Desires of a Perfect Lady

by Victoria Alexander

  She shook her head. “No. Just . . . no.”

  Sterling reluctantly released her, handed the pistol to Sir Lawrence and stepped toward the pile of debris and man. “We should see if he’s hurt.”

  “I think hurt is the least of his problems.” Sir Lawrence set the lamp on a table, kept the pistol in his hand, and followed.

  Sterling bent down, grabbed a large piece of plaster, far heavier than it looked, and moved it off the fallen intruder to uncover the man’s head. His eyes gazed unseeing and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Sir Lawrence bent down beside him to feel for a pulse, then looked up at Sterling. “He’s dead.”

  Sterling’s stomach twisted into a heavy knot. “I didn’t want to shoot him. I thought shooting over his head would stop him. I didn’t intend . . .”

  “That’s obvious.” Sir Lawrence stood and glanced up at the ruined ceiling. Nearly a third of it had fallen. “That will have to be repaired.”

  “What about him?” Sterling nodded toward the body, struggling to keep his tone level. “Is he one of your servants? Do you know him?”

  Sir Lawrence shook his head. “I’ve never seen him before. Probably a common thief.”

  “What are we to do?” Livy stood by the door where he had left her, her eyes wide with shock.

  “What is going on here?” Sterling’s mother appeared in the doorway. Her gaze slid around the room, from the man half-covered with debris on the floor, to the remains of the ceiling, to Livy, then to her son. “Good Lord, is everyone all right?”

  “He isn’t.” Sir Lawrence nodded at the dead man. “Lady Rathbourne and your son are damn lucky they weren’t felled by the ceiling as well.”

  “But what happened?” Mother’s eyes were wide.

  “An intruder, Mother.” Sterling started to run his hand through his hair then caught himself. “I heard her scream and rushed in here to find this man. I fired over his head but apparently hit the ceiling, which then collapsed.”

  Mother stared in shocked disbelief.

  “Millicent, take them down to the parlor,” Sir Lawrence said in a voice that did not allow for argument. “I believe your son and Lady Rathbourne too, from the looks of her, could use some brandy. She might want this as well.” He plucked Livy’s robe from the foot of her bed and tossed it at her. “I shall follow in a minute.”

  “Yes, of course.” Millicent helped Livy with her robe, then put her arm around the younger woman and steered her away from her room. She glanced over her shoulder at her son. “Are you coming?”

  Sterling looked at Sir Lawrence.

  “Nothing you can do here,” Sir Lawrence said. “And brandy is the best thing for you at the moment.”

  Sterling nodded and followed the ladies down the hall. His mother paused by his room. “You do realize you’re clothed in nothing but your nightshirt?”

  “There wasn’t time to dress,” he said in a sharper tone than intended, stepped into his room, and grabbed his dressing gown.

  He pulled it on and trailed after them to the parlor. A servant appeared almost at once with a decanter and glasses and set them on a table. It appeared the noise of the gunshot and the collapsing ceiling had roused most of the household. His mother waved the servant out of the room, then filled the glasses and handed them around. Livy sank down on a sofa in exhaustion, his mother followed suit. No one said a word. Silence hung in the room like an accusation. God help him, he’d killed a man. It scarcely mattered whether he had intended to do so or not. He had taken a life.

  “The authorities shall have to be informed at once,” Sterling said at last.

  “Leave that to me.” Sir Lawrence stepped into the room, crossed the floor to the decanter and poured his own glass, downing nearly half of it in one swallow. “I have awakened Mr. Cadwallender and apprised him of the situation. He should be down shortly.”

  “What’s going to happen now?” Livy said in a hollow voice. Bloody hell, she sounded as bad as he felt.

  “There will be repercussions, I imagine,” Sterling said slowly, wondering about the state of Egyptian prisons. “Even in Egypt, I suspect one can’t go around killing people without consequences.”

  “You didn’t kill him,” Sir Lawrence said firmly. “The ceiling did.”

