Scandal's Daughter Read Free Page A

work and discuss their desires with them. If you care to sit, I shall send for coffee and we shall discuss whatever you need.”
    Still uneasy, Cordelia sat down. Ibrahim stood against the wall, clutching the basket to his chest, as Aaron stuck his head out of the doorway and called to an urchin to bring coffee from the coffee-house.
    While they waited, he told Cordelia how much he had enjoyed talking about England with Lady Courtenay. “I have relatives there,” he said. “I do not hear their news often, but now and then I am fortunate enough to be of assistance to them in some small matter of business. We Jews are found in every corner of the globe, like you English.”
    “I was too young when I left to remember anything,” Cordelia told him, her trust in him increasing, “but I want to go back.”
    She fell silent as a ragged, barefooted boy came in with a brass tray holding a long-handled copper pot and three tiny china cups without handles. Aaron paid him the money for the coffee and a tip for himself, then poured the thick, fragrant liquid. “May your servant drink with us?” he asked.
    “Oh yes, of course. Ibrahim, you may put down the basket.”
    The eunuch sat cross-legged on the floor, the precious basket close beside him, and accepted a cup. They all sipped the hot, syrupy-sweet coffee.
    “You wish to return to England, Meess,” Aaron prompted gently.
    “Yes, and I must leave soon.” She owed it to him to warn him that helping her might well offend Mehmed Pasha. “The trouble is, someone—a high official—does not want me to leave, so all must be arranged in secret.”
    “I understand. I am sure I can find a discreet ship’s captain who will give you passage at least to Alexandria or Piraeus, the port for Athens, perhaps even to Italy.”
    “Can you really?” Cordelia had not even begun to consider how that might be accomplished, still less thought of consulting the jeweller. “That’s wonderful. I can pay well—that is, if you... You see, I have very little money, but a good deal of jewelry.”
    She signalled to Ibrahim, who spread a cloth on the floor and laid out the glinting gems in their gleaming gold settings. Aaron’s sharply indrawn breath told her he was impressed.
    “You wish to sell all this?”
    “I have no use for jewels, and much need of money.”
    He leaned down, picked up the Margrave’s diamonds, and let them run in a glittering rainbow through his fingers. “These alone are worth a fortune, Meess. If you turn them all to gold coins, it will make a heavy load, and one easily lost or stolen.”
    “What do you advise, then? That I sell some and take the rest with me?”
    “No.” He carefully put down the diamonds, sipped his coffee and stroked his beard. Cordelia watched him eagerly, convinced now of his good will. “No, such gems as these are not easily sold should you find yourself in need of further funds on the way. You must have some ready money, of course. For the rest, I suggest you exchange half for small diamonds. Sew them into a cloth which you can wind around your waist, under your clothes.”
    “That’s what I was going to do with the gold coins.”
    “An excellent idea, but diamonds will give you more value for much less weight, and small, loose diamonds are not difficult to sell. I can give you the names of reputable dealers in the cities you are likely to pass through.”
    “You are most obliging, sir,” Cordelia said gratefully. “But you say to change half for diamonds. What of the rest?”
    Aaron spread his hands, indicating the shimmering gems laid before him. “This is worth a great deal. I cannot tell you how much without further examination.” He turned to Ibrahim. “You had best put everything back in the basket for the present, lest anyone come in. Meess, I can only say I would not carry so much with me for fear of losing all. The world is full of accidents and thieves.”
    “What should I do?”
    “If you wish, I can arrange for my