Enchantress (6 page)

If Brittany did not fit into the world of the two people she loved most, where did she belong?

Jillianna gave her daughter a hug. “Go and change now, Brittany. We will talk more on this later.”

Jillianna stood silently watching her daughter’s departure. Until now, she had been selfish in keeping Brittany with her. Although it would tear her heart out, she would have to let her go.

Brittany had dressed carefully in an ivory silk gown which had just arrived from Paris the day before. It was a lovely creation with pink and green lace intertwined across the
high-waisted bodice and sleeves. Her hair was pulled back from her face and laced with pink and green ribbons. She hoped the style made her appear older.

When Brittany entered the formal sitting room, she found Simijin and her mother deep in conversation. She realized they were discussing her, because they fell silent as she approached them.

Simijin, in his regal manner, motioned her forward, but the smile he gave her was warm and encouraging. She dipped down beside him, and he pulled her into a warm embrace. “I hear you have been in trouble again,” he whispered in her ear so her mother could not hear. Aloud he said, “How lovely you look tonight, Brittany. Is that a new gown?”

“Yes, Simijin, it only arrived yesterday.”

She glanced at her mother to see if she was still displeased with her, but her mother smiled and kissed her cheek. “We have been discussing your future, Brittany, and we have made a decision that we hope will please you.”

The young girl’s eyes held a hint of fear. “I do not want to leave you and Simijin. Do not send me away, Mama—please don’t.”

Simijin held up his hand. “We will not discuss this until after—”

Simijin was interrupted by a man’s voice coming from the hallway. They could hear a servant’s voice, and a commotion at the door, and suddenly a man stepped into the room.

Sultan Selim III had been to Simijin’s palace before, but never in the Grand Vizier’s private quarters. Brittany had often watched the sultan conversing with Simijin on state affairs, from her hidden place behind the wooden latticework at the top of the stairs. She was shocked, however, that he would enter Simijin’s private quarters, which were forbidden to all outsiders. No man had ever been invited to see Jillianna unveiled, not even the sultan himself.

Selim III had vellum-toned features which were so delicate they were almost feminine. His face was thin, and his chin weak. His eager glance swept over Jillianna’s face, and
then his almond-shaped eyes stared at Brittany so long that she squirmed uncomfortably.

When Simijin got over the shock of the situation, he came to his feet, quickly motioning Jillianna and Brittany to withdraw into the other room. “Your Majesty,” he said in a cold voice, “what an unexpected pleasure.”

“Forgive me for barging in on you, Lord Simijin. But I have urgent matters to discuss with you.”

Simijin was not pleased that the sultan had come into his private quarters, and his irritation showed on his face. “Had you sent for me, I would have come at once,” he said with the merest reprimand in his tone.

The sultan watched the beautiful young girl slip through the curtains in the back of the room. “Who is that exquisite creature?” he asked.

“She is daughter to my wife,” Simijin replied, not wanting to discuss Jillianna or Brittany.

“Ah, yes, I have heard of your stepdaughter. The rumors that she is beautiful are understated. She is an enchanting creature.”

“You said you came on urgent business?” Simijin reminded him.

“What is the girl’s age?”

Simijin was beginning to feel a sense of dread. Selim was showing far too much interest in Brittany. Simijin had never liked him, and now he liked him even less.

The sultan had only recently come to power after the death of his uncle, the great Abdul Hamid. Head of the Ottoman Empire was a task he was ill-suited for and ill-equipped to handle.

“Should we not be discussing your pressing matters, Your Majesty?”

Sultan Selim ignored Simijin’s subtle hint. “It is well known that you gave up your harem for the English Rose. After seeing her today, I know why. She is a rare beauty. It is easy to see that daughter of the English Rose will one day match her mother in beauty.”

With a heavy feeling in his heart, Simijin now realized that the sultan had purposely intruded into his quarters with the express hope of seeing Brittany. He was an evil man, and Simijin saw the way his mind was working—he wanted Brittany!

“I am certain you would not expect me to discuss anything so personal as my family with you, Your Majesty.”

Selim’s eyes narrowed in thoughtfulness. He knew what he was doing was unacceptable, but was he not the sultan? “Call the girl back so I talk to her,” he demanded.

“You know what you ask is impossible,” Simijin replied in a cold voice.

The sultan stroked his thin beard. “I have to confess to you that I have heard many rumors that the girl was lovely beyond reason, and that is why I came here tonight unannounced,” he admitted, confirming Simijin’s suspicions.

“I cannot imagine how you would hear about my stepdaughter.”

“Come, Lord Simijin, you are too modest. Everyone knows of the beauty of your wife. Now the rumors run hot that her daughter is also a beauty. Did you not think this word would reach my ears?” The sultan studied his hands. “I appreciate beautiful women, and I will stop at nothing to possess one who interests me.”

