Monsoon Mists (23 page)

‘Shall we take turns to sleep for a while? I think it’s best if one of us stays awake,’ he said. ‘You go first.’

‘But you haven’t had any sleep yet, have you?’

He smiled down at her. ‘No, but you don’t look as though you can keep your eyes open for much longer. I’ll be all right.’

‘Very well, if you’re sure? Thank you.’ She added, ‘Let me just give you back the diamond,’ and took it out of her mouth. ‘Here.’

‘Thanks.’ Jamie put it in his pocket for now.

She was asleep in seconds. Jamie sat still, adjusting to the sensation of holding her again. It felt frighteningly tender, an emotion he’d steered well clear of for the last five years. But somehow with Zar it wasn’t quite as bad as he’d thought it would be. She hadn’t forced him to protect her, hadn’t flirted with him or tried to coerce him into anything. She was the exact opposite of Elisabet.

The thought brought him up short.

He’d believed that Elisabet had soured his opinion of women for the rest of his life. She’d made him unable to trust any female, viewing them all cynically as if they were only out to entrap him for their own gain. Zar had tried to push him away from the very beginning. She was the hunted one, the prey, the one everyone was trying to catch. Just like him. And that changed things.

The anger he’d felt towards Elisabet would never quite go away, he realised that, but perhaps it was possible to put the past behind him and move forward? Dare he put his faith in a woman again? Could he possibly fall in love?

He didn’t know and didn’t really want to think about it.

Zar had a luscious body and a beautiful face. He wanted her, there was nothing more to it. Who wouldn’t? So what if she was courageous and honourable? Those were traits he could admire, but they didn’t mean he loved her.

Zar mumbled in her sleep and snuggled closer to him, wrapping one arm around his waist. Jamie felt a surge of something fizzing through his veins, but again put it down to lust. The bodice of her low cut gown gave him a wonderful view from above and he felt a definite pang of desire. But at the same time he just wanted to pull her tight to his side and keep her safe.

He shook his head. Why complicate things? If she let him, perhaps he’d teach her about lovemaking, then she could marry someone else. Someone who could give her what he couldn’t – complete trust and love. A man who’d stay in one place for more than a month at a time.

Besides, who knew if they would even live for another day, so there was no sense in contemplating the future. There was only the here and now.

Chapter Eighteen

‘I have decided to leave tomorrow. Arrange it, please, Bijal.’

‘I beg your pardon, Highness? Tomorrow? Why, the wedding is two months hence!’

Bijal stared at his master and closed his mouth which had fallen open in surprise. He felt a stirring of unease deep inside. He had counted on the Rajah staying put for at least another month before setting off. That way the talisman would be well out of the way before the Rajah and his entourage came anywhere near Surat. Not that they would be heading for that city in any case, as the intended bride lived near Ahmedabad to the north, but it was still too close for comfort. And although it was quite some distance for a cavalcade to travel, it wouldn’t take two months, of that he was sure. Damnation.

‘I’ve made up my mind to visit a kinsman at Baroda for a few weeks beforehand. He sent me an invitation as soon as he heard about the nuptials. It might serve to distract me from the constant worries and the grief. You are pursuing your enquiries, I trust?’

‘Why, yes, of course.’

‘Good. I must have the talisman back, and quickly.’

‘I am aware of that, Highness. But to leave so soon? Your entourage … it will take days – weeks – to organise everyone for travelling and—’

The Rajah held up a hand to stop the Grand Vizier in mid-sentence. ‘Bijal, I know you well enough to be perfectly certain that you will have everything arranged in a trice. I am resolved, we leave at dawn. Anyone who is not ready can follow on later.’

Bijal had no choice but to bow his acquiescence, but inside he was seething.
I don’t want him anywhere near Surat until the talisman has been sent on its way.
He had a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling.

But he had to play his role for a while longer.

They were fed some kedgeree – a dish made of boiled rice, some kind of peas or lentils, pieces of cooked fish, butter and cream – towards evening, by which time Jamie had taken a turn at sleeping. Zar felt on edge, but managed to eat. She knew she needed to keep her strength up, just in case they had an opportunity to flee. Although how that was to happen in the middle of the ocean, she had no idea.

