Page 20

An Excursion to Saqqara

T he following day, a port close to Saqqara

Distant shouts, the neighs of a donkey, and the slight bump of the dhahab?yeh against a dock had Diana bounding out of bed and into a pair of breeches and a long-sleeved shirt.

She was already pulling on a pair of stockings followed by her boots when Randy lifted himself onto an elbow and stared at her.

“What’s happened?” he asked in alarm.

“We’ve docked, which means we’re at Memphis,” she said with excitement. “We’re about to see some of the oldest man-made structures on this entire planet,” she added happily.

“Oh,” he replied, rising from the bed. “I quite forgot.”

She gasped. “How could you?”

He chuckled softly. “Probably because I spent the night in the same bed with you,” he teased. “Rather more comfortable than our most recent accommodations I might add.”

Indeed, the Dendera , a rather new vessel, was far more luxurious than any other ship upon which they had sailed.

The polished hardwood interior included a posh parlor and eight well-appointed cabins.

The crew cabins and galley were below the main deck.

A set of stairs led up to the top of the ship, where a covered dining area with seating for twelve and chairs for lounging were located.

The crew were usually found in the open area at the very front of the ship.

At the very back of the ship, where a last set of cabins were usually located on a typical dhahab?yeh, the deck was open but surrounded by a waist-high railing.

A metal table and four chairs were the only furnishings, other than a rickety stool that was positioned next to the control for the rudder.

“You fell asleep on top of me again,” Diana said. “But I’m happy to hear I’m more comfortable for you than the mattress at that riad .”

He chuckled. “I’m sorry about that.”

“I’m not. It was rather chilly last night, so I appreciated your warmth.” She rose from the bed and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m surprised your bum didn’t grow cold though.”

“If it was, I didn’t notice,” he murmured.

She grinned. “I’m going out to see if a dragoman has been hired yet.”

Before Randy could respond, she took her leave of their small cabin and made her way through the thin corridor toward the front of the ship.

Three of the four men who made up the crew were on the dock, seeing to securing the vessel with ropes.

Noting the position of the sun, Diana realized they were on the west bank of the Nile.

She found the ship’s captain, Mahmood, at the wheel. He widened his eyes at the sight of her but dipped his head. “Lady Forster,” he said.

“ Sabah al-khair ,” she said by way of a morning greeting, glancing around to see a bustling port despite the early morning hour.

A number of other ships were docked near theirs while several had cleared their moorings and were heading out to the middle of the river, no doubt for fishing.

In the distance, a number of camels rested in the sand beyond the main thoroughfare, and a line of horse-drawn carriages were parked nearby.

“Where might I find a dragoman to take us to the Saqqara Necropolis?”

The captain gave a start. “I expect he will find us, my lady,” Mahmood replied, his grin displaying gaps where several teeth were missing. “You should allow your uncle to see to the arrangements, though.”

Diana bristled. “Are you saying the guide won’t speak with me because I am a woman?” she asked, annoyance evident in her voice.

The captain didn’t have a chance to answer when Will appeared at her elbow.

“He is,” he said in a whisper. “But don’t take it personally.

This is a very patriarchal society,” he added, using terminology she would understand given her background.

In a louder voice, he said, “Mr. Salman suggested we hire a man called Omar. Said he had access to all manner of transportation and was quite knowledgable about the necropolis.”

Before the captain had a chance to respond, an older man, his leathery face weathered by sun and wind and surrounded by a linen shemagh , stepped on board and reached for Diana’s hand.

Startled, she watched as his lips brushed over the back of her knuckles before he straightened. “I am Omar, my lady,” he claimed in barely accented English. “At your service.”

Diana glanced at the captain, waiting for him to confirm the identity of the man.

“Your arrival is well-timed, Omar,” Mahmood said dryly. “Almost as if you were expecting us.”

“I was,” Omar acknowledged. “Salman, your dragoman in Giza, sent word yesterday I was to expect you,” he explained. “And he especially mentioned you,” he added, turning his attention back to Diana. “Lady...?”

“Lady Forster,” she said, wondering what Salman might have included in his missive. She dipped a curtsy before turning to indicate Will. “This is my uncle, Lord Bellingham.”

“Ah. An aristocrat,” Omar acknowledged with a bow. “I understand there are others in your party, my lord?”