“My stepdaughter can be of no interest to you.”

“I would like to honor the girl by adding her to my harem.”

“I cannot allow you to do that, Your Majesty. I made my wife a promise that her daughter would never be subjected to harem life. Only this evening we were discussing sending her to England to further her education.”

“I am told she is already very well educated for a woman. I would consider it a favor if you would make me a gift of her. I am in a position to reward you for your generosity.”

Simijin’s face darkened in anger. “She is not mine to give. If she were my own flesh, I would gladly give her to you, but the promise I made her mother prevents me from doing so. You know, Your Majesty, that I am a man of my word.”

The sultan’s features hardened, and his voice was threatening. “You will not change your mind?”

“Alas, I cannot.”

Sultan Selim’s eyes narrowed. “I will give you seven days to reconsider.” Without another word, he turned away and strolled leisurely out of the room.

Simijin sank down on the couch, knowing he must tell Jillianna about the reason for the sultan’s visit. He knew the sultan well enough to realize that Brittany was in real danger. Simijin would sooner see Brittany dead than in that madman’s hands. Something had to be done, and soon. Brittany would have to be sent away at once!

Brittany and her mother sat quietly on the sofa, waiting for Simijin to join them. They both knew that the sultan had committed a great breach of etiquette by coming to their private quarters, but they did not know what the consequences would be.

Jillianna shook her head. “They are talking for a long time,” she said anxiously. “I wonder what has happened.”

“Simijin was not pleased, was he, Mama.”

“No. And he had every reason not to be.” Her brow knitted in a frown. “Simijin is a powerful man and will not take this insult lightly. I only hope…”

At that moment the door opened, and a grave-faced Simijin entered. “Come,” he said, extending one arm to his wife and the other to Brittany. “Let us dine. Later we will talk about the sultan’s visit.”

Jillianna could tell something was bothering Simijin, but wisely, she did not question him. She watched him during dinner, and it was obvious that he was distracted. Once she found him watching Brittany with a sadness in his eyes, and it frightened her.

That night after Jillianna had gone to bed, Simijin came to her, gathering her into his arms.

“You are troubled,” she said, laying her cheek against his. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Jillianna, we have to decide quickly what is to be done about Brittany. The sultan wants her, and we have to be very clever and keep her out of his reach!”

Captain Thorn Stoddard stood on the deck of the
Victorious
overseeing the loading of cargo. Even though it was early morning, a punishing heat beat down on him.

He rolled up his sleeves and blotted the perspiration from his face. He was pressed to finish taking on supplies today because he intended to catch the morning tide and sail for home.

Tall and bronzed, there was a proud and haughty look in Thorn Stoddard’s blue eyes that reflected the mirror-bright water. His black hair lay damply against his handsome brow. There was an air of authority about him, as with all men who commanded their own ships.

“Looks like we got company, Captain,” Cappy Hamish, his second-in-command observed, with a nod at the gangplank. “And a strange one he is, too, from the looks of his appearance.”

Annoyed by the interruption, Thorn glanced at the tall black man who stood on deck, his legs spread wide to keep his balance.

Although Thorn had never seen a eunuch, his instincts told him that this man was one, because of his soft features and flamboyant manner of dress.

“Find out what he wants, Cappy,” Thorn commanded, “and then see that he goes ashore. If he’s selling something, I’m not buying.”

At that moment, one of the pulley ropes snapped, requiring all Thorn’s attention. Men scattered in every direction
to keep from being crushed by the wooden crate that smashed onto the deck. Thorn’s lips tightened in annoyance that a whole crate of sugared figs was ruined. He was not in the best of moods when the black man approached him.

“Excuse me, Captain, sir.” The man spoke excellent English. “If I could but have a moment of your time, it is most important.”

“I have no time to talk now. Stand out of the way.” Thorn shoved the man aside as he unwound a new rope and cast it upward to be threaded through the pulley.

The eunuch was persistent. “Please hear me out, Captain Stoddard. It is imperative that my master speak to you as soon as possible.”

“Not now,” Thorn barked. “Can’t you see we are busy? Move out of the way, before you get hurt!”

“My name is Achmed, and I am Head Eunuch for the Grand Vizier, Lord Simijin. It is his wish to have an audience with you right away.”

Now the man had Thorn’s attention. Certainly he had heard about Lord Simijin. “Tell your lord that if he can attend me here, I will talk to him. Otherwise, I am much too busy, and I sail in the morning.”

Still Achmed lingered. “Sir, I am to mention to you that if you will take a certain cargo with you, my master is willing that you should name your own price.”

Thorn looked at the eunuch skeptically. He did not believe that anyone as important as the Grand Vizier would wish to ship goods on an American ship, since he would have the whole Turkish fleet at his disposal.

“Why should your master wish to ship his cargo on the
Victorious
?”