‘Perhaps we can steal the ship’s boat,’ Jamie mused. ‘There must be one either on board or floating behind us. We don’t seem to be moving very fast at the moment, so I’m guessing the winds are contrary, which is good. That means we haven’t gone too far from the coast yet.’

‘We’d need to get out of this cabin first. How are we going to do that when you promised not to hit anyone?’ Although Zar was grateful to have her hands free again, she couldn’t help but feel Jamie’s oath had been a bit hasty.

He grinned at her now. ‘You seriously believe I’ll keep my word to a group of abductors?’

‘Oh, I see.’ She felt her cheeks heat up, but wasn’t sure if it was because she felt foolish about believing his words to Mansukh, or because his smile did strange things to her pulse rate. Maybe it was both.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll only use my fists if it proves necessary, and never if there’s any chance they could carry out their threat and harm you in return.’

This only vaguely reassured her. After all, how could he be certain?

He changed the subject abruptly. ‘So how tight is your bodice?’

‘I beg your pardon?’ She turned to frown at him. Was he trying to seduce her? Here of all places?

‘The diamonds,’ he whispered, ‘are they still safe?’

‘Oh, oh that.’ She patted her bodice and felt the small lumps. ‘Yes, they’re there.’

‘And the third one? Want to give it back to me again?’ He’d given it to her before he took his turn at sleeping.

She turned away to hide the fact that her cheeks were firing up again. Why did the mere thought of kissing him affect her this way? It was madness! Especially as they no longer needed to pass it from mouth to mouth. ‘No, I put it with the rest while you were sleeping.’ She glanced at him from under her lashes. ‘I didn’t want to swallow it and it was becoming uncomfortable. Besides, shouldn’t you have asked that
before
we ate? It could have become part of my supper.’

‘You’re right, I’m sorry.’ But his eyes danced with mischief, as if he had read her thoughts just now. ‘Or perhaps you just didn’t want me to kiss you again.’ His grin widened and she found herself thumping him on the arm.

‘You wouldn’t have had to, now we’re not tied up any longer.’

‘Ah, but maybe I wanted to?’

‘You’re impossible. Don’t you ever think of anything else?’

He pretended to consider, then shook his head. ‘No, not really.’

She thumped him again and he chuckled. It probably hurt her more than him since his arms seemed to be made of corded rock.

‘Very well, of course I do,’ he said. ‘It’s just that I’d rather think about kissing you than the fact that we’re still imprisoned.’

She’d felt the warmth of his skin through his shirtsleeve and was tempted to touch him some more. Instead she made herself consider his appearance, which was disreputable to say the least. He wasn’t wearing a coat, only the shirt and long waistcoat, both of which were dusty and stained with dirt. His neckcloth and breeches were no better and his stockings were more brown than the white they should have been.

‘What happened to your coat?’ she asked, without thinking.

‘Left it at my house. There didn’t seem any point in ruining it further and it’s so hot I don’t know why I was wearing it in the first place. Why, are you cold?’

‘No, of course not.’ In fact, it was stifling in the little cabin and she wished she’d been wearing Indian clothing instead of the tight English gown. It might be good for concealing diamonds, but it was also restricting her breathing. ‘I hate English clothes,’ she muttered. ‘Why do they have to be so constricting?’

His mouth quirked. ‘It’s just the fashion. There are more comfortable garments than what you’re wearing, you know. And if you want me to help you take anything off, just say the word.’

She threw him a look of exasperation, which was answered by another bone-melting grin. Zar had to look away.
Any moment now, I’m going to make a complete fool of myself.
Damn him. Why did he have to be so attractive? It wasn’t fair.

William walked back and forth across the small cabin he’d been shoved into. It had a couple of hard bunks without bedding, but he didn’t feel like lying down. He’d tried it at first, but quickly realised it made him feel the motion of the ship much more keenly and his stomach had nearly rebelled. He’d never been a good sailor, which was why he normally left travelling to other people. Standing up helped a little, but it was probably only a question of time before the
mal de mer
struck. He swallowed down bile.

‘Bloody hell!’ he shouted to no one in particular.

He knew they wouldn’t hear him anyway, as the noise from the wind and waves would drown out any sounds from him.

‘Damn Mansukh. Damn Kinross. And damn that bitch Zarmina!’

