William walked to the edge of the camp and stopped for her to catch up.
“I want you to be more courteous with Justin. He’s important to this expedition.”
Charlotte gaped at her stepbrother. He wanted her to what? She snapped her mouth shut while she wondered how to respond. Finally, she asked, “Exactly how courteous?”
“Don’t take that tone with me. All I’m asking is for you to spend time with him. It’s important he’s kept happy since he’s funded the expedition to search for the pharaoh’s tomb…” William trailed off and commenced pacing—short lines back and forth in front of Charlotte. He paused and threw up his hands. “All the holdups are making things difficult in our search. If I didn’t know better, I’d start believing in curses.”
“Your search?” Charlotte stared at her stepbrother. “The pharaoh’s tomb?” It sounded as if he searched for a long-lost tomb. He’d lied about sightseeing. “Let me get this straight. Lord Banning—Justin—financed our trip to Egypt.”
“Yes, so I need you to play nice with him.” William’s hand curled into her upper arm with bruising intensity. “It’s not much to ask.”
Charlotte didn’t recognize her stepbrother in this driven man. It was as if another being inhabited William’s body. She glanced over at the assembled servants and the men leading the camels into camp for loading with supplies for the day’s expedition. Sethmet directed the whole procedure with ease and authority. “We’d better go. We’re keeping everyone waiting.”
William grabbed her arm again. “Don’t forget what I said, Charlotte, otherwise you’ll be sorry.” He laughed and there was no humor in the sound. “Hell, we’ll both be sorry.”
Charlotte yanked away from William and rubbed her upper arm. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Nothing,” William reiterated. “The camels are ready. We need to go before the heat of the day descends.”
She glanced at the camels, her heart leaping when she saw Sethmet striding along the train, soothing a fractious animal here, exchanging a comment with a worker there. Faint laughter sounded across the distance between them and a warm sensation wrapped around her chest. He was a good man. A gentleman despite what William and Justin might think to the contrary.
“Charlotte.” William’s sharp voice made her realize he’d caught her staring at Sethmet.
“Sorry, I was daydreaming.” She attempted to rectify the matter without causing more harm. “I need to collect my hat and my drawing materials. I won’t be long.” Hurrying away, she headed directly for her tent. William was suspicious. She must take care or she’d ruin everything.
Half an hour later the camel train progressed around the base of the sand hills. William rode beside her, making sure she couldn’t talk privately with Sethmet.
“Where are we going today?” she asked.
“The guide said there is a valley full of caves and unexplored crevices to the north. We will explore those today and, if necessary, we will stay overnight and continue in the morning.”
“Overnight? But what about supplies? Why didn’t you tell me or give me warning?”
“This is Egypt, Charlotte. You knew our days would be unpredictable. I warned you, yet you pleaded with me to let you join us on this expedition.” William’s eyes flared with temper, and Charlotte sucked in a hasty breath, alarm surfacing.
“You’re right of course,” she said hastily. The last thing she needed was for William to send her home. The idea of losing this heady freedom before she’d prepared to leave made panic jump around inside her. “I will abide by whatever you decide. If we have to stay away from the camp overnight you won’t hear complaints from me.” The thought of leaving Sethmet hurt even worse. He’d given her so much pleasure, shown her how it could be between a man and a woman, shown her the possibilities.
“I’m glad to hear it.” William nudged his camel into a swift jog. It shot forward until he drew level with Justin.
Charlotte stared after her stepbrother. His behavior seemed strange lately, his temper more uncertain than usual, and his insistence on her cooperation with Justin worrying. There had been something perturbing in his eyes when he’d insisted on her treating Justin well.
“Are you okay?” Sethmet’s whisper came from behind. “Your stepbrother seemed angry.”
“He caught me staring at you.” Shame filled her cheeks. If William lashed out at Sethmet it would be her fault.
Sethmet’s camel caught up with hers. “You were staring at me?”
