The Passion of Cleopatra (Ramses the Damned 2)

"And if you ask Edith to give you a tour, you're afraid you'll tip your hand," Julie said.

"Exactly!" Jeneva exclaimed, with a bit too much enthusiasm.

"Well, I'd be delighted to--"

A hand gripped her elbow with surprising strength. She expected to find Ramses behind her. It was Samir. He looked dashing in his white suit, but his expression was a mask of concern.

"If I may have a moment, Julie," he said quietly.

"Yes, just one second while I--"

"If you please, Julie. It's a matter of some urgency."

"Yes, of course." To Mr. and Mrs. Worth, Julie said, "If you'll excuse me. And later, perhaps after the toast, I shall be happy to arrange what we just discussed."

"Oh, that's lovely. Just lovely. And thank you for..." But Samir was already guiding her away.

"What is it?" Julie whispered.

"I beg forgiveness ahead of what I'm about to tell you. The men in my employ, they are not professional spies, you understand. They are assistants at the museum, university students. They've done heroically well so far, but--"

"Samir, of course I will forgive you. But you must tell me at once what has you so frightened."

"A ship arrived yesterday from Port Said. But my men, they became confused. They went to Southampton instead of the Port of London. By the time they realized their mistake, it was too late. The passengers had already disembarked. And then, these boys, they spent the rest of the day squabbling over whether or not to tell me. If I hadn't telephoned them this morning for a report, I might never have--"

"I see. But they've watched every arrival since our return, have they not? And it's been weeks and we've seen no sign of them."

"These particular men were new to the game. University students, as I said. Perhaps I should have monitored them more closely but--"

"Don't be ridiculous, Samir. You all have done an excellent job for weeks now. It's foolish of us to assume you'll be able to guard us forever. Ramses is right. If Cleopatra had wished to--"

"No, Julie, no. Wait. Please. I wanted to be sure, you see, so I telephoned the inns in the area. And a man and a woman matching their descriptions checked into the Red Crown Inn last night. And this woman left the inn only moments ago."

Because so many fears had been removed for her, Julie was paralyzed by the feeling now.

"She is here, Julie. She is here in Yorkshire, and I believe she is on her way to this party."

Amazing how the terror returned to her. The feeling of being trapped as Egypt's last queen threatened to snap her neck. But this was a memory, nothing more. A memory of something that could never happen again. Immortal.

She would not give Cleopatra this party.

Or Ramses.

Or...

"Alex," she said before she could stop herself. "Come with me, Samir. We will send Alex and Edith to mingle and we will greet the guests."

"But, Julie. She is--"

Julie began to walk; Samir followed.

"I am no longer a mortal woman who quakes at the sight of Cleopatra. She will not lay claim to this event, Samir. She is a queen no more."

Clearly startled by her resolve, Samir nodded and followed her inside the house.

A few guests reached out to her as she passed. She did her best not to notice their attentions without seeming abominably rude. Let them follow her to the front door. Let them greet her there. For she realized now what had quickened her steps.

Alex. He could not see Cleopatra. He could not fall prey to Cleopatra. Not now, not at this party. Not at the very moment when he was making himself so vulnerable by humbly and publicly releasing Julie to her new husband-to-be.