Alec wrestled with the driver, landing another punch that sent him falling backwards, sliding off the back. The man hit the trunk on the way down and rolled onto the pavement. Alec watched as he crawled to his feet and hobbled off down a side road.
“Whoa,” Samuel called to the horses again as he pulled on the brake bringing the carriage to a stop. He looked over his shoulder at Alec who was standing on top of the roof watching the man disappear from view. “Are you going to give chase?”
Alec looked down at his bootless foot. “Damn it all to hell!” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I don’t know about you, but I’m beginning to think someone is after the map.”
“I’d say it’s a certainty.” Samuel grinned up at him with satisfaction. “In fact, I’d go so far as to say, absolute certainty.”
Alec raised his brow in question. “And why is that?”
“Because of what the driver shouted back there.”
“And what did he say that makes you think it’s the map with absolute certainty?”
“He said,” Samuel’s smile widened, “take the map.”
Knock, knock, knock.
“Hell,” Alec swore as he climbed over the seat. “I’d better get Porter out of that trunk.”
“You do that,” Samuel chuckled. “He’ll no doubt want a raise after this.” He brushed off his sleeve, straightening his jacket. “I’m also thinking you should put the map where it will be safe.”
“It is safe where it is,” Alec grumbled as he jumped down.
“I meant safer for me.”
Chapter 3
Alec walked through the doors of White’s three hours later. Having just spent the greater portion of that time making a grand show of depositing the map within the Bank of England’s vault, he was more than glad to finally be finished.
Handing the doorman his hat, he signed the ledger noting Samuel’s scrawl several names up. Good, he was actually where he said he would be for a change.
Alec walked past several gentlemen as he crossed the great room with its dark paneling and leather chairs. He found Samuel seated in front of a window reading from the societal page of The Tatler.
“Any news of my engagement?” Alec asked jokingly as he sat down opposite him.
“Now that you mention it… Yes.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Actually, no… Look.” Samuel turned the paper over showing him a small caricature of several ladies of the ton. It depicted a row of debutantes lined up in front of an older woman who looked suspiciously like his own mother. She was assessing them critically through opera glasses while in the distance one could see a gentleman’s tailcoat and heels running in the opposite direction.
“I take it that is supposed to be me.”
“I think they’ve captured you quite nicely,” Samuel chuckled.
Alec shook his head as he picked up the paper and studied it. “The woman has gone too far.”
“Speaking of women… How did it go with The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street?” Samuel used the Bank of England’s moniker. “Think they bought it?”
“I did everything but wear a sign. If anyone was watching, I’m sure they were left with little doubt as to what I was doing.” Alec tossed the social rag back to Samuel as he spoke and picked up the latest issue of Lloyd’s list.
“Speaking of which, here’s the real one and another copy I made.” Samuel handed him an envelope. “By the way, nicely played with the fake.”
Alec nodded and slipped the envelope into his coat pocket as Lord Spencer walked up smiling. “Lord’s Brighton, St. Clair.” he greeted them. “Congratulations on your big win.”
“Thank you,” Alec nodded.
“I’ve got to run now, but perhaps you will tell me all about it tonight at the Worthington’s ball.”
“Not much to tell, cards were in my favor.”
“Nonsense, besides it would be a highlight to an otherwise dreadful evening.” Lord Spencer leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. “We must stick together at these things you know,” he nodded sagely before taking his leave.
“You’re actually considering going to the Worthington’s?” Samuel looked over at him as if he’d lost his mind.
“Why?” Alec raised a questioning brow.
“Because the lovely, young woman in the front of this line.” Samuel pointed to the cartoon, “Is Miss Angelina Worthington. That’s why.”
Alec picked the paper up once again. “I was wondering who the object of my affection was supposed to be.”
“Lord’s Brighton, St. Clair.” Lord Lindsey motioned towards them as he approached. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Luck of the draw.”
“Well, she is quite lovely.”
Puzzled, Alec looked up at him. “Who is?”
“Why your fiancé of course, I heard that you’ll be announcing your engagement at the ball tonight.”
Bloody hell! Alec’s eyes flared in outrage. “I can assure you Sir, that I have no intention of doing any such thing.”
“Of course,” he gave him a conspiratorial wink. “You want to keep it hush, hush.”
Alec waited until the older man was out of earshot and turned to Samuel. “That’s it!” He tossed the paper to the side and stood up. “Pack your bags we’re going to Egypt.”
Samuel slapped his hand against his thigh. “Exceptional idea if I do say so myself.” He watched as Alec stalked away. “You mean now?” he hollered after him.
“You have a problem with winning your bet?”
“I… No.”
Alexandria Egypt 1863
Good Lord! What is that smell?” Samuel winced at the foul odor that permeated the air. A cart of entrails and fish heads passed them. “Never mind,” he coughed as he continued to walk with Alec down the dock to where their luggage was to be off loaded from The Great Eastern steam ship.
“Absolute marvel isn’t it?” Samuel looked up at the huge smokestack. “I still can’t get over how quickly we traveled here. Just imagine how long that trip would have taken us just a few years ago. I tell you we’re in the wrong business.”
