“Good night, Mr. Harrison.”
Edmund closed the door, drained beyond reason. His very bones ached with fatigue as he bypassed the study and wentstraight to the sitting room, hoping to spy Ami. It was hard to pull her from her work, harder still to have to tell her of Harrison’s increased interest in the relics, and yet he must. Judging by the way she’d stomped out of his study that morning, she wouldn’t like it.
Sure enough, she sat across the room, eyeing him from the sofa. “Mrs. Buckner said you wished to speak with me.”
“I do.” But first he detoured to the drink cart and poured them each a glass of water, omitting the lemon in hers. After handing her the refreshment, he sat next to her, thoroughly spent. “It’s been a long day.” He took a drink and side-eyed her. “How are you faring?”
“Better than you, I think.” She set her glass on the tea table without so much as a sip. “You didn’t sleep this afternoon, did you?”
Perceptive little sprite. He chugged the rest of his water and placed his glass next to hers. “I can neither confirm nor deny that.”
“Just as I suspected.” She reached for his hand, her touch gentle, her skin warm. “You’ve been through a lot.”
His gaze fixed on her small hand holding his. There was nothing sensual about the act. Just one friend seeking to comfort another. And yet it did strange things to his heart.
She squeezed his fingers. “I’m sorry I walked out in such a huff this morning.”
“Yes, well, you might do so again.”
“Why?” She pulled her hand away.
“I just saw Mr. Harrison to the door. He’s chomping at the bit for those antiquities. In fact, he’s doubled his offer. I told you Gil was a good businessman. So after all this, I’m afraid once you’ve finished cataloguing the relics, I’ll have no reason not to sell the lot to Mr. Harrison.”
She deflated against the cushion. “I suppose that is good for Sanjay and his family.”
He studied her. It wasn’t like her to give up so easily. “Indeed.”
“But what if”—she faced him, a mysterious glint in her eyes—“just imagine for a moment that there was a way to provide your friend the money he needs while at the same time get your cargo into the hands of the Egyptian people. Would you entertain such an offer if it could be arranged?”
“There is no other offer, though I suppose were one to present itself as you’ve described, we would both be satisfied, hmm?” Despite his exhaustion, he couldn’t help but smile at her girlish enthusiasm. “Though I must say with you here, now, I cannot imagine feeling any more content.”
A deep sigh expanded her chest. “Me too. And who knows? Perhaps just such an offer may come along. Miracles still happen, you know.”
“Of course they do. You’re here with me, after all.” He snagged the curl she’d tucked away and freed it to run wild, relishing the silky feel of her hair against his skin. “As you’ll note, Miss Woolsey fled at the slightest hint of danger, and yet here you are, despite accidents, illness, and all manner of unexplained phenomena.”
“I couldn’t very well leave you to fend for yourself.” She smirked. “What do you know of amulets and scarabs?”
The arch of her brow, the pink in her cheeks ... he could gaze at this woman forever and never tire of the sight. “What I know is that you are a very special lady.”
Her lips parted, yet no words came out. None needed to. He didn’t want flattery or platitudes. The genuine admiration in her eyes was enough.Shewas enough, eccentricities and all.
Somewhere in the distance a bell rang.
“Edmund?” Her name on his lips never ceased to thrill him.
“Hmm?” he murmured.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?”
“Answer what?”
Half a smile quirked her lips. “The door. Barnaby isn’t back on duty yet, and Mrs. Buckner is still short-staffed.”
The bell rang again, breaking the enchantment that’d so thoroughly gripped him.
“Oh, em ... yes.” He pointed a finger at her. “But don’t go anywhere. I’m hoping we can pick up where we’ve left off.”
Still tired yet also surprisingly refreshed, he strode to the front door.
