Silk and Secrets(108)

"The situation has just become worse." Ross sat down and gave her a summary of his interview with Abdul Samut Khan.

Juliet frowned as he finished. "So now you are under house arrest. I hope the nayeb is right that the amir will be too busy to think of you between now and the time they go to war. We should make our escape as soon as Nasrullah leaves the city."

Ross lifted the pitcher and refilled their glasses. "You've been exploring possibilities ever since we got here. What do you propose we do?"

Juliet gave him a fond smile; she had always loved the fact that Ross was open to suggestions as only a truly strong man could be. "First, I think we should send Saleh and Reza back to Persia. There is a large caravan leaving for Teheran in a few days. That will leave just you and Murad and me."

Ross nodded, following the direction of her thoughts. "And the three of us are the strongest. You're thinking we should get some good Turkoman horses and ride west as fast as we can? I've thought about that and agree that it may be our best chance, but it will be dangerous. Crossing the Kara Kum was bad enough in the spring, At this season, the heat is killing and we'll probably be pursued at least part of the way."

"Yes, but Turkoman raiders have been marauding through that desert since long before Genghis Khan. We can survive it too, as long as we travel fast and light."

She leaned forward, her hands moving emphatically. "We came here along the main caravan track, but there is a secondary route that goes south of Merv and Rafitak. If we go that way, we are less likely to be pursued, and less likely to run into Turkoman raiders as well."

"It's a minor track because the water supply is less reliable," Ross pointed out. "Without a knowledgeable guide, we'll have trouble finding what water is there. Horses can travel much faster than camels, but they need water more often, and we won't be able to carry enough to get us and our mounts across hundreds of miles of burning desert."

"Murad has not traveled this particular route, but over the last several weeks he has talked with men who have, gathering detailed information on where the water holes are."

Ross made a face and leaned back against the wall. "Murad is well-intentioned but he got lost even in Persia, which he claimed to know. Are you willing to put your life in his hands?"

"Yes, because I think this is our best chance," Juliet replied. "There is desert in all directions, but it would be dangerous to go east or south because of the fighting around Kokand and Herat. North to Khiva would be better, but eventually we would have to go back across the Kara Kum anyhow. If we head west, all we have to do is reach Serevan, and with luck we can do that in five or six days of hard riding."

"We may be that lucky, though I wouldn't bet serious money on it." Ross ran his hand through his gold hair, his face troubled. "I'm willing to take the chance, but I hate the idea that you and Murad will be risking your lives unnecessarily. Perhaps Murad should draw me a map and I can go alone."

"Three people will have a better chance than one." Juliet leaned forward, her expression fierce. "We've been over this before. Murad knows the risks and is willing to accept them. And make no mistake, Ross, there is no way in hell that I will let you go across that desert without me."

He looked startled for a moment, then gave a slow smile and reached out and gently brushed her cheek with his knuckles. "What a terrifying female you are. It sounds as if I have no alternative but to agree to your plans."

Juliet gave him a mock scowl. "Right you are, ferengi."

His momentary amusement fading, Ross reached inside his coat and drew out a small folded piece of paper, then handed it to Juliet. "I wrote this today. It will probably never be needed, but I thought you should have it."

She examined the note distrustfully. It had been sealed with wax and marked with Ross's signet ring. "What is this, your last will and testament?"

"No, that's in England. I always put my affairs in order before I leave the country. Though since we are on the subject, your income is guaranteed for the rest of your life," he said in an expressionless voice. "What I just gave you is an affidavit verifying that if you have a baby next year and say that I fathered it, you're telling the truth."

Juliet stared at the affidavit as if it were a viper. She was aware of the possible consequences of the previous night's passion, but the issue was so profoundly complicated and upsetting that she had refused to think about it. "This will only be relevant if you are killed but I survive and bear a child," she said tightly. "That isn't very likely."