Only You (14 page)

“I’m prepared to risk it.  How about you?”

“I’m not,” she said, but he ignored her.

He scooped her up and blustered through the ferns and out to the small beach that rimmed the pond.

“Put me down!” she griped.

“No.  I want my reward.” 

He kept on, continuing into the pool, boots, trousers, and all, wading out to the middle where the depth was up to his waist.  He dropped her.

She sank like a stone, but she quickly found her feet and came up cursing and sputtering.  To his delight, she glommed onto him as if she were drowning all over again.  It hadn’t occurred to him that he might alarm her, that she might have residual fears from her mishap in the river, and he was almost sorry he’d done it.  Almost.  From how tightly she was hugging him, it was difficult to muster any remorse.

“I’m terrified of the water, you oaf!”  She wrapped her arms around him and held on for dear life.

“It’s not deep, Theo.  Calm down.”  He stroked a soothing hand down her back.  “Nothing bad can happen to you when you’re with me.”

“I know.  I’m nervous about my accident on the boat, and it will take me awhile to recover from it.”

“You’re with me.  You’re fine.”

“Don’t let go of me.”

“I won’t.”  She relaxed, her torso cuddled to him so he could feel every delicious inch, and he muttered, “Oh, mercy, mercy, Theo.  What am I to do with you?”

He carried her to the other side, to the rock bench by the waterfall.  He sat down and brought her down with him.  She was on her knees and straddling his lap, so her breasts were right in his face.  He couldn’t resist.

He pulled her to him and latched onto a pert nipple.  He sucked and played, and for a fleet minute, she allowed it.  But then, she had to butt in and complain.

“I told myself I wouldn’t dally with you again.”

“Why not?”

“It’s wrong.”

“The preachers say so.  Shrewish old women too, but I never listen to any of them.”

“When I’m around you, I’m so anxious to misbehave.”

“Really?”

“All I think about is you, Soloman!  You drive me mad.”

“With lust?”

“Well…with something.  I don’t know what I’d call it.”

“I just ruined a perfectly good pair of boots because of you.”

“You didn’t have to wade in with your clothes on.”

“Should I have stripped myself naked first?”

“If you had, I’d have expired from shock.”

“If all it takes to be with you like this is the loss of a pair of boots, I’m happy.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.”

She sighed with contentment, her body snuggled to his chest.  She rested there for a bit, while he reflected on his pathetically weak character.

Why was he trifling with her?  Temporary insanity had goaded him into it.  What if Fenton was out there watching them?  What if a servant had seen?  What if they told Edna?

The prospects for calamity didn’t bear contemplating, yet he’d involved himself in another clandestine tryst with her.  He gazed up at the stars and couldn’t believe it when he asked, “Do you ever wish you were someone else with a different past?”

“I wish it all the time.”

“If you could choose any new path, what would it be?”

“I’d be a bohemian artist in Paris.  I’d rent a small flat, and I’d paint all day on the pretty sidewalks.  I’d dine on excellent food and I’d drink fine wine, and I’d have dozens of interesting friends who were artists too.” 

“Have you any talent as an artist?”

She laughed.  “No, none.”

“So it’s definitely a dream.”

“Yes.”  She grinned at him.  “How about you?  If you could snap your fingers and change your identity, who would you be?”

“I’d probably have everything return to how it was before…before…”  He stopped and shook his head.  “I don’t mean that.  I loathed my life in London, and I’d never go back to it.”

“I thought you liked your father.”

“Yes, I liked him, but that was about it.  Every other aspect was horrid.”

He’d liked his father’s beautiful young wife too, had
liked
her to the point that he was ashamed of his relationship with her after his father had died.  She’d been amenable to any illicit conduct, and he’d greedily accepted what she’d offered.  But it was during a period when they should have been in full mourning.

He’d always viewed that short, unrestrained interval as the genuine indicator of the sort of man he was deep down.  He was the sort who’d engage in a salacious liaison with his deceased father’s widow and the poor fellow not yet cold in the ground.  He had no scruples or sense.

He couldn’t stand to recollect that era, for it left him morose.  When he was sitting with a very fetching, very wet Theodosia Postlewaite, there was no reason to focus on any negative topic.

He drew down the front of her chemise, as she scolded, “Soloman!”

“Hush, Theo.”

He studied her bared breasts, massaged them, cradled them in his palms to test their size and weight.  Then he sucked a nipple into his mouth.  He tortured her—and himself—for a very long while, but he didn’t do much more than that.  He could have given her a bit of pleasure, but decided not to.

