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Jenny smiled at Rashid and was rewarded with a slow smile before his expression settled into its usual
dullness. She wished they could sit and, well,  talk wasn t exactly the right word, since Rashid had no
words, but play with Mischief as they had that afternoon in Alexandria when everyone but themselves
and Mrs. Syms had retired to nap.
That worthy woman was holding up to the heat here as easily as she had in Alexandria, her leathery skin
smooth and dry as some exotic lizard s. She was wearing a walking dress in a vibrant red watered silk,
and when Jenny complimented her on it, she immediately turned to Rashid.
 Hand me the silk I just bought, Rashid, she said.  There s a dear boy.
She rewarded him for his service with a flaky pastry topped with thin slivers of toasted almond, almost as
if he were Mischief, but Jenny thought her kindness no less genuine for that.
 Look at this, Mrs. Syms said, unrolling a length of golden tissue.  Audrey tells me such strong colors
are going out of fashion, but I could not resist.
As Jenny expressed her genuine admiration for the fabric while reserving her opinion as to how it would
look on the older woman she couldn t help overhear the conversation at the other side of the table.
 We came up to Cairo rather earlier than planned, Lady Cheshire was saying.  Captain Brentworth
heard from an old friend that the museum library might be interested in buying some of my late husband s
papers. I have some reservations about parting with them, but certainly it would be better for them to be
available to scholars here than moldering away in his files in England.
Sir Neville commented,  The museum director is interested in making Egypt s collection the first in the
world as it should be, given that Egypt is the source of the artifacts. Still, not all English scholars would
thank you. The Egyptian Museum is more French than otherwise in its affiliation, and that is deeply
resented.
 I know. Lady Cheshire paused.  Perhaps you would permit me to consult you further on this matter.
You are on the fringes of the archeological community, and therefore might advise me more wisely than
those involved in its intrigues.
 I would do what I could to assist you, Sir Neville said, and Jenny thought that he sounded
disproportionately pleased.
 Where are you staying? Lady Cheshire asked.  We inquired after you at Shepheard s, but you were
not there, nor were you at the other better hotels. I was going to send a note around to dear Teresa
Travers and ask if she knew where we might find you, but then we had the good fortune to encounter
you ourselves.
Jenny found herself wondering just how much luck had to do with their encounter. The bazaar was so
large that even a planned meeting might go awry. However, it did seem unfair to accuse the woman of
subterfuge.
 We are staying with an old friend of mine, Sir Neville responded easily.  Antonio Donati. He runs a
small rooming house in another section of the city. It is really quite nice, though without many social
amenities. I lived there when I was a soldier, and wanted some relief from military life.
Lady Cheshire leaned over to Mrs. Syms.
 Make a note of their address, would you, Sarah? It is a pity you aren t staying at Shepheard s, but I can
understand you would not wish to overwhelm poor Miss Benet with Shepheard s social whirl. It is so
nice to be able to stay with friends. We could entertain you at Shepheard s there if you are staying in
Cairo long. That way Jenny could at least say she s been to Shepheard s when she returns to England.
 We will be here some time, yet, Sir Neville said.  We have hardly begun to show Jenny the sights.
Eventually, Stephen and I may take a short jaunt or two, but we will never be away for long.
He led the conversation away from their plans for the future with such determination that Jenny felt almost
guilty at her relief. It made her feel very peculiar to see a man of Uncle Neville s years he was over
forty, after all acting like a besotted cowhand. If he could continue to mislead Lady Cheshire, then all
hope was not lost.
They visited with the Cheshire party for some time more, then Sir Neville made their excuses.
 I know that our host has special plans for dinner, and I promised to do some shopping for him on our
way back. I would not wish to disappoint him.
This white lie surprised Jenny a great deal, but any hope that she had that it indicated Uncle Neville was
immune to Lady Cheshire s charm evaporated as soon as they relaxed in the trap that carried them back
to Casa Donati.
 I would very much have liked to visit with our friends longer, he said, his tones those of one who thinks [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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