Siren's Secret (27 page)

Ready to ambush them.

Camels that had been held to the ground rose until nearly a hundred men on beasts and another hundred on foot surrounded them. They looked rougher than Riad’s troops, their costumes not uniforms, but swaths of cloth to cover their heads and faces from the heat reflected all around them. Their leader, however, was definitely English. She thought she recognized him.

“Looks like they hired everyone in town,” Samuel noted. “No wonder no one was talking.”

Olivia turned to Stafford. “Maybe
I
should handle this.”

“Ollie, you don’t have friends in England. What makes you think you’ll have luck here?”

“I’ll just tell them where we are going, that we mean no harm, and have a jolly day.”

“A jolly day?”

“Indeed. Come along. I really cannot sit this camel much longer without becoming irritable.”

The duke and duchess and Samuel all opened their mouths to comment.

“Don’t
say it.”

They closed their mouths and reined their horses toward the incoming group. To Olivia’s great chagrin, she recognized their leader. It was the blond Englishman from the Algerian market she had fooled when she captured the stone.

“Uh-oh.”

“You do know them, then,” the duchess commented, adjusting her long overcoat.

Olivia studied the invaders surrounding them. At least the twin giants did not seem present. She glanced toward Stafford to gauge his reaction. His lips were pressed, his expression grim, and his look toward her—irritated indeed.

“It’s not as though I’m responsible for this,” she said.

Stafford lifted an eyebrow.

Olivia ignored him.

“Definitely a situation,” Worthington said.

“Welcome!” the leader called. “We meet again.” The man pranced his horse over to Olivia until they were facing each other. “I’m afraid we did not get formally introduced last time.”

“You were too busy threatening my life,” she retorted.

He ignored her maligning. “I’m Hugh Lampley.”

Olivia gasped. Lampley! One of her father’s colleagues. According to Grayson’s letter, one of the least trustworthy. Now she had proof of it too.

He offered his hand with a friendly smile—attempting to dispel his villainous image, no doubt. Olivia lifted her chin and sniffed her nose as if from a bad odor.

His smile broadened. It was a rather attractive smile. Then he winked. The damned nerve. She saw Stafford move his horse closer to her. The bothersome man was about to make things worse. Best to be civil. She reached down from her perch, accepting the greeting.

Stafford’s horse, squeezing in to separate them, immediately broke their connection.

Samuel didn’t like the way the stranger looked at Olivia.

She was too innocent to recognize manipulation hidden beneath smiles, but the man had sharp, knowing eyes. Not nearly as harmless as he was trying to play it.

“If you don’t mind, we were heading the opposite way. Have a nice day,
Hugh.”

“I’d be happy to escort you,” Hugh said. Then he smiled at Olivia again.

“Not at all necessary.” Stafford planted his horse firmly between Hugh and Olivia, forcing himself not to look back at her. The hairs on his neck were tingling, and he was certain she smiled back at the bastard. Women.

“Not an issue, sir. It’s my pleasure.”

“To annoy us?” he shot back.

Hugh smiled, as if entertained.

It irked Samuel even more.

“I hope I’m not as upsetting as you imagine.” He glanced past Samuel again, keeping his eyes on Olivia. “Actually, it’s my hope to see the funerary cone of the librarian returned to the tomb in one piece.” His gaze didn’t waver. “Along with Lady Olivia.”

Olivia gasped. “Is my father there?”

“Of course. Who do you think asked me to escort you?”

Samuel hissed in a breath. His sister caught his eye. She was wary. At least one woman had sense.

“Jolly good news. Isn’t it, Stafford?” His brother-in-law played the jovial Englishman. He knew Worthington could match Hugh charm for charm when he wanted. The fact that he took on the role now was Joshua’s subtle advice that they should not tip their hand.

Olivia jumped back into the conversation. “He is well then?”

“In excellent health.”

Elizabeth and Nathan joined them.

“That’s wonderful news, Olivia,” Elizabeth said.

“Yes,” Olivia agreed, still eyeing Hugh before noting the rest of his men. “You’re not going to attack, threaten, or injure us then, are you, Mr. Lampley?”