She constantly aroused him to a painful level, and he felt it was only fair to leave her in the same unsatisfied state.

Eventually, he pulled away, and she was smiling, looking like a cat that had lapped up all the cream.  Her glorious blond hair was curled over her shoulders, her skin glistening with water droplets.  The moon was up behind her, illuminating her in a silvery glow.

“You could be an ancient river goddess,” he told her.

“What a lovely compliment.”

“I don’t dish them out very often, so enjoy that one while it lasts.”

“You always pretend you’re horrid.”

“I’m not pretending.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.”

He tugged up the straps of her chemise, covering her breasts, then he stood her on her feet.  He stood too.

“Let’s get you to your tent,” he said.

“I was just starting to have fun.”

“Don’t tell me that.”

“Why shouldn’t I?  It’s true.”

“You make me eager to do things I shouldn’t.  You make me think I could talk you into them without too much trouble.”

“Where you’re concerned, I’m such easy prey.”

“And I haven’t even begun to work my wicked wiles on you.”

“I’m certain you’d be incredibly successful.”

“Would I be?  Perhaps I should press a little harder to obtain what I desire.”

“Or perhaps you should behave yourself.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Neither do I,” she confessed.

She slipped her hand into his and linked their fingers as if they were adolescent sweethearts.

“What’s your opinion about sneaking over to visit me tonight?” he asked.

“My opinion is that you’re insane to suggest it.”

“Is that a
no?
”

“That’s an absolute
no
.”

“You can’t blame me for trying.  One of these times, I might receive a different response.”

She chuckled.  “Keep hope alive, Soloman.”

“I will.”

“You haven’t made any plans to depart, have you?”

“No.  So far, Preston is content to dawdle.”

“And dig a hole for himself,” she scoffed.  “I can’t expect his relationship with Susan will end in a good way.”

“No, it won’t,” he agreed.  “Is that why your cousin was in a snit earlier?  Were you quarreling about it?”

“Yes, and since I’m ruined and disgraced, she claims I’m not in any position to lecture her.”

“Were you lecturing her?”

“No, I was merely warning her to be careful.”

“You’d be a person who would understand the consequences.”

“Yes, I am, and Lord Trent and I were simply chatting in a parlor.  If Susan’s affair is exposed, I can’t imagine what will happen.”

“It will be very bad, that’s for sure.”

“Should I tell my aunt about it?” she asked as they reached the small, sandy beach.

“Probably, but if you were the one doing what you oughtn’t, would you want Susan to tell on
you? 
Would you want to suffer Edna’s wrath?”

“No.”

“There’s your answer.”

“I suppose,” she miserably concurred, “but I’m so torn about this.  It’s wrong to remain silent.”

“Look at it this way:  Most problems sort themselves out.  Susan has been very clear that she won’t listen to you.”

“No, she won’t.”

“If you confide in your aunt, you’ll stir a hornet’s nest, so let Susan get caught on her own.  Eventually, she
will
get caught.  Stay out of it.”

“Spoken like a man who never involves himself with anyone.”

“With valid reason.  I refuse to fight over any issue.”

“That’s not true.  You had quite a row with Aunt Edna after I fell in the river.”

“I was angry, because you scared the life out of me.”

“My hero,” she gushed, and she batted her lashes and snuggled herself to him as she admitted, “I deliberately avoided you all day.”

“I know.  I searched for you everywhere.”

“But I won’t hide tomorrow.”

“Wonderful.  What made you decide that?”

“I’m afraid some morning I’ll turn around and you’ll be gone.  Then I’ll be kicking myself for my lost opportunities to be with you.”

“I promised to say goodbye before I leave.”

“Yes, and after you depart, I will wither away.”

“You will not, Theo.  After you reflect a bit, you’ll figure you dodged a bullet.”

“Why is that?”

“I’m selfish and self-centered, so I’m an awful candidate to be a husband—or even a friend.  Ultimately, you’ll realize it was ridiculous for you to have wasted any effort on me.”

“Maybe I like feeling
ridiculous
for a change.”

“I’m glad that you are.”

“So am I.”

He kissed her long and slow, her torso crushed to his.  Her underclothes were still soaked and stuck to her skin, so it was like holding her when she was naked.  Once again, he was a hairsbreadth away from proceeding to conclusions he didn’t dare attempt, so he eased her away. 

“How will I get you to your tent?” he asked.

“You were coming to bathe yourself.  Did you bring a towel?  We could wrap it around me.”

“Yes, we could.  I dropped it when you first called to me.” 

He led her into the ferns and out to the path.  He studied her, relishing a last look at her shapely body. 

