Wild Jasmine by Bertrice Small

nagged her. Still, she loved her brother. She could not believe he would do such a thing!
    “A man on the run such as Bir Singh exposes his compatriots in order to divert the whole punishment from himself, my child.”
    “Father forgave Salim,” Yasaman muttered with a total lack of logic.
    “Your father had no choice but to publicly forgive Salim,” Rugaiya Begum explained gently. “Your two other brothers, Murad and Daniyal, are not fit to rule. Salim is the only heir . Only the intercession of your grandmother and Gulbadan Begum, your father’s elderly aunt, saved Salim. Your father was ready to disinherit him and declare Salim’s son, Prince Khusrau, the next Mughal.
    “Publicly your father has reconciled himself with your brother. Privately he does not want to see him. You have been incredibly thoughtless, Yasaman. You should have asked me before you sent to Salim. Abul Fazl was murdered one year ago this very day.”
    Yasaman turned, her young face shocked. “Ohh, Mama Begum! I did not know!”
    “There was no need for you to know, my child, until now. Had you not asked Prince Salim to come, it would never have been necessary to tell you that your father’s dearest friend and advisor was murdered on your twelfth birthday. It is tragic that a day your father has always held in esteem and joy became one of sadness for him.”
    “Oh, Mama Begum, I would not hurt my father! You know how much I love him!” Yasaman cried.
    “Then send Adali to your brother with the message that he must leave here before your father arrives,” Rugaiya Begum advised.
    “Yes! Yes!” Yasaman agreed. Calling the eunuch who was her high steward, she instructed him nervously, her eyes flicking back and forth from the eunuch’s face to her mother’s for approval.
    Adali nodded solemnly, his brown eyes meeting Rugaiya Begum’s for a brief moment of total understanding. Then, with a bow to his young mistress, he hurried off.
    “There, there, my child,” Rugaiya Begum said, gathering her daughter into her arms to soothe her. “Everything will be all right now, I promise you.” She patted Yasaman, all the while thinking, Salim will rush off in a temper if I know him, and I do. We’ll not be bothered with him for a long while now.
    She was incorrect, however. She had returned to her own quarters to dress when Adali came to her.
    “The prince says he will leave the palace so that his sister’s birthday celebration will not be spoilt. He will remain in thevicinity, however, so he may visit with her, as they have been separated these many months and he has missed her company. He asks that you tender his respects to his father. One of his servants will remain to present the prince’s birthday gift to the princess.”
    Rugaiya Begum frowned. “I had hoped he would leave us entirely,” she said, disappointed.
    “I understand, gracious lady,” Adali replied, nodding.
    “Do you, I wonder?” Rugaiya Begum said almost to herself.
    “The prince lusts after his sister, which is wrong,” Adali answered her softly.
    Rugaiya Begum gasped, shocked to hear her own fears voiced aloud by another. “Is it so obvious then, Adali?” she questioned him.
    “Only to you and to me, gracious lady. We both know how the prince behaves when he desires something he cannot or should not have. We have both watched over our little princess since she was born, and we would keep her safe from all wickedness. What will you do, gracious lady?” Though Adali was a servant, he was a trusted one, and Rugaiya Begum thought, he was also a friend.
    “My lord Akbar will be here in Kashmir for several days, Adali. In that time I hope to broach the matter of Yasaman’s marriage. I believe if we can settle her with a husband, Prince Salim’s unnatural desires will dissolve.”
    The high steward nodded in agreement. “As always, gracious lady, I stand in awe of your wisdom,” he said.
    Rugaiya Begum smiled. “We have had many adventures together over our