Chapter 5: Special Guests

It was Kamal Qumsiyeh who raised the matter of illustrious and honoured guests. He suggested that it might amuse and please the Emir to invite a few honoured guests to be in the front rank of the audience, and perhaps even to participate in some small way in the ceremony. This struck the Emir as a good idea, and it was he who suggested that the losing finalists who had not been selected for the semi-finals, could be allowed a public defloration by the honoured guests. The guest judged, by his fellow guests, to have the most flair in performing this defloration would keep their contestant as a personal gift from the Emir. The guest deflorations of the six women would take place before the semi-finals. The honoured guests could be accommodated in the Ruby Palace with a minimum of effort, and a small harem could be provided there temporarily.

A list was prepared of the guests whom Kamal Qumsiyeh thought should be invited. This gave him much trouble and he cursed himself for suggesting it without having planned first. When forced to give the Emir an answer as to which names he proposed, the only name he had was that of Prince Habib, who was the heir apparent to a neighbouring Khan with whom they had had some niggling border disputes. It also transpired that Ghada Baroud, the Foreign Advisor had suggested him.

Maliciously intending to frighten the elderly advisor, the Emir said, as innocently as he could, "I would like to invite the Queen of England to attend."

Predictably Kamal Qumsiyeh nearly had apoplexy on the spot. Then he spent several minutes trying to think of ways in which he could contradict his Emir without annoying him. Eventually he settled on her age as an excuse. A lady of nearly ninety who had lived all her life in a temperate climate could not be expected to withstand a week or more of Kobekistani weather.

"Well, invite her anyway, but make it clear that we want the Earl of Bargoed to come instead to represent her," said the Emir finally, "And if the competition is at the Christian Easter he can bring my son, the Crown Prince Mustapha, home for a few days during his school holidays. He doesn't see anything like enough of this country. Of course, the actual competition is not suitable entertainment for a nine year old, but I can spend some time with him. Doubtless my mother will come with them."

Crown Prince Mustapha lived in England with the Earl and Countess of Bargoed while at an English school. The Countess was the Emir's mother and prior to her third marriage was the Dowager Princess Zubeydeh. The Earl was also father and grandfather respectively to the Emir's two English wives, Ayda and her daughter Alima.

"Now that gives us three guests. Can I make the numbers up with three locals whom I wish to honour?"