  “But I shot—”

  “This was an accident. The ceiling was already in need of repair, damaged through the years by a leak in the roof. I’m not sure if the shot hit the ceiling or the reverberation alone caused the collapse. This was regrettable, yes, but this intruder was in the act of committing a crime. I shall take care of the authorities.” Sir Lawrence chose his words with care. “However, I think it would be in your best interest to leave Egypt at once.”

  Sterling narrowed his gaze. “I do not mean to sound unappreciative, but this death is my fault. I can’t possibly leave until this matter is resolved.”

  “I shall resolve it.” Sir Lawrence’s gaze pinned Sterling’s. “Believe me when I say it would be best for all concerned if your involvement goes unnoticed.”

  “Regardless, I cannot flee the country like a common criminal. I am to blame for a man’s death, and I cannot go on as if nothing has happened.” He looked at Livy. “Surely, you can understand that?”

  “What I understand,” she said slowly, “is that you came to my assistance. I called you, and you came.” Her gaze met his. “And now you need my help as well as Sir Lawrence’s.” She drew a deep breath and turned to the older man. “What about your servants?”

  “My staff is very loyal. They are as protective of this household as I am.” Sir Lawrence shook his head. “They will not cause any difficulty.”

  “Nonetheless,” Sterling began.

  “I am not without a certain amount of influence here. You are nothing more than a visitor, and whether you wish to acknowledge your part in this or not is of no significance. Ultimately, the man was killed by a falling ceiling. You did not shoot him; nor did you intend his death.” Sir Lawrence swirled the brandy in his glass. “Coming from me, the explanation of the circumstances surrounding this incident will not be questioned. If you remain here however . . .” He shrugged.

  “Then there is no choice.” Livy rose to her feet. “We must leave Egypt as quickly as possible.”

  “There is a morning train to Alexandria in a few hours,” Sir Lawrence said. “You should have no trouble booking passage on a ship, and I would advise taking the first ship scheduled to leave port. Regardless of where it’s going.”

  “Italy.” Josiah stood in the doorway. The young solicitor appeared calm and collected, as if he were frequently roused from his bed by tales of murder and flight. “We should travel to Italy. Venice to be exact. It’s where the next item stipulated in Lord Rathbourne’s will is to be found.” He look at Livy. “My apologies Lady—Olivia. I was instructed to present you with the note regarding the second item only after you had acquired the first. However, when I heard Sir Lawrence say we should take the first ship, and as I assume . . .”

  “Thank you, Josiah.” She cast the young man a grateful smile, then turned to Sir Lawrence. “In regard to the first item—”

  “The jar is yours,” Sir Lawrence said with a wave of his hand.

  “Lawrence.” Sterling’s mother beamed. “I knew you would give it to her.”

  “Well, I am getting a mummy,” he said under his breath.

  Mother stood. “Come now, Olivia, I shall help you pack your things. We must hurry if you are to make the train. Oh dear.” She winced. “It might be best to have a servant pack your things as your room is . . . well . . . occupied.”

  “I’ll instruct a servant to do so at once.” Sir Lawrence nodded.

  “And have them bring her traveling clothes to my room. Olivia, you can dress in there. And Sterling.” She looked at her son, a determined gleam in her eye. “I shall not be accompanying you. I intend to remain in Egypt for a few more days. I have no intention of leaving this country without visiting the pyramids, and I think I shoul
d like to see the ruins at Memphis as well. Besides, there is much yet to be seen here in Cairo.”

  Sterling studied his mother. “And what of propriety? Isn’t that why you insisted on accompanying us in the first place?”

  “I am confident you will behave in a manner expected of you.” Mother squared her shoulders. “As will I.”

  “I see.” Sterling’s gaze slid from his mother to Sir Lawrence. The older man and Sterling’s mother traded glances. The way he looked at her, as if she were a rare treasure, was at once irritating and reassuring. “Sir Lawrence?”

  “I would be delighted to have your mother’s company for as long as she desires to stay,” he said smoothly, as if he and Sterling hadn’t spoken of this very thing. And hadn’t discussed extending her visit with his mother as well. “And when she wishes to return to London, I shall be happy to accompany her.”

