Виктория Холт - The Captive

However, it was a relief, said Nicole, to be free of the arrogant little creature if only for three days.

Aida emerged not in the least repentant. She was as languid as ever, even more sure that she was pregnant and carried a male child. She slept in the ruby necklace and kept the earrings in a jewelled case beside her bed. As soon as morning came she put them on.

In spite of myself, I was caught up in the intrigues of the harem. My friendship with Nicole had done that. She told me that violent quarrels blew up now and then, and that there was great jealousy between the girls. Aida, like Fatima, was one who created trouble.

They had been chosen and they could not forget it. If Aida were pregnant and bore a male child, that would add greatly to the rivalries.

“But Samir is the eldest,” said Nicole.

“He must remain first favourite son.”

I said I was sure he would.

I sensed that Nicole was less confident. She was going to work all the time on Samir’s behalf, but she knew the matter was one which she must constantly bear in mind.

At this time Nicole’s thoughts seemed to be fixed entirely on Aida.

She was not the only one. Fatima’s were too. They had been the main rivals, both possessing sons with a claim on the Pasha’s wealth. Now they both watched Aida.

It was unusual for one girl to satisfy the Pasha for three nights in succession also for her to be kept in his apartments. So there could be no doubt that Aida had made a certain impression on him.

Moreover, she had been long enough with him to become pregnant and there was a good possibility that she might have achieved this happy state. Therefore she was an object of concern to all, but especially to Nicole and Fatima.

It was in the early hours of the morning and I was half asleep. I was just aware of a sliver of a waning moon shining into the dormitory.

Through half-closed eyes, I thought I saw a movement in the room. An outline of a figure bending over one of the divans in the corner.

Sleep claimed me and I thought no more of the incident at the time.

The next day there was consternation. Aida’s ruby earrings had disappeared. She wore the necklace all the time, she reminded us, but the earrings had been kept in the jewelled box beside her divan.

Rani came into the dormitory, demanding to know what all the fuss was about. Aida was shrieking in her fury, accusing everyone. Someone had stolen her earrings. She would tell the Pasha. He would not have thieves in his harem. We should all be whipped and sent away. Her beautiful earrings must be restored to her. If they were not returned this day she would ask the Pasha to punish us all.

Rani was angry.

“Little fool,” said Nicole.

“Doesn’t she know yet that she must not anger important people? I suppose she thinks she is so important she can do without their support.”

The dormitory was searched, but the earrings were not found.

Fatima said it was a terrible thing and even the children should be searched. There were some children who were born thieves and if her Feisal were proved to be such, she would see that he was severely punished.

Rani said the earrings would no doubt soon be found. They could not be far off. There would be no point in anyone stealing someone else’s jewellery. When would the thief be able to wear it?

I was with Nicole in the gardens.

She said: “Serve her right. The arrogant little idiot. She will not get very far.”

“Someone must have taken the earrings.”

“As a joke perhaps?”

I said slowly: “I remember something now. I was only half awake. It was someone standing in the room … yes … and it was by Aida’s divan.”

“When?”

“Last night. I thought I was dreaming. I was in that state when I was not sure whether I was awake or asleep. I

have had strange dreams . since I’ve been here . and particularly after taking that stuff you gave me to drink. Half sleeping . half waking . hallucinations almost. I am not really sure whether I dreamed this. “

“Well, if you saw someone at Aida’s bedside and in the morning her earrings have gone … the chances are that you were not dreaming.”

Just at that moment Samir came up. He was holding something bright in his hands.

“Look,” he said.

“Maman, pretty things …”

She took the jewelled box from his hands and opened it. There lay the ruby earrings.

Nicole exchanged a glance with me, fearful and full of meaning.

“Where did you find this, Samir?” she asked in a voice which trembled.

“In my boat.”

His toy boat, the pride of his life. He was hardly ever without it. He used to sail it in the pools.

Nicole looked at me and said: “I must take it to Rani immediately.”

I put out a hand to stop her. I looked at Samir hesitantly. She knew what I meant.

She said to him: “Go away and play. Don’t tell anyone what you found.

It’s not important. But don’t say a word. Promise, Samir. “

He nodded his head and darted off.

I said: “It’s coming back. It could have been Fatima whom I saw last night. What if she stole the earrings? The more I think of it, the more I believe that this is what it is all about. Didn’t she say we should all be searched … and she mentioned the children. Fatima is foolish sometimes. She has no subtlety. It is easy to read her mind. She wants to damage you . and Samir. So she stole the earrings, put them in the boat and wants it to be believed that Samir stole them.”

“Why?”

“To make a thief of him.”

“But he is a child.”

“Then perhaps I am wrong. What would have happened if the earrings had been found in his boat? He would have said he did not know how they got there, but would he have been believed? It might be reported to the Pasha. Aida would have reported it, if she went back to him … as she well might. Perhaps the boy would be punished. The Pasha would be displeased with him. Do you see what I mean? But perhaps I am wrong.”

“No … no. I do not believe that you are wrong.”

“I think she may say that Samir stole them and when the theft was discovered, he was afraid and gave them up.”

Then what. ? “

“Let’s get rid of them … at once. Drop them … anywhere. It would not do for them to be found with you. What explanation could you give?

How did they come to be in Samir’s boat? they would ask. Samir must have put them there, they would say. It would be an unpleasant business. Leave them . near the pool. The case will be conspicuous and soon found, then Samir will not come into it. I feel sure it is better that he does not. “

“You are right,” she said.

“Then the sooner it is out of your possession the better.”

She nodded. Cautiously she put the case down by the pool and we walked away.

I said: “I feel sure it was Fatima. I am trying to remember what I saw in the night. It would have been so easy for her to slip off her divan when everyone was asleep … and take the case.”

“It was Fatima. I know it. She was the one. Oh, how I hate that woman.

One day I will kill her. “

The case was found. Aida said she could not understand it. She had left it beside her divan. Someone must have taken it, and then become frightened and thrown it away.

Rani said the earrings were found and that was an end of the matter.

But it was not really so. The enmity between Fatima and Nicole grew alarmingly. It was almost certain that Aida was not pregnant and that deepened the rivalry between the mothers of Samir and Feisal. Aida was sullen. Someone said she had pretended her earrings were stolen to call attention to the fact that the Pasha had once liked her enough to present them to her. There was a great deal of wrangling and petty spite in the harem. Perhaps because there was so little for them to do.