Enchantress Read Free Page A

block.
    Jillianna and her companions were herded into a long room by silent guards. A tall, slender man came forward,slapping the handle of a whip against the palm of his hand, his eyes moving over the four women who had just arrived. With a curt nod, he dismissed the men who had delivered Jillianna, then looked at her with interest. The slender man motioned with the tip of his whip to indicate that Jillianna was to be unchained from her three companions.
    She was led into a small private chamber, where golden chains were clamped on her wrists. She was then led to an alcove and instructed to sit on one of the satin cushions, while a tall Nubian fanned her with a peacock feather.
    Jillianna felt sick inside. What was to become of her? She clasped her hands together tightly, wishing she could still their trembling. Today she would be paraded before gawking heathens and sold like an animal.
    A frightened gasp escaped her lips when a shadow fell across her face. Glancing up, she saw a woman with cruel, black eyes standing before her. She looked down her slender nose at Jillianna.
    “You are the American?” she inquired.
    “No, not American.” A slight tremor shook Jillianna’s voice. “I am English by birth.”
    “Ah, even better, madame. The Circassian girls go at a great price, but an English rose will bring even more.” She shook her head. “Of course, there is your unborn child to consider. It may be that we shall have to rid you of that nuisance. Then perhaps the sultan himself will have an interest in you.”
    Jillianna cringed. “What do you mean? I will not give up my baby, and it will not be born for three more months.”
    “Do not worry, Englishwoman. I have ways to rid you of the child with little danger to yourself—and no scarring.”
    Tears swam in Jillianna’s eyes, and her hand went down to rest on her rounded stomach. “You cannot force me to give up my child.”
    The woman’s eyes hardened. “If it comes to that, you will have no say in the matter. Come,” she said, pulling on Jillianna’s chains. “Captain Bijapur wants you put on the blocktoday. If we do not like the price that is offered for you, then he wants me to rid you of the baby.”
    Jillianna felt faint, and she clutched at the wall for support. When the woman yanked hard on the chain, Jillianna was forced to follow her.
    She prayed that someone would pay a high price for her today. Then perhaps she would be allowed to keep her baby. It did not matter what degradation she had to suffer, but her baby must live.
    Jillianna stood in the shade of the pavilion, watching a young dusky-skinned girl being poked and examined by a man who was using the same attention to detail as a horse-trader. Jillianna only hoped she could bear the degrading exhibition as regally as this girl when it was her turn. It suddenly became important to her that she rise above her surroundings. She would not let these people break her, or to humble her in the dust.
    When she was led forward, it was with great fanfare. She was placed on a golden platform with silken veils waving above her head. While she could not understand what was being said about her, the people pressed closer and the crowd swelled to a great number.
    She raised her head as one veil after another was removed. When the last veil was removed, a murmur rippled through the crowd. When she was approached by several men, who in their turn examined her, she was forced to endure their greedy, probing hands. One man ran his hands over her breasts, exposing them to a leering crowd. She did not blink when her mouth was forced open and her teeth examined. But she almost cried out when the outer layer of clothing was stripped away and she stood on display, covered only in a thin veil that was draped about her shoulders.
    The more indignities Jillianna was forced to endure, the higher she raised her head. The only outward sign of what she was feeling was the trembling of her lips and the single tear that made