He laughed. “I believe we are on the same side, Lady Olivia. I apologize for our earlier meeting. I had heard of you, of course. But you were not so recognizable, and quite frankly I didn’t expect to meet you under those peculiar circumstances.”

Samuel was pleased when Olivia’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Just where did you expect to meet me, Mr. Lampley?”

“Celebrating in a ballroom with a glass of champagne, of course.” He winked again. “Come along. We still have time to tour the tomb before luncheon. The site is very close.”

Hugh turned to guide them without looking back. Olivia surveyed the group, then clucked at her camel to follow.

Alex encouraged the men. “We didn’t come all this way not to tour the tomb. Don’t you want to see it?”

Samuel growled, but turned his horse. Olivia was already even with the snot-nosed bastard. He galloped to catch up. He didn’t trust the man. Olivia, heaven help him, had no qualms about playing right into his hands.

And he didn’t want that man’s hands anywhere near her.

The tomb site sat in the middle of a fairly pleasant but small oasis. The amount of flora made the area feel lush compared to the dry landscape they crossed to reach it, but it still suffered from the desert heat and dust. Workers and tables of excavation materials took up the space near the entrance to the catacombs. Past that, a small community of tents formed a semicircle. It was an elaborate operation. And well guarded on all sides.

Hugh helped Olivia to the ground. She thanked him absently, already absorbed in the sights, sounds, and mysteries around her. A worker passed by carrying a red and turquoise bowl. She followed after it, unaware of Stafford until he put her down on the other side of a narrow ditch she’d nearly fallen into.

“Oh.” Olivia blinked to clear her vision, confused and surprised to suddenly see him. The elaborate bowl seemed familiar. It was used to give food offerings to the gods. She swallowed with surprise at her certainty and shook off the sudden goose bumps. She must have automatically deciphered the glyphs on the outside of the bowl. Her skills had sharpened.

“What is it?” Stafford asked.

Olivia bit her lip. Uncertain. The duchess stared at her as well. As if she knew something already and waited for Olivia to catch up.

Olivia smiled and shrugged. “Nothing. Just overwhelmed. This is a dream.”

Hugh called them to stop when some guards came to greet them. “We have a policy,” Hugh said, looking toward the men and indicating their weapons. “If you don’t mind, this is a place of exploration and study.”

Olivia smiled approvingly as Stafford and Worthington were disarmed, including the weapons on their animals.

“Your Grace … ?” Hugh questioned with a smile.

Samuel’s sister smiled back—brilliantly. “Of course.” She nodded to her horse and they removed the short musket. “But I expect that back, Mr. Lampley.”

“Of course.”

“I can’t help to notice,
Hugh,”
Stafford commented, “that for a place of exploration and study, everyone else seems to be well armed.”

Olivia caught the hardness in Samuel’s voice. It put her on alert. Indeed, Samuel was right. Except for the people carrying artifacts and objects from the entrance of the tomb, everyone else was armed.

Mr. Lampley stood firm, though his stance appeared casual—legs apart, with thumbs hooked over his breeches. “They’re my men. Our goal is to protect the site, the men excavating it, and the valuable discoveries they are making. That includes any visitors.” He smiled warmly at the ladies. Olivia considered the veracity of his statement. For now, it seemed reasonable to go along with him.

“Olivia!” The voice set any lingering qualms aside.

Her father!

She looked toward the sound and saw him exiting the tomb. “Father!” Olivia rushed ahead of the others, weaving between guards and servants. Joy surged through her.

He is safe.

Instantly, weeks of tension released from her body. She stopped short of him, nearly swaying on her feet with relief.

He was still slender, though he seemed smaller than his six feet—hunched a bit from hours of crouching over ancient stone and dusting off rocks. He had aged significantly since their visit a year ago. It made her protective. And worried.

“Olivia! Good golly, girl! Whatever are you doing here? I didn’t believe the news!”

Olivia froze. Uncertain.

He reached out. “Come here. I’m dusty and unfit for company, but let me see you.” He took her hands and examined her with his scientific eyes. Suddenly she was one of his specimens. “You’re safe and unharmed?”

“Yes, Father.” Olivia had never felt so unsure in her life. “Are you happy to see me?”

“Of course.” He relaxed a little. “Only frightened at the thought of how you have journeyed here. I can’t believe Grayson didn’t have more sense. This was not what I had in mind.”

