Daughter of the God-King(68)
Reading her thoughts, he added. “You will be kept safe. I will see to it.”
Eugenie drifted up beside them in a cloud of perfume and Berry gave her a severe glance. “You must not cause trouble, Eugenie—I will send you home.”
“Bah,” the other girl exclaimed in disgust. “Who would believe such a rich man would have such a cheap watch?”
“Did you return it?”
Her pretty bosom rose as she sighed with regret. “But of course—I do as you say.”
Hattie inferred that Mr. Canton had been her unknowing victim and was intrigued. “How did you manage to get close enough?”
Eugenie gave her an arch look, the implication of which Hattie found a bit shocking but Berry forestalled any further explanation. “You are not getting close enough where you need to.” He threw a meaningful glance back at Hafez, who was standing next to Bing and conversing with her in an animated fashion as he gestured toward the landmarks on shore.
Eugenie pouted and protested, “What am I to do?” She shook her head in exasperation. “A very strange man, that.”
Hiding a smile, Hattie suggested, “You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.”
“Eh bien,” Eugenie nodded her head emphatically. “He does not wish to drink the water.”
“Make him thirsty,” Berry ordered her.
Eugenie tossed her head toward Hattie. “Perhaps this one should make the attempt—if she is so irresistable.”
“I cannot hold a candle to Bing, I’m afraid,” Hattie demurred. She could almost sympathize; it must seem incomprehensible to the beautiful girl that both Berry and Hafez had other preferences.
“Go,” directed Berry. As Eugenie turned with a flounce to join Bing and Hafez, Berry asked Hattie, “Where is Smithson? He could be of use.”
Hattie blinked, as this seemed a non sequitur. “How so?”
“There is an attraction, there,” he explained, as though to a child.
Hattie stared at him. “Bing and Smithson? For the love of heaven—that woman is a siren.”
But her sally earned her only a perfunctory smile as he watched the others. Deciding she may as well ask, Hattie ventured, “What is Eugenie supposed to discover?”
Having no real expectation he would tell her, she was surprised when he replied, “There are the French, there are the British, and then there are the minister and his allies.”
So—another potential enemy. “Perhaps he merely seeks to secure his country and its treasures against the others.” In Hattie’s opinion, Hafez truly did not seem to represent a hazard.
“He is dangerous because he is uncertain—I believe it was he who sent the man who was in your room that night.”
Hattie blinked. “Why—I assumed it was the French; after all, it is the French who seek the cache.”
“No, it was not the French who sent the intruder,” he said with certainty. “Which leaves the minister, in league with your parents’ solicitor.” He paused. “And possibly Monsieur Auguste, when he yet lived.”
Hattie looked at him in alarm. “If that was the alliance, then Hafez is the only one left alive. It is indeed ominous—small wonder if he is nervous.”
Berry nodded. “Which is why he is dangerous.”
“I don’t understand,” she said, thinking it over. “Why don’t you believe it was the French who came after me…?”
“Hush, Hattie. Tell no one.” The words were barely out before Robbie joined them, his gaze meeting Hattie’s with a warning at finding her deep in conversation with Berry. He casually took her elbow to turn her toward himself. “Hallo, Hattie; monsieur.”
After greetings were exchanged, Robbie deliberately addressed only Hattie. “Should we tour the Necropolis, Hattie? Although I’ll wager it isn’t half as fearsome as the Devere family cemetery was on a certain occasion.”
“Don’t remind me,” she laughed. “But I am slated to tour my parents’ last excavation with the minister this morning.”
“Perhaps I shall join you, then.”
“Please,” Berry interjected. “I am certain the minister would be grateful for any assistance.”
“Indeed,” agreed Hattie, thinking this was the last thing they wanted but willing to cooperate if Berry didn’t mind. “Do join us, Robbie.”
Berry expressed his desire to make final arrangements and then excused himself, and Robbie’s gaze held a gleam of amusement as the other man left. “For all of his sobriety, I believe he has a tendre for you, Hattie—have a care you do not trifle with his heart.”