Chapter7
Riding a Ship of the Desert
Two hours later, across the river in Giza
Despite having awakened early that morning so he could spend time in the nearby gold shop he had spotted on their way to theriad, Tom’s perusal of the jewelry had to be cut short when their party was ready to leave for their excursion to the pyramids.
Having pared his choices down to a gold ring with a lapis lazuli stone or a silver pendant with a ruby, he opted for the ring and paid the shopkeeper.He didn’t bother trying to haggle, which seemed to bother the shopkeeper.
It bothered David even more, but they had run out of time.“You have someone in mind for that?”he asked, motioning to the ring.
Tom shrugged.“Maybe,” he replied, knowing his lack of a definitive answer would drive his cousin to distraction.
In reality, the sight of someone he hadn’t seen since the Morganfield ball had him remembering what it had been like to kiss her.What it had been like to hold her in his arms.Of what it felt like every time he saw her in his mind’s eye.
Lady Helen Tennison was in Cairo.Staying at the sameriadas they were.And when he had spotted her the night before, she looked as glorious as he remembered her.With any luck, they might find a private garden in which they could reenact their kiss.
He tucked the ring into his waistcoat pocket and joined his aunt and uncle for the trip to the edge of the desert.
From his precarious perch atop a camel, Tom now watched his younger cousin as David seemed to be engaged in a staring match with the beast to which the cameleer had assigned him.
His knees tucked beneath his bulky body in the reddish sand, the camel gazed at David, its long-lashed eyes wide and—dare Tom hope?—full of mischief.
When David leaned to the left, the camel’s neck waved to his right, mirroring David’s movement.When he leaned to the right, the camel followed suit.
“If you’re trying to hypnotize him, it’s not going to work,” Tom called down to his cousin.“Besides, you don’t want him half-asleep or he’ll dump you on your bum.”
David gave him a quelling glance.Only the day before, their dragoman had explained the concept of hypnotism, saying the unfamiliar word as a means to explain the concept of ‘temple sleep’ employed by the ancient Egyptians.The practice involved traveling to a temple to sleep in a darkened chamber and then await a dream that would reveal a curefor whatever ailed them.
“I’m merely introducing myself,” David replied, moving to the side of the camel.Gripping the T-shaped handle, he threw one leg over the strange saddle, and when the cameleer motioned for him to lie back, he did so.
He had already paid witness to the others having the done the same as a means to stay on their camels, for when the beast’s back legs unfolded, its back end rose while the front remained on the ground.Then there was that moment of sudden adjustment before the front legs unfolded and the camel was finally on all fours—and not always happy about having a rider.
At least Aunt Barbara had been able to mount hers without incident, the sidesaddle an odd contraption that provided two seats instead of only one.Once her beast was on fours, she was able to arrange her skirts over the other seat.
Although Diana had opted to wear breeches and boots, she was happy to accept a camel with a sidesaddle.She grinned in delight as she watched her husband fuss over her mount.“Don’t delay the inevitable, darling,” she warned, nodding to where the cameleer held the reins of his mount.
Randy sighed.“You’re sure you’re all right?”
“I am fine,” she replied, tightening the straps of her straw hat beneath her chin lest the slight breeze send it flying.
“I’m a bit jealous you’re riding him.”
She inhaled softly, her grin replaced with an expression of surprise.“If it’s any consolation, I’m not taking him to bed,” she whispered.“Besides, there’s only one stud I have any intention of riding, and I as I recall, he bucked me off this morning.”Her eyebrow arched in a tease, and Randy knew his face reddened with embarrassment.
“If it’s any consolation, I rather enjoyed the ride,” he countered.“But then I always do.”
She lifted a hand to her lips, pretended to kiss her palm, and blew it in his direction.
He pretended the kiss had been real but said, “When you go into the pyramid, could you let David go ahead of you?”
She furrowed her brows.“Why?”
“Because if he’s behind you, I fear he’ll grow to appreciate a particularly shapely bum.”
Diana tittered.“Oh, all right.He can lead,” she agreed.“But I’m giving him the directions.”
Randy nodded his appreciation.
