Siren's Secret (18 page)

He didn’t trust her at all. That’s not what she wanted.

“Wait here.” She ran to her cabin and snatched the copy of the letter. He stared at the paper when she returned. “I made a copy so I could study it.”

“Of course you did.”

“Don’t be snippy. I have to be prepared if I’m to save my father. He must have written to Grayson at the same time he wrote me. Or shortly before. Otherwise Grayson would have told me my father was in trouble.”

“Maybe he’s not in trouble.”

“He said it was a matter of life or death. I believe that constitutes a great urgency, Mr. Stafford. My father is enthusiastic, but is not one for melodrama. Plus, something ‘dreadful’ has happened to the other members of the party. I think they might be dead.” Olivia held the copy of the letter. “In any case, this new information makes no sense. I don’t know why they would care that the librarian made astrolabes. It’s interesting and would make for a nice collection, but we should be focusing on what is in the tomb and being excavated, not what is already saved. Grayson and my father seem to think—”

“Wait.” Stafford’s voice rasped, harsh. His face paled. “What is this part about the astrolabes?” He reached for her copy of the letter, and she handed it to him.

“I thought you didn’t want to read—”

“That was before.” He scanned the letter. His sister had an ancient astrolabe. Grayson had told him his sister was in contact with Merryvale. They were going to meet when she was in Egypt. What did she hope to learn? And was she walking into a trap? Did Merryvale know about Alex’s astrolabe?

“You look worried. You never looked worried.” She grabbed his arm. “What is it, Stafford? Tell me. What is happening? Is my father in danger?”

Samuel handed her back the copy of the letter. Her father was definitely in more danger than she suspected. He wondered if his sister had told her husband why she really wanted to visit Egypt. Alex had a way of not sharing key information. Olivia stared at him, waiting.

“My sister and her husband are traveling in the area. Grayson said they were going to meet up with your father. Apparently, Alex and he have been corresponding.”

“That’s impossible. I would know about it,” Olivia said.

“Like you knew about this?” He indicated the letter in her hand.

Samuel took a seat. He needed to think. His sister had two parts of an ancient astrolabe—the disc that had been their mother’s and the disc given to her on her birth. They believed there were as many as four more discs out in the world. But they didn’t know where, or what they would learn if the device was completed.

He had thought his sister had left the mystery behind her after it nearly got her killed. If the other parts were hidden or being protected, finding them could be dangerous.

Who else knew of his sister’s astrolabe? He thought about it. A handful of people outside their family. Any of them could have mentioned it to others. And what would they do to get it? Killing clearly was not beyond them. And someone obviously thought all the astrolabes were made by this Egyptian and held some significance.

He looked again at Olivia. She was innocent in this, he was sure. But what was Merryvale’s part in acquiring the astrolabes? And could either father or daughter be trusted once they learned what the astrolabes might lead to? Untold power, a lost empire, ancient treasure.

Olivia said she was after knowledge. But it took money to finance tomb raiding, and most who did it were after a bigger payoff—treasure.

“Stafford? You’re scaring me.”

He looked at Olivia, who was waiting and surprisingly patient for a change.

“I think your father is mixed up with some very dangerous people.” He paused to see her reaction. “Either that, or he is one of the dangerous people.”

She gasped. “No. That’s not possible. It’s not. I promise you. He has spent his life in pursuit of knowledge. But he would not injure anyone for it.” She paused. “At least not knowingly. He can be a little absentminded. And maybe naive about people. Those are his worst flaws, I assure you.

“Really? Because it doesn’t sound like he was much of a father.”

Olivia stiffened and he knew he’d touched a nerve.

“He is a wonderful father. I’ve learned everything from him.”

“He left you with a stranger when you were fifteen.”

“Mrs. Tisdale had excellent references, and she was good and kind. My father traveled a lot, but when he was home we spent all our time together.”

“Poring over ancient manuscripts and copying his notes?”

“It was what we enjoyed doing.”

“Really? Because I would have thought you enjoyed a lot more than that. Why hasn’t he ever brought you with him?”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“But safe enough for an absentminded old man.”

