Read Online Averill: Historical Romance (The Brocade Collection, Book 3) by Jackie Ivie - Free Book Online Page B

tried to clamber up the rose-colored walls.  
    “It affects everyone that way at first, Averill.”
    She closed her mouth and turned to the captain , not even wondering why he’d broken rank and was here, at her side, at the back of his caravan.
    “I had to make certain my artist still accompanied me, and hadn’t fallen from her mount,” he answered her wordless question.
    “Why should you care?” she asked.
    “ Good question. I’ve asked myself that enough, you’d think I’d have an answer ready. I don’t.”
    “I ’m fine, Captain,” Averill replied.
    “Do you regret coming with me?” he asked, so softly she had to decipher the words from his lips.
    She shrugged. “I should also have a ready answer, I think.”
    His lips tipped upward a fraction before he gestured to the wall beside her . “They imported most of it. Very expensive. Very impressive. I was impressed the first time.”
    “But not the second?”
    “No,” he replied. “Not the second. Nor any subsequent visits.”
    “Who owns this?”
    “Some Pasha or other. It’s not his to run, though. That duty belongs to his Minister, Al-Marabandi. That one bears watching. Slippery fellow. It’ll be all right, though. They’re loyal to the power of the moment. Since it’s the British, they put up with interferences such as us. We’re not exactly welcome, but we’re not openly unwelcome. Does that make sense?”
    Captain Tennison looked exhausted . He had dirt enfolded into every line of his face, and dark circles under his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat before she turned back to look at the palace wall.
    “It has a certain aura . I’d like to capture it.”
    “My invitation is for a rest, nothing more . I’m to find the Minister’s true leanings while we’re here. We’ll be lucky if we’re not escorted out tomorrow morn. You can stay up and paint, if you like. I, for one, am finding a comfortable bed and dropping into it. You’re welcome to join me. Forget I said that. Blame it on lack of sleep. I’ll see you at the steps.”
    His mouth had twisted strangely as he spoke . It bothered her as much as his words. And the way her eyes followed him.
    The town of Apamea was encased within the palace walls . More people than Averill had seen in the marketplace appeared to be encamped within there, too. She held the cloak tight about her, and kept her eyes on Pegasus’ neck until the column halted.
    B ut when the camel knelt, she couldn’t get her legs to move. As much as she wanted to dismount, all she did for a few moments was sit and look at the tiles beneath them. This Pasha must be exceedingly rich, to line his streets with tile. She wondered why he catered to any power, even the British. It made little sense. And she was too tired to care.
    She closed her eyes and that made it easier to understand the words coming toward her . She just couldn’t believe their content.
    “ Ah! You’ve brought a present for His Eminence! A woman is greatly appreciated. Why didn’t you say so sooner?”
    Averill opened her eyes . Captain Tennison was trailing a tall, thin fellow in a dark red cloak and a turban to match. Averill had a quick glance and looked down again.
    “She isn’t a gift.”
    “With preparation, an oiling, and the proper clothing, she’ll be a welcome addition to the harem. Such light skin, too! His Eminence has too many Nubians and the like. A comely woman will tempt him, for certain. Is she part European, too? That’s excellent. Come, woman.”
    He held his hand out for her . Averill didn’t move.
    “You listen poorly, my friend . I already told you. She isn’t a gift. I meant it.”
    “You’ve never traveled with a woman before, Captain.”
    “True, enough. Leave her. I have much to tell you.”
    “The harem will accommodate her.”
    “Oh. She’s not going into any harem,” Captain Tennison replied. “I already said as much.”
    “His Eminence will be displeased.”
    “Why? I’ve brought gifts, as