“And what business is that?” Alec sidestepped a young boy peddling hats. “English Lords with nothing better to do than gallivant around the Egyptian country side looking for exotic species?”
“I don’t see why we couldn’t have posed as merchants rather than a scientific expedition. Especially now with the Suez, trading with India will be a snap. Just look at all this.” Samuel looked around at the busy port.
“I think the key word here is posed,” Alec gave him a sideways glance, “and I thought we agreed that doing research on the indigenous wildlife would create less interest than having to grease the wheels of trade.”
“I think we may have missed out on making a king’s ransom.”
“And here I thought we were looking for a queen. If you’d rather not…”
“No, no. I’m in, come hell or high water.”
“Let us hope it doesn’t come to that.” Alec had to sidestep another man who cut across his path with a basket laden with fruit.
“I do hope we can find better accommodations now that we’re on dry land. I still can’t believe they put us next to the engine room.” Samuel sniffed again as he ducked to avoid the fruit. “Why,” he continued, “you’d think on a ship of that size they’d been able to offer better with five minutes’ notice. My ears are still ring—” He was cut off as a cart behind them bumped into him. “Hey watch it!” he called out, tripping forward.
The cart in question stopped short, sending the one directly behind it out into the crowded walkway in order to avoid a collision. Several pedestrians scattered out of the way as yet another cart containing coal tipped over. The small boy with hats ran straight into Alec in all the commotion. He nearly fell over as Alec straightened him up.
“So Sorr-eh Sir-rah,” he cried as he found his footing and took off again.
“Take a
better look next time,” Alec called after him as he checked his pockets. “Bloody little urchin!”
The boy glanced behind quickly before breaking into a run.
“That little thief!” Alec shouted as he ran after the street urchin. Fast on his heels, he reached out to grab him, but the boy darted under another cart.
Samuel was on the other side and caught him by surprise. “Got him!”
The boy managed to wiggle free of his grasp.
“Slippery little…” Samuel lost his hold.
They both chased him down a side street, taking the corner at an all-out run. Alec’s fingers brushed against his vest. The boy turned quickly, eluding his grasp once again as he darted down a smaller side alley.
They both went straight in after him. It opened into a courtyard with a dozen men kneeling around a center pit playing a game with pebbles and shells. They fell silent as the boy ran through clinging to one of the men on the other side.
“Abu, Abu, el-Afareet!” The young boy called to his father.
“Ah-oh,” Samuel stayed a hand in front of Alec. “Sorry, our mistake,” he called out, backing slowly away.
“Hell, if it was!” Alec growled.
Ssh-LING. The sound of several swords being unsheathed rang out in the small area as the men stood.
“RUN!” Samuel shouted as he turned.
“Unbelievable!” Alec bit out as they charged.
They rounded a corner and then another with a dozen men tearing out after them, knocking down several carpet hangings as they went. They darted inside an open archway, hugging the wall inside the darkened interior, as several men raced by.
Waiting only until the last one passed, they snuck back out trying to retrace their steps through the maze of twisted alleyways.
“Ukaf!”
They heard the cry to halt as they turned the corner. They dashed into another small archway and ran toward the rear. Three old women looked up, startled from their weaving as both Alec and Samuel practically stumbled over themselves in an effort to stop.
“Taiyib matakhafsh.” Samuel whispered telling them not to be afraid as he pressed both palms together in front of his head and bowed begging their forgiveness.
Instead of being afraid, one of the women started to chuckle, shaking her head, “Inglizi howadji.”
Alec looked over to Samuel who mouthed, “English tourists,” for his benefit.
They could hear the band of men searching shop-by-shop outside. Two of them came back into the interior of the alcove where five old women worked on their weaving. Ignoring them, they began to search the corners, behind the wall hangings and baskets.
One of the old women stood and shooed them. Calling for help, she picked up a broom and began to aggressively sweep them away. They left, continuing their search further down.
“Shukran.” Samuel breathed a sigh of relief as he removed the scarf from his head. He thanked them again profusely as Alec pressed gold coins into each of their palms. They smiled toothless grins, biting the pieces with what nubs they had left.
Sitting on the floor rather than pillows, both Alec and Samuel began removing the bundles of spun wool that the women had piled around them in order to hide their size.
Alec climbed out of the hole he was in, unwrapping the shawl they had wound about him as he went. He felt a sharp point in his back as he stood up to his full height. Apparently help had arrived.
He looked over at Samuel who already had his hands held high and slowly raised his own. Alec had a fleeting wish that he’d let the others capture him as the old woman cackled. The sound grated up his spine right to the knifepoint in his back.
“La, la, Inglizi howadji.” She laughed again as she spoke to who held the weapon to his back.
Alec had learned enough from his book of interpretation to know that la meant no. Whatever else she said he had no idea, but he did feel the knife release some as he watched the old woman show off the gold coin he’d given her. She came close, jabbing him with her crooked finger, pointing to the coin then to the one behind him.