“What is it?” she asked when she saw how vehemently he was staring.

“I like you like this.  Perhaps I should enlist Fenton’s help, and someday if I’m very, very lucky, my wish will be granted and
all
your clothes will vanish.”

“You wish for the strangest things.”

“I’m predicting I’ll wear you down.  Would you like to bet me?”

“No.  I’m never wagering with you.  You’d cheat to win.”

He picked up his towel and draped it over her so she was partially covered.  It wasn’t perfect, but she was much more modestly attired than she’d been.  She laid her palm on his chest, in the center where his pulse was suddenly racing.  Their light-hearted banter swirled to an end, and a thousand comments flitted between them that couldn’t be voiced aloud.

He was suffering those pesky masculine urges again.  He wanted to protect her, to shelter her, to keep her by his side and make her happy forever.  The sensation was so strong and overpowering, that it almost seemed as if the universe was forcing him to ponder ideas he’d never previously pondered.

Deep down, was he actually craving a wife and family?  Deep down, was he hungry for bonds and ties? 

He just didn’t think so and couldn’t imagine how to block the yearnings she stirred.  They were on a trip and had been thrown together like passengers on a sea voyage.  It was common for romance to flare in such an intimate setting.

It had flared this time, which wasn’t unusual, and he had to stop imbuing their friendship with more significance than it warranted.  It was the moon and the Nile and the hot desert air.  It was the lure of being in Egypt where they were so far from all that was familiar.  The foreign ambiance fostered the impression that any reckless action was possible—even an amour with a girl he didn’t really want.

“Let’s go.”  He was desperate to be shed of her or he’d say something stupid.  “If we hear someone approaching, we’ll sneak into the foliage until they pass by.”

“All right.  I’d rather not be seen in this condition.”

“I’ll escort you safe and sound.”

“I never had any doubt.”

H
ello, Mr. Grey.”

“Hello, Lady Theo.”

Theo grinned, feeling humored but irked that they had to maintain the pretense they were barely acquainted.  In light of her sheltered upbringing, she thought he knew her better than anyone ever had.  He’d definitely viewed much more of her than anyone ever had. 

He was seated under an awning in front of his tent, loafing in a comfortable chair.  Wearing tan trousers and a flowing white shirt, the sleeves were rolled back to display his strong arms to maximum effect.  He’d donned a different pair of boots from those he’d had on the night before.

“It looks as if you’ve gotten yourself a new pair of boots,” she said.

“I ruined my old ones.  I walked into the bathing pool with them on.”

“Well, that was silly.  Any sensible person knows that water is hard on leather.”

He grinned.  “Yes, a sensible person would know that.”  He gestured to her clothes.  “That’s a pretty gown, and your bonnet is very fetching.”

“Why, Mr. Grey, I believe you complimented me.”

“I might have.  I’m delighted to note that you’re fully dressed today.  I hope you haven’t misplaced anything by accident.”

“No, everything is right where it’s supposed to be.”

“Where are you off to this fine morning?”

“Mr. Webster is showing us his excavation.  Would you like to come?  I’m certain it will be fascinating.”

“I’ve already toured it several times.”

“Have you?  I didn’t realize you were so friendly with Mr. Webster.  Do you stop here often?”

“Yes.  He’s quite a renowned fellow, so he has all sorts of visitors.  I ferry many of them down from Cairo.  Then I pick them up when they’ve had their fill of sightseeing.”  His lazy gaze traveled down her torso.  “How about you?  Have you had your fill?”

She didn’t think he was talking about sightseeing.  “Not yet.  I might never have enough.”

She could have dawdled there forever, but Susan was ahead on the trail, and she called, “Theo!  Are you coming or not?  Mother is wondering where you are.”

“Yes, I’m coming.”  She stole a final glance at Soloman.  “Are you sure you won’t join us?”

“I’d really rather not spend hours with your aunt and cousins.  Besides, I have chores to complete on my boat.”

She stepped a bit nearer and murmured, “I’ll miss you while I’m gone.”

Like a blushing schoolgirl, she was on pins and needles for him to say the same, but he replied with, “I’ll find you once you’re back.”

“I wish you’d eat supper with us.”

“Don’t hold your breath, Theo.  It won’t happen.”

“Theo!” Susan called again.

“Yes, Susan, I heard you.”  She waved to her cousin, then nodded at Soloman.  “You’re the most frustrating man.  You never behave as I’m expecting.”

“That’s what all women say about all men.”

“It’s especially true about you.”

“I’ll see you later,
Lady
Theo.  Have fun exploring.”

