The Panther & the Pyramid (Khamsin Warriors of the Wind) by Bonnie Vanak

Author:Bonnie Vanak [Vanak, Bonnie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-07-12T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Over the next several weeks, Jillian settled into a pleasant routine. During the day she rode in the park, and sat for hours in her husband's vast library, devouring his large collection. Jillian marveled over his tastes, always taking care to leave before Graham arrived home and caught her reading. She'd learned that lesson from her father, who disdained her thirst for knowledge.

Sometimes she sat in the drawing room, doing needlepoint like a dutiful wife while Badra discussed books and nursed her son. At first, Jillian felt shocked embarrassment at her friendly sister-in-law's habit of feeding Michael in front of her. But after a while she realized the viscountess was much more discreet around others. And as she grew to know her better, Jillian realized Badra thought of her as a close sister who shared intimacies. She was deeply touched at the trust the woman accorded her.

Trust and emotional closeness, things the duke did not accord her. Graham frequently vanished for long periods during the day, and when she once timidly asked where he went, he replied curtly, "It's not your business." Hurt, she withdrew, not asking again.

It appeared the only intimacy he would share was in bed each night. There, he made love with great passion. Still, when she clung to him, searching his eyes, he seemed distant, as if he shared only his body and withheld the rest of himself.

Jillian found herself in the peculiar position of becoming closer to her in-laws than her husband. Reticent at first, even Kenneth became friendly. He joined her in the library, explaining he'd only learned to read English in the past year. He talked of growing up among the Khamsin, the Egyptian warrior tribe who raised him, and how he had fallen in love with Badra. Graham's family openly shared themselves. Graham did not.

Jillian tried during dinner to engage her husband in conversation. She dared to comment when Graham and Kenneth discussed investments. But when Graham's piercing gaze locked on her, she quieted and focused on eating her food instead. She did not want to see an echo of her father's condemnation in her husband's face.

Today, she'd actually found herself needed. Jasmine's governess was ill, and Jillian offered to give lessons. In the cheerful schoolroom, the pair skated through reading and sums, and then Jillian decided to stoke the young girl's sharp mind with her own love of economics. Jasmine sat at her small wooden school desk, listening with rapt attention.

"England has been suffering from an economic depression since 1873. Blame it partly on the Industrial Revolution. We are no longer an imperialistic country leading the way in international trade. For example, look at the production of steel. All the new sailing vessels are constructed with it. America produces it far cheaper. And what does it mean when you can produce a product cheaper?" Jillian asked her young pupil.

"You can sell it for less?"

"Exactly—and still make a profit. It's called supply and demand. Buyers want to cut costs; they'll purchase it from the cheapest source.

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