THE STRANGER STEPPED into the light. Tall and dressed like a Bedouin, with robes and a traditional kufiya on his head. Even so the man’s English was perfect and he was clearly not Egyptian.
Harry’s face paled, as if he’d seen a ghost. Disbelief sounded in his voice. “Walter?”
Apparently he had seen a ghost.
“You said Walter was dead,” Sidney said under her breath, her gaze firmly fixed on the newcomer. The man looked like he could have walked out of one of her stories—dashing and handsome and adventurous.
“I thought Walter was dead.” Harry stared, frozen in place.
“Who is Walter?” Daniel asked.
The stranger pulled off his kufiya. His blue eyes were vibrant against his deeply tanned skin and his hair was lighter than Harry’s.
“Not anymore.” He grinned. “How are you, Harry old man?”
Harry continued to stare, a myriad of emotions crossing his face.
Sidney nudged him. “You might want to say something at this point.”
Walter chuckled. “I think he’s a bit too stunned to say anything.”
“Well, I’m not.” Sidney stepped forward and extended her hand. “I’m Miss Sidney Honeywell. It’s a pleasure to see you alive and well, Mr. Pickering.”
“Walter.” He took her hand. “It’s a pleasure to be alive and well. I must say, Harry’s taste in women has certainly—”
“You’re supposed to be dead!” Something suspiciously close to outrage rang in Harry’s voice. “We searched for you. For months. And we mourned for you. We still do. What in the name of all that’s holy happened to you?”
Walter studied his friend for an endless moment. “It’s a long story.”
“It better be a good one,” Harry said sharply.
“I’ll bet it is,” Daniel murmured.
Walter glanced at Sidney. “I thought explanations could wait.”
“They may have already waited too long.” She shook her head. “I think now would be best.”
“Very well.” Walter thought for a moment. “There’s a lot in the beginning that I have only vague memories of. All I really know is that a tribe found me, took me in and saved my life.
“It took a long time to recover. And even longer to get my strength back. It’s only been a few months since I learned that you and Ben thought I was dead.”
“Why didn’t you let us know you were alive?”
“I intended to. I just haven’t had the opportunity.” He shook his head. “It’s hard to explain but time moves differently here. The days slip away. It’s easy to lose track of them. And I do like the life. For now anyway.”
“Bloody hell, Walter.” Harry had the distinct look of a man who wasn’t sure if he wanted to punch his resurrected friend or hug him. Sidney held her breath. At last, Harry stepped closer, grasped Walter’s shoulders and stared into the other man’s eyes, his voice tight. “I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life. We had given up. I never thought, never imagined...” His voice caught and he paused.
“Neither did I,” Walter said with an odd sort of smile.
Sidney’s eyes fogged and she sniffed back a tear.
Harry grinned. “Damn it all, Walter, it’s good to see you.”
Sidney tried not to grin with satisfaction. She’d suspected all along he had feelings.
“Now.” Walter looked at Sidney. “Can we leave?”
“Yes, I think so.” She was still clutching the pectoral. She hadn’t even noticed. “How did you find us?”
“You can thank Nazzal for that. I’ll explain when we get back to camp.” He looked at Harry. “It’s getting late. You’ll have to spend the night. You can’t get back to Bedrachin before the last train and you can’t get a steamer before morning.”
“I say, if you don’t mind,” Daniel began, “I would much rather go back tonight. Surely some arrangement can be made.”
“We’re staying, Daniel,” Sidney said pleasantly. “If you choose to go back, in the dark, on foot, you shall do so alone. You wanted to leave us out here and I am not inclined to forget such a thing. I’m certain Mr. Pickering agrees with me, don’t you, Mr. Pickering?”
Walter raised an eyebrow at Harry then nodded. “Apparently, I do, Miss Honeywell.”
“And is there any way to get a message to our friends?”
“Possibly,“ Walter said thoughtfully. “I’ll see what can be done.”
“Thank you.” She cast him her brightest smile.
Harry blew a long breath. “We have a lot to talk about. A lot has changed.”
Walter nodded. “For me as well.”
For all that had transpired on this trip, that never would have happened had they not left England—the blame or the fault or the credit would go to Harry. For good or ill, he had started it all. The man had changed her life—all their lives—forever. It was a point worth remembering.
* * *
SIDNEY HADN’T REALIZED how late in the day it was. Walter’s men had found their horses and the sun was sinking in the west by the time they reached the Bedouin encampment—a village of tanned skin tents with families, children, elders. And a lot of sand. Walter was greeted like one of them but, then, he was one of them.
Even in the grandest hotels, Sidney could not imagine such hospitality. They were welcomed, given coffee and a tasty stew of unidentifiable contents. Daniel was confined to a tent. She tried not to feel smug but he deserved it. Sidney wasn’t quite sure what they would do with him yet but the punishment really did need to fit the crime.
“Did Nazzal know about your survival?” Harry asked as they sat around the fire talking late into the night.
“He had heard rumors but wasn’t interested in verifying them until a few days ago.” Walter studied Harry over the fire. “You know Nazzal. Until you came back to Egypt there was nothing in it for him.”
