Caversham's Bride (The Caversham Chronicles - Book One) Read Online Free PDF Page B

kept in mind that he had a title to uphold, and a family who depended upon him to behave with honor.
    And he would do just that. He would return the desperate runaway to her family once he secured her freedom.
    The three men held minimal conversation as one by one Ashraf’s women were brought out, relieved of their robes and turned about for inspection. Each one sold quickly. Snapped up by merchants, military officials, and other men of means establishing their harems, or adding to them.
    “Your brother’s secretary and the general are together near the front,” Ismael whispered to Hakim.
    “I cannot let him recognize me.” Hakim slid behind Ren. “I must stay out of his view, lest he tell my brother that I move among the commoners. That man has tried for years to fill my brother’s head with lies, and the last thing I need is for him to tell my brother that I am looking to secure the favor of the other tribes.”
    “I was called to the general’s harim a few nights ago,” Ismael said, “to find another of his women beaten for failing to please him. This one was lucky, she didn’t die from the beating. The last woman died before I arrived.”
    “Did the general kill her?” There were certain differences in their culture that still had the ability to shock Ren. The treatment of their women was one. He was amazed that the man faced no repercussion at all for beating one of the weaker sex to death.
    “Likely so,” replied Ismael. “He has some peculiar fetishes and likes young virgins, particularly. Disgusting man either doesn’t realize, or doesn’t care, that they are the ones most frightened by, and least experienced in, the practice of his habits.”
    Hakim said from behind Ren’s left shoulder, “Don’t worry, my friend. Your green-eyed beauty will not fall into his hands. We—” he looked to Ismael then back at Ren, “—will not allow it. I will be right behind you.” He motioned to a corner several feet away and slid into the crowd, needing to remain incognito.
    Ren and Ismael had come up with a plan where, hopefully, the woman would not have to endure the humiliation of baring herself as these others were. Once he recognized her, he’d place a bid so exorbitant that no one would dare bid against him, especially the general. Perhaps by doing so, the old man on the dais would declare her sold without forcing degradation on her.
    “Have you seen her yet?” Ismael asked.
    Ren shook his head, and took another long swig from the flask. Where was she? He shifted, trying to get a glimpse behind the curtain.
    “Where the bloody hell is she?” Ren hissed several minutes later after yet another young woman stood on the dais. He wasn’t sure why yet, but finding and saving that particular woman felt important for some reason. Perhaps it was her soulful, keen eyes. Because Ren got the impression she knew he understood her urgency.
    He wouldn’t let her down.
    “Relax, my friend, there’s still time,” Ismael said. “The truly great selections are saved for last. That, too, is where you are more likely to find a woman of noble blood, if she is one.”
    Ren nodded while he contemplated his friend’s words. If the girl were a noble, there was more at stake. He would not simply be returning a peasant’s daughter to her family. If she were a peer, once she returned home, she faced a lifetime of ostracism and prejudice. But at least she would be free , his conscience reassured.
    The woman up on the podium was sold after the bidding reached the highest it had all evening. Finally Ashraf announced his personal favorite, and the final selection for the evening, Kamilah.
    His focus heightened at the sound of her name. A sense of urgency washed over him and he straightened. Some disturbance erupted behind the curtain, but was quickly silenced. Then, a moment later, a eunuch led the woman out onto the dais.
    His heart fell to his gut. Without seeing the one discernible feature he would recognize—those