Page 62 of Inconvenient Honor
Fear, clear and unmistakable, flashed across the man’s eyes.
“What is that to me?”
“Do you know which of these two he may have followed?” Or coerced, or led, or— Richard shuddered to think what else.
“I know nothing of this,” the man said. “You may not care about the works of Russia and the Sublime Porte, but they may not be so indifferent about you. Have a care. Your questions poke at a viper pit.” He rose to leave, but he leaned on the table first. “I would depart Thessaloniki. Quickly.” He left before Richard could stop him.
He walked back past the seat of Ottoman power with its grizzly decoration hanging on the pole in front. He couldn’t tell what Russia planned, not officially, and he couldn’t be sure whether or not the unrest was as dispersed and leaderless as it seemed.
Richard was out of patience, out of ideas, and out of questions. He only knew one thing for certain, Volkov’s man died an ugly death. Volkov had threatened the same fate for Lily’s father, if not Lily herself once, if that happened.
I have to find her.
He had no idea if she had really gone to Constantinople or why. He could go back to London with nothing and admit his stupidity or push on to Constantinople.
Gathering his belongings took moments. An hour later he walked toward the docks to look for transport on a coastal vessel. His cash dwindled, but he could get more in Constantinople. No more disguises.
A new thought occurred to him. Witnesses in Malta said the English woman with the Ottoman party appeared to be surrounded by eunuch guards. If Lily had put herself in Ottoman company, she went with Sahin Pasha—voluntarily or unwillingly. The crazy old man may have some notion of responsibility for her. It would be like him to stash her in the sultan’s Seraglio itself.
He stepped onto a brightly painted boat with a smile on his face.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Avast complex of buildings made up the Seraglio, the sultan’s walled “household.” Covered fountains, fabulously ornate meeting rooms, offices, storerooms, bathing facilities, nurseries, and dormitories for high-ranking wives lined its tiled lanes. Sunshine and flowers wrapped themselves around beautiful, often brightly painted, buildings but failed to lighten Lily’s burdens.
The Valide Sultan greeted Lily in the Courtyard of the Concubines as she indicated in her message. “You look rested, Zambak. Life here suits you.” The older woman gave her a gentle smile. She moved with grace as well as purpose, pulling Lily along by the force of her personality.
“It does, Valide Sultan,” Lily said.Perhaps.
The Seraglio suited many women. Lily found their company stimulating, as if she lived in the middle of one of Georgiana Mallet’s salons filled with intelligent conversation and good food.
If only I weren’t so achingly lonely. For Papa. For English conversation. For—She squashed the thought.
“You do well. Your teaching has been a blessing to many. Your description of the palace of the czar sent Guldem into raptures,” she said without breaking stride.
“It is not so splendid as this, Highness,” Lily said with an expansive gesture.
The older woman’s approval glowed from her smile.
They entered the same audience room where she had interviewed Lily four weeks before. Ahmet followed discreetly. When hewould have entered, the Valide Sultan indicated with the graceful wave of her hand that he was to stay outside. “She will be safe with me,” the woman said. He frowned, but obeyed.
Sahin Pasha waited for them across the room, seated cross-legged on cushions covered in fabric the same color as the geometric designs that covered the walls.
“Greeting, honored uncle,” Lily said, making obeisance.
“Come, sit, little one, and we will talk.”
Lily made herself comfortable on a divan near Sahin. The Valide Sultan settled herself at a discreet distance, near enough to hear but far enough away to demonstrate that she would not participate in conversation.
Figs and dates were offered and shared; a long moment passed. Lily waited for him to speak as manners dictated.
“You look well, little one,” he began.
Lily shared a smile with the Valide Sultan across the room.They are at pains to compliment. I must have looked a horror when I arrived.
“I am well fed and safe, honored uncle. I am grateful to you.”
“Is it as you hoped, Lily?”
