There was no help for it; she had to allow him to help her back into the saddle. She was annoyed that she should feel his touch so keenly, as if her flesh burned beneath her clothing where his hands had been.
He was silent, pensive, as they rode. She chose not to break that silence. Still, she wondered if she should have been more persistent, made Hunter and Camille pay attention…tried to remember all that those whispering voices had said, word for word.
Now, as they rode out in the evening, the streets busy here and there with coaches, omnibuses and people on foot, the whispers seemed quite unreal.
And if she tried to bring up the subject again, he would simply be derisive once again!
At the town house, he lifted her from the saddle. She was very aware of the power in his arms as he lifted her so easily, then equally aware of the length of his body as he set her down. Where his strong hands had gripped her waist simply burned…
There was no time to think about that. He turned away, calling for Ethan, who, as usual, seemed to be at his master’s beck and call.
“Miss Adair is anxious to get home.”
“Yes, Sir Hunter.”
He turned back to Kat. “Be ready at nine o’clock sharp tomorrow morning.”
“Ready for what?” she queried.
“Just be ready!” he commanded.
Then he entered the house and she couldn’t persist with ready for what because the door had already slammed closed.
“Miss Adair? The carriage is just down the drive.” This from Ethan.
In the carriage, she silently cursed Hunter MacDonald. She considered telling him the next day that he and Lord Avery were ever so kind, but they were welcome to take their offer and…drop it in the sea!
After all, her father had probably sold some of his work that day, and at a fair price.
Because of Hunter and Lord Avery!
And if she told Hunter such a thing, she would not go on the expedition, and she would not be near David, subtly seducing him.
She frowned, realizing that she had given David little or no thought since she had arrived at the museum.
Incredible disloyalty!
Something had happened to her there at the museum. She had tapped into something in her own heart and mind. She still wanted to go on the expedition because of David…but she was fascinated. In love with the call to adventure, with the sights and sounds promised by all that she had seen and read today.
Bits of the whispered words came back to her.
“…a long journey…”
“…a dark desert…”
“We missed the other day…”
“…better off dead…”
She sat up in the carriage, shivering.
Had they been referring to David?
Fear shuddered through her. What if someone had pushed him, for some reason, off the sailboat? What if that same person…or persons meant to keep trying?
Outlandish! She assured herself. And yet…
She’d be watching. Now she’d be watching.
She felt a fearful, trembling sensation again. She would watch over him…and she could only pray that someone would watch over her.
Chapter 6
EVERYONE WAS HAPPY, Kat discovered.
Everyone, as a matter of fact, couldn’t seem happier. And she couldn’t help but feel a bit disgruntled.
Her father swept her into his arms the minute she came through the door. He was shaking with excitement. “Katherine! Ah, dear child! In a thousand years, I’d not have had you risk your life, but you did. I swore there would be no rewards for such a deed, but what you’ve given me is far greater than any cache of pounds sterling! These men…respected men, collectors! They have said that I am a good artist.”
“Oh, they said much more than that!” Eliza cried, also rushing to the door to greet Kat. “They think Papa is one of the most talented artists they have ever seen. And, Kat! I am to design clothing for Lady Margaret!”
Kat had barely disentangled herself from her father’s loving embrace before she found herself nearly crushed by her sister.
“That’s…wonderful!” she gasped.
“I shall be busy as a bee all week. I must have a few garments ready for her before she sails. Oh, Kat! I will give the work my most fastidious attention, and perhaps other ladies will envy what she is wearing, and I will become known as a designer!”
“I’m so glad. I…had hoped you might manage a few pieces for me before I left,” she murmured.
Eliza waved a hand in the air. “There are dozens of pieces of clothing I have done for you—you’ll be all set, you’ll see.”
“Kat, how did you do at the museum?” her father asked. “Do you think that you will enjoy the work? Is it what you truly want? I swear, child, I’d not gain a thing from the pain of either of my daughters. I was still quite concerned today, but I have been assured by Lord Avery that you will be chaperoned as carefully as his own daughter.”
“The work…I can’t wait.”
“You will learn so much with Sir Hunter!” Eliza extolled.
“Oh, yes. I’m sure I will.”
“Are you tired?” Eliza asked her, frowning. “You don’t seem at all happy.”
“Oh, I am. Happy as a lark.” She forced a smile.
“Maggie has our dinner about set,” her father said. “I’ll see if she needs help.”
William Adair headed for their small kitchen. Eliza grabbed her sister again, her eyes wide with excitement. “Oh, Kat! I dared not say so in front of Papa, but…now I think I am in love!”
“With David? Goodness, his would-be harem is growing!”
Eliza frowned. “With David? Good heavens, no! It is Allan! Allan Beckensdale. Kat, he was ever so kind. We talked…oh, how we talked. Don’t worry—I didn’t desert Papa. I watched him. Isabella was there, ready to step in front of Papa and sell his work, but I managed to put money matters off! But then…Papa was so concerned about you, and he was deep in conversation with Lord Avery. Well, and Isabella—I couldn’t quite make her disappear. But I had this delightful time with Allan in the sitting room, waiting until the others were all set and ready for tea. He’s going to be a doctor, Kat. And…well, he’s not so landed and rich, you know. A trust from his grandfather has put him through school, but he must then make his own way. And he was so lovely, talking about the roles of men and women and how he longed for a family, but that he wanted a wife with a mind of her own and talents to match. And then we talked books and plays and…Kat! It was wonderful.”
