A Curse of the Heart

“Do you think Gabriel has found anything exciting on his adventures?” Ariana said, coming to stand next to Rebecca’s chair as the maid poured the tea.

Rebecca considered inviting them to the museum but hesitated. “Well, he did send a package of clay figures for me to display in the museum. Perhaps I could bring one for you to look at.”

Ariana glanced at her mother. “I have never seen anything from Egypt before. Could Miss Linwood call again?”

Sarah Stone smiled and nodded. “Miss Linwood is welcome to call again.”

They conversed about the weather and about Ariana’s birthday. The child giggled with excitement even though it was more than a month away, and when it was time to leave, Sarah escorted Rebecca to the door.

“If you do decide to tell Gabriel you were here, please tell him I asked after him.”

Anxiety flared when Rebecca thought of his reaction, and she pushed it aside. “I shall tell him what an angel Ariana is. I shall tell him we need to make room at the museum for a third partner.”

“You’re very kind,” she replied with a smile. “Does Gabriel know you’re in love with him?”

Rebecca froze. Was it so obvious? Had some mischievous imp carved the words into her forehead for all to see?

“Of course not,” she said trying to sound amused. “If he did, I imagine he would be on the first boat to Cairo.”

Chapter 23

Rebecca stepped out onto George Street, instinct dragging her gaze away from the row of houses, telling her to look up at the window.

As suspected, Ariana had rushed upstairs to wave goodbye, her face squashed against the glass as she tried to get Rebecca’s attention. Touched that the child held her in such high regard, Rebecca waved back.

Bless her.

Ariana looked a little distraught, a little emotional, but then children were quick to form attachments, and Rebecca got the impression she spent much of her time alone indoors.

Not wanting to distress the child any further, Rebecca looked away and quickened her pace, keen to be out of her line of sight.

Although she was in no rush to get home.

After such a pleasant afternoon, the thought of facing Gabriel filled her with dread. She didn’t want to rouse his anger. She didn’t want to see coldness and disappointment in his eyes, not when —

Feeling a sudden jolt, Rebecca lurched forward, sucking in a breath as someone barged into her from behind. She glanced over her shoulder; saw the outline of a man walking so close his arm brushed against her back.

With the pavement being wide enough for three people, she had a good mind to turn around and chastise him for such disgraceful conduct.

Then she heard his steely voice whisper in her ear, the tone cold and unforgiving as the tip of a sharp object dug into her back. “If you make a sound or so much as glance behind again, I will bury this blade so far into your back you will feel its hilt.”

The hairs on her nape prickled to attention. The shiver shooting down her spine made her teeth chatter, and her tongue felt thick as she tried to form a response.

“If it’s money you want, t-then take my reticule,” she said thrusting out her arm in the hope of enticing him away.

“I don’t want money,” he said with a sneer as he slapped her arm down. “You see the carriage up ahead. I want you to open the door and climb inside.”

Sh

e contemplated making a dash for it, but with a petticoat and gown flapping around her ankles he would soon catch up with her.

Guessing the train of her thoughts, he added, “Don’t forget, I know where the little girl lives. It would be a terrible tragedy if something should happen to her.”

If Rebecca ever got out of this mess, she would punch him on the nose for that comment.

Coming to an abrupt halt next to the unmarked carriage, she glanced up at the driver in the hope of exchanging a silent plea. But the scrawny man just stared out into the distance, showing no interest in the criminal activities of his master.

“Get in.”