The Bartered Bride Read Free Page B

customs. Maybe the sultan was just anxious about his precious boxes. "I shall be delighted to personally escort the sultan's cargo to the palace."
    "That is unnecessary-I shall take charge of the cargo. His Highness's desire is for you to accompany me to the White Palace to dine and spend the night as the sultan's guest." What the devil was going on? Clearly this invitation couldn't be refused unless Gavin was ready to sail away immediately. Well, he sensed no threat and he'd always had too much curiosity. "I am overwhelmed that such honor is shown to a humble captain. Pray take some refreshments while I prepare to go with you."
    Gavin turned the Maduris over to Benjamin for hospitality and went to change into his dress clothes. This part of the world set great store by a rich appearance, so he'd had a Macanese tailor augment a basic naval uniform with blinding quantities of gold braid and flamboyant medals. The flat bicorn hat even had feathers. He had trouble wearing the outfit with a straight face, but it never failed to impress. Before dressing he rang for Suryo Indarto, a Malay whose duties defied easy classification, though for convenience's sake he was called a steward. Suryo had been with Gavin for over a dozen years as a source of priceless information about the East, a teacher of the arts of Indies hand-to-hand fighting, and most of all, as a friend.
    Soft-footed as a cat, the Malay entered the cabin. At sea he usually wore the sarong of the Islands, but in port he wore a dignified tunic and trousers of white cotton. "Captain?"
    "I've been invited to spend the night at the White Palace and I want you to come, too," Gavin explained. "What should I know about Sultan Kasan? "
    Suryo frowned. "Be careful, Captain. Kasan would not ask unless he wants something from you. He is called 'the Leopard of Maduri', and enjoys playing with people as a cat torments a mouse."
    "What might I have that he could possibly want?"
    "Perhaps he wants the ship. There is none other so fine in these waters." Gavin belted on his ceremonial sword, which combined a chased and bejeweled hilt with an extremely functional blade. "The Helena isn't for sale."
    "It is not easy to deny a sultan."
    "Do you think that accepting his invitation is dangerous?"
    Suryo considered. "No, killing a foreign captain would be bad for Kasan's trade. But make no bargains with him. A leopard is a treacherous partner."
    "Understood." Gavin unlocked a cabinet containing a dozen expensive European art objects suitable for gifts in circumstances like this. He decided on an exquisitely crafted music box that played Mozart while the enameled figures of an eighteenth-century man and woman revolved in a mock minuet. "Pack this and bring it along with a change of clothing."
    One didn't go empty-handed to interviews with sultans.
    By the time Gavin reached Sultan Kasan's huge, airy audience chamber, he'd observed abundant evidence of Maduri's wealth. He hadn't seen so much shining marble and gilded statuary since a visit to the Maharajah of Mysore in India. The rooms he'd been assigned were worthy of a prince. Cynically he decided the sultan must want something big.
    A gong was struck, silencing the soft voices of several dozen courtiers who clustered along the walls of the audience chamber. In the hush Sheng Yu announced, "Highness, allow me to present Captain Gavin Elliott, Taipan of Elliott House, master of the ship Helena."
    "Welcome to Maduri, Captain Elliott." Like Sheng, Sultan Kasan spoke excellent English. A tall, powerfully built man in his early forties, he glittered with silk and jewels. His massive throne was designed like a peacock-feather fan, and set with a king's ransom of dazzling blue, green, and purple gemstones. Tearing his gaze from the throne, Gavin replied, "Thank you, Your Highness. I have heard many tales of the wonders of Maduri, but never thought I'd be fortunate enough to see them in person." He beckoned to Suryo who came forward with the polished