, brought him. His golden eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he considered his informant's story of how his long-time rival, Muhammed Ibn Abbas, who had just arrived in port and was about to pay his tribute, was trying to withhold a lovely woman captive and her child from him. Rumor had it that the woman was of exquisite beauty and poise, fit to grace any man's bed and that she had very rich relatives who would pay much money to get her and the boy back. Malik knew the female had to be exceptional for Muhammed to take such a chance in holding her back from him. He smiled cynically to himself as he thought of the pleasure he was going to take in embarrassing and humbling the other man.
"What would you have me do, Malik Dey?" Faid asked, ready even to commit murder for his leader.
"Nothing," he answered slowly. "Maintain your silence. I will deal with Muhammed myself."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Faid bowed and left the small audience chamber.
Alone now, Malik stood and paced the room. He was a tall, black-haired, black-bearded man, broad of shoulder and chest, whose physical strength and wisdom were legendary. He was no ordinary man. It had taken a very capable, very strong leader to accomplish what he'd accomplished so far in his seven years of ruling Algiers. He was admired by many and hated by a few. Those few enemies were a savage group.
The Barbary State of Algiers was a treacherous, dangerous place to live, especially for its ruler. Authority there was gained through intrigue and power, and there were always those just waiting for the opportunity to bring the current ruler down. So it was with Muhammed and Malik. Muhammed had been trying to wrest Malik's power from him ever since he'd become the dey. He had failed in his every attempt due to Malik's caution and his legion of faithful followers. Muham
med's setbacks had not discouraged him, though. He'd become even more determined to keep trying.
As Malik considered the situation now, he knew it would be best if he let the other man humiliate himself. He found he was actually looking forward to Muhammed's audience. Pleased with his decision, he went off to his private chambers to dress. It would not do to look less than his most imposing when facing his rival.
It was a little over an hour later when Malik was finally ready for the meeting. He was a man of simple tastes, not given to gaudy dress, and the simplicity of the style of clothes he favored only served to emphasize his aura of manliness and power. He wore a white turban and a simple yet elegant white djellaba over loose-fitting pantaloons. At his waist, a gold belt cinched the tunic-like robe, and his scabbard held his scimitar with its golden, bejeweled hilt. He looked every inch the supreme leader as he awaited the pirate's arrival at the palace in the most impressive of his audience chambers.
"Malik Dey, Muhammed Ibn Abbas is here," Faid announced soberly a few minutes later.
"Bring him to me."
Within moments, the arrogant pirate entered the room and bowed low to him.
"Greetings, Malik Dey. I have come to offer my tribute," Muhammed told him, feeling quite confident that this audience would soon be over and the young woman he'd left locked up on his ship would be his. He had auctioned off the Dolphin and its contents for a goodly sum as soon as they'd reached port, and he was now prepared to offer Malik a full twelve percent of the money gained from the sale along with a number of the crew for his share of their booty.
"What have you brought me this time, Muhammed? Vast riches from another successful journey?" Malik asked benignly. He was careful to keep his expression reflecting only mild curiosity.
"Of course. Have you ever known me to be less than successful on any of my voyages?" he boasted. Then, turning, he called out, "Selim! Come and bring our gifts to our dey!"
Selim ushered in ten of the Dolphin's crew chained together at the ankles, along with a huge wooden chest holding the money from the auction.
"It is with my greatest pleasure that I offer these gifts to you," Muhammed said magnanimously.
Malik rose and inspected the prizes the pirate had bestowed upon him. "I thank you for your tribute, Muhammed," he said evenly, then paused before adding, "But what of the woman and the child?" He watched with interest as the pirate reis blanched, then struggled to mask his surprise at his knowledge.
"I had saved the best for last, of course," Muhammed replied quickly. He glanced at Selim as he ordered tersely, "Have the woman and the child brought here immediately."
"As you wish."
Though Catherine had known the reprieve they'd been given was a temporary one, she'd weathered the storm of uncertainty during the voyage with relative calm. She'd passed the endless hours of travel playing games with Alex and trying to keep him entertained. But when they'd made port at Algiers, her fears had soared once again. The future she'd dreaded had arrived. There could be no ignoring it any longer.
When Selim came for them so unexpectedly, Catherine managed to maintain a stoic, dignified air in spite of her terror.
"Here," Selim said sharply, tossing a length of white cotton cloth to her. "Cover your hair and the lower half of your face."
She did as she was told without comment, keeping Alex close by her side. She was not about to let him be taken from her without a fight.
"Let's go," the pirate directed, opening the cabin door for them and standing back to let them pass.
"Where are you taking us?"
"You will see soon enough, woman. Follow me." He headed up the companionway and across the deck to the ladder which led down to the small rowboat. They descended to the skiff, and he quickly and efficiently started to row them toward shore.
As they crossed the bay, Catherine stared at the whitewashed jumble of buildings that made up this foreign city, and she grew more and more nervous. "Has word been sent to my father that we're here?"
