“...AND WHILE THE princess herself did not speak English, the Lady Hatice had read my book to her and the other ladies of the harem—which is not nearly the kind of place one might have thought it was,” Sidney added and took the opportunity to draw a deep breath. She’d been talking very nearly without pause since she and the ladies had left the residence but she had a great deal to tell them. It had been a delightful day and she did want to share every detail. It would make a splendid new story.
Effie waved off her comment. “Oh, we know all about harems, dear.”
“Harry told us,” Poppy added.
“Where is Harry?” Sidney held her breath. She wasn’t entirely sure she was ready to see him. She hadn’t spoken to him after they’d returned to the ballroom last night. She hadn’t known what to say and what to say did seem exceptionally important. They had, after all, finally shared a kiss. Oh, it had been a kiss of necessity but a kiss all the same. A kiss that lingered in her mind and produced an odd fluttering in her stomach and made her heart sigh. Even though she had no previous experience it did seem this particular kiss was exceptional and extremely significant. Besides, she was fairly certain he wouldn’t see her visit to a harem the same way she did.
The ladies looked at each other in a distinctly guilty manner.
“He went to rescue you,” Gwen said somewhat reluctantly.
“Daniel insisted,” Poppy added quickly. “We tried to tell him that you were perfectly capable of taking care of yourself but he refused to be dissuaded.”
“Harry was confident in your abilities as well but he couldn’t let Daniel go off on his own.” Effie shrugged. “Who knows what trouble the poor man might have gotten into.”
“I didn’t need rescue,” Sidney said with a sigh. She should have known something like this would happen when she decided to stay the day with the princess and Lady Hatice and the rest of the ladies. But it did seem an opportunity she could ill afford to pass up. And she had sent a note last night as well as another today and had assumed all was well.
“Which we would have known had we received today’s note,” Poppy said.
Apparently, there was some confusion over her last message, the desk clerk thinking it was for her rather than from her. The mistake was only discovered when Sidney returned to the hotel. Hoping to avoid any further confusion, they left a brief, but thorough, note for Harry.
“So Harry wasn’t concerned?” Sidney asked in an offhand manner. Not that it mattered really. Although if a man was going to kiss a woman—even out of necessity—in a manner that could only be called passionate and not the least bit necessary, then he really should care about what happens to her.
“Oh no, dear. Harry was concerned,” Gwen said firmly. “He tried to hide it but it was obvious to all of us that he was just saying what he thought he should to relieve our minds. Even though he did say, according to the information he had, he did not think a rescue was called for.”
Sidney drew her brows together. “I must say this is rather confusing.”
“Indeed it is.” Effie huffed, Gwen and Poppy nodded in agreement.
“But what can you say about men?” Poppy shrugged and the other two mirrored her actions. “They frequently make no sense.”
“In my experience they never have.” Gwen shook her head, Poppy and Gwen following suit. “And I daresay they never will.”
A sharp knock sounded at the door. Poppy, Gwen and Effie were all perched on the sofa but Poppy was the closest. She moved to the door and opened it then immediately slammed it shut and flattened her back against it. “It’s Harry.”
Sidney stared. “Then let him in.”
Gwen wrinkled her nose. “He’s probably not especially happy.”
“He was rather adamant about our not leaving the hotel.” Effie winced. “And he might have assumed we had promised as much.”
“But we didn’t,” Poppy said quickly. “Although he might have thought we did.”
“It’s all a matter of inflection really.” Gwen gestured aimlessly. “Or perhaps semantics.”
“It’s entirely possible he doesn’t even know we left the hotel,” Effie said thoughtfully.
Gwen nodded. “Then we should proceed as if he doesn’t. No need to tell him anything he’d probably prefer not to know.”
“We are just thinking of him,” Poppy murmured.
Harry knocked again. Wasn’t it interesting how a man’s knock said all sorts of things about his mood? Perhaps they shouldn’t let him in after all.
“This is silly.” Sidney gestured at Poppy to open the door.
Poppy hesitated, obviously trying to decide if this was indeed wise or not, then adopted her brightest smile and swung the door open. “Harry! It’s you.”
“It was me a moment ago when you shut the door in my face.” He strode into the room.
“I’m afraid I didn’t recognize you.” Poppy heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “My eyesight is not what it once was.”
“You, Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore—” he pinned Poppy with a hard look “—could probably read a newspaper from fifty paces.”
Poppy beamed. “Thank you, Harry.”
“We have things to discuss.” Harry’s gaze shifted from one lady to the next and finally settled on Sidney. “All of us.”
