He strolled away, the monkey climbing to the top of his head like an oversized hat, its tiny black fingers clutching his hair.
Edmund chuckled. “I suspect your father will be occupied for the duration of this voyage.”
“Between that furry friend and his obsessive cargo checking, I believe you are correct.” With a light touch, she turned his face to hers, the sun bathing his skin in a golden glow. “I have no doubt he’ll keep a keen eye on the griffin in particular, but are you certain you don’t mind parting with it? As I recall, that statue was important to you because of your family’s heritage.”
“You’re right.” A soft smile graced his lips. “But my view of heritage has changed. I no longer feel compelled to hold on to the need to make my father proud, at least not my earthly father. Serving God is the legacy—the heritage—I wish to leave behind. I don’t need a notorious little statue to accomplish that.” Gently, he brushed an errant strand of hair that’d blown across her brow. “The griffin was a symbol of my past, but you, my love, are my present and future.”
Love flared in her chest, warming her more thoroughly than the Mediterranean afternoon. What a treasure this man was. “Have I told you, husband, how grateful I am that you’re selling not only the griffin but the rest of your artifacts to the Cairo Museum?”
“Yes, about that. I think you should know I didn’t actually sell it to the Cairo Museum.”
Her belly clenched. Oh dear. How had the deal gone bad? “But it’s already on board the ship. Please don’t tell me Mr. Harrison was so insistent that you’re sending it back to England?”
“Nothing of the sort.” He chuckled. “My, but your mind shoots off at odd angles.”
She frowned. “It is my job to think outside of the box, or I’d not be a very good archaeologist.”
“You are a stellar archaeologist. The most beautiful one I know. But what I meant to say, my love...” He entwined his fingers with hers, lifting her hand to kiss the back of it. “Is that I’m donating the lot to the Cairo Museum as a wedding gift to you.”
She gasped. “But what about Gil’s half of the proceeds?”
“I bought him out.” He winked.
“Oh, Edmund!” She squeezed his hand. He was wrong. Entirely wrong. Such an act was more than a gift; it was a testament to the love that bound his heart to hers. “Thank you, a thousand times over. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“You sound like Sanjay.” His lips twisted into a smirk. “I’ve lost count of his notes of appreciation for the business contract and money I wired him.”
“Which will hold him over quite nicely.” Reaching, she straightened his windblown collar, a frown suddenly wrinkling her brow. “But what if your lawsuit isn’t successful? Others like him will crumble under that new tariff.”
“Not to worry, wife.” He captured her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “I have no doubt the crack legal team Gil and I have woven together will be victorious. The mighty men of Parliament cannot stand against an edict signed by Her Majesty the Queen even if it was over thirty years ago. No judge in his right mind will go against a royal decree. If only I’d known of it sooner, I wouldn’t have bothered with Lord Bastion.”
She inhaled deeply, savoring the salty tang of the warm air and the hint of curry that somehow always accompanied this man she loved. Although she’d told others God would make a way when things turned blurry, it was astounding to see how He had done so for her—and for Edmund. “How Mr. Fletcher found that old Indo-British Trade Accord still amazes me,” she murmured.
“He truly is a good business partner, as I’ve told you time and again.”
“Well, it was kind of you to remain loyal even when his brother was impersonating him. In fact, husband, I’d say you are the kindest man I know.”
“And you, my love”—his tone was a caress that tingled to her toes—“are the most intelligent, beautiful, and capable woman I’ve ever met, so I’d say we’re quite a pair, hmm?”
She grinned. “As unique as the artifacts we shall discover together.”
“And after this dig, what then?” Edmund’s blue eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
Guiding his arm to her waist, she turned once again toward the water and leaned against the solid beam of her husband. “There’s a whole world of possibility out there, my love. A whole wide world.”