“He’s not that old, and as you point out, he is a man. That does make some things easier.”

“Maybe he plans to take credit for your genius. Claim he deciphered the texts himself. A lot of obsessed men seek fame.”

Olivia’s color rose. “You are utterly and completely wrong!”

“It crossed your mind, I see.”

“No!” She stormed for the door. “I shared this with you so you could help me. Not insult me and my father. You are the one hiding something, Stafford. Not me.”

Samuel didn’t move as she slammed out of his cabin. Olivia had a price on her head high enough to tempt the best of souls. If he were smart, he’d take her straight back to England. Only he needed to get to Egypt. His sister might be walking into danger—something she had a habit of doing, it seemed, despite marital bliss. He grabbed a thatch of hair and slowly released it in frustration and worry. And now Olivia was somehow mixed up in it. Hell. He didn’t want to risk Alex’s life or Olivia’s.

Was it possible to protect one willful woman, let alone two?

Olivia stumbled onto deck bleary-eyed the following day. She had spent the night researching astrolabes in one of Samuel’s books, trying to understand their significance to her father and anyone else.

Astrolabes were used to show how the sky looked at a specific place at a given time. Olivia had thought on it all night. Even if one had a special astrolabe, they would need to know the time and the arrangement of stars in the sky in order to find their location. Without all the information, she was conjecturing without a goal. It made her even more eager to get to her father. Once she saved him, they could get back to answering these questions.

But first they had repairs to make. And she had a full day in Algiers. Stafford was in the longboat when she arrived on deck. She’d donned her disguise but hadn’t bothered with the beard, choosing only the mustache. It already tickled unbearably. In a small valise she had fresh clothes. Stafford had promised her a room at the hotel where the Riedells were staying. She joined the men going ashore, trying not to be concerned that they all looked heavily armed. Nathan would not have taken Elizabeth into port if it were not safe. She intended to see the sights, bathe, and sleep on a real bed.

The men made room for her to sit near their captain. She greeted him as politely as she could.

“Stafford.”

He glanced down expressionless. “Ollie.”

Gads, he was still annoyed over the letter. Well, nothing to be done about that. She turned to one of the other men and greeted him. Only a cursory reply was forthcoming.

“Everyone is a bit tense this morning,” she said.

“It’s not a friendly port, Professor,” a sailor explained.

She looked at the bustling harbor ahead. People seemed too busy to worry. “How do you know that?”

Stafford didn’t turn to look at her. He merely stared out. “The fish are quiet.”

Her mouth made a small O of understanding, even though she didn’t understand. She suffered the silence until they were ashore. Then she was once again running to keep up.

The group was very purposeful.

Olivia waited while Stafford directed one group to get provisions and another to get supplies to finish repairs. It seemed he wanted to complete the task today. She frowned.

“We sail tonight,” he said. “As soon as the
Avenger
is ready—at least, mostly ready.”

“But, I thought—”

“Change of plan. Don’t worry. You’ll get your damn bath.” He looked her over. “I’m picking up some gifts. Please remain silent during the negotiation.”

“Of course. I—”

He’d already walked away. She chased after him. And continued to for a good twenty minutes, until they came to a town circle with a mosque. A local carriage driver hurried over, seeming to know Stafford, and soon they were riding to the other side of town. Stafford sat back, apparently relaxed, but his eyes were alert. The crewmen who accompanied them hung on the sides of the vehicle. Olivia tried to enjoy the sights, but the men managed to block her view very effectively.

Finally they got out at the end of a long path that had short, open clay structures—a market, of sorts. Olivia was excited to explore and followed along, taking in her fill of brilliant cloths, strange-sounding chimes, and new exotic faces.

Stafford headed directly to the shop he wanted, ignoring the loud barkers promoting their wares. They entered a darkened shop, covered to keep in the shadows and cooler temperatures. Stafford was greeted with a warm welcome, and Olivia followed, curious as they were brought past other buyers into a back room and given refreshment. She eagerly sipped the peppermint tea, registering every second of the experience to write down later and share with Elizabeth.