“Yes. I think I made William suspicious. I’m so sorry. You probably shouldn’t talk to me today. Not in view of William.” Anguish created a band around her chest, and it hurt to breathe. She hated the idea of causing trouble for Sethmet.
“Tonight I will come to you,” Sethmet said. “Tonight we will be together, Charlotte.”
“Tonight,” she whispered, holding the thought to her like a talisman.
It took another hour to reach the valley. Perspiration covered her body, and Charlotte couldn’t see an end to the heat. There were no trees or shelter in the long, winding valley. No water in sight.
They continued riding the camels until they were deep in the ravine, the temperature becoming increasingly hotter. The sky was a brilliant blue. Azure, she decided, wishing she had her paint box. The contrast of the terracotta-colored rocks and cliffs made for a magical sight. Charlotte’s fingers itched to capture the scene.
Finally, they stopped. Sethmet aided William and Justin. When he stepped forward to help her dismount, Justin brushed him aside with a curt remark.
“I will help Lady Charlotte.” Justin’s hands lingered on her waist for too long. His warm breath whispered across her cheek, and she had to work hard to suppress her shudder of distaste. How could William expect her to show him favor when she found his arrogant manner objectionable?
Charlotte wandered away from the others while William and Justin arranged their workers into three groups this time. A trusted worker would lead the third. She heard Sethmet issue orders to the workers who were staying behind while William strode to her side.
“The guide has ordered the workers to erect a shelter for you. I want you to stay under the shelter until we return. Do not wander away because it is not safe. Do you understand?” William’s eyes narrowed when her acceptance of his edict didn’t come straight away. “Do you understand?”
“Yes, William. Of course I understand. I’ll be here when you return for a meal after your explorations.”
Already the workers had unloaded a pile of wood and supplies from the backs of the camels. Other workers prepared a ring of stones in which to build a fire.
“I will see you in a few hours,” William said, unable to hide his eagerness to start his explorations.
Justin walked across the stony ground to join her. He raised his hand, and she fought to remain rooted to the spot and keep her face impassive when he dragged his calloused fingers over her cheek.
“Are you sure you will be all right here on your own?”
“I’m sure,” she said. “I have my sketching materials. The workers will take care of me while you and William are exploring the caves.”
His lips curled in disdain, but he didn’t contradict her, turning away with another searing glance that skimmed her breasts and made her feel uncomfortable. She captured Sethmet’s gaze. His tawny eyes and tight mouth held anger, and her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t return Justin’s interest. Surely he realized that.
Once the men left, Charlotte started to breathe easier. The sharp cry of a falcon captured her attention, and she watched it soar through the sky, envying the bird its freedom. Her independence, she was learning, was merely an illusion. She wasn’t totally free at all, not even in Egypt.
“Lady Charlotte, the shelter is ready for you. Mr. Sethmet bade us prepare you some mint tea. We ready it now.” The heavily accented English made her eyes widen in astonishment.
“You speak English.” She’d heard both Will
iam and Justin speak with scorn because of the heathens inability to use the King’s English.
“Yes, my lady. Many of us do.”
And they pretended they didn’t to both irritate and ignore William and Justin. She could hardly blame them. “Can I do anything to help you?”
“Thank you, but we are practiced in making camp.”
“So I see.” Charlotte smiled with gratitude and made her way across the stony ground to take a seat beneath the open-sided shelter.
The day passed quickly, and Charlotte spent the hours speaking with the locals and making swift sketches of them as they went about their tasks. Darkness had started to creep over the desert when the first of the groups exited the caves. Justin arrived back first with William and Sethmet arriving almost an hour later.
“Find anything?” Justin demanded, springing to his feet.
“Nothing,” William snapped in disgust as he took a seat by the fire. “Not even a sign of a hieroglyph.”
