BREAKFAST CAN BE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
The following morning
Making her way down the second floor corridor from her bedchamber, Adeline slowed her steps when she sensed someone was nearby.
The feeling was the same as the night before, when she had discovered Ertugrul admiring the statue that stood near the top of the stairs.
Pretending preoccupation, she settled her gaze on the Aubusson carpet runner before her and continued her slow pace. As she expected, Ertugrul was standing before the statue, his attention on one of Aphrodite’s arms.
“Good morning,” she said as she stutter-stepped to a halt. She dipped a quick curtsy.
Looking as if he’d been caught stealing a biscuit in the kitchens, Ertugrul bowed. “Good morning,” he replied. When he straightened, his eyes darted to the statue. “You have caught me admiring this lovely lady again,” he said. “I have seen a few versions of her, but never this one.”
“You can hardly be blamed,” Adeline remarked. “She’s a goddess. Apparently perfect in her female form,” she added as she gave the marble a cursory glance. “Otherwise, why would so many sculptors use their skills to depict her in such seductive poses?”
Ertugrul blinked, unsure of how to answer.
“It was a rhetorical question. Were you on your way down to breakfast?” Adeline asked.
An unmistakeable look of relief crossed Ertugrul’s face. “Uh, yes. I feared I might be going down too early, though,” he said.
“Not at all. I’m sure David is already down there.” She sniffed the air, detecting the faintest hint of fried bacon. A momentary reminder that Muslims didn’t eat pork had her once again hoping there might be other options available on the breakfast buffet.
“Will you still be joining me for my visit to the British Museum today?” he asked as he turned toward the stairs. He offered his arm, and Adeline gave him a grin as she placed her arm on his. “That is, if you’re not too concerned with the wild horses?”
Adeline furrowed a brow. “Wild horses?” she repeated.
Ertugrul blinked. “Uh, perhaps I misheard your father? He said wild horses couldn’t keep you away from the museum. I assumed that meant we might encounter some on our journey there?”
Lifting a hand to her cover her mouth, Adeline struggled not to laugh at the sultan’s son. “It’s... it’s merely an expression one uses to indicate they cannot be deterred from doing something they wish to do,” she explained. “So, yes, I still intend to join you today. That is... if you don’t mind?”
“I do not, of course. I should like a guide, as I’ve not been there for many years,” he explained. “Is it true the exhibits have doubled in number?”
They started their descent down the stairs as Adeline tittered. “More than that. Besides the one floor of an entire wing that is devoted to the King’s collection—the one I mentioned isn’t usually open to the public—there are exhibits in the new wing.”
Ertugrul frowned. “Will we be allowed to see the King’s collection?” he asked.
Adeline gave him a grin. “Fear not. One of the employees is a friend, and if he is there, we shall be allowed in.”
The comment had his brows furrowing even more. “Employee?”
Adeline inhaled softly. “Oh, Mr. Wellingham is a... a curator, I believe is the word? He is in charge of cataloging the Ancient Greek artifacts when they arrive at the museum.”
“Wellingham?” Ertugrul repeated, obviously recognizing the name. “Did he attend Cambridge, by chance?”
“Indeed he did. His given name is Gabriel. He actually answers to Gabe.” Adeline’s eyes rounded. “Were you classmates?”
Ertugrul shook his head. “The name is familiar, but I cannot be sure.”
“He is the son of the Earl of Trenton,” Adeline said, thinking that might help with recollection. “Although he is not the heir.” For a moment, she had a thought that in the Ottoman Empire, Gabe very well could have been the heir, even though he was illegitimate. If the sons of a sultan were born to concubines, then they were all illegitimate.
“I look forward to meeting him,” Ertugrul said as he paused on the threshold of the breakfast parlor. George was already seated with a full breakfast before him, his attention on that morning’s edition ofThe Times. David was at the sideboard loading a plate with coddled eggs.
“Ah, you found us,” George remarked as he glanced up and lowered the paper.
“I had the benefit of a guide,” Ertugrul replied as he nodded. “I thank you for arranging her services for my outing to the museum today.”
“Adeline will not steer you wrong,” George said. “The town coach should be pulling up to the curb at any moment,” he added.
