Silk and Secrets by Mary Jo Putney

Author:Mary Jo Putney
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2011-06-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

When the haunting call of the muezzin sounded at dawn, Ross awoke feeling much refreshed. It was rather nice to sleep in a bed again, and knowledge of Juliet's closeness had given him pleasant dreams rather than ruining his rest.

After dressing, he emerged, yawning, into the sitting room to find that his wife was already up and clothed once more in her anonymous Tuareg garb, though she had not yet covered her face with her tagelmoust. As she perched on the divan, the dark robes and veil framing her pale face gave her a fleeting resemblance to a medieval nun. A sacrilegious image; no nun should ever radiate such restless energy or such sensuality.

Oblivious of his improper thoughts, she asked, "Do we need a plan for the day?"

Ross was never at his best when he awoke. There was only one thing he was good at first thing in the morning, and without female cooperation it was impossible to demonstrate.

Wrenching his mind back to Juliet's question, he said, "I hope to talk to Abdul Samut Khan as early as possible. Besides finding out more about Ian's captivity, I want to learn whether I am an honored guest or a prisoner."

"A little of both, probably."

"That's what I suspect, but you should be able to go out without hindrance." He paused, mentally reviewing what needed to be done. "I'd like you to visit Saleh and Murad and make sure they have met no unexpected problems. Probably you should check with Saleh before you take Reza to him, but I think the sooner the boy is away from my dangerous presence, the better."

"Shall I buy a couple of horses?" she suggested. "The camels aren't very convenient for riding in the city."

"That's a good idea. Then you can take the camels to Hussayn Kasem. He said he'd stable them for us, and if we don't need them again, he'll give Julietta a good home."

Juliet grinned. "You really are sentimental about that silly beast."

He considered pointing out that the camel appreciated affection more than its namesake did, but it was too early in the morning for inflammatory statements. "This looks like a good time to acquaint you with the sundry gifts, bribes, and weapons I have hidden in my luggage."

"Very well." She swung lithely to her feet. "Every time you dug into your bags, I wondered what new treasure you would come up with."

"The art of successful exploring has much to do with having a good supply of gifts," he explained as he led the way into the bedroom. "I think I'll disarm Abdul Samut Khan by giving him one of my compasses and explaining how it works. That way, when he has my luggage searched, he won't think the compasses are dangerous spy devices."

Ross showed Juliet everything that might be useful to her if something happened to him, and had just concluded by giving her a small pouch of gold coins when a knock sounded from the other room. After pulling up her veil

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