The Temple of Indra’s Jewel: Read Free Page A

settled on the curve of my breasts. The chill in the air had forced my nipples to stand at attention, and gooseflesh now covered my arms.
    A knock sounded at the door.
    Nick, I thought. “Come in,” I said, turning toward the door as it opened. Henri, the Comte de Chalais, sauntered in, stiffly holding a china cup.
    “I’m sorry to interrupt, ma chère . I just came to bring you a tea and make sure you were all right.” I looked at the cup in his hand, feeling awkward at my nakedness.
    I quickly drew the sheer dressing gown over my shoulders like a robe. It wouldn’t do much, but it was close and handy.
    “You seem to be having a difficult time recovering from the bump on the head.”
    I was speechless that these people were so wrapped up in this delusion .
    Setting the cup down, he turned and patted my hand. “Are you feeling any better?”
    “No. I’m sorry. I don’t understand—why the charade? I realize I bumped my head when I fell at Marguerite Island. I must have washed up on your shore. But I don’t get why you people refuse to call me by my correct name and won’t let me see Nick. Have you even contacted the police?”
    Henri placed his hand on my forehead. “Maybe I should get Gabriella or call the doctor back in.”
    “I’m serious. I don’t know if this Sapphira is a character in your play or a real person. I don’t know what happened to her, for that matter, but I’m not her.”
    “You’re probably just still a little woozy from all the wine.”
    “Why don’t you believe me?” It was little more than a whisper. I pulled my robe tighter around me.
    “Sapphira, please stop with this charade,” he said, looking into my eyes and tilting my chin up. “It won’t bring your brother home any sooner, and it only makes you look spoiled.”
    Frustration boiled within me, and I didn’t know whether to scream or cry. Tears involuntarily flooded my eyes.
    “And of course a good night’s sleep will help.”
    As he drew me in for a hug, I thought of kicking him and running for the door, but I had seen guards earlier and this palace was filled with halls. Before I knew it, the moment was lost. He squeezed me tight and let me go.
    I stood stock-still, feeling the hair prickle on the back of my neck. So many things weren’t making sense. Why were they keeping Nick from me?
    I cursed myself for screaming earlier. Had Nick taken off? I returned to the door I’d seen him exit hastily through. What if it hadn’t been Nick this morning? Pressing my lips together, I forced myself to breathe through my nose so my raspy breaths couldn’t be heard. My heart hammered as I flung the door wide open, preparing for a shock. Much to my surprise, I saw a sitting room, maybe a dressing room. I felt for the light switch but had no luck.
    The only other door led to a bathroom, where candles flickered on a marble washbasin, casting shadows across the salmon wallpaper.
    The tub was filled with water. I stuck my hand in—hot. This must be the bath they promised to return and settle me into. I waited a few minutes to make sure there would be no other surprise visitors and then disrobed once again. I climbed into the claw-foot tub. While soaking my aching limbs I found myself thinking about the Graf. I couldn’t help but imagine him rescuing me. I mentally smacked myself. I needed to focus on getting the hell out of here and back to Antibes. Nick must have called the police by now; they would be looking for me, wouldn’t they? And yet I couldn’t help but let my mind once again drift to the Graf. Had he seen what happened? Did he watch me fall? Perhaps I could convince him of my identity after all. He was my best shot. A visitor to this odd little island, probably only here for that dinner theatre.
    As I walked back through the dressing room, an extravagant armoire caught my eye. It was a long shot, but maybe there were some normal pyjamas stored in there. I saw a row of ball gowns fit to grace the courts of