He stilled and I realized what I’d said. Frantically, I thought of a way to take the words back, but nothing came to mind. A slow realization trickled through my mind, moving like honey. I’d spoken the truth, and whether I liked it or not, Mr. Hayes did interest me. For all the things he didn’t say, the thoughts he kept hidden behind a quicksilver grin. Despite myself, my attention was frequently caught by his muscled forearms, and the blunt fingers edged around a strong palm. His bottom lip drew my notice, squared off and cut with immaculate precision.
“So, you find me interesting.”
I said nothing, curious to see what game he’d play. He was always playing one.
“What is it exactly that interests you?” A wicked gleam lit his eyes. He leaned forward, curling over the table, taking up too much space to ignore. His nearness quickened my pulse. “Have you thought about stealing a kiss from me?”
He uttered that irritating question with a straight face.
But I knew he was drawing battle lines. Firing where he could and warning me away. Resolve hardened me. He chose the way of the mask-wearing charmer, wanting to rile and provoke me. I wouldn’t be ensnared in his plan, the same way he kept everyone else continuously at arm’s length. His strategy was simple and brilliant; by flirting, he kept the conversation from anything meaningful.
“If you haven’t guessed,” I began quietly, “I have a lot more in common with my parents than you might think. Like them, I like to discover the truth. Hidden things have always fascinated me. And you, Mr. Hayes, have a secret. It’s long since been buried, but I know it’s there. And one day, I will uncover it. Mark my words.”
He looked down at his fingernails. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
“I traveled here all on my own,” I said. “Lied through my teeth to anyone I met, disobeyed my uncle at every turn. What makes you think that I’m wise?”
Mr. Hayes lifted his face and glowered at me. “I’m telling you to stay out of my business. You won’t like what you find, I promise you.”
“I’ve always been too curious for my own good.”
“Well, it’s a good thing that you’re leaving in a matter of hours.”
My mood soured and I abruptly changed the subject. “What brought you to Egypt? You never said.”
Mr. Hayes flipped the cover of my pad in place and pushed it back to me. “Duty.”
I gestured for him to continue, but our food arrived, and Mr. Hayes busied himself by plucking one of the croissants and putting it on his plate. With little fanfare, he bit into it and moaned. “This is the first thing you have to try.”
He cut half of another one and slid it onto my plate. I took a bite and found myself making the exact same sound he did. Somehow, the pastry was both sweet and salty, creamy and decadent.
“Does it live up to your expectations?”
“Everything here has. I can see why my parents couldn’t get enough.” I looked around wistfully, taking in the various patrons situated around us, enjoying their ice cream and enormous slices of cake. “I wish my uncle would give me more time.” I popped another bite of the dessert into my mouth.
“He has none to spare.” Mr. Hayes wiped his fingers with a cloth napkin. “We’re leaving tonight.”
I choked on a date. “What?”
He sat motionless, visibly weighing his response. After a beat he said, “We’re to board the Elephantine after dinner this evening. Early next morning, we sail for the excavation site from Bulaq.”
“Where is that?” I tried to keep my tone neutral, but the idea of them sailing up the Nile without me stung. I hadn’t found the shop where Papá might have bought the golden ring. I hadn’t discovered anything of note regarding my parents’ disappearance.
“Clear across the city,” Mr. Hayes said, his voice oddly gentle. “Come now. No need to look as if you’ve lost your puppy. You can always come back once your uncle’s temper has cooled down. He only wants to keep you safe, and he can’t be expected to watch over you while running an excavation team.”
I bristled. “Why do you and my uncle insist that I’m in some kind of danger? Look around! There seem to be plenty of tourists enjoying the sights. Cairo looks perfectly safe to me.”
Mr. Haye’s eyes glittered a frozen blue. “Does it?”
“Did you know you ask a question when you wish to avoid a subject?”
“Do I?”
“Yes. It’s unspeakably annoying.”
Mr. Hayes rearranged his handsome features into a look of contrition, which I didn’t believe. “Sorry, Se?orita Olivera.”
We stared at each in cold silence until he grudgingly said, “Cairo is perfectly safe. Ricardo isn’t worried about that. He has other reasons.”
“And they are?”
“You’ll have to speak to him.”
Everything came back to my uncle. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the large clock hanging on the wall. Every tick forward meant one minute lost. I only had a few hours left to figure out my next move. Otherwise, Tío Ricardo and his team would sail up the Nile without me. My attention swerved away from my irritating companion and to the other people dining around us, filling every available table.
One man in particular seemed very familiar to me. The slicked-back hair, the cut of his coat. I looked closely. The Englishman turned his head, lifting his coffee to his pursed mouth. The man’s profile struck a chord deep in my belly. My gaze flickered to his companion. My body recognized him before my mind did, a deep feeling of unease pooling in my belly. Hot anger ran up my throat.
The white-haired gentleman was Sir Evelyn. The man on his right was Mr. Sterling.
And on his littlest finger, he wore Cleopatra’s golden ring.
Capítulo Diez
I had several options and none of them were suitable. I could stand and yell thief at the top of my voice or march over to their table and demand Mr. Sterling return the ring. Logic begged me to use my head, to not draw undue attention onto myself. Mr. Sterling never found out my real name, but if he spotted me now, he might be able to follow me or, at the very least, inquire after my companion.
Mr. Hayes was well-known in this part of the world.
Surreptitiously, I glanced toward Sir Evelyn and the toad-faced Mr. Sterling. This afternoon he certainly looked like one in his green velvet smoking jacket and matching waistcoat. Mr. Hayes followed my gaze and raised his brows.
“Do you see what I see?” I asked in a low murmur.
Mr. Hayes stood. “Yes, Se?orita, I do have eyeballs.”
“Well, I don’t want him to see me so it’s best if we’re off.”
“Right.” He left money on the table and then took my arm and swiftly led me through the large dining space. “Time to return to the hotel.”
We hurried outside and Mr. Hayes strode to the sidewalk and let out another sharp whistle. A carriage pulled up to the curb and after helping me climb in, he settled in the seat across from mine. He gave directions to the driver and we lurched forward.
“Are you going to attempt to retrieve the ring from Mr. Sterling?” I whispered.
Mr. Hayes continued to peer outside, one finger lightly tapping on the window frame. “Have you asked yourself why he’s wearing it at all?”
I shook my head. “I was angry and unable to think beyond that. The way he took it from me, the arrogance, quite literally made me see red. You should have heard the way he made me out to be hysterical. Someone to be dismissed.”