“First, you really should listen to Sidney’s recounting of her visit.” Enthusiasm sounded in Gwen’s voice. “It’s quite fascinating.”
“No doubt.” Harry glared at the ladies. “Regardless—”
“Did you know they eat with their fingers?” Effie asked. “And Sidney says it’s not at all messy but really rather refined.”
“Yes, I am aware of that. However—”
“And she met a real princess who is apparently quite fond of Sidney’s stories.” Gwen fairly glowed with pride. “An Egyptian princess—isn’t that remarkable?”
“Indeed it is but—”
“Of course everyone does like Sidney’s stories except for you,” Gwen added under her breath.
“And they supplied Sidney with clothing, as she certainly couldn’t continue to wear last night’s gown, especially to return to the hotel.” Poppy shook her head. “That would have been most awkward. But I think she looks wonderful in her foreign garb.” Her eyes widened innocently. “Don’t you?”
“Yes, of course.” He glanced at Sidney, then his gaze snapped back as if he hadn’t noticed her apparel on his arrival. He stared and she wasn’t entirely sure if he was appalled or entranced. Regardless, either sentiment was most gratifying.
Sidney had never worn anything like this in her life and never imagined she would. In many ways, the Egyptian garments, in varying shades of green embroidered with gold threads, were every bit as complicated as her usual clothing but they were far more comfortable. Especially as a corset was not required. The full sheer trousers ballooned out from the waist then fell softly to a cuff around her ankles. Next came a sort of soft shirt that reached just above her knees. A sash wrapped around her waist. Over it all was a type of sheer coat or robe that buttoned from below her bosom to her hips, the sides slit all the way from the bottom of the garment, near her ankles, to the top of her legs. Lady Hatice had also presented her with a shimmering beaded and jeweled headpiece—a gift from the princess—that held a sheer muslin veil in place. All in all, Sidney thought she looked quite fetching. As did the ladies. It was difficult to determine exactly what Harry was thinking.
“Very nice,” he murmured, still apparently unable to wrench his gaze away.
“Do you really think so?” she said in an overly innocent manner, inspecting the clothing. “It’s extremely comfortable. We were just saying that we should all purchase several pairs of the trousers along with the robes and shirts to wear at home.”
“In London?” Skepticism sounded in his voice.
“Goodness, Harry,” Poppy teased. “It’s not as if we would wear such things on the streets of Bloomsbury.”
“Although we would make quite an impression at the next Lady Travelers meeting,” Gwen said thoughtfully.
“Brilliant idea!” Poppy grinned.
“We saw several stalls in the souk that offered female garments,” Effie said. “I daresay it will be a simple matter to return before we leave Cairo and make our purchases.”
It was apparently the wrong thing to say as it brought Harry’s attention firmly back to the matter at hand.
His eyes narrowed. “And will you be returning to the markets on your own?”
“Whatever you think best, Harry.” Effie cast him a contrite smile.
He snorted in disbelief. “You three promised that you would not leave the hotel.”
“Did we leave the hotel?” Poppy said to Effie who summoned a not at all convincing look of confusion.
“Don’t try to deny it.” Harry glared. “I saw you. And you gave me your word.”
“On the contrary.” Gwen squared her shoulders. “You told us we were not to leave the hotel under any circumstances—”
Poppy nodded. “You were quite firm about it.”
“Which we thought was a bit, oh, arrogant on your part.” Effie cast him a chastising look. “You have no right to tell us what to do. You’re not a relation, you know.”
“Regardless.” Triumph rang in Gwen’s voice. “We never agreed not to leave the hotel. We simply mentioned that we were not stupid.”
“And proved it by leaving the hotel?” Frustration sounded in his voice. “Why?”
“Because you didn’t think rescuing Sidney was necessary,” Effie said as if it were obvious. “We considered all you had said and decided you were probably right. And how absurd it would be for you and Daniel to rescue someone who didn’t need rescue. It would also be most embarrassing on an international level as well.” The ladies shuddered in unison. “After all, we do represent England. Not officially, of course, but as subjects of Her Majesty’s, our actions reflect on her.”
“We should write a pamphlet about the responsibilities of travelers to queen and country,” Poppy murmured.
“We trust you, Harry, and we trust your judgment. If you didn’t think Sidney had been kidnapped, the chances were good that she hadn’t.” Gwen smiled.
“And yet we worried all the same,” Poppy added.
“We simply thought it was an excellent idea if we went to the residence to see if Sidney was there. Thereby saving you—and Daniel too, of course—from a potentially difficult situation.” Gwen leaned toward him and lowered her voice in a confidential manner. “You really should try harder to stick to your convictions, Harry.”