Harry nodded.
“This morning I received a message from him suggesting I watch for you. He even sent directions as to where he thought you would be. When we found your horses, it wasn’t hard to figure out it might be you. We tracked the horses back to the cave.”
“We’re most grateful you did,” Sidney said with a smile.
Walter returned her smile then looked at his old friend. “Did you ever plan on coming back to Egypt?”
“It didn’t seem there was any reason to return and, frankly, no desire. You were, well, dead and Ben and I were, I don’t know, disillusioned I suppose.” Harry thought for a long moment. “But I’m glad I did.”
“If you gentlemen will excuse me.” Sidney scrambled to her feet. It was obvious to her there were things Harry and Walter might wish to discuss privately. “I’m going to retire for the evening.”
Harry got to his feet. “I’ll walk you to your tent.”
Sidney had been given a place to sleep with the other women. Their tent was not far away but Harry steered her out into the desert.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“There’s something I want to show you.” They climbed up a slight rise that sheltered the camp. “Take a look, Sidney. Have you ever seen stars so brilliant in a night so endless?”
“On board ship but this...” She gazed out at the night sky and her breath caught. Sidney had never been one for star-gazing and between overcast skies, fog and the city lights, the nights in London were not conducive to staring at the heavens. While she knew the position of celestial bodies as seen from Egypt would be different than in England, she did not expect to see the sky so filled with stars that one could almost read by the light. And feel the magic left by the ancients. “This is magnificent, Harry. Thank you,” she said softly.
“I would gladly take credit but I did not arrange the stars.” He paused. “Are you still angry with me?”
“I’m trying very hard to be. It would be much easier if you weren’t being so contrite.”
He grinned. “Then my plan is working.”
She sighed in frustration. “I’m finding it difficult not to feel betrayed. Which might not be fair but there you have it.”
He was silent for a long moment. “The Earl of Brenton wasn’t the man who spent years in Egypt or lost a friend here—that was Harry Armstrong. It seemed only right that I leave the title behind. Besides.” He chuckled. “I didn’t want to intimidate you.”
“That’s...very thoughtful of you.”
“Of course, that’s when I thought you were an old lady.”
“I rescind my thanks.” She bit back a smile, took his arm and he escorted her to her tent.
Harry took her hands and raised them to his lips. “Sleep well, Sidney.”
“Good night, Harry.”
He turned away and started off. At once it struck her how devastated she would be if he walked out of her life forever. “Harry?”
He turned back and before he could say a word, before she could change her mind or consider the foolishness of her actions, she grabbed his jacket and kissed him hard and far longer than she had anticipated. Until his arms wrapped around her and he pulled her closer.
At last she drew away and breathed in a deep breath. “Don’t think that means I have forgiven you anything. I have a great deal of thinking to do.”
He grinned. “I can wait.”
She pushed out of his arms. “Good night, Harry.” She turned, pulled aside the flap and went into the tent. His laughter drifted on the night air behind her.
Even if her thoughts had been entirely serene, Sidney doubted she could have slept a wink. She was not accustomed to sleeping on the ground. And, as she could not get her mind off sand fleas, whether they were present or not, she was beginning to itch.
This morning everything had been so clear. Well, certainly clearer than now. Harry had not directly declared his affections but he had spoken of love. That was before she had learned he was the one who had started all of this. One could argue trying to destroy her livelihood was unforgivable.
Or one could point out that she wouldn’t be here at all—on the kind of grand adventure she’d never truly in her heart expected. She would not have recovered her grandmother’s last find. She would not have fallen in love.
A restless sleep finally claimed her shortly before dawn. She had managed to summarize her dilemma in two questions: Did she want to live the rest of her life without Harry Armstrong?
And what would Millicent do?
* * *
BY MORNING, SHE knew what should be done with Daniel. Harry was still in question.
Sidney made herself as presentable as possible before joining the others—including Daniel—for breakfast. “Good morning, gentlemen. I have an idea I think will serve us all well.”
She shifted her gaze to the reporter. “The way I see it, Daniel, you could certainly write about my deception, thus destroying my career, and it would be an excellent story. For you. Or we could tell the authorities that you planned to leave us to die in the desert—”
“I wouldn’t put it that way,” Daniel protested.
She ignored him. “And you attempted to steal an ancient artifact. While I suspect the Egyptian authorities won’t be overly upset at your leaving us behind they will be rather put out at the idea of your stealing their heritage.” She met his gaze directly. “Have you ever been in an Egyptian jail, Daniel?”
Harry choked. The reporter paled.
“I have it on very good authority that it’s not especially pleasant.”
“So are we to trade my silence about your writing for silence about all this?” A hopeful note sounded in Daniel’s voice. “Which does seem reasonable to me.”
“To you perhaps. Goodness, Daniel, did you think I was offering you a bargain? I wasn’t.” She smiled and looked at Harry. “How moral of a man are you, Harry?”
“It depends upon what you mean by moral.” His brow furrowed. “Are you speaking of murder? You did tell me to shoot him yesterday.”
