Oh, my, I thought, as we reached the main hallway that led to the ballroom that had also been transformed.
It was possible that my aunt had outdone herself. Give her an occasion and that free spirit was capable of almost anything.
Tonight she had managed to recreate her version of Egypt, no doubt in honor of Sir James’ travels. Or at least her version of that fascinating and ancient country where I had also traveled.
A panorama of the Valley of the Kings, recreated on screens, filled one wall of the ballroom complete with palm trees, acaravan of travelers making their way across the desert, and several Bedouin on a distant hillside waiting.
I was surprised that my aunt hadn’t arranged for Cleopatra to make an appearance.
“Oh my,” I commented as we made our way across the room to “Egypt.” It was very much like the scenes recreated in museums and looked extremely familiar.
“What is it?” Brodie asked.
“It appears that my aunt has appropriated the background screens from the London Museum.”
We crossed the “Nile” on what was in fact a stream of water redirected from a fountain in the garden room with a footbridge that had been constructed in the shape of one of the boats that could be found on that river, complete with a full-sized sail.
I peered over the“railing”as we crossed the bridge.
“What are ye looking for?” Brodie asked.
In consideration of my own personal experience on the River Nile, it was more a reflexive gesture— searching for crocodiles or the occasional body floating about.
I was relieved to see that my aunt hadn’t appropriated one— crocodile that is, not a human body. Though, nothing would have surprised me.
“No bodies this evening,” I replied.
“From yer adventures?” he took my hand and slipped my arm through his.
“An exciting few weeks, where I learned to expect almost anything,” I explained.
“With Sir Redstone, I presume.”
Now what was that about, I wondered?
My aunt was presently deep in conversation with a personal acquaintance— one of her ladies that she played cards with, and Sir James.
“Mikaela dear, and Brodie! Do come and greet our guest of honor,” she called out.
Then, “Good heavens, Brodie,” my aunt commented. “What have you done to yourself?”
I had attempted to persuade him to apply some of my face powder, however…
“A minor incident,” he replied with a shake of his head. “Nothing more.”
“You must take care, Brodie,” she said quite affectionately. “Who else is there to retrieve Mikaela from her latest adventure?”
There were moments with my aunt. I turned to Sir James.
He was as I remembered him from our recent re-acquaintance, though somewhat older as I had observed that particular evening at the theater. However, still distinguished looking as I politely greeted him.
“My dear, Mikaela. It is good to see you once more. Lady Montgomery has been so kind to host this soiree this evening. And, Mr. Brodie,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
Brodie merely nodded in that way of his. He was not one to draw attention to himself and preferred it that way.
“Yes, something about private inquiries that you make on behalf of clients, I seem to remember,” Sir James commented. “Most interesting.”
I was surprised that he even remembered. Or did he mean something else with the comment?
