The Hippopotamus Pool - Elizabeth Peters [28]
He was not looking at me. He was watching Nefret, who demanded our attention by holding out her arm and exclaiming, ‘Look, Aunt Amelia. Isn’t it beautiful?’
It was. The bracelet circling her slim wrist was of fine gold mesh and exquisite workmanship. She had admired it earlier that day at the shop of Suleiman Basha.
‘Where did you get that?’ I demanded.
She knew what I was thinking. Her lips curved demurely. ‘Why, from Ramses, Aunt Amelia. It is not improper, is it, to accept a gift from one’s brother? I have already thanked him.’
The bewitching smile she gave him would have been thanks enough for most men. I had never seen Ramses blush, but on this occasion his high cheekbones darkened just a trifle. ‘For you, Mother,’ he said, offering me a parcel wrapped in tissue.
It was a small figure of a seated cat formed of blue-green faience. It wore a tiny golden earring, and a loop of gold wire around its neck enabled it to be hung on a chain.
‘Why, Ramses,’ I exclaimed. ‘How thoughtful of you. Er – it must have been extremely expensive.’
Courtesy – a quality even children deserve – prevented me from putting the question more bluntly. ‘Where did you get the money?’ was what I meant.
‘I borrowed it from Father,’ said Ramses. ‘However, I intend to pay him back at the earliest possible opportunity, in part from my savings and in part from my allowance as it falls due.’
‘Thank you, Ramses,’ I said, and with Nefret’s assistance unfastened the chain from my neck and added Ramses’ cat to the scarab that had been Emerson’s bridal gift. ‘I will hang it on its own chain later.’
My appreciation was sincere, but my doubts as to Ramses’ true motives were considerable. I had found the opportunity of having a little talk with him earlier, pointing out, among other things, that while I could only approve his brotherly concern for Nefret’s reputation, he stood a poor chance of influencing her by scolding her and ordering her about.
‘Bullying her will only make her more determined,’ I explained. ‘Any woman of character would react in that way.’
‘Ah,’ said Ramses. ‘Most interesting. I confess I had not considered that aspect. Why I should have been so obtuse I cannot imagine, since I have had ample opportunity to observe the truth of your analysis in your own . . . Hmmm. Thank you, Mother. You need say no more. I am able, I hope, to learn from example, and I will proceed in a way you and Father will approve.’
I was not at all certain I approved. A lady always appreciates a little gift, but at his present rate of income Ramses would be in debt for a good many months. He was an expert haggler, but the gifts must have cost a pretty penny, especially the bracelet. Did Ramses think he could bribe Nefret into submission?
She was turning her arm, admiring the sparkle of sunlight on the gold, and smiling happily.
Perhaps he could at that.
After reading the messages I was able to inform Emerson that our dinner party was arranged for Friday evening.
‘But we are sailing on the Thursday, Peabody.’
‘We will have to postpone our departure until Saturday, that is all. You were the one who asked me to arrange the party, Emerson; such things can’t be done on the spur of the moment, people have other engagements.’
‘Oh, bah,’ said Emerson.
He did not, as I had expected, inquire whether Mr Newberry was joining us. In fact I had not heard from him at that time, but later that evening I received a note of acceptance, and duly reported this to Emerson.
He appeared to have lost interest in the matter. Without looking up from the papers that had occupied him since we returned from dinner, he only mumbled under his breath. Not until I began to prepare for bed did he abandon his labours.
I had felt it best to wait until he was in his most vulnerable mood before questioning him about his errands. ‘What did you learn about Mr Shelmadine?’ I inquired.
‘Who?’ Emerson tossed his shirt in the general direction of a chair.
‘Saleh, as he introduced himself. You went to his office today, didn’t you?’
‘No. Why