The global event nicknamed the Great Exhibition promised to be the first of its kind, bringing unique goods, innovations, and items from all over the world for tourists to peruse. The most sought-after architects were building a massive building in Hyde Park to house the event. It was to be known as the Crystal Palace.
Artifacts and historical innovations were only a small part of the exhibits. Still, the Historical Society for Female Curators was determined to be part of the event. To do that, the club needed the tablets containing the epic’s ending. Lisbeth pushed away the unease of having to engage with Thomas and asked, “Do you know where we can find Mr. Easton?”
Dawoud nodded. “If you follow the road and pass through two intersections, you will find a small café. He is likely there. I think he is planning to head to another excavation site farther south tomorrow.”
Lisbeth ignored the nerves sizzling in her stomach and smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Dawoud.”
She glanced at Abbas and Benson. “Shall we?”
They both frowned at her. Abbas suggested, “Perhaps you should wait here.”
Annoyance flared in her. “Mr. Abbas, I’m not the first English woman to venture to Latakia. I have spent time here previously.
Both Abbas’s and Benson’s eyes widened. Mr. Dawoud nodded. “She is safe here. I will escort you all. Follow me”
She departed after him, walking past them and exiting the space. The street was even busier than when they entered the small building owned by Mr. Dawoud. More street vendors had started to fill empty spaces, and locals shopped and socialized. It had been smart to forgo her usual elaborate dresses for practical skirts and blouses. Beyond being sensible, it was bloody hot.
She weaved her way through the crowds with Abbas and Benson scrambling behind her as they followed Dawoud. Memories came flooding back. A man selling dates transported her to a time with Thomas when she was eighteen and he was nineteen—so long ago.
*
“Don’t eat that,Lizzie,” Thomas insisted.
Lisbeth grinned mischievously at him. “You are no fun. We are on an adventure. One that is going well, I might add. We found the famed explorer, Benjamin Calvert, and he is allowing us to work with him and his daughter. We need to try everything.”
She bit into the date and closed her eyes, enjoying the sweetness. Lisbeth had expected it to be tart, but it wasn’t. Opening her eyes, she found her dearest friend Thomas staring at her lips, transfixed. A moment of something passed between them. She cleared her throat. “Here, try this, Serious Thomas.”
He yanked his gaze away from her mouth and glared at her. Thomas hated the nickname she gave him. She laughed and pressed the date to his lips. His eyes widened as he bit into it. When he was done, Thomas said, “It’s sweet.”
*
A hand grabbedLisbeth’s arms, yanking her out of the decade-old memory. A cart came lumbering by close enough that Lisbeth could touch it. Benson frowned at her. “Be careful, Your Grace.”
She glanced around and said, “I think you should call me Lisbeth or Mrs. Lusby.”
Abbas nodded. “That is a good idea.”
Mr. Dawoud stood farther down the street, motioning to them. They finally reached the small café, and Lisbeth heard laughter inside, which she suspected was coming from Thomas. How did she know his voice after so many years?
Dawoud said, “Stay here, and I will ask him to join us.”
Lisbeth nodded and stood to the side with Benson, her heart pounding.
*
Thomas Easton smackedhis close friend Desmond Keaton on his back as they broke into laughter. Keaton smirked. “I thought for sure we were goners. Luckily, Rafe found us.”
Their Syrian friend, Tarek Al-Rafiq, or as they knew him, Rafe, grunted. “You fools are lucky I found you out in the desert. I sent you a letter to wait for me.”
Keaton sighed. “Hawley said it was of great importance.”
Thomas snorted. Delivering antiquities across the desert wasn’t worth their lives. “I think Hawley is confused about what matters. I care about artifacts as well, but if Rafe hadn’t shown up, we would have died from lack of water.”
The table fell quiet, but finally, Rafe grinned. “Luckily, I happen to like you two Englishmen. I can’t say that about all those that come here.”
They all smirked. Keaton looked at Thomas. “What is next? Do you know when Rose and Benjamin will return? I can’tbelieve she is a duchess. I would never have predicted that for her.”
Thomas elbowed Keaton in the stomach. His friend grunted. He wouldn’t let anyone speak poorly of Rose. He was happy for her. Though he suspected he wouldn’t see her in Syria as often as before. Still, the duke was likely her perfect match. He seemed to have no interest in stymying her scholarly pursuits.
