The Falcon at the Portal: An Amelia Peabody Mystery by Elizabeth Peters Read Free Book Online Page B

on."
    "It is natural on such an occasion as this," I said. "Who will be next, do you suppose? Neither of yours; they are too young."
"Not too young to feel the first twinges. I am afraid Anna gave Ramses rather a bad time last year. He handled it very gracefully, I thought."
"He has had a good deal of practice," I said dryly. "I cannot imagine why they do it."
Katherine gave me a sharp poke in the ribs and I saw Ramses at my elbow. "I beg your pardon," he said. "Have I interrupted a private conversation?"
"Nothing private about it," Katherine declared, her eyes twinkling. "We were speculating about love affairs. What do you think of Nefret and Raddie, Amelia? He appears rather smitten."
    "He appears absolutely hypnotized," I said, for I too had observed Raddie's bemused look and sentimental smile. "She is flirting scandalously with him."
"She's just keeping her hand in," said Ramses tolerantly. "Raddie's no match for her, though. I had better rescue the poor chap."
The musicians who had been playing softly in the background now struck up a waltz, and the bride and groom began the first dance. They were soon joined by Walter and Evelyn. Ramses had removed Nefret from her prey; her apple-green skirts flared as he spun her in a wide circle. Johnny was dancing with a young lady named Curtis or Curtin, who had been at Saint Hilda's with Lia.
I saw no more of the others at that time, for my husband seized me in his masterful grip and led (or, to be more accurate, lifted) me onto the floor. Waltzing with Emerson requires one's full attention; it is the only step he knows, and he performs it with the energy that marks all his activities. Fortunately my dear Evelyn had instructed the musicians to play a great many waltzes.
Since there were fewer ladies than gentlemen present, we females were much in demand. During the course of the afternoon I danced with most of the men, including Gargery and, to my amused surprise, Selim, who was looking very pleased with himself and very handsome, despite the beard he had grown in order to command more respect from his men. He explained he had got Margaret to instruct him, and meant to get in all the practice he could while in England, for he liked this new activity very much and meant to teach his wives how to do it.
    I cannot recall a happier day. Later, I wondered if some shadowy premonition had touched us all, inducing not the pain of future loss but a greater joy in the present. Had we but known this was the last time we would all be together.
It was late in the afternoon before the newly married couple retired in order to change into their traveling attire. We got them off at last, with much laughter and more tears and the usual ceremonies of farewell; and after the carriage had driven off through the foggy darkness to "an unknown destination," we returned to the Hall.
    "Rather like a funeral, isn't it?" said Emerson. "As soon as the body or bodies of the participants have been sent away, everyone starts to have a good time."
The only person who heard this inappropriate remark was Cyrus Vandergelt, who had known Emerson too long to be surprised at anything he said. His lined, leathery face stretched into a broad smile. "I've already had a real good time. Never attended a wedding that was so much durned fun! I'll never forget Selim dancing Egyptian-style, with the bridegroom beating on a kettle and the best man blowing a toy whistle and the rest of us gathered in a circle clapping our hands."
"Neither will I," I said ruefully. "Perhaps we all had a little too much champagne."
"Have a little more, then," said Cyrus. "And let's finish up the occasion in style. Strike up the band! Wheel"
From Manuscript H
Ramses had no difficulty persuading his parents they should not tell Nefret about the scarab until after the wedding. They left it to him to break the news; Selim and Daoud and Fatima had returned to Amarna House with them, and his mother and father were fully occupied with entertaining their