Crocodile on the Sandbank - Elizabeth Peters [63]
I experienced a revelation in that moment. I wanted Walter for Evelyn. They were ideally suited; he was an honorable, lovable young fellow, who would treat her well. If I had to give her up, I would not repine seeing her in the tender care of a man like Walter. I determined, in that instant, that it should come to pass. But I foresaw that it would take some effort, even for me.
Lucas was now close. Waving and laughing and shouting greetings, he came on. Walter turned to Evelyn.
“Will you not go down to meet this relative of yours?”
His tone was positively spiteful. I smiled to myself.
Evelyn started. “Yes, of course,” she said.
“I will meet him,” I said, taking her by the arm. “Stay here; I will have Michael bring tea.”
Lucas fell on me with shouts of joy. The fellow would have embraced me if I had not fended him off with a well-placed shove. I interrupted his babble with the caution I had intended to give; and he shot me a reproachful look.
“No such warning was necessary, Miss Amelia, I assure you. But tell me, what are you doing here? Your reis informed me that you have been here almost a week. Who are your friends, and why—”
Explanations and introductions followed, slowly, since Lucas kept interrupting. The interruptions ceased, however, when I—for of course it was I who was telling the story—reached the part of the narrative involving the Mummy. Lucas listened in silence. A grin spread slowly over his face, and when I concluded my story he burst into a shout of mirth.
“Excellent! Splendid! Little did I think when I set out for Egypt that I would have such luck. This is like one of Rider Haggard’s tales; or the novels of Herr Ebers. How I look forward to meeting the Mummy!”
“I don’t know that such an encounter will ever take place, Lord Ellesmere,” Walter said. “There is no reason why you should concern yourself with our problems. If you will escort the ladies into safety, we—”
Lucas leaned forward; impetuously he placed a hand on the other young man’s arm.
“But, my dear fellow, you would not deprive me of a part in this adventure? I don’t claim any noble intentions; I’m sure you can manage quite well without me. My motives are purely selfish, and therefore you must give way to me!”
Watching his beaming face, hearing his jovial tones, I could understand why Mr. Dickens’ Scrooge found his jolly nephew so irritating. I was also struck by the contrast between the two young men. They were almost of an age, I thought. Walter’s slim height looked boyish next to Lucas’ breadth of chest and shoulders. His tumbled dark hair and thin cheeks made him appear even younger. Lucas was dressed with his usual elegance; his pith helmet shone like snow in the sun, his light suit was tailored like a uniform and fit him like a glove. Walter’s shirt was open at the throat, displaying reddened, peeling skin. His boots were shabby and dusty, his hands callused from hard labor.
At that, he looked relatively respectable next to his brother, whose bandaged brow and hand added to his look of a battered warrior just come off the battlefield. Emerson was contemplating Lucas with an expression that made me think we might become allies in this, if in nothing else. When he spoke, it was in the rasping growl that was more dangerous than his shouts.
“You should appeal to me, my lord, for permission to join our group. I confess I cannot think of any means of preventing you from pitching a tent anywhere you choose.”
From Emerson this was positively a gracious speech. Lucas seemed to realize it; he turned his considerable charm on Emerson, who continued to study him with all the enthusiasm of a gruff old mastiff watching the gambols of a puppy. When Lucas expressed interest in the antiquities of the area, he unbent a trifle and offered to show Lucas some of the tombs.
“We have uncovered very little of the city,” he explained. “The ruins that remain are not interesting to a layman. The carvings in the tombs have a certain appeal, however.”
“I regret that I have not had time to examine them more closely,” I interrupted. “I meant