“My convictions?” Harry said in a strangled voice. “My convictions?” A muscle twitched in his jaw. He closed his eyes and Sidney assumed he was counting to ten as the man was obviously fighting to hold himself in check. He opened his eyes and Sidney resisted the urge to take a step back.
“I must disagree with you, Lady Blodgett, on the question of stupidity. You claim you and your friends are not, and have never been, stupid yet tonight’s escapade was the very definition of stupid.” His voice rose. “Do you have any idea what might have happened to you on the streets of Cairo? Alone? At night?”
“Nonsense.” Gwen sniffed. “It wasn’t very far from here, you know. Why, we were scarcely gone any time at all.”
“Mr. Chalmers assisted us and provided a carriage, a driver and a rather burly interpreter as an escort. Really a charming man,” Effie added.
“We simply knocked on the door of the residence—which none of us thought looked anything like a dwelling for royalty really although it was extremely opulent inside. A few minutes later we were escorted to the women’s quarters where Sidney was just about to leave.” Poppy cast him a placating smile. “So you see there was nothing that need concern you at all.”
“This was not calling on friends for tea!” Harry glared as much in frustration as anger.
“One never makes uninvited calls at teatime,” Gwen said under her breath. “That would be most impolite.”
Harry ignored her. “Do you understand even remotely what might have happened to you? None of you speaks the language nor are any of you familiar with the customs. And while I do pity anyone who might try to detain you, what if I had been wrong?”
“Nonsense, Harry,” Poppy said brightly. “You’re never wrong.”
“Harry,” Sidney began, “I really think—”
“I’ll get to you later,” he said in a rigid tone and turned his attention back to the ladies. “You could have gotten yourselves kidnapped. Or worse—killed. I will not allow that to happen.”
“Goodness, Harry,” Gwen said. “While we do appreciate your concern, you are not responsible for us. We are adversaries remember?”
“I don’t care what we are, it’s my duty to protect you.” His voice rose. “All of you.”
“Why?” Poppy shook her head. “We’ve never asked for your protection.”
“Because it’s my fault you’re here in the first place.”
“Although we have always wanted to travel to Egypt,” Gwen said in an aside to Poppy, “or anywhere really.”
His jaw tightened. “Because that’s what a proper gentleman is expected to do.”
“Come now, Harry.” Sidney scoffed. “Even I know that’s utter rubbish.”
“Because.” His gaze met hers. The man was a towering rock of barely suppressed ire. “In spite of my best intentions, I like them. Even Mrs. Higginbotham!”
“Why, Harry,” Effie said wryly. “Such lovely sentiment will go straight to my head.”
“I am doing my best to protect you—” he glanced at each of them in turn then shot Sidney a pointed glance “—all of you.”
Sidney stared for a moment. She didn’t expect that kind of heartfelt declaration from him. And he did have a legitimate point. “You’re right. They shouldn’t have left the hotel by themselves. Ladies, the next time Mr. Armstrong asks for your promise you should be forthright in extending it to him.”
“And what about you?” Harry glared at her.
“What about me?”
“A man you have never met hands you a request allegedly from a princess asking for your presence and you blithely go off with him?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t call it blithely.”
“Are you mad?” His eyes widened and his voice rose. “There was absolutely no reason to believe this man was who he said he was.”
“The invitation was on excellent stationery complete with a royal crest. It was engraved.” Sidney shook her head. “Not the kind of thing you can easily forge.”
“No but it is the kind of thing easily stolen.” He shook his head in disbelief. “You simply trusted this stranger.”
“I am an excellent judge of character,” she said in a lofty manner.
“Not that I’ve noticed,” he snapped.
“I like all your friends. Mr. Chalmers and Mr. Nazzal.” She almost added that she’d probably like his friend Mr. Deane as well but that would bring to mind his late friend, Mr. Pickering and, at the moment, that didn’t seem wise.
“I believe I just made my point!”
“We like them as well,” Poppy murmured.
Harry shot a hard glance at her then returned his attention to Sidney. “You are an enigma. I don’t know from one moment to the next if you’re going to be rational or impulsive or determined. It’s the most annoying thing I have ever encountered. You are the most annoying woman I have ever met! Did you know your eyes light up whenever anything of a questionable nature arises?”
“Do they really?” She grinned although she knew he did not intend it as a compliment and stepped closer to him. “And I would call things of a questionable nature adventures.”
“Only in your stories!” He stared down at her. “And would it be possible for you to change your clothing? I find what you’re wearing to be most distracting.”
