Onora’s aunt was chatting with the Misses Feathermount, while Mrs. Griffiths was listening to some story being told by Colonel Harris-Corbet. Her husband was in discussion with the Doctor and Herr Müller, while Monsieur Auvray was amusing his wife and Seton with some story Onora couldn’t make sense of, about a mutual acquaintance from Guatemala.
Madame Auvray made some comment that had the men chuckling, and Onora noticed one of those particular glances passing between the Frenchwoman and Seton: a glance that held for several beats.
Onora swiftly looked away.
There is nothing untoward. How can there be? If the two were…anything more to one another than they should be, they would hardly flaunt it before her husband. No man allows himself to be made a fool of.
Monsieur Auvray was very much in love with his wife, and she clearly basked in that attention. She was positively glowing tonight, looking more youthful than her years in the soft candlelight, sensuality in the curve of her lips and the curve of her figure.
Such women are made to be flirtatious. They simply hold a man’s stare, and he is under their spell. It does not mean they wish to act upon what might be.
Onora tipped back the goblet of brandy, glad to let it burn upon the lump in her throat. She was not yet in love with Seton—at least, not in the way she would like to be; and yet, if they were to be married, she wanted him to herself.
For him to be enchanted by looking upon me, and no other. Except that, perhaps he never shall love me like that, nor I him.
She felt very much alone again, though the conversation about her swelled.
What did she really want?
The security of a husband, as her father had envisioned for her, and the children who would surely come?
If so, then she could wish for no one more suitable than Seton.
To reside here, in Egypt, returning to the life she’d grown up with—digging into the mysterious past, being present when its secrets were unearthed?
Again, Seton was the answer to that wish.
Why, then, was she so fearful?
“Onora, dear, you must hear what Gardenia and Hyacinth have been telling me!” Aunt Clodagh proclaimed.
Pull yourself together! Now isn’t the time for soul-searching. Save that for when you’re truly alone, and the pillow can hide your anguish.
“Such a life they’ve had!” Clodagh clapped her hands excitedly. “The Feathermount ladies grew up in Calcutta with their father, who ran a hospital there. Hyacinth is adept at snake charming of all things, and Gardenia learntthe art of mesmerism, which they used to great effect, rendering patients oblivious to pain while undergoing surgical procedures. Can you believe it? All most astonishing! She had some fellow entirely under her will while they amputated his foot!”
“How…astonishing.” Onora was lost for words. “That could be useful if someone was boring you; stare into their eyes and convince them they want to be somewhere else.”
Gardenia’s eyebrows rose. “There’s rather more to it than that…”
Onora gave a nervous laugh. “I’m jesting. As if you would ever do such a thing. Mesmerism! I’d love to hear more. And about the charming of the serpents. Another skill that must come in useful whenever you…ahhh…meet a snake!”
Her aunt shot her a concerned look.
I must stop talking. If Clodagh thinks I’m babbling, I really have gone too far.
Onora reached for the brandy glass and was relieved to find someone had topped it up.
Quickly. Change the subject.
“What an unusual pendant!” Onora seized upon the first thing she could think of.
Leaning forward, she peered at the red stone about Miss Gardenia Feathermount’s neck. Set in gold, it hung from a black velvet ribbon. “Is that…is it a scarab?”
Miss Feathermount touched her fingers there. “What sharp eyes you have. A friend gifted it to me. Hyacinth has one too, though she wears hers as a brooch. It’s very prettily done.”
Looking at the red-hued stone, Onora reflected that it was similar to the one in her own possession: the one she’d tried many times to throw away. Yet even now it was with her, hidden at the bottom of her tray of watercolors.
Why had she brought it?
