“There have been many changes the past few years,” I replied. “We have more electric throughout the city as well as telephone service in most districts. Many of the older tenement buildings have been removed, with new ones planned for improved housing.”
I thought of the tenement in Aldgate and what we had found there.
“The city is actively working with various charitable organizations to assist the poor,” I continued. “It is said that very soon the underground rail system will be complete, with discussion about rail service under the channel connecting to France.
“There are advances in medical research as well,” I added, thinking once more of Dr. Bennett and the procedures that had driven him to that tenement in Aldgate for some purpose.
“The workings of your mind were always most fascinating,” he commented. “I remember that you particularly had a great compassion for the downtrodden. Most unusual, and not at all what someone might expect of someone… of title and wealth. However, things are never quite what they seem, are they?”
That seemed an odd thing to say, I thought as we traversed back across the “Nile,” and I looked over the edge once more. I was grateful that my aunt hadn’t acquired a creature to wander about, although I wouldn’t have put it past her.
Templeton’s iguana came to mind. Most certainly not the sort of creature that might be found in Egypt. Still, he would have made quite an interesting addition.
“Looking for something?” Sir James inquired. “Crocodiles perhaps?”
“No, bodies,” I replied, thinking of that shared experience.
“A body?” he replied, almost as if he didn’t remember it.
“I told my aunt about our adventure on the Nile.”
“Yes…” he replied. “I had forgotten that sordid experience. A long time ago.”
It had been quite unnerving for our fellow travelers. I then heard my name very nearby as we left the “Nile” and my sister approached along with Mr. Warren and Lily.
Linnie was thoroughly charmed by Sir James as she had heard most of my stories of my adventures or read about them in my novels.
“I have never traveled beyond France, but Mikaela most certainly has. Is it really as dangerous as everyone says that it is?”
“It can be…” he replied, then Mr. Warren joined the conversation. Perhaps interested in acquiring a distinguished author for his publishing company?
I left them to their questions about Sir James’ travels, less interested than I thought I might be. There was something different from the man I had met and traveled with all those years before.
Of course, I was considerably younger then and everything seemed to have a sort of romantic aura about it— Egypt, the River Nile, and camping out in a tent in the desert.
I caught a glance from that striking blue gaze, a slight frown on Lily’s face.
“He’s right full of himself,” she commented. “He’s the sort the ladies at the ‘Church’ entertained. Thinks himself above others. Not at all like Mr. Brodie.”
Quite observant of her.
“Have ye seen a lot of those places they talked about?” she asked, looking quite the young lady in a dress my sister had obviously selected for her.
“Several,” I replied. There was of course, that other travel to the Isle of Crete… that quite ironically had included Brodie.
I suggested that we proceed to the dining room where supper had just been announced.
“Will there be strange things there?” Lily asked. “I heard one of the servants talk about unusual food.”
Quite possibly I thought, considering my aunt’s penchant for authentic details.
“There might be a goat’s head, perhaps eel, roast poultry, lamb kofta meatballs served with sauce,” I explained.
“A goat’s head?” Lily replied with a frown. “But there’s chicken? And maybe lamb?”
“Perhaps.”
The expression on her face was adorable considering where she had lived previously— people with a penchant for goat’s bellies. The frown was still there as she pulled me aside.