“I am but a humble servant, and he does not confide in me,” the eunuch said, looking anything but humble.

Thorn tossed the rope to his first mate. “See that this is mended. I shall be going to the Grand Vizier’s palace.” He glanced at Achmed. “But this had better be important.”

Achmed smiled. “Only my master can answer that for you.” He bowed respectfully. “If you will come with me, I have a carriage waiting to transport you, Captain Stoddard.”

Brittany knew that something was amiss, but she could not imagine what it was. Since the night of the sultan’s unannounced intrusion, a disturbing quietness had settled over the palace. She was aware that her movements had been curtailed, and she was never left alone for a moment. When she asked her mother what was the matter, Jillianna had been vague, and decidedly distressed.

Brittany moved down the corridor with her maid, Ikaia, just behind her. She paused at the wide staircase that led to Simijin’s private audience chamber. She was hoping to find him alone so she could ask him why her mother was so upset. She paused on the upper landing where the stairs descended into the main hallway to make certain Simijin was alone, for she would not be allowed to go to him if he was with other men.

The latticework across the balcony was a perfect place to view the chamber without being seen. Many times Brittany had come here to watch dignitaries from all over the world who had come to confer with Simijin.

She loved to observe the flashing jewels, ostrich plumes, elaborately embroidered robes, and sable-lined pelisses worn by many of the foreigners. Envoys from vassal states often gathered here to pay their respects and to present Simijin with gifts. Ambassadors robed in scarlet and gold often arrived to ask Simijin’s wise counsel.

Long ago Brittany had learned to recognize the importance of guests by their manner of dress. The law governed the color and shape of their turbans. The lesser viziers wore green, the priests white, the court chamberlain scarlet, the sheiks blue. The huntsman wore a gold-colored, horn-shaped cap, while the chief cook wore a pointed cap.

Today, however, the chamber appeared to be empty, or so Brittany thought. Her foot was on the top step when she heard the sound of voices. She moved quickly into the shadows
because Simijin was talking to a man who was just out of her view. She pressed her forehead against the carved woodwork so she could observe Simijin’s guest.

Ikaia, who had joined her mistress, sucked in her breath and exclaimed, “Look at the handsome man, mistress. Surely he is the most beautiful man I have ever seen. I cannot tell for certain, but it appears that his eyes are as blue as the skies. Can that be?”

“Shh. I am trying to hear what is being said,” Brittany scolded her maid. “They are speaking English,” she said in amazement.

“Pity I do not understand the English,” Ikaia said wistfully. “I would know what this handsome man wants with Lord Simijin.”

Brittany looked at the dark-haired man. She wasn’t certain, but she thought he might be American because of the way he spoke English. Her interest intensified since she knew her own father had been American. All the men Brittany had seen, besides Simijin and the eunuchs, had been viewed at a distance, so she was not one to judge if the man was handsome; but yes, she would certainly call this man interesting.

She heard Simijin’s voice drift up to her.

“Thank you for coming, Captain Stoddard. I am sure you question my motives for asking you here today.”

“I admit I am curious.”

“I have a great favor to ask of you, and even though you will be well paid, I want to impress upon you the gravity of my request.”

Thorn nodded. “I am listening.”

“I did not just pick you at random, Captain Stoddard. I made inquiries about you, and I found that you are highly esteemed by other captains. I have been told that you are honorable and trustworthy.”

Thorn smiled. “I would say that would depend on who you ask. And I believe I should point out to you that my cargo hold is full now. If you have goods you wish to ship, you will have to wait until my next voyage.”

Brittany knew Simijin well enough to realize there was a tenseness about him. “You do not understand what I want of you, Captain Stoddard. But before I speak, can I count on your discretion?”

Thorn could hardly conceal his bafflement. “Yes, of course you may.”

Simijin lowered his voice, so Brittany could barely hear what he was saying. “The cargo that I wish you to transport, is…one of the women from my…harem. Will you agree to take her on board the
Victorious
and transport her to England?”

Thorn shook his head. So the important matter Lord Simijin had wanted to discuss concerned a woman from his harem, Thorn thought in disgust. “My destination is America, Lord Simijin,” he snapped. “You will have to find another ship to transport your lady to England. I happen to know that there are three ships in harbor at this time that are headed for that destination.”

“That is so, Captain. But the English ships will not be sailing for at least a fortnight. Out of desperation, I was forced to seek you out. If money will change your mind, I am willing to pay whatever you ask.”

From her vantage point, Brittany was mystified as to which lady from Simijin’s harem he would be sending to England. With heightened interest, she listened to the American captain as he spoke.

“
If
my destination were England, and
if
I took passengers on board, Lord Simijin, your lady would pay the same passage as anyone else—for I have never yet taken advantage of any man. But as I said, my destination is America, and that will not change. Even if you wanted to send your lady to America, I would have to refuse, for the
Victorious
is not equipped to accommodate a woman passenger.”

