Free Enchantress by Constance O'Banyon

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 shadowsbecause 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