Samuel stepped up to guard Olivia from behind. “I brought her.”

Samuel studied her father. Elizabeth, Nathan, Alex, and Worthington joined him. They were letting Lord Merryvale know they stood with Olivia—even if she didn’t know it. Her father’s greeting had been less than wholehearted. It might be an English thing, but it angered Samuel. Olivia had risked her life to come and save him, to see to his safety. A warm welcome would not have been inappropriate—especially after not seeing her for so long.

“Father, if I may introduce you. Stafford, this is my father, Nigel, Lord Merryvale. Father, Captain Samuel Stafford of Stafford Shipping.”

“Stafford? Well, then. That would have been safe enough. I’m told you have special privileges in these waters.”

“Usually,” Samuel said, hesitant to reveal much. Instead he indicated his sister, Worthington, Elizabeth, and Nathan. Elizabeth stepped forward and took both of Merryvale’s hands, greeting him warmly. Slowly everyone began to relax. News was shared, and Merryvale congratulated the Riedells on their nuptials.

“I see now that you had to deliver her,” Merryvale said. “That was very thorough of you, Mrs. Riedell.”

“Nathan and I will stay until she no longer needs us, my lord,” Elizabeth answered.

“I must release you now,” Olivia murmured to her friend.

Merryvale turned to Alex, causing Samuel’s interest to perk. “This is quite a bounty today. Your Grace, it truly is a pleasure to have you here. Your correspondence has been a great comfort to me.”

“I am gratified to hear that, my lord.”

“Unfortunately, we have had no further luck at opening our mysterious tomb.”

“I can help!” Olivia chimed in excited. “My fluency—”

“Yes, yes,” Merryvale cut her off sharply. “Hugh! We must arrange a tour into the chambers. And lunch.” He turned to the duchess. “It’s early, but you might be hungry.”

“Yes,” Alex said.

“No,” Olivia contradicted. “I want to see inside the tomb—”

“Food first,” Alex insisted.

“We ate not two hours ago,” Olivia insisted.

“I’m hungry. And you never know when your last meal is going to be. Trust me, Professor. I’ve been adventuring a lot longer than you.”

Samuel studied his sister. She didn’t trust their situation. He tended to agree. In which case, better to figure out who was who and what was what before they were trapped with the dead several feet below ground.

“Food would be welcome. Thank you, Lord Merryvale.” Samuel settled the issue.

“But—”

Olivia looked longingly at the entrance in the ground where local workers were carrying out priceless objects. Her heart pounded with excitement. Who could eat now? They were on the verge of what could be the greatest discovery in history! Olivia stared at the others, who were already following her father to a long wood table in the middle of the large tent camp.

She ran back to her camel to secure her bag with the star cone and, in case she might need it later, grabbed the leather water pouch that Cook had filled. As she scrambled to catch up with the others, she made as many observations as possible along the way. It was a rather large operation. A number of local workers were carrying objects to one station of tables, where they were sketched, labeled, and numbered. Then they were brought to another station, where they were logged in a book and boxed. Some artifacts were occasionally brought to her father for his assessment. The oasis had armed guards circling at regular intervals. To keep away thieves? Hmm. She smiled at the irony. That put her right where she needed to be.

Olivia joined the others, though she was still restless and unwilling to sit. Her father had a map on the table.

“This is what we have uncovered so far.” He pointed. “There are three levels. The first filled with catacombs, small tombs—largely unremarkable. The second floor is more interesting. There is a great hall, like a rest area for visitors, then paths off in several directions. These seem to be the tombs of more prominent members of the city. It is also the level where we found the star cone.”

Olivia carefully laid the object in question on the table. “And I’ve brought it back … for some mysterious reason that I am most eager to learn.”

“In good time, Olivia,” her father promised. He pulled another map and laid it next to the other two. “The very bottom are more catacombs. There appears to have been some flooding at the furthest level. But …” Her father pointed to the second level again. “We were able to enter all the tombs on this level. All were quite similar in layout. This one”—her father lifted his eyes to hers and didn’t move—“we have been unable to enter.”

“Why is that?” Stafford asked.

Hugh chimed in behind Olivia. “It appears to be a cunning lair of mortal traps.”