“What utter nonsense. This isn’t the least bit revealing.” Sidney crossed her arms over her chest. “Besides, you’ve seen women all over Egypt wearing precisely the same thing.”
“Indeed I have but they were not you!”
“And they are allowed to wear clothing that I am not allowed to wear?”
“Exactly.”
“That’s irrational, Harry.”
“I tend to be irrational when I worry and I don’t like to worry, Mrs. Gordon.”
“No one likes to worry, Mr. Armstrong.” He’d been worried? For her? The far-more-than-she-had-expected Harry Armstrong? If he was afraid for her then it did stand to reason that he cared for her. Her heart leaped at the thought. “I’ll try not to scare you again.”
His gaze slid to the ladies on the sofa, not even bothering to pretend they weren’t listening, then back to hers. “See that you don’t.”
She gazed up at him. “You’re coming perilously close to talking about something like feelings.”
He stared at her for a moment. “No, I’m not.” He turned to leave then turned back. “Oh, and I’ll take the object if you don’t mind.”
She frowned. “What object?”
“The medallion, dear,” Effie said.
“Oh yes, the medallion.” Sidney nodded. “Is Mr. Nazzal here to claim it?”
“No. I expect to see him tomorrow.”
“Then you may have it tomorrow.” She smiled pleasantly but held her breath. “I would like some time to study it.”
“Why?”
“I simply would, that’s all.” There was something about the images on the back that seemed vaguely familiar.
“I’d prefer to keep it where I know it’s safe.”
“It’s perfectly safe with me.”
“Yes, but as long as it’s in your possession there is the possibility you are not safe.”
“Don’t be absurd,” she said calmly. “I understand Mr. Wallace has left Cairo so I’m perfectly safe. And the object is hidden so it too is perfectly safe.”
Harry glanced at the chest of drawers.
“Did you really think I’d put it there?” She cast him a pitying look. “But do go on and look if you want.” Heat washed up her face but she refused to back down. Apparently it was one thing to encourage a man to dig through the unmentionables of a collector in possession of stolen goods and quite another to encourage him to go through your own.
“Why do you want to study it?”
She hesitated. “I’d prefer not to say anything at the moment.”
Harry leaned in and lowered his voice. “Do you trust me, Sidney?”
“Yes, Harry, I believe I do.”
“Good. I however do not trust you.” He stepped back and addressed the others. “Or any of the rest of you. We shall continue this discussion in the morning.” He pointed at Sidney. “You might want to hide that headdress as well.”
Sidney reached up and adjusted the piece. “It is lovely isn’t it?”
“Indeed it is. And unless I’m mistaken, those are real diamonds.” He nodded curtly and took his leave.
Sidney pulled off the headpiece and stared at it. Diamonds? She’d never had anything quite so lovely or valuable. What a remarkable gift. She would treasure it always.
The ladies waited almost a full minute before saying anything.
“Well, that was not nearly as dreadful as I expected,” Poppy said brightly.
“I do feel rather bad about misleading the man.” Gwen sighed. “But I suppose it couldn’t be helped.”
“Am I the only one who sees what is clearly evident here?” Effie looked at them expectantly. “Aside from the fact that the man has grown fond of us, which I would have wagered against, he is obviously in love.”
“Come now.” Poppy’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think he’s in love with us. He probably simply feels the sort of affection one would feel for any older female relation.”
“She didn’t mean he’s in love with us, dear.” Gwen patted the other woman’s hand.
“Oh no, of course not.” Poppy’s gaze slid to Sidney. “Oh, I see.”
“I don’t think you do. And I don’t think that’s love,” Sidney said quickly but she wasn’t entirely sure she believed her own words. Or perhaps didn’t want to believe. It was, after all, a wonderful idea. “The man thinks of all of us as his responsibility. Nothing more than that.”
“And how do you feel about him?” Gwen asked.
“I’m not sure.” For a moment she considered everything she liked about Harry. He was amusing and really very clever. He was incredibly dashing and adventurous. He’d crawled down shafts in the Great Pyramid and then climbed to the top with scarcely any effort. He was far nicer to her friends than they frequently deserved. When he looked into her eyes she felt like he was looking into her very soul and when he’d kissed her... And the thought of coming to the end of this trip and never seeing him again twisted her heart and tightened her throat. “I believe I might, possibly, care for him. Rather a lot.”
“How lovely.” Poppy beamed.
“Indeed, we couldn’t be happier. However...” Gwen paused and the ladies traded glances. “We’re not sure how to say this but we have discussed it and we do think something does need to be said.”
“We do want to be as delicate as possible,” Poppy added.
