Bedazzled. Bertrice Small

but it does not change the facts. Your cousin told you the truth.”

      India jumped down from the window seat, and stamped her foot. “My family will pay you a fabulous ransom for my safe return. I could pay you the ransom myself. Don’t you understand, Arug Agha? I am rich! Why, I own two trading ships: the Star of India, and the Prince of Kashmir. They are on the East Indies run, bringing spices, silks, and jewels to England each year. All that in addition to a great inheritance left me.”

      “I have listened to you carefully, my beauty, now you must listen to me. I do not have the right to make any decision regarding your fate. You, this ship, and everything on it, men and cargo alike, now belong to the dey of El Sinut, who rules in the sultan’s name here. It is he who will make the decision concerning your fate. It is my job to bring you all safely into the harbor of El Sinut, and with Allah’s help, guidance, and blessing, I will.” He arose. “Now, I will bid you good night. You need have no fears, my beauty. You are quite safe.”

      “My cousin?” she asked.

      “I will allow him to come and see you in the morning,” the agha told her. Then, with a bow, he departed the cabin, locking it behind him.

      India paced the room. This was impossible. And none of it would have happened if you had heeded your parents, a little voice in her head said. “God’s nightshirt!” she swore, but the little voice was right, and she knew it. If she had listened to her family instead of allowing her foolish heart to rule her, she would be safe at home in Scotland, and not the captive of Barbary pirates. Her family wouldn’t force her to marry someone she didn’t really love. They could try, but in the end she would have gotten her way if she had just been a bit more patient, India decided. And as much as she loved Adrian, he had been wrong to cajole her into the elopement. Just look what had happened to them!