Part 6 (2/2)
”Do you suppose he has that sort of imagination?” I inquired.
”He or one of Sethos's other a.s.sociates,” Ramses replied. ”Admit it, Mother, this has Sethos's trademark. I don't believe he was personally involved, but his influence was widespread and pervasive.”
”Still no reply from him?” Emerson asked me.
”No, curse the man. Did Russell have anything more to say about Martinelli?”
”That was one good thing resulting from the events of the evening,” Emerson replied. ”Russell is now under the impression that we asked him to detain Martinelli because we suspected him of being involved with a Nationalist plot-the same plot that resulted in Ramses's disappearance. It is inherently unlikely, but not as unlikely as-er-”
”The veiled Hathor,” Nefret murmured. Ramses gave her a long, unsmiling look, and I said hastily, ”Speculation can take us no further at this time. It was a most peculiar incident, but no harm was done-except what Ramses did to himself-and apparently none was intended. She actually said so, didn't she? Ramses?”
”What?” Ramses looked up. ”Sorry, Mother. If my memory can be trusted, she said something of the sort.”
I decided it would be advisable to change the subject. ”We had better get some rest. Do you realize the family will be arriving this evening?”
”Yes, Mother,” said Ramses.
They took their leave. ”And you, Emerson,” I said.
”I don't need to rest,” said Emerson. ”What's wrong with those two, Peabody? They seem to be out of temper with each other.”
”I will be happy to explain, Emerson, if you will allow me to do so without forbidding me to talk psychology.”
”Try to avoid the word if possible,” muttered Emerson.
”Nefret's reaction is unreasonable, but quite understandable to a student of . . . that is, to me. It would be difficult to say which would bother her more-the suspicion that her husband has fantasies about beautiful desirable women pleading for his favors, or the possibility that a beautiful, desirable woman really is pleading for his favors.”
”Hmmm,” said Emerson, rubbing the cleft in his chin. ”So if a similar sort of thing should happen to me, you would . . .”
”Be mad with jealousy,” I a.s.sured him, and saw his lips curve into a smile that was not without a touch of smugness. I went on, ”We cannot help being jealous, my dear; we care too much for you to remain indifferent to the fear that you care less for us.”
Of course it was not as simple as that. Contrary to the opinions of sentimentalists, children put a strain on a marriage. It takes a while to sort out new feelings and new responsibilities. I know whereof I speak, Reader; it had taken me over twenty years! The large fortune Nefret had inherited from her grandfather had enabled her to found a hospital for fallen (as well as upright but impoverished) women in Cairo, and she had fought a hard battle against masculine prejudice to acquire surgical training so that she could better a.s.sist these unfortunates. She had given up her medical career in favor of matrimony, motherhood, and archaeology. Although she had never expressed regret, I wondered if she missed it. However, it would only have confused my dear Emerson if I had entered into a serious a.n.a.lysis. His is a very straightforward mind.
There are other psychological difficulties connected with the birth of children, but they were not the sort of thing one can discuss with a male person.
”Hmmm,” said Emerson again. ”Well, my dear, in this case I must bow to your expertise. They will settle their differences, won't they?”
”In their own way, Emerson, in their own way. I would be sorry to see them settle into the bland tedium of most marriages. I consider that unlikely. We never did, and in my opinion-”
”We are all the better for it,” Emerson declared, his broad brow clearing. ”I prescribe a rest for you too, my love.”
”I haven't time. I want-”
”There is plenty of time,” said Emerson.
SINCE SCHEDULES OF BOATS AND trains were uncertain, we had agreed to await our family at the hotel instead of hanging about the railroad station. It wasn't as if they were strangers to Egypt. Walter and Evelyn had not been out for many years, but David knew his way about.
Having made certain their suite was in perfect order, with fresh flowers in every room, there was nothing left for me to do but fidget, which I confess I did. Antic.i.p.ation mounts as the longed-for event draws nearer. I was leaning perilously over the rail of the balcony for the third or fourth time when Emerson took hold of me and led me to a chair.
”It would be a poor welcome for the family to find you spattered on the front steps,” he remarked. ”They cannot possibly be here for several more hours, even if all the connections are on time, which they seldom if ever are. Sit down, my dear, and have a whiskey and soda. I will ask Ramses and Nefret to join us.”
Upon his return he announced in a pleased voice, ”They have made it up. It took Ramses quite a long time to answer the door.”
”Don't be vulgar, Emerson.”
”Drink your whiskey, Peabody.”
