The Charmingly Clever Cousin Read Free Page A

amazed.
    â€œHow did you do that?” Fatima asked.
    Yusuf smoothed his mustache. “A magician never reveals his secrets,” he said mysteriously. Then, out of thin air, he produced a huge bouquet of red roses. “For my four beauties,” he said, handing a rose to each princess.
    Fatima sniffed her flower. “It smells wonderful.”
    â€œIt sure does,” said Lysandra, burying her nose in the petals. “Thank you.”
    Yusuf bowed again. “You’re welcome, my dears. And now I must say good night, since tomorrow will be a long day.” And with that,he vanished in a puff of smoke.

    â€œWow!” said Tansy. “Is he really gone?”
    â€œHe can’t be,” said Lysandra. “Let’s look for him.”
    The princesses searched under the table and behind the curtains, but finally they gave up. Yawning, they left the hall and went to bed.
    When Fatima awoke the next morning, she heard noises outside her window. Yusuf’s and Ahmed’s horses stood in front of the palace. They pawed the ground and tossed their heads, impatient to be off.
    Fatima woke the others. The four princesses dressed quickly and ran down the hall to say good-bye to the two men. They were just in time to hear Ahmed say to Selime, “Don’t worry. I’m sure it can’t be as bad as the doctors say. I’ll probably be back tomorrow night.” Ahmed lifted Hassim from Selime’s arms and hugged him. “Take good care of your mommy, my little sonny wunny.”
    Fatima made a face. She guessed it was too much to hope that her friends hadn’t heard.
    Yusuf appeared from the opposite hallway.He smiled when he saw the girls. “How nice of you to see us off.”
    Prince Ahmed frowned. “I wish I wasn’t going to be gone while you and your friends are here,” he said to Fatima. “You be sure to mind your sister.”
    Bats and bullfrogs! Fatima’s face grew warm. Ahmed treated her as if she were an infant. And in front of everyone, too!
    â€œThe princesses will be great company for Selime and Hassim while we’re gone,” said Yusuf. “And I’m sure Fatima will be a big help.”
    Fatima flashed him a smile. Yusuf was so much nicer than Ahmed! If only her brother-in-law could be more like him. It was hard to believe the two men were related. Yet Fatima knew that Yusuf’s father, who had died in battle many years ago, hadbeen King Murad’s brother.
    Everyone followed Ahmed and Yusuf to the palace gates. Shouting “Good-bye” and “See you again soon,” the men swung themselves onto their horses and galloped away.

5
Yusuf Takes Charge
    W HILE A HMED AND Y USUF WERE GONE, THE princesses explored the palace and shopped in the bazaar. They returned with scarves and ribbons and treats, such as the honeyed stuffed dates Fatima loved so much. Lysandra insisted on paying for all their purchases with the golden coins from the magical purse she wore around her neck—a purse that never went empty.
    When they weren’t exploring or shopping, the princesses chatted with Selime and played with baby Hassim. Elena taught Hassim the pat-a-cake rhyme, and he grinned when she helped him clap and roll his hands together. Watching them, Fatima felt a pang of jealousy. Hassim seemed to like Elena better than her. Why hadn’t she thought to teach him any games?
    â€œI’m worried,” Selime announced when Ahmed failed to return home the evening of the second day. She had just put Hassim to bed, and the princesses were sitting by the fountain in the courtyard, gazing at the stars. “What if King Murad is more ill than we thought?”

    â€œMaybe Ahmed just got a late start back,”Fatima said, hoping to reassure her sister. “He’ll probably arrive while we’re sleeping.”
    â€œI’m sure you’re right,” said Selime. “I’ll try not to fret.”
    To take