THE PROBLEM WITH being in a country when one didn’t speak the native language was that there was likely to be all sorts of misunderstandings.
When Sidney returned to her room, she found a formally phrased note on royal stationery had been slipped under her door inviting her to call on the Princess Naile—an aunt of the khedive, the viceroy of Egypt. Apparently the princess had quite enjoyed her book and would like to meet her. Sidney was, of course, both flattered and delighted. And really, how could anyone turn down a royal request? The note also said she would be provided an escort to one of the royal residences and was to accompany the bearer of the note. Sidney hadn’t been back to her rooms for hours. Who knew when the invitation had been delivered. Surely, her escort was no longer waiting for her. Still, it would be rude not to at least make certain.
The night clerk directed her to an impatient-looking Egyptian gentleman in the lobby, dressed in long flowing robes, and more than a little irate. His English was passable although he spoke so quickly it was not possible to understand everything he said. And while Sidney tried to explain she could not go anywhere at this hour—why, it was nearly midnight—he was adamant that his instructions had been to fetch her and fetch her he would. Before she knew it, he had whisked her out of the hotel and into a waiting carriage. It was most annoying and on the drive to the residence she did wonder why she was indeed irritated but not the least bit frightened. If anything, she was rather excited. How thrilling to meet a real Egyptian princess in the dead of night. Admittedly, she could be in the midst of an abduction but that seemed rather far-fetched. Her escort was determined but not the least bit threatening. He made no attempt to be circumspect or discreet and even in Cairo she imagined a kidnapper would try to be inconspicuous. Furthermore, she would wager kidnappers rarely sent formal invitations and were probably never acknowledged by desk clerks. Certainly Millicent Forester would not be frightened. She would see this as an adventure and so would Sidney.
In no time at all they arrived at one of the gates that separated one part of the city from another. Her escort—a Mr. Gamal she thought although she might have misheard his name—assisted her out of the carriage then accompanied her a short distance down the dark narrow street and around the corner to a nondescript door. It might have been somewhat distressing had not Mr. Gamal continued to mutter under his breath, obviously at the inconvenience she had caused him. He knocked sharply and the door opened almost at once. Sidney was led through endless corridors, twisting and turning and not all conducive to remembering the route, should she need to do so later. In spite of lit oil sconces, it was entirely too dim to see much of anything. Sidney had the impression of endless stone walls and patterned tiled floors and glimpsed the occasional high, lattice-covered window. And while she did try to stay unconcerned, even Millicent might be a bit apprehensive at this point.
At last they reached another door, this one ornate with carvings and brass ornamentation. Mr. Gamal knocked sharply and a few minutes later the door opened. A lovely woman, a bit younger than Sidney, clad in the filmiest of silken robes with wide flowing trousers, looked from Sidney to Mr. Gamal and frowned in confusion. Before she could utter a word, the man let forth a rapid-fire stream of Arabic complete with frenzied gestures—most directed at Sidney—and accompanied by obvious indignation. One didn’t have to know the language to recognize that. The moment he paused for breath, the lady responded—her words coming just as fast and her indignation matching his own. At last they seemed to come to some sort of grudging agreement. Mr. Gamal bowed to Sidney then hurried away, obviously relieved to be rid of her.
“My fervent apologies, Mrs. Gordon. Please, come in,” the lady said, her voice refined, her English almost perfect. She stepped back and waved Sidney ahead then closed the door. “This wing of the palace is reserved for the harem.”
“The harem?” Sidney stepped forward cautiously.
The lady glanced at Sidney’s feet. “Your shoes, Mrs. Gordon?”
“Of course,” she murmured and removed her evening slippers.
A gallery bordered by columns opened up into a large court with high curved ceilings. Sconces cast a dim light in the expanse. A fountain splashed musically in the center of the room and low sofas and mattresses and cushions were scattered about, all covered with brilliantly colored fabrics in traditional Egyptian patterns.
“This is where the women and children of the household reside along with their servants. It is not quite the den of immorality and salacious behavior Europeans and the west have been led to believe.” She tilted her head and studied Sidney. “But I assumed you would know that.”
“I have heard any number of things about harems. But—” Sidney shook her head “—I’ve never had the opportunity to visit one.” Nor had she ever been in a royal residence.
“I’m afraid it will be far more ordinary than you expect.” She smiled. “I am Lady Hatice, a distant cousin of the royal family, and I’m afraid there has been a dreadful mistake.”
