Bertrice Small - Bedazzled

"Will the harem continue to exist, lady?" demanded Samara boldly. She was not a woman to beat about the bush.

"Whether the harem exists or doesn't exist is not my province. That is in the dey's domain. I am content, however, that you be here, but my husband's house must be free of discord. I will strive to see that it is so, Samara."

Her answer seemed to appease the harem women, and they each stepped forward to receive their gift. The gentle Mirmah set the tone by taking India's two hands in hers, and pressing them to her forehead in a gesture of acceptance and respect. Each of the others followed Mirmah's example, Samara being the last and obviously reluctant. India smiled at each of them, though some more warmly than others as she handed out the gift packets, which were wrapped in silk kerchiefs, and tied with gold ribbons. The ladies cried out, delighted as they opened their gifts, for Baba Hassan had not been stingy in choosing. The women compared the earrings and necklaces, and were all satisfied.

"Will you partake of light refreshments with us, my lady?" Mirmah asked India.

"I will be happy to join you," India replied, noting that Azura had disappeared from the scene.

The women led India to a divan, positioning themselves about her upon cushions as the slaves brought sweet grape sherbet, and a plate with tiny honey cakes and small horns of chopped nuts, and dough filled with raisins, nuts, and honey. There were also sweet dates and juicy figs upon the plate.

"You know I am English," India said as they ate. "I want to know about all of you. Mirmah is Circassian, Azura has told me, but what of the rest?"

"I am French," Nila said. "I am seventeen, and have lived in the dey's harem since I was fifteen. I was a gift to him from the dey of Algiers, who was my first master."

"We are Greek," Laylu said, indicating Deva in her statement. "We came from the same village, and have been enslaved since we were ten. Baba Hassan bought us in the market of El Sinut three years ago."

"I am Venetian," Sarai spoke up. "I come from a family of wealthy merchants. I was on my way to Naples to be married when my vessel was captured. After the corsair captain had taken his pleasure of me, he gave me to the dey, who beheaded him for violating me. Women captives are not supposed to be mistreated."

"I am Moorish," Leah said. "My family was poor, and sold me into slavery so they might survive. I had two masters before I came to the dey's harem last year."

"I am of Syrian birth," Samara said curtly.

India did not press Samara further, for she obviously did not wish to speak on her origins in detail for whatever reason. "It seemed so strange here at first," she said, "but now this is home. Did you all feel that way, too?"

The other girls nodded.

"Most of us were born free," Sarai said. "Being a slave, even a privileged slave, is difficult at first. You have done well to win our lord Caynan's heart and in such a short time, when none of the others of us could do it. He has always been kind, but he merely slakes his lusts upon our bodies. You have gained something more, my lady India, and we are frankly envious of you."

India blushed, not knowing what to say.

"But we are safe and comfortable," Mirmah spoke up, "and we shall all be friends. I was born on a slave farm, and raised to be a harem woman. It is better when the women of the harem get on, my lady India. My first master was Aruj Agha, who purchased me in the great market of Istanbul. One evening when the dey came to Aruj Agha's house for a meal, he saw me, and admired me. Aruj Agha had me delivered to the palace the next morning. I like it here. Aruj Agha had no other women, for he could not afford them. It was lonely waiting for him to return from his voyages. I am glad we have each other, and I am happy that our lord Caynan has found a wife."

Her sweet nature touched India, and, reaching out, she took Mirmah's hand and Sarai's hand in hers, saying, "I agree with Mirmah. We should all be friends, and keep peace in our lord's house. I promise you that I will be a good mistress to you."

"Allah!" Samara exclaimed. "I do not know if it is the cakes or the atmosphere, but I think I am going to be sick from all this sweetness."

India burst out laughing. "You remind me of my sister, Fortune, Samara," she said. "She says exactly what she is thinking, too."

Samara was surprised by India's reaction. She had expected the dey's bride to be offended, but here she was making light of Samara's rudeness. "Did you really take a knife to the dey when you arrived?" she asked India, frankly curious to know if the stories had been only rumor.