“Justifiable really as I was annoyed at the time.” She waved off the comment. “And I knew you wouldn’t. Although he was about to do very much the same thing to us. Not shoot us, of course, but abandon us in very precarious circumstances.”
“I am not predisposed to murder either,” Walter said.
Sidney glared at both men. “Did either of you honestly think I would advocate the taking of a life? Even his?”
“Not me,” Daniel said quickly. “I had faith in you.”
“I am both offended and appalled.” Sidney crossed her arms over her chest.
“Our apologies,” Walter said.
“Our abject, unhesitating apologies,” Harry added.
“Accepted.” She nodded. “I was thinking since Mr. Corbin wanted a good story, we should give him one. One that does not deal with the veracity of my writing, anything to do with his lordship and myself or the miraculous survival of Mr. Pickering.”
“That is a good story. I hadn’t thought of that one.” Daniel frowned. “But if you eliminate all those possibilities, there’s nothing left.”
“On the contrary, I think a month in the desert with a Bedouin tribe—better yet six months—would give you a great deal to write about. Why, you might end up being called the King of the Desert. If, of course, Mr. Pickering is willing.”
“Could I sell him?” Walter said in aside to Harry.
Harry shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
“I have no choice, do I?” Resignation sounded in Daniel’s voice.
“Oh, but you do,” Sidney said pleasantly. “A grand adventure that might make your career or an Egyptian jail.”
Daniel huffed. “Not much of a choice.”
Sidney smiled. “I never said it was a good choice.”
“That was rather brilliant, Miss Honeywell,” Walter said. “Corbin, my men will see you to your quarters and then we’ll have a long talk.”
Daniel muttered something under his breath then sighed. “Very well.” He turned to Sidney. “I can’t say it’s been a pleasure but...” He smiled wryly. “It will be a good story. Sidney, Armstrong.” He nodded and followed Walter’s men.
“I was afraid you were going to offer him Walter’s story,” Harry said in an aside.
“Oh, I don’t think he should be rewarded. Now, if he wants to be part of the story, he’ll have to work for it. Besides, I think if anyone should write Walter’s story, it should be you.”
“That’s an interesting idea,” he said thoughtfully.
A half an hour later, Sidney and Harry were ready to depart.
“Thank you for rescuing us, Walter.” Sidney cast him her brightest smile. “I do hope to see you again someday.”
“That would be a very great pleasure.” He turned to Harry. “I assume you’ll let Ben know.”
Harry nodded. “I intend to send a telegram the moment we return to Cairo.” He paused. “Will I see you again?”
Walter shrugged. “Who knows what life will bring next, Harry old man. Someday your butler might announce you have an unexpected visitor.”
“Or I could ride back into your camp.” Harry grinned but there was the tiniest hint of regret. “Take care, Walter.”
“Travel safe, my friend.”
Sidney was helped into her saddle. Harry mounted his horse and they headed toward Bedrachin where they were just in time for the next train. Harry was remarkably silent all the way back to Cairo but then so was she. Apparently he too had a great deal of thinking to do. After all, it wasn’t every day one’s good friend was resurrected and the reason for one’s guilt vanquished.
They had barely stepped foot in the hotel when Mr. Nazzal appeared to take possession of the pectoral, adding his apologies for not telling Harry that Walter was alive but he had only confirmed it a few days ago. He assured Sidney the ladies knew she was safe and said he would let her know if the pectoral proved as interesting as they all hoped it was. She was grateful her friends weren’t waiting in the lobby for them. All she wanted at the moment was a bath and a change of clothes.
“You scarcely said anything all the way here,” she said as they approached the lift.
“I was waiting for you.” He shrugged. “I figured it was your turn.”
She nodded. “Yesterday, you said we needed to talk. Of course that was before Daniel turned out to be a cad and your dead friend came back to life.”
“I did but you know everything now.”
“Yes, but you don’t.”
He raised a brow. “Are you going to confess all?”
“More than you suspect.” She drew a deep breath.
“There you are.” Effie swept toward them, Gwen and Poppy a step behind.
Harry leaned in. “I expect to continue this later.”
She smiled weakly. “I thought you would.”
Effie threw her arms around Sidney as did the other ladies. For a few minutes, she was bombarded by questions and declarations and everyone talking at once.
“We were so worried about you.” Effie sniffed back a tear.
“But that nice Mr. Nazzal assured us you were fine,” Poppy added. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
“Unfortunately, we seemed to have lost Daniel.” Gwen frowned. “Although, we are confident he can take care of himself. Still, one does hate to misplace a member of one’s party.”
“We have a great deal to tell you.” Sidney glanced around. “Where’s Harry?”
“He muttered something vague about lady travelers and no privacy. Then he left,” Effie said. “He might have mentioned something about a bath.”
Poppy sniffed delicately. “Might I suggest you avail yourself of one as well?”
“I intend to.” Sidney nodded. And then it was indeed time for her confession. Time to clear the air and tell him everything.
Whether she wanted to or not.