miserably unhappy dancing attendance on her for the last weeks. She nodded. “I’ll call on you if there’s need.”
He smiled with relief and quickly followed Adolfo across the courtyard.
“He’ll be content now,” Tarik said.
She turned to see Tarik’s gaze on her face. “A soldier is always a soldier. He’s been ill at ease in the role you gave him.”
And she was ill at ease that he seemed to know so much about all of them. “Your spy in Nasim’s fortress told you that?”
“No, I have eyes to see.”
Those eyes saw too much, she thought as she gazed at him. One glance and he’d been able to say the exact words to rob her of antagonism; another look and he’d identified Haroun’s problem and set about solving it.
“Now, just what are you thinking?” Tarik asked softly.
“I’m thinking you’re a very clever man.” She paused before adding deliberately, “And that we’d better examine every word you speak carefully.”
Kadar smothered a laugh.
Tarik blinked with surprise before recovering immediately. “Oh, yes, I’m a devious man.” He stepped forward and helped her from her horse. “But I only lie when necessary. It’s not necessary now. At present I’m no threat to your friend Haroun or to Kadar. My earnest hope is that we will all enjoy an interesting and rewarding visit.”
Kadar dismounted. “Balkir will prove troublesome if the visit lasts more than a week.”
“We’ll deal with Balkir when it becomes necessary,” Tarik said. “Come. You must rest. I will show you to your chambers. I’m sure you did not have a peaceful night.” He moved across the courtyard. “But now that you’re reassured of my excellent intentions…”
The chamber Selene was given was as comfortable as the one she occupied at Montdhu. Cream-colored silks draped the bed, and tapestry cushions and wall hangings were scattered about the room. The sunlight streaming through the narrow window burnished a brass pitcher studded with lapis lazuli on the washstand.
“You are pleased?” Tarik asked.
She nodded. “It’s lovely. That’s a fine tapestry.”
“Yes.” He gazed up at the tapestry. “My wife brought it to me as part of her dowry.”
“Your wife?”
“My second wife, Rosa. She’s dead now.” He turned abruptly away. “Come, Kadar. Your chamber is just next door. I understand you and Lady Selene no longer occupy the same bed. Pity.”
He seemed to know everything about them. But Selene’s annoyance was tempered with sympathy at the pain she had glimpsed in his face when he spoke of his wife. He might be clever and more perceptive than she liked, but he was also human.
“I’ll send servants with hot water and a tub for bathing in a few hours. Everyone in my household bathes every day here.” He grimaced. “I’ve never become accustomed to this foul custom of leaving one’s body uncleansed for days on end. Where I spent my youth, water was looked upon as a blessing, not a curse. I cannot abide filth. I can accept almost everything else, but such sacrifices are too much to bear.”
“We have no liking for filth either.” Kadar paused. “Where did you spend your youth?”
Tarik didn’t answer. “I’ll send a servant to bring you food to break your fast. But I hope you’ll see fit to join me later for a more substantial meal.” He quickly ushered Kadar from the room.
Selene slowly unfastened her cloak and dropped it on the stool by the window. It was true she had not slept well last night, but she doubted if she would be able to nap now. Her mind was too full of questions. She could see why Kadar had been intrigued with the puzzle Tarik presented.
A very unusual man.
8
“YOU DID NOT EAT WELL,” Tarik said disapprovingly. “You don’t like my food?”
“I’m not hungry,” Selene said.
“I could send for something else.”
“The food is excellent. I’ve just had little appetite of late.”
“It’s good to eat heartily at midday. It gives you strength to-”
Kadar interrupted, “If she doesn’t wish to eat, don’t urge her.”
“Ah, you’re quick to jump to her defense even in this small thing.” Tarik smiled. “I meant no harm. I’ve no intention of forcing food upon the lady. I merely wish you both to enjoy it here.”
“We’re not here to enjoy ourselves. You promised to show me the box.”
“And so I shall.” He rose to his feet. “This very minute. Come with me to my chamber.” He turned to Selene. “Would you also like to see it? It’s an object of great beauty, and you must be curious.”
“I’m seldom curious.” She avoided Kadar’s amused glance as she stood up. “But I have nothing better to do.”
Tarik’s chamber was as stark and simple as the room he had given her was soft and textured. A gauze-draped pallet instead of a bed. No tapestry to keep out the night chill. A table and two unadorned wooden chairs. The only ornate object in the room was the chest set against the wall. It appeared very old but lovingly cared for. The intricately carved scene on the dark-teak lid was a small boat drifting down a river past three long-legged birds wading among graceful cattails.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Tarik lifted the lid. “It was carved by a young slave of the court.”
Kadar pounced. “What court?”
Tarik only smiled. “But this wooden chest is far less impressive than the object it shelters. I’m sure you’ll agree.”
Kadar’s eyes widened in surprise, as he only saw a small wooden statue resting on a bed of purple silk. “I’m afraid I don’t agree.”
Neither did Selene. She had been expecting splendor, and the nine-inch wooden statue had nothing splendid about it. The crudely carved figure was that of a robed woman but with the head of a jackal. She said, “Your statue is interesting but no treasure beyond price.”
“It is to me.” Tarik lovingly stroked the statue. “Tell me, Kadar, do you see no beauty in it either?” When Kadar didn’t answer, he glanced at him. “What is it?”
Kadar was staring at the statue with narrowed eyes. “Nothing. It just looks… familiar.”
“You’ve seen something like it before?”
“No, I don’t-” He shrugged. “Perhaps, but I can’t recall where.” His gaze shifted to Tarik’s face. “Is this a ploy to deceive us? I didn’t come here for a statue. Where is the box?”
“You hurt me.” Tarik sighed. “Oh, well, perhaps you’ll prefer this.” With a flourish, he removed the purple silk on which the statue had rested.
Selene inhaled sharply.
“My God,” Kadar whispered.
The shimmering gold box was perhaps two feet by one foot and it, too, was intricately carved. Not with a gentle country scene, as the chest was, but with odd, sharp symbols. Lapis lazuli stones formed a scrolled needlelike cross that covered the entire length of the box.
Selene reached out and gently touched the cross. “It’s truly wonderful…”
“Yes.”
“No wonder Nasim wants it,” Kadar said.
Tarik shrugged. “He’d crush the coffer beneath his horses’ hooves if it meant he could have what’s inside.”
Selene shook her head. “I can’t believe that. Even if he cares nothing for beauty, it must have great value.”
“He’d destroy it.” Tarik carefully draped the silk back over the box, placed the statue on top of it, and closed the