The bright faces of my children a.s.sured me that they had indeed settled their little difference. Except for his bandaged hands, Ramses appeared none the worse for his adventure. Despite his dismissal of my theory, I remained convinced that the woman's motive could only be personal attraction. It was not Ramses's fault, or Emerson's, that their handsome features and athletic frames and gallant manners attracted shameless females. Who on earth could this one be? I had already gone over in my mind-as I was sure Nefret had also done-the rather extensive list of women with whom Ramses had been involved-before his marriage, I hardly need add. None of the names that came to mind seemed to fit. However, there had probably been others. I wondered if I could persuade him to give me a list.
It did not seem likely.
Feeling my speculative eye upon him, Ramses tugged nervously at his tie and burst into speech. ”When are you going to tell Uncle Walter?” he asked.
”About Sethos? Certainly not tonight” was Emerson's reply.
”Certainly not,” I agreed. ”Let them enjoy their return to Egypt and their reunion with us before we drop the bombsh.e.l.l.”
”More than one bombsh.e.l.l,” said Nefret. ”Martinelli and the missing jewelry, the Nationalists rioting, and now the mysterious lady. Is it only a coincidence that all those things have happened within the last few days?”
They were not the only things that had happened. Other events, which had seemed of little import, were to bear bitter fruit in the coming days. I am a truthful woman; I do not claim I sensed this. Yet a quiver of uneasiness pa.s.sed through me, that vague sense of something forgotten or overlooked with which, I daresay, my Readers are also familiar.
The hours of waiting went by. Nefret was dozing in the circle of Ramses's arm, with her head on his shoulder, when at last they came. It would be vain to attempt to describe the joyful hubbub that ensued-embraces, laughter, questions, and tears. A querulous wail from the youngest member of the group brought me back to practicality. Evvie, David and Lia's youngest, was an angelic little creature, blue-eyed and fair like her mother. At the moment she did not look angelic; her mouth was open so wide it seemed to fill her small face, and her whimper rose to a penetrating howl.
Having greeted the adult members of the family, Emerson was advancing on Dolly, with his arms held out and a fond smile curving his lips. The st.u.r.dy little chap, who had been named for his great-grandfather Abdullah, was only four, with David's black hair and eyes and his mother's delicate features. He squared his shoulders and stood his ground, but he looked a trifle uneasy-as what three-foot-tall person would not, with that imposing form looming over him!
”Don't pounce on the child, Emerson,” I ordered. ”He doesn't remember you. Give him time to get used to all these new faces.”
”Oh,” said Emerson. He came to a stop. ”Er-sorry.”
Then the little boy lived up to his proud name. ”He is my uncle Radcliffe,” he said and held out his hand. ”How do you do, sir?”
Emerson did not even flinch at the name, which he thoroughly dislikes and with which few people venture to address him. His features wreathed in smiles, he took the small hand carefully in his. ”How do you do, my dear boy? Welcome to Egypt.”
”Very nice,” I said, for it was clear to me that Emerson, overcome by sentiment, was about to pounce again. ”Let us get the children tucked away, shall we?”
It did not take long; both of them were too tired to make a fuss. I had caused a nice little cold supper to be supplied for the nursemaid.
”Sound asleep,” I reported, returning to the others. ”Perhaps the rest of you would also like to retire? You have had a long tiring trip.”
”Impossible,” Evelyn exclaimed, holding out her hands. ”I at least am too happy and excited to be weary. Come and sit with me, Amelia, and let me look at you. Have you won the favor of some G.o.d, that you never change?”
The little bottle of hair coloring on my dressing table was owed some of the credit. I saw no reason to mention it. To her loving eyes, perhaps, I could never change; but I had, and so had she. The fair hair shone pure silver now, and she was painfully thin; but the blue eyes were as fond and clear as ever. She was right after all. Neither of us had changed in any way that mattered.
No doubt the same could be said of Walter, but his physical appearance was something of a shock. We had paired off, as we used to do; the contrast between Emerson's st.u.r.dy, vigorous frame and Walter's stooped shoulders and myopic squint made the latter look years older than his elder brother. He had Emerson's dark hair and blue eyes, and he had once been a st.u.r.dy young fellow, not as quick to anger as his excitable brother but ready to defend himself and his loved ones when danger threatened. I did not doubt his willingness to do so now, but years spent in sedentary scholars.h.i.+p poring over faded papyri had taken their toll. Emerson, though he is not especially observant, had noticed it too. He broke off in the middle of an animated description of Deir el Medina, and squeezed Walter's arm.
”High time you came out,” he declared. ”We'll put some muscle in that arm and some color in your face.”
<script>