  “Then I have . . .” it was difficult to say the words, “no objections.”

  His mother arched a brow.

  “Sir.” Josiah directed his attention to Sterling. “We have only a few hours.”

  “Yes, of course,” he murmured. This was all happening entirely too quickly. As if he were caught in a rapid whirlpool, buffeted by currents, and could not break free. He was not used to doing anything without first giving it a great deal of consideration. Now, there was no time for thought. Sir Lawrence was probably right about the need for Sterling to leave Egypt without hesitation. Still, it did not sit well.

  “Go now and get your things together,” Mother said. “Olivia, I need to have a few words with Sir Lawrence. I shall join you in a moment.”

  Livy smiled weakly, and the three travelers headed back to their rooms. Sterling walked Livy to his mother’s door.

  “This is the right thing to do, you know,” she said softly.

  He shook his head. “Then why does it feel entirely wrong?”

  “Because you are a good and honorable man.”

  “Honorable?” He scoffed. “Wouldn’t an honorable man stay here and face the authorities?”

  “And say what, Sterling?” She laid a hand on his arm. “This man’s death was not your fault. If you stayed here, inevitably it would all become much more complicated than necessary. You are a foreigner, and your presence would only muddy the waters. We would be delayed here for who knows how long.” She stared into his eyes. “Sir Lawrence is not a fool. He would not advise us to leave if he did not think it was the appropriate action to take.”

  “Still . . .” He shook his head. “I have never been responsible for the taking of a life.”

  She paused for a long moment. “It has a certain biblical quality you know. Fleeing from Egypt.”

  “I suppose it does.” He forced a resigned smile. “Moses too fled after he killed a man.”

  “My apologies.” She winced. “I had forgotten that part.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “I shall never forget.”

  “Nor would I expect you to. But it could have been worse.” She cast him a weak smile.

  “I know.” He drew a weary breath. “You could have been injured, again. He could have hurt you. The ceiling could have killed you as well.”

  “Or you,” she said pointedly, “but that’s not what I was thinking.”

  “Oh?” Damnation, he was tired. “Then how could this have been worse?”

  She leaned close and brushed her lips lightly across his. “There could have been snakes.”

  Fifteen

  Frolic in a fountain and fly in a balloon.

  From the secret list of desires of Olivia Rathbourne

  Olivia drew a deep breath. She did so love traveling by sea and vowed to do it as much as possible as soon as she had the means to do so. There was something about standing on the deck of a ship, with the constant breeze and fresh air, that was somehow freeing. Indeed, this was freedom at its best. She leaned over the railing and watched the water flow past the ship. If one could spread one’s arms and fly, she suspected that the feeling would be very similar to this. And wouldn’t that be delightful?

  Sir Lawrence’s canopic jar was wrapped and carefully packed in her trunk. Only two objects were left to acquire, and she would receive her inheritance. And true freedom.

  Which should have put her in better spirits and would have if not for Sterling. He had been quiet and pensive and, well, brooding in the best manner of Heathcliff on the moors ever since they’d left Sir Lawrence’s house. It was most disturbing. Particularly as it seemed there was nothing she could do to help ease his mind.

  They had taken the morning train to Alexandria and managed to get passage on a ship bound for Italy thanks to Josiah. The young man was most efficient and thoroughly capable. He continued to earn Sterling’s respect and her friendship although she did wish he would stop staring at her like a love-struck puppy.

  They had all spent the first day of the voyage ensconced in their own cabins. It was shocking how exhausting fleeing could be. Yesterday, she and Josiah had spent much of the day on deck, enjoying the blue skies and bluer seas, speaking about nothing in particular. Fortunately, the young man did not bring up his feelings although even a blind man could see them. Sterling had failed to make any appearance at all, taking his meals alone in his cabin. She had toyed with the idea of confronting him directly but discarded it after due consideration. The man probably needed to be alone with his thoughts and his guilt, as absurd as she considered it.

