The Hippopotamus Pool - Elizabeth Peters [117]
‘Now isn’t this just fine?’ he demanded of me – seated, of course, at his right. ‘The more the merrier, that’s my motto. And a handsome lot too, if you except my weathered old self.’
I was forced to agree. No one adorns a dinner table (or any other ambience) more than my dear Emerson, tanned and fit as always, his well-cut lips curving in a fond smile as he watched Nefret pretending to be polite to Ramses. She had developed quite a talent for sweet sarcasm, which of course passed right over Emerson’s head. It did not pass over the head of Ramses, but he had not decided what to do about it.
Sir Edward, playing it safe, had rejected evening dress in favour of a suit in a heather blend that set off his blue eyes and fair hair. Kevin . . . Well, even his best friend could not have called him handsome, but his freckled face beamed with satisfaction at finding himself in such company. The annoyance of The Times, the Mirror and the Daily Mail, at a distant table, undoubtedly added to his enjoyment. Walter looked ten years younger than he had when he first arrived; his face was now healthily tanned and he had gained at least a stone.
Mr Amherst, Cyrus’ new assistant, was a fine-looking young fellow, with sandy hair and a neatly trimmed mustache. None of us had met him before, since he was fresh down from Oxford, where he had been studying classics. He was chatting with Evelyn, who had never looked lovelier.
The happiest face of all, however, belonged to Miss Marmaduke. As the only unmarried adult female present, she obviously considered herself the belle of the occasion and she blossomed under the attentions of the gentlemen. Her black frock had been altered to display her arms and throat and shoulders, and by some device not immediately apparent to me she had managed to put her hair up and keep it there. Her thin cheeks were becomingly flushed–or perhaps it was paint. The transformation was so great I wondered whether Sir Edward . . .
‘A good many tourists in Luxor this year,’ said Cyrus, interrupting a train of thought which probably did me no credit. ‘I wonder how many have been drawn here by the news of the tomb.’
‘Some have tried to see it, at any rate,’ I replied, recognizing several familiar faces. ‘Lord Lowry-Corry and his lady actually threatened Emerson with dismissal when he refused to let them mount the stairs.’
‘Dismissal from what?’ Cyrus inquired with a bemused smile.
‘Heaven only knows. I suppose they believe archaeologists must be employed by the British government.’ I nodded distantly at Lady Lowry-Corry, who proceeded to cut me dead.
Cyrus, who had observed the exchange, laughed heartily. ‘I hope you will forgive me for saying so, Mrs Amelia, but there are advantages to a democratic form of government. The aristocracy can be a nuisance.’
‘Emerson would agree with you. But if you will forgive me for saying so, Cyrus, some Americans are toady to aristocrats too – not only ours, but the American aristocracy of wealth. I deduce, from the way the ladies are fawning on him, that the gentleman at that table is a member of that group, for his appearance is not so prepossessing as to inspire such a degree of admiration.’
‘Right again, Mrs Amelia.’ Cyrus scowled at the little man with the enormous mustaches, who was holding forth in a loud American accent. ‘He is a New Yorker and an old business rival of mine. Apparently he has become quite fascinated with Egypt, for he had the almighty gall to visit me and pump me about my excavations. Watch out for him. He’ll be trying to bully his way into your tomb next, and I wouldn’t trust him any farther than I could throw him.’
‘You could probably throw him quite a distance, Cyrus.’
‘And Emerson could throw him even farther.’ Cyrus’ face relaxed into an anticipatory grin. ‘I just hope I’m on the spot if he tries his tricks on your husband.’
I caught the eye of another gentleman who immediately rose and came to our table.
‘How is your son getting on, Mrs Emerson? Since you did not call me back I assume there were no complications.’
‘As you see, he is