“He’s leaving in a week, as well, Eliza,” Kat warned.
“But he will come back. And he has promised to write to me throughout the journey!”
“Well, that is lovely,” Kat said.
Eliza frowned again. “Kat, I’m so sorry.”
“Why?”
“I just realized…we’re all so happy, almost living a dream. And I’m afraid that you’ve sold your soul for all this largesse. And that—”
“And that what?” Kat asked a little sharply.
“I’m sorry to say, I do believe that Lady Margaret, Lord Avery and David all intend that one day…that your David is the one for Lady Margaret.”
“I don’t believe that she’s in love with him,” Kat said stubbornly.
“How can you say that?” Eliza studied her sadly. “You’ve spent no real time with them,” she reminded gently.
“I will be aboard a ship with them for a long journey,” Kat said. “And in the desert. There’s a long time before we return home.”
“Kat,” Eliza said worriedly, “you wouldn’t try…well, you wouldn’t let yourself… You really can’t trap a man of his standing,” she said.
Kat stiffened, staring at her sister. “I wouldn’t want to trap anyone,” she assured her. Furious—even though Lady Margaret had what she did not, a fortune and a title—she stepped around her sister, heading for the stairs.
“Kat!” Eliza called.
She paused.
“I’ll not throw my life away.”
“It’s just that you can be so…reckless. And you are so…obsessed with David.”
“Our father has decided to trust me. You should, too.”
“Papa is unaware of your infatuation.”
“It has not made me a raving idiot. Eliza, I must wash for dinner.”
She escaped up the stairs, surprised to find that she was shaking and ready to cry. She loved her father, no, adored him. He’d been the most gentle parent. And her sister was her best friend in the world. But they were all so happy, and she was just tired. Egyptian symbols now seemed to swim before her eyes. And her muscles ached from the ridiculous way she’d had to sit on the horse.
The trotting horse.
And she was certain, of course, that Hunter MacDonald had been determined to trot the whole way in order to cause her pain!
She washed her face, cooled somewhat by the water.
But downstairs, even Maggie, who had stayed with them after her mother’s death, eschewing her own pay at times to see that the family ran well, was in the highest spirits that night, going on and on about the wonder of such men as Lord Avery.
Kat couldn’t wait to go to bed.
But when she did, she dreamed. The mummy hands from the exhibit case were free, hopping about in a black fog, and it seemed that the hands were whispering to each other.
She awoke with a start.
She realized that she had because of a knocking at the front door.
Frowning, she leapt up in her cotton nightgown and ran down the stairs, anxious to reach the door before anyone else was awakened. It was surely a delivery of dairy goods.
But it was not. It was Hunter, looking impatient.
“Come, come, girl, we’ve got work to do.”
“But…you said nine o’clock!”
He drew out his pocket watch. “It is ten minutes before the hour.”
She was tempted to slam the door in his face. She refrained. “Then I have ten minutes.”
“I had hoped you might be ready early.”
“Yes, well, since you are here, I shall hurry. What is the work? Are we going back to the museum?”
“My dear child, we are heading to the park. Riding lessons.” He produced a package for her. “You won’t have to waste your ten minutes redressing. Come along now, I do have other engagements this afternoon. But don’t worry. We’ll have three hours.”
“Three hours. On a horse. What fun. Don’t fear, I shall prepare in all haste!”
This was not a household that rose early, Hunter determined wryly as he waited. The housekeeper, Maggie—a lovely woman with an Irish brogue so thick he had to mentally translate as he listened—appeared as he waited, wanting to know if he desired coffee or tea. He thanked her and assured her that no, he was fine. William Adair came out and began thanking him, and Hunter, discomfited by so much gratitude, told him that he was the lucky one, for he’d be known as the man who discovered William Adair.
Eliza came flying down the stairs, eager to greet him, as well. Therefore, when Kat came down the stairs, clad in Francesca’s old riding habit, her entire small family was there, beaming.
He was disturbed, too. The riding attire became her, as all else did. A light beige skirt fell over the pants of the ensemble, so that it appeared the outfit consisted of a tailed jacket, shirt, vest and skirt. Beneath, however, were pants allowing a woman to ride astride while the sham of a shirt was slit to fall handsomely over the legs once a woman was seated. The accompanying hat sat nicely atop her head. The beige, and the tailored, businesslike cut of the habit sat marvelously on her lean but curved shape.
Then again, she had appeared quite the beauty in her flowing cotton nightgown, as well, hair tumbled about her face in waves of fire.
It was at that moment, standing there, surrounded by her loving family, that he realized, in his heart, just what was driving him.
