Daughter of the God-King(36)

This seemed altogether fanciful, and she voiced her skepticism. “Truly? They will think I am some sort of reincarnation?” On the other hand, she was unfamiliar with local beliefs; perhaps they were indeed a credulous people, as Bing had suggested.

“Any advantage should be taken,” he replied.

With an effort, she refrained from making yet another saucy remark, and merely nodded.





Chapter 15





Hattie stood with Bing in the spacious lobby of the Hotel Corsica while Berry arranged for the transfer of their luggage, currently contained in a donkey cart outside.

Leaning in toward Hattie, Bing noted, “I must say it is useful to have a gentleman’s assistance, Hathor.”

“You will have no argument from me, my friend—it was a good thing the resourceful Monsieur Berry maneuvered his way onto the ship.” Not to mention she had noted with amused delight that the aforesaid gentleman had begun to waylay Hattie with increasing frequency so as to be able to touch her. He couldn’t help himself, poor man; it was that forbidden fruit effect. For her part, Hattie was content to treat him with an arm’s length, casual friendliness and await the inevitable heated embrace that would put an end to the delicious tension that was building between them.

At midday, they had disembarked from the peaceful confines of the Sophia and had plunged into the chaotic sights and sounds of Cairo. Donkey-boys, beggars, and guides clamored for their attention as Berry ably procured a transport cart and handed them in, speaking in Arabic to the driver while his hand held Hattie’s as though he had forgotten to let it go.

“Hold on to your reticule,” he cautioned, tucking this accoutrement under her arm with a solicitous gesture. “And ignore the requests to throw coins or we may be swarmed.” He then sat across from her, knee touching knee. “Patience is necessary—you will find little that is done well or efficiently.”

It was definitely not London or Paris; a slow progress was made to the hotel in the clogged and busy streets that twisted and turned with no apparent logic. The houses that lined the streets were high and narrow, with upper stories that projected outward. The heat was oppressive, and Hattie noted that most of the narrow streets were roofed with matting to provide a measure of shade. Hawkers shouted at them and brandished silks, brass objects, and smoking paraphernalia that did not bear close scrutiny. Caged birds called, donkeys brayed, and blocked cart drivers shouted at each other, making conversation impossible. Hattie caught Berry’s gaze upon her and mustered a small smile, but in truth it was a bit daunting. I hope I can acclimate to the heat and dust, she thought, and stayed beneath her parasol with no urging from Bing.

By contrast, their hotel was an oasis of quiet and calm, and Hattie breathed in the scent of blue lotuses while they waited on the marbled tile floor for the arrangements to be made. Bing was gazing about her with extreme interest, her sharp features alight. “Quite satisfactory,” she pronounced. “And so wonderfully warm.”

To each his own, thought Hattie, who for her part was hoping the city was suffering from an unusual heat wave. But there was no denying that Bing’s color was much improved and she offered, “You are finally back on terra firma, poor Bing.”

“It is amazing how quickly the discomfort disappears; I own I am eager to reconnoiter, now that we have arrived.”

Berry approached with the keys to their room, which he distributed to the ladies, his fingers lingering on Hattie’s in the process. “The porter will deliver your trunks to the room—do you think we can plan on meeting for dinner in the hotel restaurant after you have settled in this afternoon?”

“We can,” agreed Hattie. “Unless you would like to escort me to visit my parents’ solicitor this afternoon? I confess I am eager to meet with him as soon as may be.” Now that they were here, she was impatient to take action—not to mention such a visit would provide further opportunities to build upon that delicious tension that crackled between them.

But he declined with a shake of his head. “It will be more serviable to meet him in the cooler morning, which is when most business matters are handled.” He then added in a neutral tone, “I’m afraid it would be for the best if you do not mention that you travel with me.”

“Such a shame that the two of you do not get along,” Hattie noted, eyeing him.

“Quel dommage,” he agreed, refusing to rise to the bait. “But I will provide an escort to his office, if you will permit.”

“Thank you. I suppose the morning is soon enough.” He took her hand briefly as they parted, and ran his thumb over its back.