Chapter16
An Excursion to Saqqara
The following day, a port close to Saqqara
Distant shouts, the neighs of a donkey, and the slight bump of thedhahabîyehagainst a dock had Diana bounding out of bed and into a pair of breeches and a long-sleeved shirt.She was already pulling on a pair of stockings followed by her boots when Randy lifted himself onto an elbow and stared at her.
“What’s happened?”he asked in alarm.
“We’ve docked, which means we’re at Memphis,” she said with excitement.“We’re about to see some of the oldest man-made structures on this entire planet,” she added happily.
“Oh,” he replied, rising from the bed.“I quite forgot.”
She gasped.“How could you?”
He chuckled softly.“Probably because I spent the night in the same bed with you,” he teased.“Rather more comfortable than our most recent accommodations I might add.”
Indeed, theDendera, a rather new vessel, was far more luxurious than any other ship upon which they had sailed.The polished hardwood interior included a posh parlor and eight well-appointed cabins.The crew cabins and galley were below the main deck.A set of stairs led up to the top of the ship, where a covered dining area with seating for twelve and chairs for lounging were located.The crew were usually found in the open area at the very front of the ship.At the very back of the ship, where a last set of cabins were usually located on a typicaldhahabîyeh,the deck was open but surrounded by a waist-high railing.A metal table and four chairs were the only furnishings, other than a rickety stool that was positioned next to the control for the rudder.
“You fell asleep on top of me again,” Diana said.“But I’m happy to hear I’m more comfortable for you than the mattress at thatriad.”
He chuckled.“I’m sorry about that.”
“I’m not.It was rather chilly last night, so I appreciated your warmth.”She rose from the bed and kissed him on the cheek.“I’m surprised your bum didn’t grow cold though.”
“If it was, I didn’t notice,” he murmured.
She grinned.“I’m going out to see if a dragoman has been hired yet.”
Before Randy could respond, she took her leave of their small cabin and made her way through the thin corridor toward the front of the ship.Three of the four men who made up the crew were on the dock, seeing to securing the vessel with ropes.Noting the position of the sun, Diana realized they were on the west bank of the Nile.
She found the ship’s captain, Mahmood, at the wheel.He widened his eyes at the sight of her but dipped his head.“Lady Forster,” he said.
“Sabah al-khair,” she said by way of a morning greeting, glancing around to see a bustling port despite the early morning hour.A number of other ships were docked near theirs while several had cleared their moorings and were heading out to the middle of the river, no doubt for fishing.In the distance, a number of camels rested in the sand beyond the main thoroughfare, and a line of horse-drawn carriages were parked nearby.“Where might I find a dragoman to take us to the Saqqara Necropolis?”
The captain gave a start.“I expect he will find us, my lady,” Mahmood replied, his grin displaying gaps where several teeth were missing.“You should allow your uncle to see to the arrangements, though.”
Diana bristled.“Are you saying the guide won’t speak with me because I am a woman?”she asked, annoyance evident in her voice.
The captain didn’t have a chance to answer when Will appeared at her elbow.“He is,” he said in a whisper.“But don’t take it personally.This is a very patriarchal society,” he added, using terminology she would understand given her background.In a louder voice, he said, “Mr.Salman suggested we hire a man called Omar.Said he had access to all manner of transportation and was quite knowledgable about the necropolis.”
Before the captain had a chance to respond, an older man, his leathery face weathered by sun and wind and surrounded by a linenshemagh, stepped on board and reached for Diana’s hand.
Startled, she watched as his lips brushed over the back of her knuckles before he straightened.“I am Omar, my lady,” he claimed in barely accented English.“At your service.”
Diana glanced at the captain, waiting for him to confirm the identity of the man.
“Your arrival is well-timed, Omar,” Mahmood said dryly.“Almost as if you were expecting us.”
“I was,” Omar acknowledged.“Salman, your dragoman in Giza, sent word yesterday I was to expect you,” he explained.“And he especially mentioned you,” he added, turning his attention back to Diana.“Lady...?”
“Lady Forster,” she said, wondering what Salman might have included in his missive.She dipped a curtsy before turning to indicate Will.“This is my uncle, Lord Bellingham.”
“Ah.An aristocrat,” Omar acknowledged with a bow.“I understand there are others in your party, my lord?”
Will nodded.“There are nine of us,” he said.He didn’t include the nurse or Bradley in his number, thinking they would remain on board while the rest of them spent the day touring.
The number didn’t seem to surprise the dragoman.“Five hantours will do then,” he replied happily, referring to the horse-drawn buggies.“I have seen to it they are supplied with water and hay.Your ladies will bring their parasols, no doubt?A luncheon as well?”