Selim gave her a cold look to silence her. "That is none of your concern, woman."
Catherine said no more. She caught sight of the Dolphin anchored there in the bay, too. Its decks were deserted except for a few pirates who'd been left on board as guards, and Catherine found herself wondering what had happened to Avery. As quickly as the thought came, she dismissed it. The man she'd once claimed as a brother no longer held any part of her affections. He was lower than the pirates who held Alex and her captive, and she was determined never to think of him again. The niggling worry that he might be ransomed back first troubled her. though. She wondered what would happen if he made it back to England before they did, and, what he would tell their father about them. The thought was almost as frightening as the uncertainty of the future she was facing right now.
Selim docked the small boat with expert ease and then hustled them through the crowded streets of Algiers. The streets were narrow and stifling, filled with men and women searching out the best bargains from the peddlers whose shops opened onto the thoroughfares. Camels and donkeys added to the smell and congestion, and more than once they'd all had to dodge a fast-moving animal or risk being run down. Catherine and Alex followed the corsair closely, ever mindful not to fall too far behind.
Selim wasted no time looking around the city. There was only one thing on his mind, and that was delivering the woman and child to the palace as quickly as possible. He was curious about how the ruler had found out about them, but then shrugged off his interest. Malik was the dey. He knew everything that went on. Hurrying on along, Selim glanced back to make sure the woman and boy were staying with him. It wouldn't do to lose them now.
The dey's palace stood on a low rise near the center of town. A magnificent whitewashed, thick-walled stone structure, it glistened brilliantly in the afternoon sun. Catherine and Alex were both impressed by the majestic sight of it. After they passed through the arched entranceway in the high, protective outer wall, they crossed a lush courtyard and finally entered the main building. They stared in wonder at the opulence of the palace. The cool shadows of the marble-floored entry hall contrasted sharply with the blinding sunlight and oppressive heat in the streets. Arched windows with crisscrossed iron grating admitted only a minimum of light while allowing whatever cool breeze there might be to pass through. Beautiful, ornately designed tapestries adorned the walls, and a variety of tropical flowering plants filled the room with rich color. They were a bit startled when a man emerged soundlessly from the shadows to speak to Selim.
"The dey is waiting for you," he said simply; and, at Selim's nod of acknowledgment, he moved off motioning for them to follow.
Catherine wondered who this "dey" was and why they had been brought here. She didn't want to let her hopes get the best of her, but deep down inside she was hoping that their relationship to the Duke of Huntington had merited them special attention and a quicker return home.
"Where are we?" Alex whispered as he tugged nervously at her sleeve.
"I'm not sure, sweetheart, but I have a feeling we're going to find out real soon." She tried to sound confident and relaxed, but as she took his small hand in hers, she couldn't help but grip it a little too tightly.
"This way," the pirate ordered brusquely. They did as they were told and were led to the entryway of a larger room. They waited outside until they heard the man who had greeted them announce their presence to someone as yet unseen within. When they went into the chamber, Catherine was taken aback by the sight of the person sitting on a plush sofa at the front of the room. Arrayed all in white, he looked a splendid specimen of a man, and had she been less troubled, she would have thought him handsome, with his strong physique, dark hair, and golden eyes. As it was, she was too frightened to notice. She remained silent and wary as she listened to the dialogue between the pirate captain and this other man, who was obviously the dey.
"This is the woman and child, Your Majesty," Muhammed said graciously. "If you would like them, they are
yours." It took all of his willpower not to say anything more, and he gritted his teeth in silence as he waited for Malik's reply.
Malik stared at the woman and the child with open interest. He studied Alex first and thought him a handsome, healthy-looking youth despite his dirty appearance. His gaze slid next to the woman, who his informer had told him was a prize of great value. The gown she wore was filthy and wrinkled. The length of clean, white cloth she was wearing as a haik hid all but her eyes. And oh, what eyes they were, the color of the Mediterranean on a sunny day—a deep, fathomless, blue-green. He wondered at the color of her hair and tried to picture the true shade.
"Remove the haik," he commanded, gesturing toward her.
Catherine was puzzled for a moment at the meaning of the word, but then realized he wanted her to take off the headcovering the pirate had insisted she wear. She did as he ordered.
Malik was a man of the world. He had dearly loved his first wife, Lila, the mother of his two children, who had died giving birth to his youngest child, his daughter, Talitha. Since her death, he had had many women, but never had any single female left him feeling as he felt now when this captive discarded the haik and revealed to him the glorious tumble of her molten-gold hair. It seemed he had suffered a physical blow to the chest, so difficult was it for him to breathe.
Malik's gaze was riveted on her. Even as unwashed and unkempt as she was, he thought the woman beautiful. He felt a heated tightening in his loins, and suddenly the thought of the miserable Muhammed touching her was unthinkable. Malik made his decision quickly. She would be his.
