Only You by Cheryl Holt

Author:Cheryl Holt [Holt, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781945176036
Published: 2016-06-30T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

What are you doing?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Leaving…for where?”

As opposed to the clients he ferried up and down the Nile, Soloman travelled light. He had a tent and sufficient trimmings to make himself comfortable in any situation, but he could head out on a moment’s notice. And he was definitely ready.

He threw the last of his clothes into his trunk, then spun to Preston. “I’m sorry, but I’m off to Cairo.”

“Now?” Preston asked.

“Yes, now. I’ve had all the fun I can stand.”

“What about my friends downriver?”

“You have two options: You can leave with me, and I’ll take you there. Or you can stay here, but you’ll have to find your own way to their camp.”

“I paid you to deliver me.”

“I’ll refund your money when you return to Cairo, and don’t worry about hiring other transportation. There’s plenty of traffic to convey you wherever you wish to go, and lots of it stops at Cedric’s dock.”

“What brought this on? I thought you were content to dawdle.”

“I’m not. I’ve had it with Edna and Fenton Wallace, and I won’t spend another second in their company. Nor will I waste another minute saving Lady Theo the next time Fenton plays a trick on her.”

“That child is frightening, isn’t he?”

“He’s seriously deranged, but as that old witch, Edna Wallace, pointed out, it’s none of my affair.” He slammed the lid on his trunk and buckled the straps. “What’s it to be? Are you coming with me or not?”

Preston dithered, obviously not having expected Soloman’s departure. Soloman was surprised too by his sudden decision, but when he’d stood face to face with Edna and had listened to her hateful lies, his path had immediately become clear.

When he’d been a confused, befuddled boy of twenty, he’d let people accuse him of all sorts of hideous conduct. But at thirty, no one was allowed to speak to him as she had, and her diatribe had worked wonders on his convoluted mind.

He’d been loafing at the camp in order to flirt with Theo, but it was ridiculous to fraternize with her. Only disaster could result. He’d be caught with her, or Fenton might see them together and he’d race to inform his mother.

Soloman wouldn’t imperil Theo, just as he refused to put himself in a position where he had to explain his salacious infatuation to Edna. He wasn’t about to propose to Theo, so why dally? It had been madness from the start, and he still couldn’t comprehend his lack of sense where she was concerned.

“I guess I’ll stay,” Preston said. “Cedric sets a mean supper table, and I’d relish a few more chances to sample his wine cellar.”

“And of course Susan Wallace is an enticement.”

Preston feigned indignation. “Miss Wallace? Why would you suppose so? I realize I trifled with her earlier in the trip, but I learned my lesson. I haven’t been alone with her.”

“Save it, Preston. It’s not my business if you’re dabbling with her. Just be careful.”

“I’m always careful.”

“I hope you know what you’re about.”

“I always know.”

If they’d been friends—which they weren’t—he might have tried to decipher the remark.

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