6. Secret meetings

Constantinople, September/October 1538.

There is an initial flurry of activity following the failed attempt to kidnap Mihrimah. But then the harem settles down to its usual routine. The incident is far from forgotten, though. In addition to the search for the fleeing pasha, Hürrem has the agas conduct an investigation into how the pasha had succeeded in luring Mihrimah to his remote estate in the first place. Despite my secret role as Mihrimah's bodyguard, I don't get to hear about the outcome of either investigation. However, one consequence of the failed kidnapping attempt is that the search for a suitable husband for Mihrimah is to be temporarily suspended ... at least until Sultan Suleiman returns from his campaign in Moldavia. Something which delights Mihrimah, even though she knows it's only a short term reprieve.

Now my greatest concern for Mihrimah's safety is that she is using the lull in her previously busy schedule to arrange personal meetings of her own. Meetings which are kept secret from her mother. I don't know what game Mihrimah is playing, but keeping secrets from Hürrem is very risky. Hürrem's network of spies within the harem is second to none. Despite my misgivings, my first loyalty is to Mihrimah, so I don't betray her plans to her mother.

At least Mihrimah has the good sense to include me as one of the two maids who always accompany her to these meetings. At first, I don't understand the reason for her meetings, which outwardly appear to be a sudden desire to sponsor a number of poets and writers. If that was Mihrimah's sole purpose for these meetings then there would be no need to keep them secret from Hürrem. Sponsorship of the arts is one of the many charitable works traditionally expected of the wealthy, and Hürrem has encouraged Mihrimah to take up worthy causes ever since Mihrimah has been old enough to receive her own income from the dynasty's coffers.

By the third week of these almost daily meetings I notice that one particular poet is always in attendance, whereas few of the others attend more than one meeting a week. The young poet in question is called Yahya, and from overheard conversation I gather he's a close friend of Mahidevran Sultan's son, Mustafa. My initial suspicion is that Mihrimah is trying to establish a spy within Mahidevran's camp. But I soon dismiss that idea when I realise the reason for her interest in Yahya is much more basic. She's besotted by the young man. A sentiment he seems to return, although I cannot dismiss the possibility that he's using his charms to wheedle more money out of Mihrimah. Fortunately I don't sense any physical danger to Mihrimah from this liaison, although I think she's being very foolish given her position within the Ottoman dynasty.

Keeping these meetings secret from Hürrem for any length of time was a forlorn hope. The unannounced entry of Hürrem into Mihrimah's room is the first any of us is aware that Mihrimah's secret meetings have come Hürrem's attention. Ayşe and Nira make a hasty exit into our small room. I'm about to do the same but Mihrimah orders me to stay.

"Good morning, mother," says Mihrimah. "Is there something troubling you on this fine day?"

I'll give Mihrimah full marks for keeping a cool head. Her reply momentarily throws Hürrem out of her stride. But only for a moment.

"Explain the purpose meetings you've been holding with all these writers and poets?" fumes Hürrem.

"I decided to sponsor the arts, mother. Isn't that what you've been encouraging me to do?"

"Sponsor them by all means, but holding daily meetings with them is going to excess. Any one of them could be a potential kidnapper or assassin."

"The guards at the gate check all visitors for weapons, and I have Nilüfer with me at all the meetings. I can't hide away in the harem forever."

"Then why the secrecy? Why have you not told me about this before? Do you think I like being told about my daughter's activities by one of Mahidevran's toadies?"

"I really didn't think it that important to trouble you with my plans," replies Mihrimah, not the least bit intimidated by Hürrem's tirade. "Besides, you know whoever told you was just trying to stir up mischief."

"Perhaps, but next time think to mention anything like this to me first. For your information, one of your literary admirers is connected to Mahidevran."

"You mean Yahya. The young poet. He's a good friend of Mustafa, but I don't think he's that close to Mahidevran."

"Mustafa may be your half-brother, Mihrimah, but he's loyal to his mother, so tread carefully. Besides, I believe this poet has been to every one of your meetings."

"Yes. I think Nilüfer's charms have captured the poor boy's heart."

I quickly hide my shock at Mihrimah's blatant lie. It's her own charms which have captured Yahya's heart ... and his has caught hers in return. I shift uneasily as Hürrem turns her attention to me. My lowly position and my loyalty to Mihrimah means I dare not correct Mihrimah's lie.

"And are these feelings reciprocated?" asks Hürrem of me.

"Yes," replies Mihrimah, before I can answer. "Nilüfer is quite taken by him, although she'll never admit it."

I shift awkwardly where I stand while Hürrem thinks for a moment.

"There may be some benefit in developing this relationship further. Having an extra pair of eyes and ears monitoring what Mahidevran is plotting won't do any harm. We should take advantage of this situation. Have Nilüfer encourage the boy's attentions. Allow them to meet alone occasionally. Have you been trained as a concubine, Nilüfer?"

"Err, no, my sultana. When I arrived in the harem my lessons omitted training in the sexual arts," I reply, feeling very awkward at the turn of this conversation.

"That's something that must be addressed promptly. You're to attend the lessons you missed as soon as possible. I'll get one of the agas to arrange it."

Hürrem leaves the room in a much happier mood than when she arrived. Mihrimah is also delighted. I don't need to ask why. My supposed affections for Yahya will merely be a cover for the assignations Mihrimah obviously plans to have with Yahya. I don't really like being used like this, but I don't have any option.