“Good Lord.” Effie blew an annoyed breath. “This might not be the time for delicacy. The man has already kissed her.” She glanced at Sidney. “Hasn’t he?”
Heat flushed her face. “Well yes.”
“I thought so.” Effie nodded. “And he does think she is a widow.”
“I’d forgotten about that.” Poppy winced.
“What are the three of you talking about?” Sidney stared in confusion.
“While it is proper to wait until marriage, when one has passed a certain age, well, things are bound to happen. Human nature being what it is and all. Especially in tropical climes,” Effie added.
Poppy nodded. “And one couldn’t help but notice how he looks at you and how you look at him.”
“How I look at him?” Sidney still wasn’t sure what they were trying to say.
“Sidney, are you aware of what occurs between a man and a woman?” Gwen said in a casual manner.
Sidney widened her eyes. “What do you mean—what occurs between a man and a woman?”
“Intimately,” Poppy said and waved at the bedroom. “You know, in there.” She paused. “Or really all kinds of other places depending on one’s mood and opportunity and adventur—”
“Poppy, that’s enough,” Gwen said sharply.
At once Sidney realized what they were talking about and she wasn’t at all sure she wished to hear what they seemed compelled to say. “I do read a lot.”
“We just want to make sure you’re prepared,” Effie said.
“Oh, I’m certain I’m prepared.” Indeed, she’d read a few novels that were quite explicit, although she did doubt that every man wished to turn a woman over his knee and spank her. And she was not unaware of the sensations she could experience just by touching herself, as sinful as it was. The idea of a man doing something similar was at once exciting and a bit unnerving.
“Did your mother discuss this with you?” A hopeful note sounded in Gwen’s voice.
“No, but—”
“Let’s see if we can explain it,” Effie began.
“Oh, please don’t.” Sidney twisted her hands together. Certainly Harry was the first man who’d ever kissed her and admittedly she had never actually been with a man but she did think she had a basic understanding of the process.
Effie continued. “The man has, oh, for our purposes we’ll call it a sword. And the woman has a...a...”
“A scabbard?” Poppy suggested.
“Excellent.” Approval rang in Effie’s voice. “I was going to say a sheath but scabbard is much better.”
“Is there a difference?” Sidney asked weakly.
“I have no idea.” Gwen thought for a moment. “Probably not but either will serve for our purposes.”
Effie nodded. “You should know that it’s not always wonderful the very first time one tries to place the sword in the scabbard—”
“Or the sheath,” Poppy added.
“Sometimes the scabbard is rather tight and not at all used to the sword—”
“Or any sword for that matter,” Gwen said pointedly.
Effie grimaced. “And it could be awkward.”
“Perhaps a bit unpleasant,” Poppy said with a wince. “Even possibly painful.”
“But not always and not for everyone,” Effie said firmly. “After that, it really does become enjoyable.”
Sidney had no idea how to respond. “Oh?”
“Quite enjoyable.” Poppy nodded. “Why people would never do it so frequently if it wasn’t.”
“Really, I don’t think—”
“A great deal of fun usually.” Gwen smiled knowingly.
“Ladies!” Sidney snapped, a distinct note of desperation in her voice.
The older women quieted and waited with expectant expressions.
“That’s really quite enough.” She drew a deep breath. “I do appreciate the, um, instruction as well as the advice. And now if you don’t mind—it’s been a very long day.”
“Yes, of course.” Gwen cast her a sympathetic look. “Even the best of adventures take their toll.”
“We are sorry, dear.” Effie rose to her feet, Gwen and Poppy joining her. “We should have realized you’d be tired. But we didn’t want you to be, well, shocked, if something were to happen.”
“Mind you, we don’t expect something to happen and we’re by no means encouraging immoral behavior,” Poppy said firmly. “But we are realistic. His feelings for you and yours for him are obvious, at least to us. I’m not sure the two of you have realized it yet.” She paused. “Life is shorter than you ever imagine, Sidney. And sometimes, on occasion—”
“The unexpected does indeed happen.” Gwen nodded. “You are a delightful woman, past the point when most women marry, on your first adventure of any kind and Harry is roguishly charming although I never would have suspected it when we first met.”
“Nor would any of us,” Effie said. “But he’s turned out far better than we anticipated. We like him.”
“And even in the most civilized and ordinary surroundings, that is a potent combination. Now, however, you are in a romantic foreign land, with a handsome dashing man who wants to keep you safe. You really are right in the midst of one of your own stories. And just like in your writing—” Poppy smiled in a decidedly wicked manner “—one never knows what might happen.”