Lord of the Silent: A Novel of Suspense by Elizabeth Peters Page B

you after now?" "Straight to the point, eh?" She put her cup on the table and leaned forward. "Believe it or not, renewing old acquaintances was one of my motives. I was particularly curious to see Ramses." "You did more than look." "Mmmm." The sound was like a cat's purr. "I knew he must be a grown man by now, but who would have supposed that infuriating, unprepossessing little boy would change so much? He's even handsomer than his father, and those shoulders . . ." She rolled her eyes and pursed her lips in an unseemly manner. "You are certainly in a position to know," I replied coldly. "What was the reason for that performance?" "I have every intention of telling you. However, I beg you will allow me to tell it in my own way, without questioning or interrupting me. You have heard many strange stories in your time, I expect, but this is one of the strangest. Perhaps I should begin by asking if you will do me the honor of accepting a copy of my latest book." She handed it to me. "I haven't inscribed it. You may keep it, give it away, or burn it, whatever you like; but first read the pages I have marked." "Now?" "Yes, please. It won't take long." A strip of paper indicated where I was to begin. I opened the book and glanced at the page. "It won't be necessary for me to read it. I remember this scene very well." The lines in her cheeks deepened, forming an attractive frame for her firm mouth. "One of the most thrilling scenes I have ever written," she said complacently. "You used the word 'silken' twenty-six times." Miss Minton threw her head back and laughed. "And 'voluptuous' twenty-eight times. Very well, if my style offends you so much I won't ask you to suffer it again. You recall, I am sure, that after requesting an interview with the Emir, I was escorted to a room in the palace where I remained for eight days, seeing no one except the slave girls who brought me food. I was treated with the utmost courtesy, but my repeated demands to see the Emir were ignored and I was prevented from leaving my room by guards outside the door-" "Until, on the eighth night, three burly eunuchs-wearing silken garments-came and escorted you to the audience chamber where the Emir-swathed in silken robes-awaited you. You attempted to ask him about the political situation in central Arabia; he responded with fulsome compliments, his bold black eyes scanning your form. You persisted. He offered to show you his secret correspondence with the spies he had set on his rivals and on the Turkish governor. Fearing the worst but knowing you had no other choice, you accompanied him to a small chamber-" "Voluptuously appointed with soft divans and silken cushions," said Miss Minton, grinning broadly. "It was where he kept his private papers, though." "And there," I continued, "the Emir cast off his silken robes; clad only in trousers and sleeveless vest-" "-of silk brocade-" "-he seized you in his arms. Struggling in his grasp, knowing it would be futile to call for help, you were on the verge of swooning when suddenly he released you and spun round, his hand on the hilt-" "-jewel-encrusted golden hilt-" "-of his sword. You sank trembling upon the silken cushions of the divan and what to your wondering eyes should appear but the form of a man, who had entered the room through a curtained doorway. Was he a rescuer or another foe? you wondered (pressing your hand to your heaving bosom, if I remember correctly). He wore the coarse cotton garments (I must say, that was a pleasant change) of a peasant, and in his hand he carried a naked blade. In deadly silence he rushed at the Emir, who drew his sword. The blades clashed. A grim smile playing about his well-shaped lips, the newcomer . . ." Miss Minton fell back against the cushions, whooping with laughter. She wiped her eyes on her napkin and remarked, "I knew it was bad, but I didn't realize it was as bad as that. Spare me the rest, Mrs. Emerson." "The end was never in doubt," I continued remorselessly.