Search results

"Well Charles never cared whether I was an aristocrat or not, or if I was an American either. So I will accept his opinion as honestly about who I am as well. Come, if we want to go with Maracita we'd better hurry." She got up and began closing up books and cleaning up her mess.

"It's a shame their sudden turnaround won't help me like them any better. Whether they liked me or not, it actually has nothing to do with me. There's only one Stuart whose opinion I can trust to be honest. Yours." She moved closer and kissed him lightly. "It's the only one that matters anyway."

"Of course not. I've only known about this for about five minutes, Cal. I haven't had the chance to think it all through yet. My brain is bouncing from one possibility to the next. I have no idea where I'll be over the next few weeks. Egypt, back in Florida, and now I'll need to be in England...

"Three! Oh, this just keeps getting worse and worse," she said, with a definite hint of seriousness. "Meet the Stuarts? I suppose that's necessary, but we have to make a whole evening of it?"

"I have to admit, I was rather surprised to see you and Charles, and Meghan, too, dressed so formally this morning. Seems you all know one another, no need to be formal together. I did rather like it, though. I suppose I should order a gown for the knighting while I'm in Paris. Unless you...

"And you want to be seen patronizing Paris' artists after what happened in Egypt. This place is more home to you and any other, and you want them to know that what was done was not done with any malice toward France." She smiled. "And I would quite enjoy a concert. How formal are the concerts...

"Coward's way out? I always thought it the height of wisdom to stay out of the way of an angry woman," she said. "I'm glad I don't have to teach you that myself." "Did you have anything in particular you wanted to do in the city?"

"We don't have to go back to the city if you'd rather stay here," she said lightly. "Although I imagine you might want to be out of someone's company for a while. We'll probably get quite an earful from Maracita, but I don't mind if you don't."

"No, I suppose it's not. It's part of my job to think beyond our limits, to try to think like others, but I admit I just can't imagine that kind of life-span." She was quiet for a moment, thinking about the next day. "I'm not really sure. If I were staying in Paris, I would just take a day and...

"No, I wouldn't mind. It's not as if we could just have a picnic while the dirigible flies itself to Egypt. And maybe a little time to cool off will convince him to stay. Which might get Maracita back as well. I can't really imagine she'd stay away from her husband that long. You have to love...

"It's hard for me to say. I don't know Meghan very well, and I don't know exactly what is happening here on a daily basis." She sighed lightly. "I guess we'll all just have to see how it comes out."

"Oh Cal," she moved over and sat in the chair next to him. "I'm sorry. But I wouldn't consider it all settled. Passions have to cool eventually. Although I imagine they'll both be gone for some time."

"Oh no. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong. Just last night she said their home was here now; that they had no reason to return to Peru."

"I can't imagine she was greatly pleased to hear all about your accolades just now. Although honestly, I don't get any impression that she doesn't like you personally. I imagine she was quite conflicted. But what part of my background impressed, Maracita? That is quite nice to hear."

"I'm afraid this may be just a little more attention than I'm comfortable with. I should telegram Mrs. Parker. Although I suppose it can wait until we get back to Egypt." She was obviously still a bit rattled. "I'm glad young Mr. Jones is alright. I hadn't seen him since I lost track of you there."

"Me? Well, I didn't really..." she let out an explosive breath and sat dumbfounded for a moment. "I'm not even a British citizen," she finished lamely.

"I remember him a little. It seems so long ago now. Well, I'm sure the ceremony is something Mr. Stevenson will greatly enjoy," she laughed. "He did seem one for adventure, but I'm sure he'll be happy to add "Sir" to his name. So are you relieved to be out of the clandestine service? I got the...

"What?" Abby cried, then laughed and shook her head. "You who were so sure you were going to be released from the service and quite possibly disinherited. How? We didn't tell them anything in that telegram."

"Anything being run by a committee is going to be like that, no one ever gets everything their way." She got out a handkerchief and wiped her chin. "He didn't send a 4-page telegram, did he? More importantly, what does it say?"

"Seems I don't know how not to study," she laughed. "I could be here for weeks and still not follow all these threads I've started down. I don't have ink on my nose, do I? I always seem to get ink on my nose."