brief and cutting, like a hot knife:
Greetings and I pray that this letter finds you well. Thank you for continuing to send the money for your sister’s upkeep, although it is difficult for us to make do, given how much she imposes on our slim budget every day. We regret that due to financial problems of our own, we cannot wait for you to fulfill your promises any longer. Thanks be to God, we have found a solution. A man in our neighborhood has his eye on her. He is older, to be sure, but he is willing to take her without a dowry. Trust me, speedy acceptance is a good idea. Men with means don’t choose impoverished wives very often, and we must take care of this problem before Jalileh is pickled. We imagine you will be overjoyed at this news. All we need is your permission and we will proceed with the marriage. If we do not hear from you soon, we will assume that you have given your assent, and we will proceed.
I felt hot with shame at the tone of the letter. Even less did I like the one I received an hour later.
Salaam Javaher jan. I have paid one of the scribes in the market to write you this letter so that no one learns about it. Our mother’s cousin has just introduced me to the man she wishes me to marry. He is an old fellow with only four teeth who has already outlived two wives and whose children are older than I am. When I met him for the first time, he chastised me for not serving his tea as dark as he liked it, as if I ought to know. I think his mind is addled by memories of his dead wives. I suspect he wants a servant, not a wife. I know that I have been nothing but a burden to you, but have mercy on me, I beg you. Save me from his flaccid hands.
My heart burned in my chest. What kind of man could I claim to be if I could not rescue my sister from a life that would make her young eyes dim with grief? I wrote back to my mother’s cousin and promised to send money as soon as I could, explaining that I had been promoted to an exalted position and that rivers of silver would be forthcoming. I reminded them that palace servants were paid a lump sum twice a year, and that the next payment was due in a month. In addition, I forbade the marriage, swearing that I would provide a rich reward for all their services as long as they did not give my sister away.
When there was a lull in our business, I explained to Pari that my mother’s cousin was threatening to marry off Jalileh and I needed a large advance on my salary so that I could pay them back for her upkeep and bring her to Qazveen as soon as possible.
“Of course I will assist you,” she replied. “We will discuss the specifics when we have returned to the palace.”
I clapped my hand to my chest and bowed to express my gratitude, and her eyes told me that she understood.
The camp astrologers were busy making forecasts to determine whether it was an auspicious time for Mohammad and his wife to enter the city, at which point we would accompany them as they rode into town. In the meantime, I received a messenger from Fereshteh, who had been sent by Massoud Ali to find us at the camp. The messenger told me that Fereshteh had such urgent information for me that I shouldn’t delay even a moment to receive it. I rushed to the princess’s tent to tell her the news.
“I have been summoned by Fereshteh. I suspect she has vital information about Mirza Salman.”
Pari smiled. “Ah, Javaher, you are a master of unlocking secrets. I hate to send you away from my side.”
“I promise to return as soon as I can.”
“Fereshteh has been very helpful. Commend her for me, will you?”
“I will.”
“You shall ride Asal,” she said, and instructed her eunuch groom to make the mare ready.
“Thank you, princess, but an ordinary horse will do.”
I had already donned my heavy cotton riding trousers, my thick wool vest, and a warm robe, and had wrapped a wool cloth around my neck and face.
Pari smiled. “But you are no ordinary eunuch. You are a jewel, like your name. I