Chapter28
A Cousin Learns the Truth
The following morning
By the time breakfast had been consumed and everyone who was going to the temple had stepped onto the dock, it was nearly ten o’clock.
The married women paired up with their husbands for the walk to the Karnak temple complex, the uneven terrain forcing them to hold on to their men even though there was a path of sorts to follow.
The only unmarried lady, Helen, walked up from the river on the arm of David, who offered his arm before Tom had even come out of his cabin to join the party for the day’s excursion.She wore a stylish hat, but also carried a parasol.
“Thank you, Lord Penton,” she said, happy for the escort.
“Oh, please, called me Penton,” he insisted.He had chosen a short top hat with a wider brim for the tour, warned that they were to be exposed to a good deal of sun.
“All right,” she replied.“Are you looking forward to exploring this temple?You seem especially happy for all these adventures.”
“Oh, I am.I may never have the chance again to risk life and limb as we’ve been doing on this tour.”
“Oh?”she responded, his words unexpected.
“When I return to England, I shall be remaining in London to assist my grandfather with the business of the Devonfield marquessate,” he explained.“I may go to Oxfordshire to collect my things, but I shall quickly return to London.I look forward to the challenge.”
“It must be very satisfying to have something to look forward to,” she said.
He made an odd sound in his throat.“Said as if you don’t.Have something to look forward to, I mean,” he clarified.
Helen swallowed back the sudden lump in her throat.“I don’t, not really,” she said.
“Not...marriage?”
She allowed a soft sigh.“I am not betrothed, my lord,” she replied, trying to keep her words sounding light.
“Do you wish to be?”
Helen nearly stumbled on the edge of a sandstone block.“Well...of course.”
Glancing back, David saw that Tom had ended up at the very back of their party, and from the way he meandered on the path, he didn’t seem particularly inclined to want to keep up with everyone else.
“Do you trust me?”David asked, returning his gaze to Helen.
“Uh...I suppose,” she replied, startled by the query.She dared a glance behind her, wondering what had had the viscount’s attention.
“Tell me, do you have any thoughts about my cousin Thomas?As they relate to marriage, I mean?”
Helen’s eyes rounded.“Penton,” she said in a scolding whisper.“I don’t believe it’s any of your concern, my lord.”
“Good,” he replied.
“Good?”she repeated in confusion.
“I have some experience with...betrothals of convenience,” he continued in a conspiratorial voice.
Gasping, Helen nearly stopped in her tracks.“Are you...are you proposing?”she stammered, struggling to keep her voice to a whisper.
“Not exactly,” he replied, daring another glance back to catch Tom staring daggers at him.“Stay close to me today.When I say something clever, remark upon it or giggle and act as if we are to be married.”
Helen blinked several times.“But...why?”