Charlotte surreptitiously searched for Sethmet and found him speaking with his workers. As if he sensed her glance, his head turned and his gaze bored into her. Warmth suffused her body immediately, her nipples pulling to tight nubs beneath her chemise. It felt as if he caressed her with his hands. She’d missed him today, worried about him being with William for the entire day.
Charlotte cleared her throat. “Are we staying the night?”
“Yes. Yes, of course,” William said. “It’s dangerous attempting to cross the desert during the night. It’s still warm so we will sleep in the open.”
She bit back her instinctive retort and merely nodded, disappointment searing through her because she realized it would be impossible to spend any time alone with Sethmet. William would watch her more closely than normal, and she decided she’d retire to bed early this evening, pleading tiredness.
“Have the men set up our gear over there, away from the fire,” Justin ordered, indicating a flat, fairly rock-free portion of ground.
Sethmet issued a string of orders in the local language, and the workers scurried to carry them out. The scent of a meat stew rose from the cooking fire to tempt the appetite. A worker rolled rounds of dough flat and cooked them in the fire. Combined with the stew, the bread would make a welcome dinner.
Justin and William were deep in conversation and ignored her for most of the evening, discussing their plan of attack for the following few days. They asked Sethmet a few questions but mostly disregarded him as well.
Straight after their evening meal, Charlotte stood. “I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”
When neither man moved, Sethmet rose from the rock he’d used as a seat. “I will escort you to the sleeping area.”
Charlotte departed with alacrity before either William or Justin could change their mind. Away from the fire, Charlotte relaxed a fraction and leaned into Sethmet.
“I missed you today.” His musky scent was both familiar and appealing.
Sethmet glanced at the fire and drew Charlotte behind an outcrop of rock near their sleeping area. “I missed you too. I missed kissing and touching you.”
“You could kiss me now.”
“So I could.” His lips hit hers seconds later. Charlotte linked her hands behind his neck and held on to savor the experience. Knowing this was the only physical contact they’d manage tonight, she threw her heart and soul into the kiss. The velvet warmth of his mouth, combined with urgency, had them burning with need. Charlotte trembled and pressed against Sethmet. His hand skimmed down her back and came to a rest on one buttock, drawing her more firmly against his body. His hardness pressed into her stomach, and he lifted his head to trail kisses across her jaw.
“Sethmet,” she whispered, tilting her head to allow him better access to her neck. “I wish we had more time.”
“Patience, sweetheart.” He pressed a final kiss to her mouth and stepped away from her.
Charlotte felt the lack of contact immediately. “Good night.”
“Sleep well, Charlotte.”
Charlotte removed her shoes and crawled fully dressed beneath the rough woolen blankets left by the servants. She took possession of the thin pallet at the far end, hoping William would take the one beside her rather than Justin. The man made her ill at ease, and she’d come to a decision to act with politeness yet attempt to keep her distance. She turned onto her side, listening to the faint chatter coming from the campfire and the odd grumbling from the staked camels. Overhead stars glittered like jewels at a society ball, and she fell asleep while counting them.
“Bloody hell,” William said in a loud voice.
Charlotte stirred, holding back a groan. She pushed up to a sitting position, wincing at her stiff muscles and blinking in the bright morning light. “What’s wrong?”
“Look,” her stepbrother said.
Charlotte looked in the direction he pointed. A set of paw prints stood out in the dusty ground.
A worker let out a shriek. “Paw prints. The cat is stalking us.”
“We are cursed,” another shouted.
Justin leapt to his feet. “I’ll go and calm them down before they decide to leave.”
“Charlotte, hurry. I can’t leave you here on your own,” William said in an odd tone.
She stood and could see the tracks more clearly. They circled the area where she and the two men had slept during the night, but even more disconcerting was the clear impression in the sand. It looked as if the cat had spent at least part of the night resting mere feet away from where she’d slept.
