Seb finished securing the last few bags and turned to survey the yard. He couldn’t count the number of expeditions he’d been on in the last few years. Every few weeks he would set out into the wilderness, sometimes on his own, sometimes accompanied by a few of his most trusted employees. Never before had he taken someone like Emma along with him though.
He wondered if it really was a good idea. She didn’t know what she was letting herself in for, that was for sure. He could emphasise the dangers all he liked, but nothing prepared you for your first experience of the desert. The days were scorchingly hot, the nights freezing cold, and the terrain one of the most inhospitable on earth.
He pictured the corner of the scroll he’d caught a glimpse of and knew he needed to go on this expedition. All the time he’d spent in Egypt he’d been waiting for something like this, something big, something to discover for himself. Here was his opportunity. And if it meant taking the delectable Miss Knight along for the ride then he’d just have to remain professional and do what she was employing him to: be her guide.
He glanced over to the entrance of the yard, where there was some commotion. Colonel Fitzgerald had just left, after bidding a fond farewell to Emma, but another small group had arrived. He scrutinised the newcomers with interest. It was possible someone else had got wind of the scroll already and they were coming to threaten or cajole their way onto the expedition.
His frown lifted as Ahmed, Emma’s stalwart companion, greeted the three men warmly. He watched as the older Egyptian listened carefully to what was being said, his face crumpling at the news.
After a few minutes Ahmed separated himself from the group and made his way directly to Seb.
‘Can I speak with you?’ Ahmed asked, his face grave.
Seb led the way inside and up to his office. He motioned for Ahmed to have a seat and waited silently for the older man to start to speak.
‘I have known Miss Knight since she was a babe in arms,’ Ahmed said quietly, ‘and her father for even longer. When I was a young man her father saved me from an awful fate, and I have travelled with him ever since.’
‘And now you travel with Miss Knight, protecting her.’
Ahmed bowed his head.
‘It is my duty and my pleasure.’
Seb remained silent, allowing Ahmed to continue.
‘I have just received some saddening news. My father is an old man. He is well into his eighth decade and his health isn’t what it was. I have not seen him for almost twenty-four years.’
Seb nodded sympathetically. He could tell Ahmed cared greatly for his father.
‘The men that just arrived—they were my brothers. They have come to tell me our father will not be on this earth much longer. If I ever want to see him again I will have to hurry.’
‘Then you must go to your father before it is too late.’
Ahmed nodded, then fixed Seb with a piercing stare.
‘Miss Knight is like the daughter I never had. She is the most precious thing in the world to me.’
Seb kept his face impassive.
‘Please do not hurt her.’
‘I promise,’ Seb said simply.
Ahmed looked at him long and hard and finally nodded in satisfaction.
‘I have been making enquiries about you, Mr Oakfield,’ Ahmed said.
Seb raised an eyebrow.
‘You put on a good facade. If you just scratch the surface everyone says you’re charming and maybe even slightly frivolous, but that’s not the whole truth, is it?’
Seb didn’t know how to respond. He knew he had a public persona and a private one. Not that he had to put on a happy demeanour or carefree attitude—he genuinely found life to be pleasurable—it was just he didn’t let many people see what was underneath, the serious side to him.
‘You are a good man, Mr Oakfield. You run a successful business and you care for your employees. You rescue orphans from the streets and give them respectable jobs. And you’ve never been involved in a scandal with a woman of good birth.’ This last part was said rather pointedly.
Seb shrugged modestly; he was who he was. And he cared for the people around him, be they employees or friends.
‘I’m sure you’ve heard some details of Miss Knight’s past,’ Ahmed said, lowering his voice even though they couldn’t be overheard.
Seb shook his head. He’d assumed there had been some kind of scandal by the way she reacted to certain things, but he hadn’t sought out the gossip.
Ahmed sighed and cocked his head to one side, as if contemplating whether he should reveal more.
‘I think you should know,’ he said. ‘Then you’ll understand.’
Seb sat back in his chair, wondering what could have happened that was quite so scandalous.
‘Miss Knight was always an innocent and impressionable young woman. She saw the best in people, couldn’t imagine anyone would be cruel or crafty.’
Seb imagined Emma as a fresh-faced debutante, excited to finally enter the world of the ton and all the frivolities that accompanied it.
‘She was swept up in her season and I think, having no mother, no one had thought to warn her of the dangers some of the men posed.’
Seb felt a sudden stab of anger. Someone had hurt her, and that hurt him. He pushed away the feeling and tried to concentrate on Ahmed’s narrative.
‘She fancied herself in love with a young man, Freddie Hunter. He insisted they keep their relationship secret. I think Miss Knight thought it romantic.’
Seb found he was holding his breath, waiting to see what the seedy Freddie Hunter had done to Emma, how he’d hurt her.
‘One night he proposed marriage to her, but refused to let her announce the engagement.’
Seb knew where this story was going and he felt some of Emma’s pain.
