The Adventuress by TASHA ALEXANDER

journey was rough, along narrow roads and steep cliffs, but the destination was worth nearly any trouble. The caves were spectacular.
    â€œI am a bit disappointed,” Amity said, standing with Jack, inspecting the paintings by candlelight. “I had heard stories of tourist parties in this region being attacked by natives brandishing bows and arrows.”
    â€œYou should have liked that?”
    â€œVery much. I would have befriended them all and taken tea with them in their villages.”
    â€œYou are an extraordinary lady, Miss Wells,” Jack said.
    â€œ Miss Wells? ” Amity crinkled her nose. “You are not going formal on me now, not after all this time, Jack.”
    â€œNo, not really.” He could hardly take his eyes off her beautiful face. “I am only teasing.”
    â€œI like it when you tease.” She looked down, suddenly coy. “I am very pleased we will see you in Egypt.”
    For a moment, Jack wondered if maybe, just maybe, she was in love with him, instead of falling for the idea of his brother, and even though he knew her parents would never approve of the match, would forbid their marriage, he wished he could take her in his arms. Unable to think of anything suitable to say in reply, he took her hand and kissed it.
    â€œWould you do something for me, Jack? Something I want desperately, but should never admit to anyone except you? Will you persuade your brother to visit you in Cairo?” She blushed slightly as she posed the question, and Jack thought she had never looked so beautiful. “I am told the society is second only to that in London, and there is nothing to do in England during the winter. Isn’t that correct?”
    Jack felt as if she had struck him and splintered his heart, but he recovered without hesitation. “It is indeed. Everyone retreats to country estates.”
    â€œDamp, horrible estates. Or so I am told.” She took him by the shoulders and shook him playfully. “I am American, Jack. I am accustomed to central heating.”
    â€œI guarantee you would have not the slightest use for it in Cairo, Amity. And I will do my best to get my brother over just as soon as I can.”
    Her smile could have charmed anyone.

 
    4
    I did not accompany my husband to collect the autopsy results from the Sûreté. Experience had taught me that the police, no matter what the country, view ladies as nothing more than an encumbrance to any sort of investigation. Not that I am suggesting this was an investigation rather than a desperate search for something that might help us understand Mr. Neville’s actions. Not yet, at least.
    Cécile, Margaret, and I had retreated to the wide balcony of my suite to await Colin’s return, knowing that any information he had to share would be better disseminated in private. The view our location afforded was magnificent. Palm trees lined La Croisette below us, their silvery green fronds dancing with every breeze that came off the Mediterranean while sunlight shimmered on the water, and the shades of blue, from cerulean to azure, were too numerous to count.
    Cécile, who had ordered a salad of exotic fruits to be sent up to us, was searching through it with a fork and removing only chunks of mango, which she placed on a plate in front of herself. “You may rhapsodize about our natural surroundings as much as you like, Kallista, but to my mind the more interesting view is directly below us on the terrace. Look at the hat Madame Wells is wearing. What can she mean by owning such a thing, let alone displaying it in public? I count at least two mounted birds, and I have not the proper angle to make a thorough study of the odious object. I thought the fashion for such things had fallen out of favor.”
    â€œI like Birdie, even if she does allow her nickname to influence her fashion choices,” Margaret said, popping a chunk of pineapple into her mouth and looking thoughtful as she