He was the only person at the camp with whom she actually wanted to socialize, and she had to physically drag herself away.  Anyone who’d observed them would have recognized the significant fondness she’d developed.

Oh, she was so miserable!  She yearned to be able to openly declare her affection.  She was eager to apprise others that they were close and growing closer.

If she’d had any courage at all, she’d march up to Edna and tell her to go to the devil.  She’d announce her infatuation and act as brazenly as she liked.  But she didn’t have much courage, and she would never deliberately cause a rift with her aunt. 

There would be no point to it either.  Soloman seemed to enjoy their flirting, but from what she could discern, he didn’t reciprocate her feelings.  If she stirred a tempest with Edna, it would simply put them at odds over a libertine who had no intention of ever claiming her.

She had to regroup, had to get her mind to where it had been prior to meeting him.  He would leave shortly, and she would eventually return to London.  She would sail home with her reputation repaired, having ceaselessly exhibited conduct that was beyond reproach, so Edna would report stellar character to her father.

She reached a slight hill, and she peered back at Soloman before she disappeared down the other side.  He was still seated in his chair, but he wasn’t watching her.  It had only been a minute or two since she’d traipsed off, and she hadn’t kept his attention for even that small interval.

She scoffed at her foolishness, crested the hill, and hurried down to where Edna, Susan, and Fenton were waiting for her.  To Theo’s surprise, Mr. Price was there too, and Theo forced a smile, amazed that he’d dare to fraternize with Edna, amazed too that Edna had deigned to be civil to him.

“Where have you been?” Edna snapped.

“I forgot my bonnet, so I had to run to my tent.”

“I swear, Theo.  You don’t have the sense God gave a gnat.”

“Sorry,” she said, but offered nothing more.  It was impossible to please Edna on any topic.

One of Mr. Webster’s assistants was present to lead them to the excavation.  They proceeded toward it, with the assistant indicating important sights, explaining Mr. Webster’s plans, his theories.  She listened to every detail and found the tour to be incredibly interesting.

As they approached the pyramid, it seemed much bigger than it had from over by the river.  And it was much farther than she’d anticipated, the desert creating an optical illusion as to distance.  Once they arrived, they were sweating and parched.  Mr. Webster had an awning set up, and they refreshed themselves on lemon punch and little cakes, then they squeezed down a narrow tunnel. 

They were warned to stay together and not wander.  The assistant and Edna had a lamp.  Mr. Price too.  There was a third one for Susan, Fenton, and Theo to share, and though Fenton demanded to carry it, they wouldn’t let him.  Susan and Theo had both been on the receiving end of Fenton’s pranks and knew better than to trust him.

They spent several hours snooping about, looking at paintings on the walls, at the labyrinth of mysterious passageways, at the numerous unusual rooms.  All of it was fascinating, and she was delighted to have participated.

Edna had grown tired midway through, so she’d been escorted out before the rest of them.  Susan and Mr. Price were up ahead, strolling arm in arm as they walked toward the exit.  The assistant said goodbye to them and left.

Theo was with Fenton.  He’d been to the site many times already, but still he’d been as fascinated as Theo.  He was becoming an expert on antiquities and Egyptology, and he’d been courteous and curious.

When the disaster arose, she wasn’t precisely sure how it happened.  She was always on guard around Fenton, but they were so near to being finished that she was relaxed and not concentrating as she should have been. 

One minute she was ambling along and watching as Susan and Mr. Price stepped outside.  The next, she was all alone in the dark, and she was standing in the blackest spot she’d ever been.  She couldn’t see anything.  Not her hand in front of her face.  Not the wall beside her.  Not the exit.

“Fenton?” she said, her voice being swallowed in the air of the ancient tomb.  “Susan?”

Neither of her cousins responded, and she called out much louder.  “Susan!  I’m lost, and my lamp has gone out.” 

She listened, but no sounds echoed back.  It was the quietest place she’d ever been, and she supposed it was very much like being in…well…a tomb.

“Fenton!” she shouted.  “This isn’t funny!”

She yelled and yelled, pausing between each summons, but no one answered and no one came.

Soloman stormed into Cedric
Webster’s tent.  He had an open invitation from Webster to join him for supper whenever he was in the camp, but on this trip, he’d avoided the meal with polite excuses.  He hadn’t provided any specific comments about his not liking the company, but Webster was a smart fellow.  No doubt he’d already had his own fill of Edna Wallace.

The group was seated at the dining table, a servant beginning to pour the wine.  At his rude interruption, all eyes turned to him.

“Where is Lady Theo?” he demanded.