‘Somehow he persuaded Miss Knight to become intimate with him. They were discovered and Hunter refused to do the right thing. He left the country.’
‘Emma must have been devastated.’
‘She thought she loved him, and he loved her. For months she hid herself away whilst the ton gossiped. We thought he’d destroyed her for ever.’
Seb shook his head. ‘She’s stronger than that.’
‘Slowly she started to come out of herself. She realised what kind of man Hunter was and I think accepted she wasn’t entirely to blame. Society still gossiped but Miss Knight ignored them. She smiled and danced and reconnected with her old friends.’
‘But she never trusted a man again.’
Ahmed shook his head. ‘And because of the scandal no one eligible has ever pursued her.’
Seb wondered how the men of the ton could be so stupid. Emma was clearly kind and beautiful. How could they let the unforgivable actions of this Freddie Hunter keep them from seeing how special Emma was?
‘That is why I ask you to be gentle with her.’
Seb’s head snapped up.
‘She is a strong woman, stronger than any other woman I’ve ever known. She has been through so much and survived. But she is still vulnerable.’
Seb thought back to their kiss on the terrace and wondered if he should feel guilty given everything he knew now.
‘I will not be able to accompany you on this expedition, but I think you will look after her. I would not trust just anyone with her life. I ask that you tread as carefully with her feelings as you do with her safety.’
Seb regarded Ahmed for a minute in silence.
‘You have my word.’
The two men shook hands, an understanding passing between them that couldn’t be put into words.
Seb led the way back down to the courtyard below and watched as Ahmed approached Emma. He was just out of earshot, but he could imagine the exchange between them, aided by their expressions and gestures. Ahmed quickly told her of his predicament and Seb could see Emma was already urging him to go to be with his family. She wasn’t in the least bit selfish, he mused; all her thoughts were with her companion and his peace of mind.
He could tell when Ahmed changed tack and started to talk about the expedition. Immediately Emma was reassuring him that it didn’t matter. She glanced over at Seb for a few seconds and he guessed that Ahmed was saying she should continue as planned. He wondered if she would protest, but she just continued to nod.
Finally they embraced and after a few seconds Emma pushed the older man away, gesturing to his waiting brothers. Within a few minutes Ahmed had gone.
The enormity of the situation suddenly dawned on Seb. He was about to set out on an expedition with Emma into the desert with only Akil and Akins for company. If anyone found out they would be scandalised.
He crossed the courtyard in a few long strides and stopped by Emma’s side.
‘Ahmed told you he had to leave?’ Emma asked.
Seb nodded.
‘Poor Ahmed, he returns to Egypt after twenty-four years and instead of a happy reunion he’s faced with his father’s demise.’
‘At least he will have the chance to say goodbye.’
Seb knew only too well how much it hurt to never get to say goodbye to a parent, to leave without ever seeing someone you loved again.
Emma nodded.
‘You understand that without Ahmed it will just be the four of us?’ Seb asked.
Emma turned towards him.
‘You’ll still take me?’
‘If you wish. As long as you understand people might gossip.’
He saw a cloud pass over her face, but suddenly she brightened. ‘Well, I can certainly handle a little bit of gossip. I was sure you were going to cancel the expedition.’
Seb shook his head. ‘I probably should,’ he murmured. ‘Always was a bit of a fool.’
‘And there’s no reason for people to know Ahmed isn’t with us. We can send word when we’re almost back and it’ll be as if he were there all along.’
Seb grimaced. ‘People always find out, no matter what precautions are taken.’
‘Still, if you’re willing to take me, I would like to go. Even if people will gossip.’
Seb nodded curtly and turned to shout a couple of orders to Akil and Akins. They scuttled to the horse that was meant to be Ahmed’s and quickly started to transfer bags.
‘When do I get to see the map we’re following?’ Seb asked whilst they watched Akil and Akins work.
‘What makes you think there’s a map?’
Seb raised an eyebrow but didn’t say any more. If she wasn’t ready to trust him yet that was fine. She’d have to reveal their final destination eventually.
Within minutes the two young brothers had transferred the bags from Ahmed’s horse and distributed them amongst the others. Seb spent a little while checking everything was to his satisfaction, then motioned for Emma to come closer.
‘Ready?’ he asked her.
‘Ready.’
Expertly he boosted her up onto the horse and helped her adjust her dress so she was sitting comfortably.
‘I’ve got a pair of breeches if you’d be more comfortable.’
Emma looked shocked and he laughed.
‘Let’s see what you think at the end of the first day of riding.’
When he was happy that she was safely perched in the saddle and capable of taking charge of her horse, Seb motioned for the boys to mount and then followed suit. He nudged his horse forward so he was side by side with Emma.
‘Ready to start your Egyptian adventure?’ he asked.
The smile on her face made Seb want to reach over and pull her into his lap, but, remembering his promise to Ahmed, instead he urged his horse forward and they set off.