LEANED her wrists on the edge of the table to keep her hands still as Harad told her about her sister’s involvement with criminals intent on using the ancient plant called the orbus to produce a potent drug that might give them an unfair advantage in controlling global events.
“I believe their goal was to use the drug to predict the future for political and financial gain,” he said. “But Beth and Omar figured out that several of Beth’s associates were involved in the plot. The criminals are in jail,” he concluded.
“Beth was almost killed?” Amelia knew she sounded breathless. “When I got the packet she sent me, I knew something was wrong. But I never dreamed she was on the verge of being murdered.”
“My younger brother is a very capable man. He’ll see to it that Beth is safe now.”
“Then all of the criminals were captured?”
Harad hesitated. “The man who backed Beth’s expedition, Nazar Bettina, could not be found. The authorities have discovered that no such man ever existed. We believe that John Gilmore, one of the scientists in Beth’s employ, created the identity of Bettina to hide a cabal of wealthy Americans.”
“And those men will go unpunished?” Amelia didn’t try to hide her disappointment.
“I hope not,” Harad said. “But it is now between your government and mine. Mr. Gilmore will be strongly pressured to reveal the names, which so far he has refused to do. He claims he doesn’t know who Nazar Bettina really is.”
“Is my sister safe?” Amelia asked.
“She’s very safe. Though Mr. Gilmore has so far refused to cooperate, the men who stood to gain from his deeds no longer have anything to gain. The plant that they sought has long been extinct. There is no longer an interest in your sister’s explorations.”
“I’m still worried about her.” Amelia’s hand caught at the scarab pendant. “She sent a note that said I should get to Alexandria as quickly as possible and to bring some photographs. Then I received this pendant so I would be recognized by the people who would meet me.”
“I knew nothing of the pendant,” Harad said, his gaze taking in the piece. “Omar sent me to meet you at the airport to make sure you understood everything was fine. And it is. Beth is safe and happy. You have my word. There is no need for you to change your business appointments. Beth’s only regret was there wasn’t time to get you to the wedding.”
“I’d give anything to be there, but Beth’s happiness is all that’s important.” Amelia said. She couldn’t help but notice Harad’s hands. The fingers were long and tapered, and he used them with great eloquence as he talked. What would it be like to feel those fingers on her flesh? The thought was so erotic that she looked down at her plate. “And this lost city that she was searching for, will she ever find it?”
Harad shrugged. “That’s between Omar and Beth. They must weigh the future.”
It was a diplomatic answer and gave Amelia time to compose herself and frame another question. “Why is it that Omar is head of your people? You’re the elder brother. Isn’t it traditional for that role to go to the oldest son?”
“Or daughter, in the case of my people.” Harad refilled her wineglass. “With my people, the gift of prophecy was passed from mother to daughter. A female child was the greatest blessing of the gods.” He gave a wry smile. “I suppose you could say that I’ve grown up in a reverse culture.”
“That would be fascinating to experience,” Amelia said. “But you didn’t answer my question. It was a good dodge, but not good enough.”
Harad laughed out loud, and Amelia found that she took great pleasure in his laughter. It had been a long, long time since she’d spent such an enjoyable evening.
“I wanted something other than the desert life. Omar loves the horses. He enjoys the sun and the restless nature of a nomadic tribe. He is also the keeper of the faith, and I’m not mocking him when I say that. Tradition, to him, is vital. To me, it is a hindrance. Once we both received our education in Paris I knew I would never return to the old way of life. I wanted to live in the city, to enjoy the luxuries that I could earn. He was the exact opposite. So I stepped aside and let the man best suited to rule take over. Instead of a desert leader, I studied architecture and then put together my own development company.”
Amelia played with the remains of her fish as Harad talked, but she was watching him closely. Though he was adept at casual talk, he didn’t back away from revealing personal truths. In many ways, he was far more open about his feelings than anyone she’d met in ages. He was a fascinating and compelling man.
“You seem lost in thought, Ms. Corbet,” he said, teasing her gently. “Are you envisioning me astride a camel in the middle of sand?”
Amelia shook her head. “Quite the contrary. I can more easily see you on a Paris street or at an Austrian business table. If I were staying longer, I’d like to see some of the buildings you’ve developed.”
“My secretary did check on a flight to Paris for you,” Harad said, reaching into his coat pocket to bring out the information. “The first flight is at ten in the morning. I took the liberty of booking a ticket for you. You’ll arrive in Paris in the evening. A car will be waiting for you there.”
Amelia arched her eyebrows. Everything had been going perfectly fine, until this. Harad had presumed too much. The one thing she simply couldn’t abide was being treated as if she was six years old. “Since I’m so close to Beth, I want to see her, even if I miss the wedding. I want to meet Omar.” She didn’t try to hide the implication of her last sentence. She wasn’t leaving until she’d met Beth’s husband.
Harad’s features froze, then he recovered quickly. “Beth and Omar are deep in the desert by now. It would be a long and arduous journey. You would do better to return for a real visit in a few months.”
“You could find a guide for me. Someone who could take me to them.” She found that his resistance to the idea only made her more determined.
“I’m not sure that’s a wise decision.”
“But it is my decision.”
Harad folded his napkin and placed it carefully on the table. He slipped several banknotes from his wallet and left them in the leather case that contained the bill. “I highly recommend you reconsider.”
Amelia folded her napkin and stood also. The black cat, who’d been busy eating until then, looked from one to the other.
“Meow.”
“Will you provide me with a guide?” she asked.
“It would be difficult to find a seasoned guide for such a long journey on such short notice. Ms. Corbet, you must plan on being in the desert for at least two weeks. Such a trip requires tremendous preparation.”
“I’m sure the concierge can help me arrange it,” Amelia said. A deep flush had darkened Harad’s cheeks, and his brown eyes were flecked with golden chips of anger. For a split second, Amelia regretted her rashness. She wasn’t at all certain the concierge could arrange anything.
“Ms. Corbet, you’re on your own. I’m afraid I can’t help you. I can only wish you good luck.” He
