The Egyptologist - Arthur Phillips [135]
But you have probably already been told that Finneran’s Finer Finery is having certain problems. I can see it, and Daddy looks worried often, and J. P. O’Toole tells me this and that. So your wonderful Success is even more important to everyone here, and they are even more proud of you, almost as proud of you as your Queen. I hope this news is not alarming to you, or changes anything about how you view Daddy, or us. But I know you are not like that. And it is not so serious as all that.
You are so good and kind to be so worried about Inge and my medicine and seeing me healthy for our wedding day. Please don’t worry. It will all be fine. Just knowing how much I mean to you and how important it is that I be healthy for you is enough to make me healthy and keep me healthy. I will simply get myself well out of love for you, and so you won’t worry another moment for me. I can feel it happening already. I can do this for you. Anybody could for a man like you.
You are coming home, and then I won’t be so bored and that’s usually what gets me thinking about going out on the town. This is it: I will not go out even one more time.
I think of you whenever I am awake and able. You always said that you are guided by science and deduction, not passion. Do you remember saying that when we walked on the river? But all the evidence says you shouldn’t love me, archaeologist. But you do. So I swear I will be better for you and will deserve you and will make you feel rewarded. I will make myself better right now. Done!
Write me again soon, and about our wedding, tell me about our wedding and all the gold rings and crowns you’re finding in the sands, tell me of the Hall in Kent and when we will meet the King of England—a live king, you know, is better than a mummified one when it comes right down to it.
I am your eternal Queen.
m.
Thursday, 30 November, 1922
Margaret: Margaret, my love, you will want to know all about this someday, the order of events as precisely as we can reconstruct it. So, first thing this morning, the day after your “split” with me, I hobbled off to the post. And of course, today’s post brings a letter from you, dated 15 November, and it makes me laugh, the sweet thing. I cabled you right away, my darling, thank God for cables to clear up misunderstandings completely and at once from far across the sea. Now all is clear. Our love is unshaken. Of course: your father is in financial strife and cannot bear to admit it to me, the poor man! Of course! Of course that would make him feel ashamed and worried about the integrity of those around him, and he would test me by sending me that false cable. And what have we learnt? I love you no matter, no matter.
That explains all, and I feel nothing but pity for your father today. It is for the best, my love, that my relationship with your father be detached from the issue of financing the expedition, especially now, when he is under pressure. I have been presented with a likely new backer here, so it is all for the best. You did your father a good turn when you introduced us, and I will do him another by releasing him from his debts to me. We will find a solution to it all, as long as you and I are together. I am so relieved, my love. Last night was unbearable.
I will return to the site tomorrow, but today I must reflect on all I have discovered so far. Carnarvon will need to understand my success before we can proceed as partners. I must