Page 18 of Kismet

As she continued to watch Fatima work, she marveled at the beauty and craftsmanship of the design. Beside her, the young woman leaned forward to watch the old woman at work. She said something in Berber to the artist, who chuckled before replying in the same musical tongue.

“What did you ask her?” She arched her eyebrows with curiosity as she looked at Laila.

“I wanted to know why she’s drawn the sign of fire on the bird’s feathers. She says it’s to ward off evil and help you find your destiny.”

“My destiny?” Allegra laughed. “I shape that myself.”

With a shake of her head, Laila sent her a piercing look. “Destiny is not ours alone to shape. But the fire charm Fatima has drawn will protect you.”

Behind her Millie sniffed her disapproval as Fatima lifted Allegra’s hand to show off the design she’d completed. Delighted with the beautiful pattern, she smiled at the old woman as she nodded her thanks. The woman gestured for her to remain still as she retrieved a small roll of white gauze. Gently she wrapped the newly painted design and said something to Laila. When she’d finished speaking, Laila turned to Allegra.

“Fatima said that you should wear the gauze on your hand for a few hours to allow the henna to set.”

“Could you ask her what her fee is?”

“She says she will not take money from Shaheen’s destiny.” There was a distinct edge of bewilderment in Laila’s voice.

“I don’t understand.” Allegra shifted her puzzled gaze between the henna artist and Laila.

“I’m not sure I do either,” Laila said, the frown on her forehead deepening. Speaking quickly in Fatima’s musical language, she questioned the woman. When finished Laila turned back to her. “It seems Fatima is convinced you belong to Shaheen. She says you are his destiny.”

“Shaheen?” Thoroughly puzzled, Allegra saw Fatima nod her head vigorously. Beside her, Laila’s expression was pensive.

“Sheikh Shaheen of the Amazigh. He’s a trusted friend of my father and is highly respected by my people.”

“Then she’s clearly mistaken me for someone else. I belong to no man,” Allegra said with a forced laugh.

The last thing she needed was another Bedouin Sheikh entering her life when she’d just managed to get rid of the last one. She ignored the fact she’d been wishing her mysterious Sheikh would find a way to circumvent their bargain and turned to the henna artist to thank her. As Laila stood up, Allegra offered her unmarked hand to the other woman. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Laila.”

“And I you,” the younger woman said as she gently grasped Allegra’s hand. “But perhaps we do not need to part company so quickly. It appears you have no guide. I would be honored if you would allow me to lead you through the souqs.”

“That’s very kind of you, but I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You did not ask, I offered.” Laila’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “And, while the souqs are relatively safe, I can provide an escort as well.”

She pointed to two young men watching them from a discreet distance. The offer was a tempting one, and she turned her head to look at Millie. With a frown, the older woman sniffed her irritation. “If you want me to answer a question, then you’ll have to ask it in the Queen’s English. I haven’t understood a word of that French tongue you’ve been speaking since we stopped here.”

“Laila here has offered to be our guide through the souqs, and she has two young men to guard us as well,” Allegra said. The wary look her friend threw at the proposed escort emphasized how uncomfortable the maidservant was in the strange surroundings.

“I see.” Millie sent the young woman a critical look. “Well, then if she’s going to be guiding us, perhaps she’d best be getting on with it.”

Laughing at her maid’s resigned tone, Allegra turned toward Laila. “Since Millie’s managed to overcome her reservations, I put us in your knowledgeable hands.”

“Excellent,” Laila said with a smile. “Come then, there is much to see.”

With Millie in tow behind her, Allegra followed her new friend out of Fatima’s stall and into the frenzied chaos of the narrow street. Once again, the exotic blend of sights and smells reached out to seduce her as Laila led them deeper into the winding streets that housed all manner of treasures and delights. Their male escort followed them, but always several yards behind. They stopped in the SouqSebbaghinewhere a jade green scarf caught her eye. As she lifted the sheer fabric up and draped it over her arm to admire the delicate pattern embroidered on the scarf, Millie sent her an arched look.

“And exactly where will you be able to wear such a thing in London?” she asked.

“I would imagine anywhere I wanted.” Laughing, she pulled some coins from her purse. About to pay the vendor Laila reached out to stay her hand.

“No, Allegra. It is customary to negotiate your purchase.”

Arching her eyebrow slightly, she smiled at the young woman before turning back to the shop owner and proceeded to haggle over the cost of the silk. After a lively exchange, she was throwing the scarf over her head with a substantial amount of change still in her purse. She fumbled with the silk until Laila reached out to help her.

“It will never stay on your head if you leave it like that.” Laila laughed as she adjusted the headdress. “There, that is certain to entice any man, even Shaheen himself.”

“You say that as if the Sheikh would be difficult to please.” Allegra grinned at the Moroccan woman from behind her veil.