* * * * *
Two weeks later
Charlotte rode the same camel she’d ridden during the other expeditions into the desert. Despite the blond camel’s constant griping, Charlotte was becoming fond of the beast. It might not have the most pleasant teeth or breath, but her camel had character and was a definite flirt, fluttering long eyelashes at the other beasts.
Charlotte clambered onboard with the ease of practice, swaying back and forward when it fell into step with the rest of the train.
In front, William spoke with Sethmet. Justin caught her eye and halted his camel until Charlotte reached his side.
“Have I told you about Banning House?” he asked in a jovial tone, his blue eyes full of heat and lust.
Distinctly uncomfortable with his clear intent, she realized Justin had paid marked attention to her from the beginning. She’d been so preoccupied with the journey to Egypt and Sethmet she hadn’t noticed his obvious interest.
“Ah, yes. That would be nice,” she said faintly. Not that she had much choice in the matter.
With her stepbrother’s words ringing in her ears, she forced a smile. Too bright, she thought with horror when Justin beamed back. William hadn’t told her everything—she was sure of it. Knowledge was power, so George used to say when he’d arrived home after long meals at his club. Charlotte decided to ask William a few questions next time they were alone.
“Of course, my mother takes care of the household details for me. She’s always saying it’s time for me to settle down in England and raise a family.”
All the more reason for her to avoid Justin despite his title. To her regret, her marriage had remained childless. George had visited her bed regularly, blaming her coldness and shortage of enthusiasm for his seed failing to take root. Now that she’d met Sethmet, she knew her husband’s accusation held little truth. For Sethmet she had enthusiasm and more. Charlotte stroked her gloved hand across her camel’s coarse coat, maintaining a placid smile all the while. Desire for a child was not a good enough reason to bind herself to Lord Banning. George had left her comfortably situated financially.
In the small silence that followed, Charlotte risked a quick glance at Justin. His gaze swept her face to fix on her breasts. She froze and a small croak escaped before she could call it back. Justin raised his eyes to hers without apology. If anything, the heat in his eyes intensified.
“You must know how I feel about you, Charlotte.”
&nbs
p; Charlotte cleared her throat, desperate to dislodge the escalating panic inside. She did not wish to lose her freedom again so soon. “I am still in mourning, my lord. Justin,” she added hastily.
Sethmet rode up to them. “Are you painting today, Charlotte?”
Never had an interruption been so welcome. Charlotte beamed at Sethmet. “Yes, I had thought watercolors.” Due to Sethmet’s generosity, she had access to paints again.
“Do you not have instructions to issue? Other things to do?” Justin snapped. “Lady Charlotte and I were having a private discussion.”
“We have arrived,” Sethmet said.
“Where? I see nothing but rocks,” Justin snarled.
Charlotte scanned the horizon, seeing nothing except hills of terracotta rocks and another brilliant blue sky. Already the heat of the day made the cotton fabric of her lightest dress itch. They dismounted from their camels. Sethmet first before he aided both Charlotte and Justin.
“These are the tombs of a pharaoh,” Sethmet said, his expression serious. “They are well camouflaged to deter tomb robbers.”
Charlotte witnessed greed flash across Justin’s face, the expression vanishing rapidly when he noticed her scrutiny.
“We’d better find something today,” Justin snapped as he accepted a cool drink from a servant.
“We’re all tired of chasing our tails,” William said in an icy voice from behind them. “Let’s hope today will be more successful.”
Fury whipped through Sethmet. Inside, the cat snarled for freedom. Anger must have shown in his eyes because Charlotte’s stepbrother took a step backward.
Of course, they’d find nothing here. And they’d leave Patria Oasis with nothing more than the possessions they’d arrived with. That was his job as guardian for the pharaoh. They would depart without some of their workers as well. A second man had died the previous day after he’d disturbed a viper and received a bite before they could kill the snake and save him.
“I believe you’re taking us in circles,” William snarled at Sethmet as they toured yet another site four hours later.
Lynx to the Pharaoh Page 6