Must Have Been The Moonlight

Must Have Been The Moonlight by Melody Thomas Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: Must Have Been The Moonlight by Melody Thomas Read Free Book Online
Authors: Melody Thomas
hair is not the sleek, glossy tresses of which legends are made.” With one hand, she whirled her braid like a lasso. “I swear, I’m cutting it off when I return to Cairo.”
    “That would be a shame.”
    “Why?”
    His soft leather boots making no sound on the carpet, he took the cloth from her hand. “I imagine it looks decent when brushed.”
    “Goodness, Major”—she flapped a hand in front of her face in a mock swoon as he stepped closer—“you have a poetic way with words.”
    He was taller than Christopher, who stood inches above most men. “Turn around.”
    “My mother’s hair was blond and wavy,” she said.
    His hands worked the turban around her head with deft ease. Unsettled by the novelty of her sensual interest in him, she schooled her features, ignoring his warmth against her back. “Not one person in my family inherited anything from her except the predisposition for wavy hair. She was English. Her family disinherited her when she married Da.”
    Now if he’d been any other man, he’d have offered her condolences or sympathy and they might have diverted to a topic of dialogue. “British families are like that,” he said.
    He suddenly became more fascinating. “What horrible sin did you commit that your family would disown you? Or did you disown them?”
    The dark look he slanted her told her that the topic wasn’t up for discussion. Normally, she wasn’t so easily cowed, but these weren’t normal circumstances. Sizing up his mood, she elected to abstain from questioning him. Whatever softness might lie inside him was guarded and deep, and he had a way of closing himself off; except from Alex, she realized.
    “As much of an aggravation as my family is, I love them very much,” she said quietly. “Stand against one Donally and a person stands against all.” Brushing her hands over the robe, she felt the push of her breasts against the tight bindings. She didn’t know how she was going to manage the constriction all the way back to Cairo.
    And that was when she felt it all over again, the sense of dread that kept dogging her. She was comforted to know that she and Major Fallon were allies, so to speak. He’d shared her outrage, had a personal connection to the victims, and she welcomed his ability to think rationally. “Will there be a cart to take Lady Alexandra into the village?” she asked. “I’m concerned about her walking.”
    “How far along is she?”
    “I…” Brianna flushed hotly, and was glad he was hovering over her head and couldn’t see her face. She didn’t make the mistake of accidentally touching him, and kept her hands at her side.
    “Surely someone who is never shocked isn’t struck speechless?”
    “I’m not speechless.” Her nose was pressed to his chest as he tugged and looped the cloth around her head. “Nine, maybe ten weeks,” she said. “A logical conclusion, considering she didn’t know when we left Cairo. I mean, the last time she and my brother…they were together in Giza. They shared the same camel, all right?” She could feel his grin as she stumbled along making a fool of herself. “Are you sure this plan will work?”
    He tipped her chin and looked down into her eyes. “My presence on that caravan will not make you any safer.” He returned his attention to her turban. “In fact, it’ll probably make you less safe. At least this way, if someone is out there watching us, they’ll be following me.”
    As well as the two men outside, who were dressed up like women. They were setting an ambush. “Naturally that makes me feel more at ease. Who protects you?”
    “I know what I’m doing, amîri .”
    Their faces were close as he worked the turban. So close she tasted the scent of peppermint on his breath, which was pleasant.
    It occurred to her in her musings and admiration that he’d experienced worlds she’d only glimpsed in novels and photographs. He spoke the language, had acquired the mannerisms of the people, and hadn’t

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