Simijin looked into steely blue eyes and knew this man could not be bought for any price. “Very well, Captain Stoddard, I see that I cannot change your mind. But I am grateful to you for coming all the same.”

Brittany’s eyes followed the tall American as he moved across the room. She thought it would be wonderful if she could talk to him about the land of her father. After the captain had disappeared, she watched Simijin nervously pacing, and she was more certain than ever that he was distressed about something. She was still mystified as to which woman from the harem he wanted to send to England. She would ask her mother if she knew anything about the strange incident.

She turned to her maid. “Let us leave, Ikaia. I do not believe we should disturb Lord Simijin at this time.”

Achmed was out of breath because he had been running. He drew air into his lungs and paused before his master’s door, saying to the guard: “Open the door. I must see Lord Simijin at once.”

The guard stepped aside respectfully and immediately admitted the eunuch.

“Lord Simijin,” Achmed blurted out, “I have just come from the market, where I spoke with Cridia, the head eunuch from the Grand Seraglio. He told me that they are making ready for a new woman of great importance.” He paused to take a deep breath. “He said that the woman is the daughter of your English Rose. It is the young mistress he was referring to, my lord.”

Simijin, a man who was always calm in the face of adversity, now paled. “Did the man say just how this was to be accomplished?”

“Yes, my lord. Since Cridia knows how fond I am of the little mistress, he warned me, at great risk to himself, that a troop from the Janissaries will come and take her away this very afternoon! He could tell me nothing more, but he warned that we should get her to safety with all dispatch.”

Simijin nodded at the eunuch. “Thank you, Achmed. We shall make haste before it is too late.”

Brittany had been unable to find her mother, but as she was dressing for dinner, Jillianna came rushing into the bedroom, her face pale, her eyes wide with fear.

“Brittany, you must come with me at once; there is not a moment to lose!”

“But, Mama, what—”

Jillianna took her daughter’s hand and pulled her toward the door. “There is no time to talk. We must hurry to the harem before it is too late!”

Brittany was mystified. Why was her mother so afraid? And why was she taking her to the harem when she hated it so much?

As they moved quickly across the garden, they were joined by Simijin. Brittany could feel the tension between her mother and stepfather and she saw that her mother was trembling with fear. Something was terribly wrong.

When they reached the pavilion, the door of the harem swung wide, and she was immediately surrounded by Simijin’s women. Gentle hands pulled her into a secluded room behind the bath.

Before she could ask questions, she was stripped of her gown and then her thin chemise. Juanita and Asha began rubbing a dark walnut oil into her naked body.

Brittany’s eyes sought her mother’s. “What is happening? What are they doing to me?”

Jillianna took a deep breath, knowing it was time to tell Brittany the truth. “Do you recall the night the sultan came into our quarters?”

“Yes, but—”

“He came that night with the express purpose of seeing you. He is a devious and evil man, and he has decided he will stop at nothing to have you. That is why you must be disguised, and we must sneak you out of the city and away from Constantinople. Once the sultan finds out you are missing, he will have his Janissaries searching for you everywhere.”

Brittany trembled in fear, cringing at the thought of that odious man touching her. “I will not go with him, Mama.”

“No, you shall not. Simijin has a plan, and you must trust him.”

By this time, Brittany’s whole body was covered with the oil that stained her skin dark. Now she understood the reason for Simijin’s conversation with the American sea captain. He had been bargaining with Captain Stoddard to take her to safety.

“But where will I go, Mama?”

“You are not to worry, my dearest. Simijin will see that you are safe.”

Brittany stood trembling as her golden hair was covered with ebony dye, and her eyebrows were darkened with kohl. After this was done, she was dressed in a heavy black robe.

“Mama, I am so frightened. Will you come with me, please?”

Jillianna blinked back her tears. “No, my dearest, I cannot come with you, for I would endanger you. You are going to America, where you will be with your father’s people for a while. I do not know if your grandmother is still alive, but your father’s family will surely take you in until it is safe for you to return to me.”

Brittany knew that she must be brave for her mother’s sake. “I will be all right, Mama. Do not concern yourself about me.”

Jillianna’s eyes filled with tears. “You must remember to keep the dark oils on your skin and the dyes on your hair until you are safely with your grandmother. Simijin and I have discussed this at great length, and we have decided that you are to tell no one who you are until you reach Philadelphia, because you do not know who you can trust. Swear this oath to me, Brittany, that you will keep your identity a secret. Let those you meet believe that you are merely a woman from Simijin’s harem so that you will be left alone.”

“I give my oath, Mama…but I do not understand the reason for it.”

Everything was happening so quickly that Brittany was being swept along in a tide of unreality. The thought of
becoming one of the sultan’s women brought a shudder of horror to her, but to be parted from her mother and Simijin would be so painful.