"I did," India admitted. "It is fortunate my aim was so poor, as I now love him." she chuckled.

"Allah! You are daring," Samara said with grudging admiration.

"I was not taught to fear," India replied quietly.

"How will you feel if our lord takes a second wife?" Sarai asked India frankly.

"Jealous," India responded candidly, "but I shall have to live with it." She paused. "If he takes a second wife," she concluded. The other women laughed.

"I suppose it is best to leave everything as it is now," Samara said thoughtfully. "One wife, and a harem. It would appear that we can all get along if we try, and we are content as things are."

The others murmured in agreement, and Azura, watching from behind a screen, was extremely pleased that India had taken her counsel, making her peace with the women of the harem. She is an intelligent young woman, the mistress of the harem considered. She can be influenced if she is approached correctly. El Sinut will be kept safe from the machinations of the janissaries. I am certain of it now. She turned her attentions back to the young women seated about India and listened with great interest, for they had somehow managed to turn the conversation to matters of a sensual nature.

India, blushing at their teasing, was clever enough to admit that she knew absolutely nothing about lovemaking other than what the dey had introduced her to the previous night. "I am so ignorant," she said. "I know it is audacious of me to ask your help in such matters, but I would please our master."

How ingenious of her, Azura thought admiringly. If nothing else, her very artlessness will win them all over. Even Samara. It is deftly done, particularly calling Caynan Reis our master, and not her husband. By not lording it over them she made herself one of them. It was skillful, and wickedly adroit of India. Azura considered the dey's wife might turn out to be far more than they had anticipated.

The mistress of the harem turned her attention back to the seven women and India, listening with great amusement as they all began talking at once, for each was certain she could teach India how to please the dey better than any of the others. Azura remained to be certain none of the other women misled the bride, but they obviously did not consider it, being far too interested in imparting their own knowledge to her. The older woman shook her head wonderingly. Everything was going even better than she had hoped. Baba Hassan would be equally pleased when she told him. It was simply perfect!

The chief eunuch bustled into the harem, and, going to India, bowed politely. "My lady, your husband wishes your presence."

India arose at once. "I shall never remember everything," she said with a small laugh. "May I come back tomorrow?"

"Yes!" they chorused, and sent her on her way.

"Well," Samara said as the harem doors closed behind the dey's wife. "I have to admit she is likable. Or so it would seem. Prepare yourselves for a drought ladies. He will not grow tired of her for some time, and we, fools as we are, are helping her to retain his attentions!"

"She will be with child the sooner," Nila chuckled, "and then the dey will seek us out for his pleasure and amusement."

"Why should she have a child when none of us have?" Leah asked.

"Foolish one," Mirmah told her. "We are fed something in either our food or drink to keep us infertile. It is common practice in the harems of Istanbul. Did none of you know that? The lady India, however, will be given no such cordial. Indeed, she will be fed all manner of delicacies, as will the dey, to encourage them to produce a child. It will be nice to have a baby among us."

"If she does not cease her cheerful, mindless prattle," Samara muttered darkly to Sarai, "I may throttle our little golden bird."

India, meanwhile, followed Baba Hassan back to her own quarters. As they entered the apartment, a young girl came forward, and bowed low.

"On the dey's instructions I have been searching the slave markets these last few weeks, my lady, for a girl who could speak your native tongue and had a modicum of intelligence so you would have someone to serve you in whom you could put your trust," the eunuch said. "I found this wench almost a month ago, and have endeavored to train her properly. If she pleases you, she is yours."

India turned and smiled at the girl. She looked very young, and her gray eyes were quite apprehensive. She was slight of build and had carrot-colored hair that was quite startling in its brightness. "What is your name?" India asked the girl in English.

"Margaret, lady, though I be called Meggie," the girl replied.

"You are English?"

"Nay, lady, I be Scots," Meggie said.