He was fascinated by her. Stirred and aroused, both physically and mentally. She was young, she was naive. She was filled with courage, reckless bravado, and beneath the devil-may-care attitude, she loved those who surrounded her. She was willing to dream, to explore. She longed for the world. She longed for what she couldn’t have. Nothing was going to stop her.
And here he was, wanting her, with her father just steps away.
“Sir!” William Adair turned to him with such a frown that Hunter feared that he was aware of the very carnal desire arising in his heart. But the man was not. He was perturbed about the outfit! “That habit is of the finest quality. We cannot accept—”
“Mr. Adair, pray forgive me. But the habit is my sister’s, and she would be delighted to know that your daughter was wearing it.”
“It must not be a gift,” William said.
Hunter inclined his head. “Then it is only on loan.”
“Which is so kind,” Kat murmured, the tone of sarcasm with which she spoke so low that her father did not realize it. “Sir Hunter has seen how avidly I have taken to the sport of riding.”
“Not a sport on an expedition,” Hunter corrected her. “A necessity.”
William nodded gravely. “It fits you well, daughter. And suits you,” he noted.
“Thank you, Papa,” she murmured, walking to him, kissing his cheek.
“Such a clever design,” Eliza murmured.
“I’m sure you’ll be able to take from it and create something even better,” Kat said. “Well…I believe we’re off?” She looked at Hunter, irritation lingering just beneath her polite query.
“Indeed, we’re off,” Hunter agreed. “Mr. Adair, Miss Adair, good morning.”
“Be careful!” Eliza warned.
“I’d never let harm befall her,” Hunter assured them both.
“I feel that she is indeed safe in your hands, Sir Hunter,” William said gravely.
Hunter ground his teeth together as they departed. If the good man only knew! But, indeed, yes, she was safe with him.
“Come,” he told Kat, leading her to the mare Giselle, having led the animal through the streets as he rode Alexander. The pair did well together. She was not the first woman to have been taken riding on Giselle.
She walked to the horse, obviously ready to attempt to mount on her own. He set a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “Always mount from the left,” he began.
“I know that much!”
“Put your hand here,” he directed. “Hold the reins—always have the reins. My horses are not hacks, and they might spook. Being dragged through the streets of London is not an adventure you’d want to experience.”
“I’m assuming that I do need to learn to mount the animal myself. I doubt that you will be at the constant beck and call of your secretary,” she said.
“Correct, but I shall help you right now.”
He didn’t allow the next protest to leave her lips; he was certain she argued at times just for the sake of argument. Catching her firmly about the waist, he set her on Giselle and looked up at her. “Sit easily, comfortably, in the saddle. Heels down at all times. That is of the utmost importance. Heels down at all times. If you are ever thrown, it is far better to leave the horse than be trapped beneath it.”
She nodded. He walked away and quickly mounted Alexander. “We’ll head for the park,” he told her.
“Indeed, Sir Hunter. It seems that my time is yours. Wherever you wish.”
The workday streets were busy as ever. Vendors hawked fruit and pastries. People bustled about, walking with purpose. Delivery vehicles were making their stops. Omnibuses and hacks made their respective way. Here and there, becoming more frequent and not quite so much objects of curiosity, were horseless carriages, huffing, puffing, making noise, and causing some fear among the draft and riding horses that plodded alongside them. Despite t
he bizarre horns and the fellow whose engine suddenly sputtered and spewed before them, Kat was able to keep control of the mare, and she and Hunter moved along briskly.
Inside the park at last, they were some distance from the mayhem of city life. The greatest distraction was a nanny here or there, strolling with a pram.
“You’re doing well. Are you any more comfortable astride?” he asked her.
“Yes,” she admitted. She hesitated. “Do we ride from the time we reach Egypt?”
He smiled, shaking his head. “There’s a train from Alexandria to Cairo. When we leave the hotel for the excavation site, we’ll ride.”
“And the site that we’ll go to is the same one where the Countess of Carlyle is working?”
He nodded again. “Yes. So that meets with your approval.”
“I like her very much,” Kat said.
“Ah, because she was a commoner who married an earl?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Because I like her.”
“She is quite amazing,” he said.
“Do you know her…very well?” Kat asked. It seemed a pleasant enough question, but there was also an insinuation to it. He could have done a great deal of explaining. He chose not to.
“Yes, I know her very well.”
“And her husband, of course.”
“Yes. We were in the queen’s army together, and during the last year, renewed our former acquaintance.”
“I’m trying to remember,” Kat said. “There was such a stir in the papers. Lord Carlyle’s parents were killed, and he had hidden out, and everyone thought that he was a beast, but he had been trying to learn the truth of what happened. And there was a gentleman, Sir something—I have forgotten his name—and he was nearly killed, but I believe that the earl saved the fellow’s life and caught the real culprit and…your name was mentioned in several of the stories!”
“That was the past, and this, my dear, is now. Brian has his parents’ legacy, and is anxious to go on this expedition. He’s disturbed that so much leaves the country illegally, and anxious that more of the treasures discovered in Egypt remain in Egypt.”
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