This was all their fault, not his. If his father hadn’t taught Zar about business, William would have been able to sell it all without problems. If Kinross had done what he’d been paid to do and handed over the talisman, William could have been on his way to England via Persia with it now. And if that devil Mansukh hadn’t had spies everywhere, he’d be none the wiser …

If, if, if
 … But it had all gone wrong. So completely wrong.

What was going to happen to him now? Would he become shark food?

‘Then what the hell are they waiting for?’ he growled. He’d rather they got it over and done with. The waiting was killing him.

At least it would be over quickly as he couldn’t swim. With any luck, he’d drown first, before any of those blasted predators turned up.

But he didn’t want to die at all …

There was one porthole in the little cabin and Jamie watched as the sun began to disappear beneath the horizon. The sky flamed orange, then turned red, pink and lilac in quick succession. It was a beautiful sight, but also a reminder that time was passing.

Were they going to be thrown overboard soon? What the hell was Mansukh waiting for, deeper water?

Jamie guessed that was the intention, but hoped the
bania
would wait a bit longer. That would give them a chance to try and escape. If not … No, he wouldn’t think about that.

Despite the gusts of wind coming in through the porthole, it was sweltering in the enclosed space and Jamie felt perspiration meandering down his back. He wiped his forehead with his sleeve and tried to think cold thoughts. Oh, for some snow right now. Frost, ice, soft white flakes that melted on your tongue … But he was as far away from that kind of weather as he could possibly be and now wasn’t the time for regrets.

During the night, he tried to open the door, using an old nail that had been sticking out of the woodwork on one side, which he’d managed to prise loose. It didn’t work, however, and he had to give up.

‘I think there is a stout bar on the other side and I can’t lift it with the nail,’ he told Zar. ‘I could probably break the door down, but that would alert Mansukh’s men to what I’m doing so it’s pointless.’

No one came to give them any more food and they tried to ration the water they’d been left. Again, they took turns to sleep.

Another morning passed with only one visit from their gaolers. They were given some bread and more water, but nothing else.

‘I suppose we have to be grateful they feed us at all,’ Zar grumbled. ‘But my stomach is used to several proper meals a day, not just one.’

So was Jamie’s, but taking sips of water every so often helped and he thought the fact that they were given any food might be a good sign. If Mansukh was planning on killing them, there wouldn’t be any point in feeding his prisoners, so perhaps there was something else in store for them?

Towards midday, Zar was sitting in a corner, leaning against the wall and dozing in the heat, while Jamie paced the floor. He was too restless to relax; he hated inaction and the feeling of being caged in. As he turned for the umpteenth time, a loud explosion suddenly disturbed the peace and the ship shuddered, making Jamie stumble. Zar cried out and got to her feet.

‘What was that?’ They both rushed to the porthole and looked out.

‘Pirates, I think,’ Jamie said. ‘Let’s hope they’re ours.’

‘What do you mean?’ Zar grabbed his arm and her fingers dug into his skin. He put his hand over hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

‘Just that I hope they’re not Maratta – south Indians – but English, or at least European. If so, they might kill Mansukh and his crew. There aren’t many of them left in this area now though, but let’s pray they’re not natives.’

‘And will they k-kill us?’

‘We’ll see.’

They listened for a short while as a cacophony of sounds erupted up on deck and outside their cabin. More shots were fired, the ship taking a few hits, and through the porthole Jamie saw the pirate ship come close enough for its crew to board the merchantman, but he didn’t catch a glimpse of the name. From what he could see of its shape, it could be a European vessel, but that didn’t necessarily mean its crew was. The Maratta captured and used whatever ships they could.

They listened to the shouting and at last Jamie heard what he’d been hoping for. He smiled at Zar. ‘That was English swearing, for certain. Right, time to go, I think.’ He went over to the door and gave it a couple of mighty kicks, aiming for the middle where the bar would lie across on the outside. He made quite a ruckus, but he didn’t think anyone would notice with everything else going on. The wood began to splinter and after another kick, it gave way. He turned to Zar. ‘Go and try to find William and let him out. I’m going to join in the fighting on the pirates’ side. Hopefully that will make them favourably disposed towards us. Tell him to do the same.’