Gorgeously dressed and veiled, she seated herself and was raised high in the air on the shoulders of her bearers. Four maids positioned themselves in front and four behind. Two of them bore large bowls, piled with jewels. The favourite held out one graceful hand, and two snow-white doves fluttered out and settled on her arm. Rasheeda placed herself at the head of the procession and cried out something in Arabic, which Fran now knew meant, ‘She who has been honoured approaches.’ Then they were moving.
Right through the palace they travelled, through long corridors, broken by horseshoe arches, decorated with mosaics, inlaid with gold. Everywhere she looked there was gold, silver, mother-of-pearl. The ceilings were high and often lit by windows above, so that the atmosphere was pleasantly cool and light.
Then it was time to go into the first courtyard, which, although enclosed, was almost as large as a garden, filled with flowers and small trees. Here were the children of the many palace officials, with their mothers and nurses. They all laughed and greeted her, and the children tossed sweets which landed on her satin cushions.
At the far side of the courtyard they re-entered the palace. Men appeared bearing gifts, which the maids graciously accepted on her behalf. The gifts were of the finest and most costly, for everyone wanted to show their respect for Sheikh Ali by honouring his favourite.
Fran’s eyes opened wide at the sight of a delicate sherbet set, made of gold and multicoloured glass, set on a gold tray. Behind this came a huge bowl of the finest porcelain, then a perfume bottle encrusted with rubies.
The second courtyard was smaller, dominated by a large fountain in the centre. There was nobody here, but, looking up, Fran saw that all the windows were crowded with spectators.
Then it was back into the palace, where more people came out to stare, and bow low as she passed.
I don’t believe this is happening to me, she thought.
At last they reached her own apartments, opposite the prince’s. Here Ali himself was waiting, and in the sight of them all he inclined his head to her. For such a woman even the ruler made a gesture of reverence. And only the woman on the litter and the man waiting to receive her knew the true irony of the situation.
He handed her down from the litter, and she lowered her head to him very slightly. Her mind was full of a multitude of images, too many to understand at once, but she saw that she was facing a magnificent trio of floor- length windows, all in the shape of horseshoe arches.
‘Allow me to show you your personal garden,’ Ali said, leading her through the centre window.
Outside was truly a place of wonder. Awed by its beauty, she accompanied Ali along the paths between the four fountains, exclaiming over the peacocks and gazelles that wandered freely. Courtiers remained at a respectful distance, speculating on what the prince was saying to his lady, and she to him, and why they both smiled.
They would have been astonished to overhear the conversation.
‘You bowed to me,’ Ali murmured. ‘My round, I think.’
‘Nonsense!’ she replied. ‘You bowed to me first. I was just returning the courtesy.’
‘The prince does not bow to a woman.’
‘Nevertheless, you did.’
Turning her head, she was just in time to catch him doing the same thing. Unmistakably his lips twitched. The next moment he was staring ahead again, the model of propriety.
Among the spectators there was some interest as to how the lady would react to the prince’s gift of welcome. Instead of a riviere of diamonds, or something equally fabulous, he had chosen to give her a carpet. It was a very nice carpet, the best to be had. But it was a strange choice, and they wondered if the favourite would be disappointed.
Instead, they saw her give a trill of laughter, and throw her arms about the prince’s neck. His own laughter mingled with hers as he said, ‘I wondered if you would understand.’ That remark baffled the onlookers.
Sitting alone in her apartments that evening-alone, that was, except for her personal attendants, her hair- dresser, her chief confectioner and her private chef- Fran regarded that carpet. It didn’t fly, but apart from that it was exactly like the one of her dreams.
Her surroundings vanished and she was back again in Ali’s London house, telling him of her childhood dreams.
‘…a flying carpet was going to come through the window and carry me off…’
She would never forget his reply. ‘I think that for you the carpet will come.’
Neither of them could have foreseen this day, yet when the moment had come he’d known exactly what to give her. It strengthened her suspicion that Ali had secretly lured her here to fulfil her Arabian nights fantasy.
She smiled at the thought, but then the smile faded. Her attraction to him was powerful, real, and no part of a fantasy. It was like a holiday, except that Ali had compelled her to take it, because that was how he did things. But afterwards?
She wasn’t the kind of woman who could be sent on her way with a few glamorous memories and gifts. If she loved, it would be for real, and not as part of a holiday fantasy.
Whatever she felt about Ali, and he felt about her, they wouldn’t discover it in this place.
There was a small flutter near the door, and she turned to find Leena standing there. ‘Prince Yasir begs your permission to approach.’
He was as meek as a schoolboy, but his eyes danced.
‘I come to offer you my tribute,’ he said. ‘If, in your justified anger, you reject it, I shall be so ashamed that I shall ride into the desert and never be seen again.’
‘Don’t talk foolishness,’ she laughed.
‘Say that you forgive me for my unforgivable behaviour yesterday,’ he begged outrageously.
‘I shouldn’t.’
‘I know. But do it anyway. See what I have brought you.’
His gift was a lavishly jewelled sash, which oddly jarred her. It was too much. But this was a country of too much, she reflected, and perhaps this was his way of atoning. She smiled and praised the sash, and when he displayed considerable relief she felt that she had been right.
He accepted her invitation to tea and they were soon chatting like old friends.
‘I expect Ali told you our family history,’ Yasir said ruefully. ‘Of course I have the greatest respect for him as our country’s ruler, but I can’t resist the temptation to tweak his nose now and then. He knows it doesn’t mean anything, and I hope that you do too.’
‘I’d like to believe it meant nothing,’ she said, ‘but when I saw you fighting, and your look when he struck you-’
He laughed merrily. ‘We’ve been scrapping since we were boys. Sometimes we fight, sometimes we race. Ali has some wonderful horses, but mine are better.’
‘Arab steeds!’ she exclaimed. ‘I’ve heard of them. They’re said to be the finest horses in the world.’
‘You should get Ali to show you his beauties. Can you ride?’
‘Sort of. I learned on a farm when I was a child. But the pony was a bit slow.’
‘Tell Ali you want to ride his best mares. If he’s too mean to agree I’ll let you ride one of mine.’
He gave her a cheery wave and departed, leaving her thoughtful. Leena reminded her that she hadn’t finished ordering the evening meal, and it was important to serve what pleased His Highness. Luckily the chef knew what would please His Highness far better than Fran did, and she was able to leave the matter to him.
Ali arrived in thoughtful mood that evening. He enjoyed the meal, and thanked her courteously for paying so much attention to his requirements, but she could tell that there was something on his mind, and she thought she knew what it was.
‘Yasir came to see me today,’ she said. ‘He wanted to apologise and bring me a gift-that jewelled sash over there.’
Ali examined it and grunted. ‘Do you like this?’
‘Not really. I think it’s overdone, but I didn’t like to hurt his feelings by saying so.’
‘It’s like Yasir to go a little further than he needs, but I’m glad he is showing you the proper respect at last.’
‘Have you made your peace with him?’
‘You mean has he made his peace with me?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘He’s apologised, and I’ve told him to behave himself in future. He asked my permission to visit you and I gave it, feeling certain you were now safe from his advances.’
