A Viscount for the Egyptian Princess by Heba Helmy

Author:Heba Helmy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2024-02-07T19:01:37+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Louis

Louis had taken to strolling in the Sesostris gardens or standing by the foyer, anywhere women of the harem passed in order to catch a glimpse of Mervat, but since their return from Alexandria two days ago, it seemed that they’d closed her off. Having submitted a piece on rail travel in Egypt—working in the study in hopes that she would appear—he was already finishing up the one on the Cleopatra Cerulean and was quite pleased with it. He would have liked to share it with Mervat, thank her for the research on the Sufi saint of Tanta, but the fact she’d sent it to him via Amu Taha in written form rather than spoken to him directly about it, indicated that either her mother was likely upset with their trip or that Mervat herself was avoiding him.

He had felt unmoored since their kiss. Although, at her request, it was only supposed to happen once, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Mervat had smartly known that there should not—could not—be more between them. To attempt it was to court disaster in a court built on traditions, no matter how much the khedive spoke of modernisation.

‘My father,’ Hussam said, as the two of them sipped lime cordials on the palace verandas, ‘has been strangely silent.’

It was a hot day and unlike in Alexandria, there was no sea breeze coming in to cool them. Louis might have splashed in the fountain pool were it not so picturesque with its Andalusian tiled design. Instead, he watched a pair of larks sipping from its tiered basin and listened as they chirped happily thereafter.

‘Perhaps that is a good thing? An indication your plan is working.’

Hussam scraped at his beard. ‘I fear not. What if he has guessed at it and is deciding what to do about Nadine? If he sends her away before...’

Louis frowned. Hussam should be concerned with the impact on Mervat, as well. ‘The princess hasn’t been seen. Have you checked on her?’

‘I assume my cousin is in her room, working on one of her projects.’ Hussam swirled the drink in his hand and went back to fretting. ‘Remember Montague at Eton? His father had holdings in the West Indies where the lime cordial was discovered. And when I brought it to mine, I had two weeks of praise. The khedive rewards behaviour he likes vocally, withholds it when he’s displeased.’

‘You’re telling me you’re worried that a plan of your devising is working? Do you not realise the lives at stake here?’

Hussam finally noticed Louis’s frustration. ‘I’m sorry, my friend. I hoped my father would be easier to read, but whatever his mood, I won’t let it affect you. You’ll have your post, your articles. His being upset with me will not hurt you. I’ll make sure of that.’

Louis appreciated the sentiment, but he wanted the same for Mervat and was about to say as much when they were interrupted by one of the servants.

He spoke in Arabic and Louis understood that Hussam had been summoned to the khedive.

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