Page 36

A Cousin Learns the Truth

T he following morning

By the time breakfast had been consumed and everyone who was going to the temple had stepped onto the dock, it was nearly ten o’clock.

The married women paired up with their husbands for the walk to the Karnak temple complex, the uneven terrain forcing them to hold on to their men even though there was a path of sorts to follow.

The only unmarried lady, Helen, walked up from the river on the arm of David, who offered his arm before Tom had even come out of his cabin to join the party for the day’s excursion. She wore a stylish hat, but also carried a parasol.

“Thank you, Lord Penton,” she said, happy for the escort.

“Oh, please, called me Penton,” he insisted. He had chosen a short top hat with a wider brim for the tour, warned that they were to be exposed to a good deal of sun.

“All right,” she replied. “Are you looking forward to exploring this temple? You seem especially happy for all these adventures.”

“Oh, I am. I may never have the chance again to risk life and limb as we’ve been doing on this tour.”

“Oh?” she responded, his words unexpected.

“When I return to England, I shall be remaining in London to assist my grandfather with the business of the Devonfield marquessate,” he explained. “I may go to Oxfordshire to collect my things, but I shall quickly return to London. I look forward to the challenge.”

“It must be very satisfying to have something to look forward to,” she said.

He made an odd sound in his throat. “Said as if you don’t. Have something to look forward to, I mean,” he clarified.

Helen swallowed back the sudden lump in her throat. “I don’t, not really,” she said.

“Not... marriage?”

She allowed a soft sigh. “I am not betrothed, my lord,” she replied, trying to keep her words sounding light.

“Do you wish to be?”

Helen nearly stumbled on the edge of a sandstone block. “Well... of course.”

Glancing back, David saw that Tom had ended up at the very back of their party, and from the way he meandered on the path, he didn’t seem particularly inclined to want to keep up with everyone else.

“Do you trust me?” David asked, returning his gaze to Helen.

“Uh... I suppose,” she replied, startled by the query. She dared a glance behind her, wondering what had had the viscount’s attention.

“Tell me, do you have any thoughts about my cousin Thomas? As they relate to marriage, I mean?”

Helen’s eyes rounded. “Penton,” she said in a scolding whisper. “I don’t believe it’s any of your concern, my lord.”

“Good,” he replied.

“Good?” she repeated in confusion.

“I have some experience with... betrothals of convenience,” he continued in a conspiratorial voice.

Gasping, Helen nearly stopped in her tracks. “Are you... are you proposing?” she stammered, struggling to keep her voice to a whisper.

“Not exactly,” he replied, daring another glance back to catch Tom staring daggers at him. “Stay close to me today. When I say something clever, remark upon it or giggle and act as if we are to be married.”

Helen blinked several times. “But... why?”

“Do you wish to wed my cousin or not?”

“Penton!” she once again scolded. She was about to say more, but clamped her mouth shut. “Is it that obvious?”

“That he wants you to be his wife?”

She gave a start, not expecting that particular take on it. “Does he?”

A look of confusion crossed David’s face. “He stares at you all the time. Acts like a lovesick puppy dog, especially when you’re in the company of the baby.”

Helen inhaled softly and swallowed. “I’ve caught him staring, but I hardly know why he would be jealous of Bradley,” she murmured.

“He’s jealous of...” Here he stopped and dipped his head. “Forgive me. It is none of my concern as to who... well, may I just ask if you are a widow, perhaps?”

Confusion had Helen’s brows furrowing. “No. I’ve never been married. I’ve never even been betrothed,” she said in a quiet voice. “Why would you even think so?”

David didn’t answer her question, merely asking another of his own. “And Bradley?” he pressed.

Her brows rose in anticipation of the rest of the query. “What about him?”

“Well, did... forgive, my lady, but how do you account for him?”

“Account for him?” she whispered. Understanding suddenly dawned on Helen, and she lifted a gloved hand to her face as she let out a gasp of surprise and then nervously laughed. “Oh, Penton, you’re a terrible tease,” she accused. “You really had me going there for a moment.”

Now that it was his turn to be confused, David appeared dumbfounded. “I... I don’t follow,” he murmured.

Helen giggled again, this time not bothering to cover her mouth. She leaned in close, lowered her voice to a whisper, and said, “Silly goose, he’s my little brother.”

David’s look of confusion slowly cleared. “As in...?”

“My father’s spare heir, yes,” she affirmed, a brilliant smile lighting her face. She giggled again.

David’s look of startlement was followed by a bark of laughter, which had the others turning to stare at him. “Oh, my lady, you have managed to surprise me as I have not been since... well, since my days at university,” he claimed.

Helen suddenly sobered. “You mean... everyone thinks Bradley is... is my son?” she asked in a hoarse whisper, remembering the conversation she’d had with Diana when they were at the pyramids.

Lifting a shoulder, he said, “Well, I certainly did and so does Thomas.” He glanced over at her. “So... this shall make our day even more fun,” he added, a grin suddenly splitting his face.

“Aren’t you going to tell him? I should tell him,” she replied, almost letting go her hold on him.

“No,” David replied, placing a staying hand over hers. “Let him stew. We can wait until later. Father says we’ll be spending the next few nights in a hotel in Luxor.”

Helen glanced back at Tom. “How could he think that of me?” she asked in a quiet voice, her momentary humor dissipating.

Although she wasn’t expecting a response, he said, “You simply have to forgive us. We men aren’t always so... perceptive.”

Knowing he spoke the truth, Helen merely rolled her eyes and was glad they had made it to the front of the temple.

D avid glanced back at Tom again, noting how his cousin narrowed his eyes when their gazes locked.

The machinations I must perform for those in love, he thought ruefully.

Turning his attention back to Helen, he said, “Don’t hold it against him, my lady.

I think he truly feels affection for you, but he may believe you have a beau back in London.

” Entirely too amused by the situation, he struggled to keep a straight face.