She let her breath out slowly. She couldn’t believe she was finally here, after all this time and so many restless dreams. And it was even better than she’d imagined. Everything was so exotic. She wanted to see it all at once.
She turned to meet Max’s gaze. “When can we go out to see the city?”
He laughed. “Now, if you want.”
Mrs. Carlisle drew in a sharp breath, obviously not fond of the idea. “Oh, I was hoping to rest for a while...”
Eden smiled, wondering again why Genevieve had insisted she bring her. She obviously had no interest in seeing all thatEgypt had to offer. “You don’t have to go out with us. Stay here and rest. I’ll be fine.”
“But your reputation...” Mrs. Carlisle said, but her protest was weak.
“I don’t give a fig about my reputation,” Eden said gaily. “I’m a widow of four and thirty. If I want to go out and see the city, there’s no reason I shouldn’t. If we’re not back by the time you get hungry, go ahead and order yourself some room service.”
After they left the hotel, Max guided them through the city with ease. The Khan el-Khalili bazaar drew them in, a serpentine maze where merchants hawked everything from handwoven rugs to gilded trinkets.
Eden was in her element now, moving from stall to stall with the exuberance of someone starved for discovery. Her initial restraint had vanished, and she spoke to the vendors with a mix of curiosity and determination, switching languages with fluid grace.
“And how much for this?” she asked a stooped man selling copper lamps, her tone both polite and insistent.
“For a lady of such taste, only ten piastres.” The merchant grinned, his eyes lingering on the necklace at her throat.
Max stayed close, silently guarding her. He knew the city’s dangers as well as its delights and kept an eye on those who watched Eden a bit too closely. Her fine linen traveling gown, though plain by her standards, marked her as a foreigner of means. He could see how she drew attention, a flame attracting moths in the form of pickpockets and petty thieves. He was going to have to insist that she dress differently from now on, though he wasn’t certain what to do about that flame-red hair. It made her stand out no matter where she went, but especially here, where redheads were few and far between.
“Careful,” he murmured, leaning in as they passed through a particularly narrow street. “The scent of your wealth’s in the air, and the jackals are circling.”
She dismissed his concern with a wave. “Nonsense. Everyone’s been perfectly courteous.”
But Max’s instincts were seldom wrong. As they paused to admire a set of delicate carvings, he saw the figure lurking at the edge of his vision—a boy, quick and wiry, his eyes fixed on the flash of gold around Eden’s neck. Before Max could react, the thief made his move, darting forward and reaching for the clasp.
Eden’s gasp cut through the din. “Thief!” she cried, her voice heavy with shock, as he tore off with her necklace in his grubby little hand.
Max sprang into action, his soldier’s reflexes swift and unerring. He intercepted the boy in two strides, grasping him firmly by the arm. The youth struggled, eyes wide with panic. With a final, futile wriggle, the boy surrendered the necklace. Max released him, and he fled into the crowd.
Breathing hard, Eden stood frozen, her eyes locked on Max. He returned the necklace, letting his hand linger for the briefest moment on hers before she took it.
“Still think everyone’s courteous?” he quipped, the hint of a challenge in his voice.
“I stand corrected,” she replied, her cheeks flushed with obvious embarrassment for her earlier bravado. “But you saved the day. I am so glad to have you with me, Max.”
He was unaccustomed to such praise, and her admiration felt like an unexpected balm. There had been a time when he had wanted nothing more than to be her hero. They exchanged a look, weighted with shared memories and unspoken words, until Eden broke the tension with a laugh.
“What a tale I’ll have to tell of my first night in Cairo!” she exclaimed, slipping the necklace into her reticule, which heapproved of, although who knew how many people had seen her do it.
They moved on, Max more vigilant than ever, while Eden seemed buoyed by the excitement. Their camaraderie felt as easy as it had in those distant days, before life scattered them on separate paths.
As evening approached, the city took on a golden hue, the relentless sun finally easing its grip. He led her to a small outdoor café tucked beneath a faded canvas awning, away from the worst of the crowds, where the aroma of spices and roasting meat mingled with the sweet scent of hookah smoke.
Eden’s laughter was still tinged with exhilaration as she recounted their adventure. “I can scarcely believe we’re really here, in this magnificent place. Today was... unforgettable.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Max replied. He wanted nothing more than to focus on the lovely woman across the table, but his senses were still attuned to all the possible dangers lurking in the darkness. He’d made certain she took the chair farthest from the street, with her back against the side of the building, but that left him with his own back to the danger, a position that he’d have preferred to avoid.
“Thank you,” she said, her gaze locking earnestly with his. “Not just for today, but for all of it. There’s no one I’d rather share this with.”
“You’re welcome,” he said roughly. He wanted to tell her that he felt the same, but he couldn’t risk the pain of another withdrawal.
“Are you quite certain this is... hygienic, Max?” Eden asked, her tone light, but her eyes, wide and curious, darted around the bustling cafe. She looked like a bird of paradise dropped into a marketplace, her crisp linen suit a beacon of European order amidst the kaleidoscope of local life.
He chuckled. “More hygienic than some of the army provisions I’ve endured, I assure you. And far more flavorful.”