“Has there?”
“Gamal left quite early in the evening to deliver our note and request your visit. My mistake was in telling him to wait and escort you here. I didn’t intend for him to wait all night.” She rolled her gaze toward the high ceiling. “Some men are scarcely more intelligent than the donkeys they ride. Indeed, I have known any number of donkeys far cleverer than any man.”
“I was engaged for the evening so I did not get your note until a short while ago,” Sidney said. “And then Mr. Gamal was quite adamant in his insistence that I was to come with him.”
Lady Hatice shook her head in disbelief. “Again, my apologies, Mrs. Gordon. Nearly everyone is abed at this hour. But as it is now so late, we would be honored if you would agree to stay the night. Then you may visit with Princess Naile in the morning.”
Sidney hesitated. “I really should get back.”
“Ah, but you said you’ve never seen a harem before.” She smiled. “I will reveal all our secrets to you and perhaps they will find their way into one of your stories.”
Sidney laughed. “Very well, then, I’ll stay.” Besides, if she recalled correctly, she had read that it was considered rude not to accept hospitality when offered—especially when it came from a royal household. “But I do need to send a note to my friends at the hotel. I would hate for them to worry.”
“Of course. I will have writing materials provided at once.” Lady Hatice nodded. “Now, allow me to show you to your room.” She led Sidney out of the court and into another corridor, stopped after a short distance and opened the nearest door. “I hope it is acceptable.”
A gas lamp burned on a low table next to an equally low bed piled high with comforters and coverlets. Tempting and almost irresistible. Sidney bit back a yawn. “It’s lovely, thank you.”
Two young maids appeared at the doorway. “Asim and Fenuku will assist you with your gown and help you change. We have garments for sleeping for you.”
It was fortunate Sidney had thought to hide the medallion in her room before coming down to meet Mr. Gamal. She had no idea how she would explain a gold object falling out of her corset.
“And I shall send someone with pen and paper. When you’re done with your note, Asim will bring it to me and I’ll see to it that it is delivered to the hotel immediately.”
“Thank you.”
“I can see you’re weary so I will bid you good evening.” Lady Hatice turned to leave.
“Might I ask you a question before you go?”
“Please do.” She turned back to Sidney and smiled. “As many as you wish.”
“I was curious about your English. It’s very nearly perfect.”
“How kind of you to say.” Lady Hatice’s eyes glowed with pride. “I had an English governess and spent three years at a school for girls in England. My father believed, given the British presence in Egypt, his children should learn the language as well as the nature of the people.”
“And did you learn the nature of the people?”
Lady Hatice considered the question. “Like people everywhere they are concerned with status and rank, and place those they don’t know in—what is the word? Ah yes—pigeonholes. We do the same. Those who are different from ourselves are always looked upon oddly.” She shrugged. “I did enjoy my stay in England but I do not regret leaving.”
“I see.” Sidney wasn’t sure what to say. She couldn’t really dispute Lady Hatice’s assessment as much as she wanted to. And wasn’t Sidney in a pigeonhole of her own?
“Did you have another question?”
“Quite a few really.”
Lady Hatice raised a brow. “About harems no doubt.”
“I’m just wondering how one comes to live in a harem.”
“It is not so different than any large family that shares a domicile. There is nothing more important to us than family. Like you, I am a widow. After my husband died, my children and I came here to live. When I marry again, and I do hope to marry again, I shall leave.”
“You don’t mind living here?”
“I am not a prisoner, Mrs. Gordon. Contrary to what you might have heard, we can come and go as we please.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “I suspect you will have additional questions in the morning but is there anything else you wish answered now?”
“Not really.” Sidney drew a deep breath. “Although I have never met a princess before and I’m not sure what is expected of me.”
“You would greet her in very much the same way you would greet a princess in England—no more than a courteous bow is necessary. Respect, Mrs. Gordon, is truly all that is needed.”
“Very well,” Sidney said faintly.
“I can assure you, the princess and everyone else is going to be quite taken with you.”
“Really?”
“Oh my yes.” Lady Hatice’s eyes widened in surprise. “I am sorry, I thought you understood. Princess Naile as well as all the other ladies here absolutely adore—” she grinned “—Millicent Forester, Richard Weatherly and all the Tales of a Lady Adventurer in Egypt.”