Guardian of the Horizon by Elizabeth Peters Read Free Book Online Page A

mentioned it." "He didn't mention it to me until just before he left for Yorkshire. He was afraid I'd urge him to accept, and abandon my own plans rather than leave Father without half his staff." "Emerson would not have taken that well," I agreed. "Hmmm. I believe you have found the answer to this particular dilemma. It would be a wonderful opportunity for David, a chance to build a reputation of his own, without being dependent on us. But it would mean keeping our real purpose a secret." "We'll have to do that in any case." The kittens were rolling around on the floor in mock battle; one of them let out a squeak of protest and Ramses went to separate them. Holding the victim away from its rougher sibling, he went on, "When we returned in '98, we agreed that the very existence of the place must remain unknown, but although our fiction passed muster with the general public, there were a few people who wondered whether we were telling the whole truth. People who remembered Willy Forth's theory about a lost oasis in the Western Desert; people like your journalist friend O'Connell, who had learned from the officers at the military camp at Sanam Abu Dom about Forth's nephew Reggie setting off in search of him. We should be all right if we can keep such people from making the connection between that last journey and our intention of heading again for the Sudan. The greatest danger is Merasen himself." He paused for breath, having spoken with unusual quickness and passion. Glancing at my list, I said approvingly, "I commend you, Ramses, on stating the facts almost as logically as I might have done." "Thank you, Mother. You had, of course, already considered all those points." I gave him a sharp look, but his face was quite grave--not even a little quiver at the corners of his mouth. "I had, yes. Those and others. I fear your father has not: he is inclined to ignore difficulties once he has set his mind on something. I will have a little chat with him. Will you speak to Nefret?" Ramses went to the window, where he stood looking out. "Your opinion would carry more weight with her." "D'you think so?" "Yes," said Ramses, without turning. "She's out there now, with Merasen. Practicing archery." They were on the lawn, with half the household watching. When I went onto the terrace the maids scattered in various directions, trying to look as if they had had business in that part of the house, but Gargery stood his ground. "A proper sport for a young lady," he announced. "If I may say so, madam, it shows off a pretty figure to best advantage." I did not reprimand him for this familiarity, since a look of almost paternal pride warmed his plain features. She did look very pretty in her neat divided skirt and shirtwaist, her hair clubbed back and bound with ribbons. She loosed the arrow, which flew straight to the target, though not to its center. Merasen said something to her in a low voice; she laughed and looked up at the terrace, where Gargery was clapping his hands enthusiastically. "Good afternoon, Aunt Amelia. Thank you, Gargery, but Merasen says I need more practice." "I'd like to see him do better," Gargery declared, scowling at the critic. Nefret offered the bow to Merasen. He folded his arms and shook his head. "It is a woman's bow." "Stop for a bit, Nefret," I said. "You look very warm, and I would like to talk to you." She handed the weapon to Merasen and came up the steps to the terrace, wiping her wet forehead with her sleeve. I got rid of Gargery by asking him to get Nefret something to drink, and went straight to the point, before he could come running back. She looked surprised when I mentioned David's offer from the publisher. "He didn't tell me either. How nice! It would be just the thing for him. I'm afraid I hadn't given the matter much thought, Aunt Amelia, but you are absolutely right; the fewer people who know our plans, the better. Can we keep them secret, do you think?" "I am about to consult Emerson on that subject.