  Today, however, was another matter. Her jaw tightened with resolve. Today, she would not allow Sterling to brood. She realized he saw what she thought of as the incident as his fault. But in truth, wasn’t it the intruder’s? Or even hers? If she hadn’t turned to him, if she hadn’t challenged him to come to Egypt in the first place . . . She blew a frustrated breath. Beyond all else, she shouldn’t have been so weak. Didn’t she pride herself on not needing anyone to save her? Still, the fear she’d felt when she’d awakened to find a stranger in the dark by her bed had been crippling, and only one thought had come to mind. Sterling. Sterling would rescue her. Perhaps she had forgiven him after all. Or perhaps she had changed enough to acknowledge her own weaknesses and needs and possibly even desires that were not on her list.

  She had slipped a note under his door a few hours ago requesting his presence and had asked Josiah to join them. It was past time to learn what the second item stipulated in the will was. In truth, she was surprised at her lack of curiosity. Josiah had been good enough to tell them where it was. What it was scarcely mattered. Still, if anything could draw Sterling out of his self-imposed prison, it was their quest. At least she hoped it was. Odd, she smiled to herself, when had it become their quest instead of hers?

  “Good day.” Sterling stepped up beside her.

  “Good day.” She studied him carefully. Tiny lines of tension marked the corners of his eyes, but his expression had eased. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was the Sterling who had arrogantly placed watchdogs in her household or the carefree traveler he had become on the way to Egypt or the tortured earl who had caused the death of another man. Or some new incarnation altogether. “Are you . . . well?”

  “The sea air agrees with me,” he said wryly, then drew a deep breath. “I am . . .” he thought for a moment, “realistic. Sir Lawrence was right. It would have done no good for us to linger in Cairo. As much as I regard what happened as my fault, when all is said and done, it was indeed an unfortunate accident. I did not intend for it to happen. Had I known the tentative nature of the ceiling and the possible consequences of my firing the pistol, I might have acted differently.” He shrugged. “Or not. My concern at that moment was not for him but for you. Should you be in danger again, my actions might very well be the same.”

  “Oh.” She stared at him, and her heart fluttered.

  “So yes, in answer to your question. I am fine.” He smiled. “And eager to find out what awaits us in Venice.”

  “I have always wanted to see Venice.”

  “I
s it on your list?” He had not mentioned her list before, and she’d thought he had forgotten about it.

  “Not specifically although much of what is listed involves travel,” she said, and changed the subject. “Have you been to Venice?”

  “For some reason, we did not travel to Venice when I was a boy. Rome and Florence, but not Venice. I hear it’s quite extraordinary. And I have come to a decision.”

  “Have you?” She raised a brow. “Dare I ask regarding what?”

  “I was not eager to spend any time in Egypt. Part of that was expediency and my hope that we could accomplish our purpose as quickly as possible and return to London.”

  “And, of course, your cautious attitude regarding Egyptian snakes.” She resisted the urge to grin.

  “Yes, well, there was that.” He cleared his throat. “Nonetheless, for all those reasons I had no interest in seeing those sights I might never have the chance to see again. I would imagine seeing the pyramids is on your list, so I must apologize for denying you that.”

  “It’s not necessary. And again, the pyramids are not specifically listed.” Although walk in the shadows of the gods certainly applied to the pyramids as well as the Parthenon and the Coliseum. “I did see them from a distance, and one day I shall return to Egypt.”

  “Nonetheless, it was foolish of me to not take advantage of the opportunity presented us.”

  “Is the Earl of Wyldewood admitting he might possibly have been wrong?”

  “Possibly.” He smiled. “I do not intend to make that mistake in Venice. I propose that regardless of what the item is we are to seek in Venice, we take the time to see all there is to see. No matter how long it may extend our visit. Carpe diem. From this moment forward, I intend to seize the day.”

  “Seize the day.” She stared in disbelief. “Who are you?”

  He chuckled but ignored the question. “Josiah is awaiting us in the forward lounge. Are you ready to learn what is next on this adventure of ours?”

  This adventure of ours? His words, even as casually said as they were, warmed her heart. The thought struck her that with him by her side, she could well meet the challenge laid down by her late husband. Indeed, she might be able to accomplish anything. Or rather, they could accomplish anything.