The Ape Who Guards the Balance - Elizabeth Peters [119]
“He had better stay here with you. Now, Peabody, remember what I told you . . .”
I cut the lecture short and sent them off with a cheery smile. The train might be late, it often was; but they wanted to be on the platform when it came in. My dear Evelyn would be in a fever of anxiety for her child. She must learn at the earliest possible moment that Lia had arrived safe and sound.
There would be no sleep for any of us that night. Nefret had gone back to Lia, but I was too restless to settle down. I asked Fatima to make coffee and followed her into the kitchen.
“I see you and Sir Edward have become friendly,” I said casually.
“He is very kind,” Fatima said. She reached for a tray. “Should I not talk with him, Sitt Hakim?”
“Of course you may. What do you talk about?”
“Many things.” Her busy hands arranged cups and saucers, sugar bowl and spoons. “What I do, and what my life was like before, and what it is now; about . . . Oh, all little things, Sitt Hakim; I cannot speak of great matters, but he smiles and listens. He is very kind.”
“Yes,” I said thoughtfully. “Thank you, Fatima. Why don’t you go to bed? It is late.”
“Oh, no, Sitt, I could not do that.” She turned to me, her eyes wide. “They will want food when they come, and they will be tired, but so happy to see their child. It will make me glad to see their happiness. Will they be very angry with Daoud, Sitt Hakim? He meant no harm. He is a good man.”
“I know.” I patted her shoulder. “I believe I can make them understand, Fatima. They are both very fond of Daoud.”
My questions about Sir Edward had not been prompted by suspicion, for even my fertile imagination could not think of any sinister motive for his interest in Fatima. It was unthinkable that her loyalty could be shaken by bribe or threat, and anyhow, she knew nothing that could be used against us. His kindly interest displayed a new side of his character. Perhaps, I mused, it had been his association with us that had broadened and softened that character.
I carried the tray to Nefret’s room, where I found her sitting by the bed reading. She said she did not want coffee, and would stay with Lia. I had the distinct feeling that I had been dismissed, though I could not have said why; so I let my restless feet take me to the courtyard, where moonlight spilled through the leaves of the trees and the night breeze cooled my face. I made out the motionless form of the guard, a pale shape in the shadows, and wondered if he had dropped off to sleep. When something stirred along the wall to my right, I started. A soft voice was quick to reassure me.
“Don’t be alarmed, Mrs. Emerson, it is only I.”
I made my way to the bench where he was sitting. “I thought you had retired, Sir Edward.”
He rose and took the tray from my hands. “One of your valiant guards is already dozing,” he said lightly. “I could not sleep anyhow. But coffee would be welcome. May I give you a cup?”
I accepted, and watched his well-groomed hands move deftly among the implements on the tray. “Is there some particular reason why you are wakeful tonight?”
He was silent for a moment. Then he said, “I was trying to decide whether to tell you. Far be it from me to add to your concern, but—”
“I prefer facts, however unpalatable, to ignorance,” I replied, taking the cup he offered me.
“I suspected as much. Well, then, I did not tell you the whole truth about my plans for this evening. I did dine at the Winter Palace, but afterward I paid a visit to a certain establishment of which you have heard. Purely for purposes of inquiry, of course.”
I didn’t doubt his assurance. A man of such fastidious tastes would not be tempted by what “the establishment” in question had to offer.
“I will spare you a detailed description,” he went on. “Except to say that I was somewhat conspicuous in that ambience, and that my motives were immediately suspect. I came