'But will she yield, my friend? I see a stubborn streak in her that will be hard to break.'
Hammid smiled. 'She will yield, my lord. Did you note the lushness of her body? It is the body of a woman used to almost daily lovemaking. It has been several weeks since she was captured, and Kapitan Khair-ad-Din assures me that she was untouched during the voyage. Though her mind will not admit to it, her body already grows eager for a man's touch. We will make her world one of sensuous delights until her sexual hunger far outweighs her desire to withstand us. A week, two at the most, my lord Cica, and she will be yours!'
Cicalazade Pasha's white teeth flashed in a smile. 'What shall we call her?'
'Incili,' replied Hammid.
'Incili-the Pearl-yes! I like it, Hammid!'
And while they continued to talk, Cat followed Osman again through the maze of corridors, realizing suddenly that they had crossed some invisible line and were in the harem section of the palace. There were women everywhere, women of all races and colors, women of privilege and servants. Cat was able to hear some of their comments, but managed to keep her face impassive.
'Allah! What a beauty!'
'I wonder if the brain matches the face?'
'They seldom do, Feriyke.'
'Lateef a Sultan will certainly have her royal nose put out of joint by this one.'
'Isn't that too bad.'
Then there was laughter, and then she was being led into a pleasant, airy room, and Susan was there. Mistress and tiring woman fell happily into each other's arms.
'I was so worried,' said Susan. 'Can we be ransomed?'
'No,' said Cat. 'We will have to think of something else. However, I am safe from the vizier for the present.'
Osman, unable to understand them, demanded, 'What language is it you speak, woman? Speak Turkish, or if your slavegirl is not facile enough to converse with you, speak French or Italian so I may understand you.'
Cat laughed at him. 'We speak Gaelic, the tongue of our ancestors, but if it discomfits you we will speak Turkish.'
Osman looked uncomfortable. 'The slaves will bring you supper, noble lady. Afterwards the grand eunuch has given orders that you be taken to the baths. I will return in the morning to see you.'
They were brought a large bowl of lamb chunks in a sauce of onions and peppers, two small loaves of hot, flat bread, a dish of yogurt, half a dozen ripe peaches, and a little bowl of sugared almonds. A decanter of lemon sherbet was provided for drink. The slavegirl who served them brought two bowls and two goblets, but there were no implements for eating. When Cat asked why, she was told that new captives were never given anything that might aid them in suicide. They would have to use their fingers, and the flat bread which had been provided. They ate ravenously, as they had not eaten since midmorning, and were surprised to discover how good it all was.
When they had finished, the slavegirl brought them a bowl of perfumed water and towels. Then an old slavewoman arrived to escort them to the harem baths. Susan was expected to fend for herself, but Cat was put into the capable hands of the bath mistress, who first saw that she was thoroughly washed, including her hair. Next a pale-pink paste was carefully smeared over the haired areas of her body, and when it was wiped away a half-hour later, she was completely denuded of body hair. While she waited for the pink paste to do its work, her fingernails and toenails were carefully pared. It would have been unthinkable for her lord and master to be scratched. She was exposed to a steam room, and then to a more temperate bath where she was stretched out on a marble bench and massaged. Cat was so relaxed and weak by this time that she could barely walk back to their quarters, where she immediately fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
The next three days were spent quietly, with Osman coming each morning to escort them, heavily veiled, on their walk through the vizier's gardens. Each afternoon she was escorted to the baths, where she was bathed and massaged with oils and creams until her skin began to be extremely sensitive to the touch of nearly anything. In the evening she was allowed to watch certain of the harem entertainments, usually dancing. Cat was at first astounded and then intrigued by the open sexual suggestions made by the dancer's movements.
As boredom began to set in on the fourth day, Osman arrived with the information that she must put on her outdoor clothing and veil and follow him. 'Your slavegirl will remain here.'
'It's all right,' Cat told a protesting Susan.
She was led to a large litter and, once inside, was surprised to find herself sitting opposite Hammid, 'Good morning.'8 he said cheerfully. 'I see these three days of rest and relaxation have done you good. I did not think it possible that you could be lovelier, but you are.'
'I was beginning to get bored. I am not used to inactivity. Is this all your women
'To the slave market You are a woman of great determination. I will show you what will happen if you oppose my master. His bedchamber must be like a beautiful garden-peaceful, fragrant, and a delight to the senses. If you do not yield to him, but fight
The look she gave him was a candid one. 'Why do you torture me, Hammid? You know that I must yield to your master.'
He nodded. 'You are an Intelligent woman, my beauty, but if you yield only your body to my lord Cica, he will know and be. offended. You must yield all-your mind and your body!'
'I cannot! And you cannot expect me to, Hammid!'
'You must!'
They rode in silence until finally the slaves stopped and the litter was lowered to the ground. The grand eunuch climbed out and, offering her a hand, helped her out. 'There are many slave markets in this city,' he said, 'but this one deals only in beautiful women.'
Cat looked about her, and saw women of varied ages, sizes, shapes, and colors. On the raised platform a beautiful girl was now being auctioned. She was completely nude, and the prospective buyers were not shy about poking and squeezing the girl. Her face revealed shame and fright. Cat shivered. Finally the girl was purchased by a man with a fierce mustache. Cat was forced to stand quietly watching for almost an hour. Then Hammid got involved in the bidding on an exquisite golden-blond Circassian girl of about thirteen. When he had secured her purchase Cat heard him tell the slave merchant, 'Send the maiden to the Yeni Serai with the Vizier Cicalazade Pasha's compliments.' Then he and Cat returned to their litter.
As they rode Cat said quietly, 'I will try, Hammid, but I promise you nothing. It will not be easy for me.'
He smiled. 'Good! I have not misjudged your character. Do not be afraid, my beauty. I will give you time to accept your status. You will be happy, I promise you. The vizier is a magnificent lover and he will pleasure you as no man ever has. He is like a young bull-hot and inexhaustible.'
Cat lowered her head as a flush swept her cheeks. It had been weeks now since she had last lain with Francis, and she was frankly edgy, but she would have died rather than allow Hammid to know this. The eunuch knew her thought and smiled. 'I have decided upon your Turkish name,' he told her. 'You will answer to the name of Incili. It means Beautiful Pearl, and you are that indeed. We will call your servant Mara.'
The next few days were quiet ones. Though she was permitted to mingle with the other women of the harem, she felt no particular urge to make friends. She was frankly curious about Lateefa Sultan, the vizier's wife, but she never saw her.
When she had been in the harem for over two weeks, she returned from the baths one afternoon to find the grand eunuch, Hammid, waiting for her.
'I am going to present you to the vizier tonight,' he said.
Stricken, she implored him, 'So soon?'
'The time is propitious,' he told her. 'Come now, Incili, you are no virgin, but a woman of experience. Does your lovely body not ache for a man's touch? Do you not crave a man's hardness deep within you? How long now has it been since you last lay swooning in a lover's arms?'
