Chapter 11
Two days later, both Peggy and Adrienne simultaneously got their menstrual periods, and for the next week were out of action. For that entire week the two women stayed together, out of the main harem room, usually in one or the other's private bedroom. Peggy would have been allowed out, but Adrienne wasn't, and so Peggy opted to stay with her.
When their periods were over, and they returned to the main harem room, Adrienne noticed Ruth, the begum, once again indulging in lesbianic fun with two of the other concubines.
"Do you ever get involved in anything like that?" Adrienne asked, wrinkling her nose.
"Not if I can avoid it," Peggy replied. "However, there are times when it's impossible to avoid it."
"What do you mean?" Adrienne asked, as they undressed and slid into the warm pool, letting the filtered, scented water drift over them and through them.
"Every now and again, Ibn Musa likes to play with two women at once. He never insists on two wives at once, but always a wife and a concubine, and he seemingly gets pleasure out of watching the two women become involved with each other in addition to being involved with him. When he insists, we do it."
"But that's depraved!" Adrienne insisted.
They lazed in the water, and Peggy smiled, saying, "Says who? Depravity is in the mind of the beholder. Women can be as much fun for other woman as men, sometimes, anyway. Don't knock it until you try it, and knowing Ibn Musa as I do, he'll get you involved in it sooner or later."
"With you?" Adrienne asked.
"Either with me or with one of the others," Peggy replied. "You'd be better off with me. I know all the lesbos tricks, and you know I won't do anything to hurt you. Ruth sometimes likes to cause a little pain, and Judith isn't exactly what I'd call overly friendly. Remember, I, too, was originally a concubine, and as such, had to indulge the whims of the other two wives. Only the fact that I've selected you for my friend has kept the other two from trying to play games with you. In this harem, when Ibn Musa isn't here, Ruth reigns. Judith and I are supposedly on equal footing, as would be the sheik's fourth wife, but if Ibn Musa at any time chooses to elevate another wife, Ruth would be forced to return to being like me or Judith. Believe me, Adrienne, if you're going to be stuck here, the smartest thing to do is to get yourself into the highest position possible."
Adrienne said nothing. She had no intention of telling Peggy she still wanted to escape from all this. After they'd bathed for a long time, they climbed out of the pool and two eunuchs rubbed them down, drying them. Abdul always seemed to be on hand when Adrienne was around, and he made certain he was the one to dry her off. He also made certain to touch her intimate parts, rousing her even if he was unable to continue further. It was a sort of revenge for the way she had made him work for her that night.
After they'd dried off, the two women dressed and would have lain down on their couches had not Abdul said, 'The beloved of Islam awaits the both of you in his private quarters."
Adrienne looked at Peggy, who nodded and said, "That's right, honey. This is it. Just be glad you have me instead of Ruth. You'll find me a far better companion."