Daughter of the God-King(45)

Hattie crawled back into bed, although it seemed unlikely she would sleep for the remainder of the night. “It was certainly not our fault, Bing—although I wouldn’t mention that it was Monsieur Berry who broke down the door.” Thinking on it, Hattie decided he had made a very dashing appearance as he burst into the room to her rescue. She had noted with interest that his hastily clad shirt revealed hair on his chest—a bit darker than his hair color. Flinging back the coverlet, she decided that the room was over-warm and restlessly tried to find a more comfortable position.





Chapter 19





The next morning, slivers of sunlight filtered in through the closed louvers as Hattie opened her eyes. The events of the preceding night came flooding back and she sat up, sleepy but determined to seek out Berry to discuss the solicitor’s role in her attempted abduction. With some regret, she realized that Bing was now likely to cancel her visit to the pyramids and therefore there would be no opportunity for a private tête-à-tête. A shame—she was certain the man was nearly to the breaking point.

After casting a glance at her sleeping companion, Hattie decided to exit the bed and begin dressing in the hope that her movements would awaken Bing. Unfortunately, this gambit did not succeed and so Hattie was forced to drop her hairbrush with a clatter on the tile floor.

Bing responded sleepily, “You needn’t be quiet, Hathor—I am awake.”

With complete insincerity, Hattie replied, “I am so sorry, Bing—you must be tired.”

But apparently Bing had her own motivations and was not loath to rise. “I will nap later; let us discover if there is any news from last night.”

A short time later, the two women descended to the dining room for breakfast. Bing alerted the front desk that they were out of the room so that the door could be repaired and, after inquiry, discovered there was no further news about last night’s intruder; the proprietor had not contacted the authorities on Berry’s assurance that he would do the honors.

Doubtful, concluded Hattie—Berry is about as likely to hand this over to the Egyptian authorities as he is to tell me from whence he hails or for whom he acts. Further inquiry revealed that Berry had left the premises, and had left no message. Deflated, Hattie passed a desultory hour with Bing at the breakfast table before Hafez made his appearance, expecting to visit the pyramids.

“I must beg your pardon,” Bing explained, “but we have experienced untoward events and I fear I must postpone our visit.”

Upon his exclamations, Hattie had to sit through yet another recital of the intrusion, all the while keeping an impatient eye on the door. While she could concede that Berry may have other concerns that were more pressing than waiting attendance on herself, he must be aware she was in a fever to speak to him—among other fevers best not examined too closely; mainly she was longing to have him maul her about again.

“It is of all things alarming,” the minister pronounced in dismay after Bing concluded her tale. “You are to be commended for staying with Miss Blackhouse today in her distress.”

Hattie blinked, as the man must be blind to think she was distraught as opposed to merely bored. “Pray do not stay here on my account, Bing,” she offered, trying not to sound as though she were pleading.

“I cannot be easy, Hathor—we shall stay close to home today.”

Crossly, Hattie surmised that the fact Bing’s new admirer was also close to hand made the decision all that much easier. I am slated to play gooseberry, she thought; a pox on the intruder for upsetting my plan to negotiate a surrender with the weakening Monsieur Berry.

With a small bow, the minister gallantly offered his protection and support. “May I entertain you ladies in some way? Perhaps a game of cards?”

“There is a chessboard in the lobby,” Hattie suggested with some hope; it would provide a lengthy distraction and Bing did play, although Hattie had a gift for the game and regularly beat her.

“Only two can play,” Bing pointed out.

“I shall keep score,” offered Hattie promptly, “being as how I am distraught.”

“There is no score to keep,” noted Bing, giving her a look.

“Then I will watch and learn,” countered Hattie. “And procure the refreshments.”

Bing surrendered to Hattie’s machinations and the minister was escorted to the chessboard, which was set up near a large window in the lobby, the morning sunlight splashing across the game table. As Hafez and Bing were seated, Hattie decided to perch upon the window seat where she could keep a weather eye on the front door without making it too obvious that this was her intent.