When Hürrem decides something is to happen, then it happens quickly. The next morning I'm told the schedule of lessons I'm to attend. It means Mihrimah must rearrange some of her meetings with the writers and poets. Nira tells me later that Mihrimah and Yahya met briefly while I was attending one of my lessons. I presume the meeting was to enable Mihrimah to brief Yahya on her scheme.

My lessons are completed in about a tenth of the time normally allowed for the programme. While the urgency of my training means I have had minimal time to practise, at least I feel as though I understand the subject. I never realised that concubinage required that level of training. I suppose that being from the Imperial Harem, I'm expected to show a much greater level of proficiency in the sexual arts than otherwise. I feel a little disappointed that I'm not going to be able to put my newly acquired skills into practise in the foreseeable future.

Now that the agas decide that I'm trained as a concubine, Mihrimah doesn't waste time in arranging for my first fake meeting with Yahya. Her plan has the benefit of simplicity. I'm to meet Yahya in the palace grounds, but instead of he and I disappearing into the nearby bushes, I'm to stand guard while Mihrimah and Yahya have their tryst.

To some extent I feel a twinge of jealousy. Yahya is good looking, and he must know that any liaison with Mihrimah is going to be short lived. A relationship with me, as Hürrem wants, would have better long term prospects. Until now I hadn't given much thought to my own sexual desires. My recent training has forced me to evaluate my own feelings on the subject, which aren't as passive as I had previously believed. Not that any of this is likely to get me nearer to satisfying my mounting urges.

Mihrimah has the sense to keep her tryst brief. She could be missed at any time, and Hürrem made it clear that Mihrimah wasn't to leave the protection of the harem while I was otherwise occupied. While Ayşe and Nira can be trusted to keep Mihrimah's secret, they're unable to cover for her absence for ever. Even if Hürrem fails to notice Mihrimah's movements, I'm sure one of Mahidevran's many supporters will find out before long.

Surprisingly, these trysts continue for a couple of weeks without any mishap. It's Ayşe who discovers the reason for our unexpected good fortune. One of the girls who is friendly with Ayşe overhears a conversation in the harem to the effect that Mahidevran's supporters are fully aware of Mihrimah's dalliances with Yahya, but have been ordered to say nothing. This may be to cause greater embarrassment to Mihrimah at a later date, or, as seems more likely, Mahidevran is using Yahya to spy on Hürrem's activities, just as Hürrem is wanting to do in reverse. My own observations suggest that neither Mihrimah nor Yahya will make good spies since they are too besotted with each other. Nevertheless I insist that Ayşe tells Mihrimah what she has learned, which she does that evening. Fortunately Mihrimah isn't so helplessly in love that she refuses to do what is necessary. She is alert to the danger she faces, although I suspect it doesn't diminish her ardour for the young poet.

"Tomorrow, you are to explain to Yahya why I can't meet with him for a while," begins Mihrimah when she and I are alone. "You are to seduce him as my mother ordered and to continue meeting with him regularly."

"What if he doesn't agree to continue meeting with me, my sultana?" I ask.

"He will understand the need for the subterfuge," she replies. "You shall convey messages between us."

"And how should I respond if he makes advances towards me?" I ask nervously. I can hardly seduce him without risking some amorous response in return.

"Your actions have my mother's and my protection, but remember you are the property of Sultan Suleiman."

Without answering my question directly, Mihrimah is reminding me that my virginity may only be claimed by the sultan or in accordance with his direct orders. I may be Mihrimah's maid, but my father gifted me to the sultan. Mihrimah is allowing me freedom to do what I think is necessary as long as I don't go too far. The consequence of disobedience doesn't bear thinking about. The next afternoon I'm given the first chance to put my newly acquired skills into practise.

"My sultana is unable to meet with you like this for a while," I say to Yahya when we meet. "She has given me this letter to give to you."

He reads the letter and looks at me. "Do you know what this letter says?" he asks.

"No, Effendi," I reply, remembering to use the correct form of address to a free man without noble rank. "She instructed that I deliver this letter and to entertain you if you so wish. But only if you find me desirable."

It's not exactly what Mihrimah instructed, but I'm anxious to know whether Yahya merely intends to use me as a substitute for Mihrimah, or whether he is attracted to me in my own right. Of course, he may simply walk away, and that will be the end of the matter. Somehow, though, I think he's hooked by the prospect of further letters and a possible future tryst with Mihrimah ... not to mention the money in sponsorship. Of course, if he's a spy, then he'll play along regardless.

"And do you consent to me using you in this way?" he asks. "You know to whom my heart belongs."

"I am aware of your feelings for my sultana, but I also know that it is possible to love more than one person. Although my sultana has instructed me to be here, I have not come against my will. I am happy to be with you and entertain you as desire. My sultana's love for you is likely to be an unsustainable goal. Perhaps I can offer a more realistic liaison."

I reflect on the answer I've given him. Part of it is a derived from my training, but I'm also starting to probe whether Yahya's interest in Mihrimah is genuine, or whether he's a clever spy sent to infiltrate Hürrem Sultan's inner circle. Part of my answer, though, is driven by my sexual urges which have been stoked by the intimate nature of my recent lessons. I might be years before I get another chance at any form of intimate liaison with a man, so I'm not going to pass on the opportunity currently before me.

Any lingering thoughts that I may be betraying Mihrimah are dismissed when Yahya accepts the offer I've made and guides me to the bench where he and Mihrimah have regularly sat. His hand touches mine and I feel as though I've entered a new world.