8 - The Thunder of Stones: Lady Arianna Regency Mystery by Andrea Penrose

Author:Andrea Penrose [Penrose, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Lady Arianna Regency Mystery#8
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Thank you, sir.” Arianna rose from her chair as José escorted the junior attaché into the parlor the following morning. “I am so very grateful that you are willing to take time out from your many duties here to serve as my escort visiting some of the less well-known classical ruins of the city. As I mentioned in my note, my husband and Mr. Hammond are paying a visit to Mr. Lusieri atop the Acropolis to discuss antiquities, and I . . .”

She released a sigh. “I preferred not to accompany them.”

“That’s quite understandable, milady,” replied Eliot. “It is a steep climb, and after the shock you experienced yesterday⁠—”

“Oh, it’s not that!” interjected Arianna. “My father had a taste for adventure, and so from a young age, I’ve traveled to many less genteel areas than Athens. Indeed, much of my early life was spent exploring the West Indies, so I find foreign and exotic places fascinating, not frightening.”

She lowered her voice. “Perhaps I shouldn’t admit it, but what happened yesterday was rather exciting.”

“How admirable that you are such an intrepid soul,” replied Eliot.

Arianna smiled. “Most English gentlemen would not agree with you, sir.”

A twinkle of amusement sparked in his eyes. “I hope you tell them to go to the devil,” he murmured.

“That would be unladylike.” A pause. “So I refrain from expressing my outspoken opinions in Polite Company—and simply do as I please.”

He laughed. “I shall take it as a compliment that I am not considered Polite Company.”

“You clearly have led far too interesting a life to be lumped in with the prosy bores who spend most of their lives smoking cigars and reading the newspapers in their London clubs.” Arianna turned to pick up her shawl and reticule from the side table. “I am counting on you to show me your favorite historical sites in the city and regale me with stories about them that I can’t read in a book for visitors.”

He offered her his arm. “What a delightful challenge, Lady Saybrook. I shall endeavor to prove worthy of it.”

And he did, she reflected after a few hours of exploring several interesting ruins. He proved to be both a knowledgeable and an entertaining guide, making the weathered stones come alive with his accounts of the fascinating people and events of the ancient world.

“Your love of this region’s rich history resonates in your storytelling,” said Arianna with unfeigned appreciation. “Have you lived your entire life here?” Curiosity compelled her to add, “Or have you spent time in England?”

“I was there for a year at university, but I found that the path of a traditional Englishman was not the right one for me.”

“Oh?” She found the statement intriguing but was loath to pry into his personal life.

Eliot stared up at the decorative capital of an Ionic column, the midday sun turning it pure white against the cerulean blue sky. His silence stretched on long enough that she assumed he wasn’t going to react to her prompt. But just as she was going ask a question about Greek mythology, he chose to respond.

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