The tea was nothing compared to what followed. She gasped.

Stafford turned his head, censorious.

“It’s just … they’re beautiful.” Two intricately woven gold bracelets were laid before them for Stafford to inspect, each about two inches in width. They were not identical but clearly meant to be a set. Then the man brought out a matching necklace. It was a choker with a similar design, only the shopkeeper demonstrated how it wrapped around the neck and clasped in the front, where a length of gold chain hung lower, containing a stunning emerald.

Olivia had never seen anything so beautiful. She had to admit he had good taste—for an American. All she could do was wonder whom they were for. She asked, but he ignored her. It seemed the shopkeeper wanted more money than originally planned. Stafford got up to leave without the jewelry, and she followed, surprised. Then the shopkeeper called them back. They settled on the price, and the man brought out an array of more gems.

“Oohhh.” Olivia couldn’t help herself. She felt a crunch on her foot and jumped in her seat, ready to squeak at Stafford until she realized her voice had not been very manly. She cleared her throat and offered a nonchalant, but deep, “Very nice.”

Stafford waved the selection away and said something that made the man smile. He went away, then came back with a smaller box and proceeded to unwrap a number of large and stunning diamonds. Olivia swallowed. The cost for any of these would be exorbitant. Stafford wasn’t a flashy man, so she’d forgotten his wealth, but apparently he knew what he liked. He picked the largest, clearest diamond and inspected it for a long while before replacing it.

“Who’s that one for? Same person?”

He sighed, but didn’t look over. “It’s for the woman I love.”

Olivia’s head snapped. She stared. Then swallowed. “You’re in love?”

“I didn’t say that.” He looked down. “I might be referring to the woman I will eventually love.”

“Oh.” She was relieved, which was strange, since they were merely friends, and even if she were to consider marriage, it would not be to an American. And indeed, marriage was most unlikely until she became a renowned academic—assuming she lived that long.

He continued, “I did meet someone in London.”

“Oh.” She needed to digest this. “But you’re not sure?” She looked up to find him staring at her.

“No. I’m not sure.”

She smiled. “It’s important to take your time and really examine the merits of a person, not to mention the state of marriage. You wouldn’t want to make a snap decision, like Elizabeth and Mr. Riedell. I know you are used to doing that every day, and indeed, on a ship that is at times required. But it’s much better to take your time over life-changing choices, consider all the benefits, challenges, and possibilities.”

A smile started to curl his lips into thoughtful, sensuous curves. Her stomach flipped, and suddenly she wanted to lean closer to him, to reach up and take one of those lips between her own … She swallowed and stopped speaking. As if knowing her thoughts, he plucked her cap lower over her face, knocking her glasses.

Stafford finished his negotiation, collecting the large diamond and a few other items he referred to as baubles. She dared not ask
whom
the baubles were for. Likely Margueritte the Maggot. Or women like her. She scowled, grabbed her bag of clothes and soaps, and followed him to the next location. It was a larger shop with furniture.

He met with the owner, and this time she wandered around a bit by herself through the stacks and rows of furniture. There was more upstairs, and she climbed the steps to a connecting balcony that overlooked the shop next door. The neighboring one had furnishings, but mostly lanterns, lamps, vases, bowls, and smaller interior items. There was a table below, where the shopkeeper met with buyers, similar to the one previous. A man walked in with a package and greeted the shopkeeper. They seemed to know each other, but the shopkeeper was reserved. Then the two began talking heatedly. Finally, the stranger opened the package. Olivia watched curiously as the man lifted out a stone object that was eerily familiar. When he turned it to point out the star-shaped end, she gasped.

The funerary cone of the Librarian of Alexandria!

Olivia ducked behind a pillar to be hidden from view and watched. It sounded like a negotiation—only not. Suddenly a third man joined from behind the shopkeeper. Olivia gasped as he pulled out a gun and aimed it at the man with the artifact. She couldn’t believe he would shoot in broad daylight. In a shop. Not far from witnesses.

He did.

The weapon made a muffled explosion, confounding the victim, who looked very disappointed before he crumbled to his feet.