One didn’t need that translated. Handing over another coin, Alec slowly turned to see a middle age man with his wife and children behind him.
“It’s her son and his family,” Samuel came forward. “Let me ask them if they can help us safely to the docks.”
A transaction was agreed upon. Alec forked over the rest of the money he had on his person. They followed the son, with the others close behind, through the back of the shop. He led them not twenty paces to the front of the building that opened conveniently onto the docks.
Alec looked at Samuel with irritation. He’d just given the shopkeeper a king’s ransom in exchange for a brief walk through his damn store. The smiling family cheerfully waved them away as they quickly closed the doors behind them.
“Well, he did say to come back anytime.” Samuel’s attempt at subtle humor didn’t lighten Alec’s mood as they turned to leave.
“No doubt,” Alec glowered at him. “I’ve just given the man a year’s pay for the privilege of walking to the front of his bloody shop.”
“Yes, but we were safe.”
“Safe?” Alec raised his brow in a sideways glance. “We were just robbed by a little boy, three old women and a family of rug makers.”
“Yes, but safely.”
“Yes well, I do hate to be in real jeopardy while being fleeced of my coin.” Alec ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. “And how is it exactly that they didn’t take any of your money?”
“I told them you were my servant.”
“Your servant?” Alec snorted indignantly. “And they believed you?”
“I said you were my bodyguard. You were rather hostile.”
“Hmm!” Alec snorted again.
“I told them it was your job to hold onto the money. It was below me to handle such trivialities.”
“Next time,” Alec’s voice held a warning. “You get to be my servant.”
“As you wish,” Samuel bowed mockingly, “My liege.”
~*~
Alec stood before the mirror in the hotel room and scraped the shaving blade across his cheek. He dipped it in the water basin and tapped it, scraping another swath of cream from his jaw.
“You’re up. Good.” Samuel barged in the room without knocking. The suite they had managed to find was the best the hotel had to offer despite the fact it had only one bed. Samuel had taken the couch.
Alec looked at him through the mirror as he continued shaving. Samuel was in his usual good spirits as he plopped onto the divan by the window. “Down at the bar,” he started.
“You’ve already been to the bar?”
“Why yes, and I’ve found us the perfect Dragoman?”
“Drago-what?”
“Dragoman, that’s what they call guides around here. Anyway, he’s already gone to make all the arrangements to acquire a Fellucca—”
“Fellucca?”
“A sailboat. We’re going to meet up with him and the Reis—”
“The what?”
“The Reis… the captain,” Samuel paused, “Are you doing this on purpose?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d rather you spoke English.”
“I’ve hired us a guide, we’re going to meet him and the captain of the boat at noon.”
“Well, why didn’t you just say so?”
“I did,” Samuel replied irritably. “God, but you’re a whiner in the morning.”
“Tell me,” Alec looked at him in the mirror. “How do you really feel?”
“Lord!” Samuel exclaimed in exasperation as he stood up and crossed the room to his luggage. Pulling out a large map of the area he spread it out on the bed. “He said he knows of a temple in the western desert that once worshiped the cat goddess Bastet.”
“You didn’t tell him about the map?” Alec looked up him in alarm.
“No, of course not, I simply said we were looking for a rar
e species in the region. Look here,” he pointed to an area on the map of the Nile Valley and surrounding desert. “According to the chap we had decipher the map before we left.”
“Sir Richard?” Alec mumbled as he shaved his upper lip.
“No, the other one, Sir Richard’s colleague, Professor Wheaton,” Samuel glanced up. “You remember, Champollion’s understudy. The one I was lucky enough to track down just before we sailed.”
“Oh yes, the reason you were late getting to the ship and we had to settle for the steerage compartment next to the engine room.” Alec specified as he rinsed the blade.
“Blame that on me why don’t you?”
“Uh-hmm.’”
Samuel shrugged, disregarding Alec’s opinion as he took out his notebook. “Let us review what we know, shall we?” He looked down at his notes. “There is the curse, we know of that,” he turned the page. “Then there is this bit about the chosen one of Isis, born of S’ba, the beloved of Amun, the true and pure voice, the justified, the revered one before Osiris, lord of two lands, living repeatedly and enduringly.” He took a deep breath, looking up at Alec. “How they did tend to go on.” He scanned down the page further, “Ah, here it is.” He looked briefly up with excitement. “It tells of a temple, belonging to a goddess, the revered one, before, the sacred lands of the west .
“Uh-hmm,” Alec mumbled his understanding as he trimmed up his side burns.
“Well, considering what both men have told us, I think we’ve found it.”
Alec toweled off his face and turned to face him. “Really?
“Yes, really.”
“Because I’d really hate to be taken on another short walk if you get my drift.”
“Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll fix everything, trust me.” Samuel promised as he compared the map to the notes he’d laboriously written in his diary. “You know, I actually think that I’m beginning to understand these writings.
“Take this symbol, for instance. The square box depicts an estate, and the pennant represents a god. See, a house of god… a temple. And of course the front of the lion, means in front of or before. Simple logic, if I do say so myself.”
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