He added, “We were so young.”
Lisbeth nodded, gratefulness reflecting in her eyes. “Thank you, Thomas. There are many things I wish I could have done differently. I’m sorry for any pain I caused you.”
While Thomas appreciated her apology, what he really wanted was to know why. Yet, she didn’t provide any details on why she broke their betrothal and returned to England. Hedidn’t push her. Maybe the past was best forgotten. Attempting to lighten the conversation, he said, “I can’t be too upset. I’m a famous explorer. Not once did I ever predict that.”
Her mouth tilted up in a smirk. “Apparently, with several admirers. Do you read all the letters?”
He shrugged. “There is a good deal of downtime at the excavation sites. Sometimes, I will respond if they leave their address. A few of the letters are a bit unhinged. I’ve had more than a few proposals.”
She giggled. “You truly embody what every London lady envisions when they think of a dashing explorer.”
Her eyes flicked over him, and Thomas’s body became alert. They’d both changed so much. “I’m not the slender, bookish man you once knew.”
“No, you aren’t,” she said quietly, a blush tinging her cheeks.
“Thomas,” Rafe called from up front.
He grinned and said, “I’d best go see what he wants.”
“Thank you for your reassurance that you don’t hold any resentment towards me,” she replied. “I don’t think we need to rehash the past any further but know that there was nothing ever wrong with the bookish boy you once were. My choice wasn’t about you or us.”
Thomas could tell by the tone of her words that she wouldn’t share more, and he didn’t push it. What was the point? Peace and forgiveness between them would need to be enough. He nodded and joined his friend.
Chapter Four
Lisbeth watched asThomas joked with a man in perfect Arabic. They’d just arrived in the small village of Al-Wa?a. Mr. Abbas was speaking with the village elders in one of the houses with a courtyard, hoping to obtain their support in finding the tablets. From what Lisbeth saw, she suspected it wouldn’t be a problem. Thomas seemed to know everyone well.
Rafe explained, “Thomas has been working with them for the last few months, exploring various caves, but having Abbas here will put them at ease even more. The elders of Al-Wa?a highly respect his mother’s village.”
Rose nodded. “Good. My club can’t wait to have the tablets, but I want to make sure we are working in a way that is respectful to the area and those who live here.”
“This time of year, there is a good deal of flooding. They can assist us in understanding when rain will be a problem and escape options if the caves and tunnels flood.”
She shivered, remembering that while this was all exciting, there was a danger to it. Rafe smiled. “Thomas will not let any harm come to you.”
“Thank you for the reassurance. I must admit I’d assumed my adventuring days were far behind me.”
Rafe explained, “The serials’ author likes to write Thomas as this cavalier explorer, but he is quite deliberate and thoughtfulabout how he handles excavations. He respects the artifacts too much to do it any other way.”
She smiled. “So deep down, he is still Serious Thomas?”
He raised a brow. “Is that what you call him?”
“I was always jumping into things when we were children, and he made sure we were considering the repercussions, so I bestowed that nickname on him.”
Amusement filled Rafe’s face. “Serious Thomas is still in there. He is no saint, but when it matters, he comes out.”
She laughed, and Thomas glanced their way, frowning. They both grinned at him. Rafe said, “Excuse me.”
Lisbeth nodded and watched Rafe join the conversation. She tried to make sense of what they were saying, but it had been too long. Thomas had always been better with languages. Her mind drifted back to when they’d been in Syria for almost a year.
*
“You have tolearn. It is disrespectful not to try,” Thomas insisted as they sat on the pallet in his tent in the middle of the night.
Annoyance flashed in Lisbeth. “I’m trying. I’m sorry I’m rot at languages, unlike you and Rose. Perhaps the two of you can become dear friends.”
“Rose is my friend, and she is yours,” he insisted.
