He Shall Thunder in the Sky - Elizabeth Peters [192]
“Did you have an appointment for this evening?” I inquired. “You didn’t mention it to me.”
Nefret stuffed the paper into the pocket of her skirt. “I’d almost forgot. It was of long standing. I rang earlier to cancel it.”
This was not up to Nefret’s usual standard of prevarication. The cancellation had not come from her, or by telephone, but from her correspondent. Percy? He was the only one she was likely to lie about. At least I would not have to worry about her being out that evening.
Ramses and Emerson were still at table when I returned. “What was that all about?” the latter inquired. “You went pelting out of here like a hound on the scent.”
Nefret had expressed her intention of going to her room for a little rest, so I could speak freely. I told them of my suspicions.
“You are always making mysteries,” Emerson grumbled. “Haven’t we enough on our minds?”
Ramses’s inexpressive countenance had gone even blanker. “Excuse me,” he said, and pushed his chair back.
“Where are you going?” I demanded.
“I’ve finished. Is it necessary for me to wait for your permission before leaving the table? I’ll be in my room if you want me for anything.”
His brusque tone did not distress me. I gave him a forgiving smile. “Have a nice rest.”
I had meant to have one myself, but I could not settle down. A troubled mind is not conducive to slumber. When I was not thinking of Johnny and his bereaved parents I was worrying about Lia and the effect of shock on her unborn child, and about David, grieving alone in some squalid hut, and about the Turks’ advancing, and Ramses . . . doing something I would not like. I did not trust him. I never had.
After a while I gave it up and went out to work in the garden. Gardening can minister to a mind diseased, as Shakespeare puts it (referring, in his case, to something else), but when I got a good look at what the camel had done to my flowers I lost the remains of my temper. What the cursed beast had not mashed he had eaten, including several rosebushes. To a camel, thorns are a piquant seasoning.
I went in search of the gardener, woke him up, and brought him and several gardening implements, with me back to the violated plot. It would all have to be dug up and replanted. Feeling the need for further relief, I took up a rake and sailed in myself. I was still at it when Nefret came hurrying out. She was wearing street clothes, a hat, and gloves.
“There you are!” she exclaimed. “Good heavens, why are you digging up the garden?”
I plunged my pitchfork into the earth and wiped the perspiration from my brow. “I became bored with nasturtiums. Where are you going? I was under the impression you meant to be here for dinner.”
“Sophia rang; they just brought in a woman who may require surgery. I must go at once. I don’t know when I will be back.”
“Good luck to her, and to you, my dear.”
“Thank you. You’ll be here this evening? All of you?”
“Why, yes, I believe so.”
She looked as if she would have said more, but nodded and hurried off.
I watched her until she was out of sight. Then I left Jamal to his digging and went into the house. When I got through to Sophia, she was obviously bewildered that I had taken the trouble to tell her Nefret was on her way. She thanked me very nicely, though.
At least I knew Nefret had not lied to me this time. Where the devil had she been—and, more important, with whom had she been—the previous afternoon? Whatever she was doing, for whatever reason, I must put a stop to it. My only excuse for having avoided a confrontation was my preoccupation with the other matter, and that was over now. Tonight, I thought. As soon as she comes home.
After my brisk exercise in the garden a nice soak in the tub was now not a luxury but a necessity. I had not seen Emerson all afternoon; he had gone to his study to work or to worry in private. I decided to surprise him by assuming one of the pretty tea gowns Nefret had given me for Christmas. He had expressed his particular approval of a thin yellow silk garment that fastened conveniently down the front. (Convenient