Will nodded. “There are nine of us,” he said. He didn’t include the nurse or Bradley in his number, thinking they would remain on board while the rest of them spent the day touring.

The number didn’t seem to surprise the dragoman. “Five hantours will do then,” he replied happily, referring to the horse-drawn buggies. “I have seen to it they are supplied with water and hay. Your ladies will bring their parasols, no doubt? A luncheon as well?”

“I’ll see to it they do,” Diana replied. “Will I be able to explore the inside of any of the pyramids?”

Omar displayed a moment of surprise. “You are not deterred despite your experience in Khufu’s tomb?” he asked.

Diana blinked. “Not in the least.”

“You were not... frightened?” he asked in surprise.

She shook her head before her eyes widened with understanding. “ I was not the one who was frightened, sir. My cousin had a bit of a scare when a young boy appeared as if out of nowhere. Mere momentary fright is all,” she explained.

“You are not deterred by claims of curses cast upon those who would enter a pharaoh’s tomb?” he pressed.

She shook her head. “I am an educated woman, sir, and I am not superstitious.”

Omar and Mahmood exchanged worrisome glances. “Perhaps you should be, my lady,” Omar commented. “The heat inside the Red Pyramid is nearly intolerable, the air is very poor, and there is nothing to be found there but an empty chamber.”

Will cleared his throat. “Exactly how many pyramids can we see in one day?” he asked. “If we don’t go inside?” He directed an apologetic glance at Diana.

“I will take you to Saqqara and Dashur where you will stand next to three pyramids... well, four if you count the small mound near one of them,” he replied. “We shall see some off in the distance. And then there are many tombs and the remains of temples in Saqqara. What you call Memphis.”

“I don’t have to go inside a pyramid,” Diana murmured.

Will furrowed a brow. “You’re sure?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I’ve read the descriptions of these pyramids’ inner tunnels and chambers. They are much like the one I was inside of at Giza.”

“Very true,” Omar said, waving a finger. “These were the first of many pyramids to be built, though, so they are not as... perfect,” he added, wincing as if he knew he had chosen the wrong word.

“All the better,” she said. She turned to Mahmood. “When might we be able to eat breakfast? And might you be able to make a luncheon we can take with us? We’ll need water as well.”

Will and Mahmood exchanged glances of amusement. “Here I thought you were the planner, my lord,” Mahmood commented. He turned to Diana.“Your morning meal is ready, my lady.” He waved to the table set up at the top of the ship. “I will have Ahmet prepare food for your travels and flasks of water.”

“ Shukran ,” she replied by way of thanks. About to say she would see to waking the rest of their party, she turned to discover most members of the two families were already making their way up the stairs to the dining table. “We shouldn’t be long,” she said, directing her comment to Omar.

“I shall have our transports ready when you are, my lady.” He turned to Mahmood. “We shall meet you at the dock near Dashur late in the afternoon.”

“I’ll be there,” Mahmood replied.

From their casual manner, Diana realized the two had taken other travelers on a similar trip in the past. Although the others would be grateful their dragoman was experienced, she knew Omar wouldn’t allow her the freedom a younger guide might.

A n hour later

“I didn’t realize the ground would be so hard out here,” Tom said. Next to him, his brother was lounging in the buggy, his gaze directed at the horizon. Off in the distance, several triangular shapes interrupted the flat line of the desert.

“Me, neither,” Randy replied. He had opted to ride with Tom so Diana and Helen could ride together. David would have been left alone in a carriage except he had talked Helen into allowing Bradley to ride with him.

Although they had expected the babe to be left on board with the nurse, Helen had put voice to a protest, claiming it was important he join them and that she would see to him.

The look on Helen’s face had been almost comical when David lifted the boy into the buggy and then stepped up to sit next to the toddler.

Bradley beamed in delight, obviously not the least bit concerned he wouldn’t be seeing his mother or sister for a half-hour or more.

“You’re not funning me?” Helen had asked in alarm.

David shook his head. “I have two younger cousins I’ve taken on rides,” he claimed. “At some point, I’ll have one or two of my own babes I’ll need to take in a curricle or a barouche.”

“You’ll have to hold onto him,” she argued.

“I know,” David replied, an arm reaching behind the boy so he could pull him closer. “Don’t worry. I’m only going to teach him some new words.” Before she could scold him, he winked and said, “Don’t worry. I won’t teach him how to curse.”