He was greeted with blank stares, then Susan Wallace glanced about, just seeming to notice her cousin wasn’t present.

“I have no idea where she is,” Miss Wallace said.  “I assume she’ll be here shortly.  She’s probably running late.”

“Have you been to your tent this afternoon, Miss Wallace?”

“Yes.”

“Was she there?”

“Ah…no.”

“She didn’t dress for supper with you?”

“No.”  Miss Wallace scowled.  “What’s your point, Mr. Grey?”

He swung his irate glower to Fenton.  “Where is she?”

“How would I know?” Fenton claimed, but the pathetic liar couldn’t hold Soloman’s gaze.

“When was the last time any of you spoke to her?” Soloman asked.

Miss Wallace said, “We were at the end of our tour.  I was walking with Mr. Price, and Theo was walking with…”

She stopped and whipped around to her brother. 

“Where is Theo?” she hissed, but the irksome miscreant was unmoved.

“I remained at the excavation,” Fenton said, oozing innocence, “and she returned to camp without me.”

“Why didn’t you accompany her?” Miss Wallace seethed.

“She wanted to come back!  I didn’t.  She was hot and tired, and she was planning to wash, then take a nap.  She was right behind you, Susan.  Why weren’t
you
watching her?”

He bit down a grin, then started shoveling forkfuls of beef into his mouth as if naught was amiss.

“Dammit,” Soloman muttered, not caring that he’d cursed in front of the ladies.  He looked at Cedric.  “We have to find her.  Any tragedy could have befallen her.”

“I’ll summon my crew,” Cedric said.  He threw down his napkin and stood, saying to the assembled guests, “If you’ll excuse me?”

They hurried out as Mrs. Wallace said, “What is it?  What’s wrong?  Are you afraid she’s imperiled?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” Soloman replied.  He glared at Fenton.  “I’ll deal with you later.  Be ready.”

Fenton didn’t even bother to peek up from his plate, but Mrs. Wallace huffed and complained about Soloman’s autocratic manner.  Luckily, he fled quickly enough that he didn’t have to hear more than a remark or two.

Cedric was no fool.  He’d lived in the desert for decades, and he understood how rapidly a person could get into trouble.  Particularly at an archeological dig.  A wall could collapse, a ceiling crumble.

“What are you thinking, Mr. Grey?” he asked Soloman.

“That little bastard, Fenton Wallace, constantly plays tricks on her.  On the way down the river, he pushed her in the Nile, and she almost drowned.”

“Gad!  What sort of idiot would do such a thing?”

“He’s a spoiled, ill-behaved reprobate, and his mother won’t discipline him.  I’m betting he abandoned her in the pyramid somehow.”

“My teams know the safety rules.  No one is to enter or exit alone.”

“Well, your teams may know them, but if they were explained to Fenton, he wouldn’t necessarily follow them.”

“I don’t need that kind of nonsense.  I’m busy, and this isn’t a park where children can engage in mischief.”

“I agree.”

They marched off, with Cedric barking orders.  Servants and employees were running behind them.  Cedric had emergency procedures in place and regularly practiced rescue drills, so his people were aware of the precise routine.

Soloman was so angry he was shaking. 

He’d been occupied for most of the afternoon, so he hadn’t been around when she should have returned.  He’d deliberately stayed away from her, trying
not
to think about her.  Ultimately, he was too obsessed, and he’d given up and had looked for her.  Yet he couldn’t locate her anywhere. 

He’d finally headed to Cedric’s, expecting her to arrive for supper with her family, but she hadn’t been with them.  None of them had appeared to be concerned over her absence.

He’d been so unnerved by her not being with them that he’d rushed to her tent and had brazenly barged in to check on her.  But while Susan had had clothes scattered about, Theo’s side had been neat as a pin.  He was certain she hadn’t been there all afternoon.

His pulse racing with alarm, he’d dashed to Cedric’s tent and had blustered in without caring what any of them thought. 

Cedric was correct in stating that the desert wasn’t a spot for mischief.  There were simply too many ways to meet with misfortune.  Anything could have happened to her, and he was galled that so many hours had passed without her situation being noted. 

Susan Wallace should have been the one paying attention, but no doubt she’d been off pursuing her affair with Preston.

They approached the pyramid, and lamps had already been lit.  Workers were discussing where to search.  It was still daylight, but the sun was sinking in the west.  He hoped they’d find her before dark, and he refused to consider that they might
not
find her.

Someone was hovering at his elbow, and he peered over to discover that Susan Wallace and Preston had tagged along.  He couldn’t guess if Edna was there too and didn’t bother scanning the crowd.