Under A Desert Moon

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Sebastian broke out into a full grin. ‘Good, I’m looking forward to the next two weeks.’

He turned away and shouted an order in Arabic. Two boys came scuttling towards them and stood to attention before Sebastian.

‘Miss Knight, can I introduce you to our travelling companions? This is Akil and this is Akins.’

The two boys saluted.

‘Nice to meet you, missus,’ Akil said.

He was nudged hard by his brother who whispered something in his ear.

‘Miss,’ he corrected himself.

‘It is a pleasure to meet you, too.’

The two boys looked almost identical apart from their heights. Emma surmised they were brothers, maybe a year apart in age. Both had a shock of dark hair, round dark eyes and were covered in bruises on their arms and legs. She guessed they were probably a handful.

Sebastian said something else in Arabic and the boys scuttled away, each to a horse who was far too large for their small frames.

‘We travel light. It will be just the two of us, the boys and Ahmed.’

Emma swallowed. The next couple of weeks were going to be intimate, to say the least.

‘Where’s your luggage?’ Sebastian asked, turning to look into the carriage.

Emma motioned to the small bundle by her feet.

Sebastian’s eyes widened with surprise.

‘That’s all you’ve brought?’

Emma nodded.

He picked up the bundle and opened it. Emma started to protest but he silenced her with a stern look.

‘I need to make sure you’ve got what is needed to survive for two weeks in the desert.’

‘I packed light,’ Emma said quietly as he examined the contents of her bundle.

‘Good.’ He held up the dress she’d brought. ‘It covers up most of your skin. An hour in the desert and you can burn so much your skin blisters.’

Emma felt a small measure of accomplishment that she’d managed to pack the right dress.

Sebastian continued through her bundle, rifling through the contents. Suddenly Emma froze; the only other things she’d packed were her undergarments, which meant Sebastian was now handling them.

She snatched the bundle back and tried to fight the blush she knew was rising to her cheeks. Sebastian didn’t look even a little abashed.

‘The dress is good,’ he said, ‘and I’m no expert in whatever women insist on wearing under their dresses, but as long as it’s comfortable that’s fine. What I don’t see is something for the night-time.’

Emma frowned. Surely he didn’t expect her to change into a nightgown and slippers to sleep under the stars.

He laughed at her expression. ‘Something to keep you warm at night. No matter, I’m sure I’ve got something that will do.’

He winked at her then turned back to the horse before she could even think of a response.

‘This mare will be yours. Her name’s Wadjet and she’s a little headstrong, but treat her with respect and she’ll be the best horse you’ve ever ridden.’

Emma inched forward and gently placed a hand on Wadjet’s neck. She cooed softly and began to stroke the chestnut mare.

‘You have ridden before?’ Sebastian asked, as if it had only just occurred to him to enquire.

‘I’ve ridden before.’

In truth Emma loved riding. There was something rather liberating about being on a horse. She liked the freedom, the idea that she could just gallop off into the distance and be completely on her own. She’d started riding more since the incident with Freddie, using the pastime as an escape from the unwelcome stares and comments from the rest of her social group.

‘There is still time to change your mind,’ Sebastian said, moving in closer towards her, closing the distance between them in a single stride.

Emma felt her breathing become shallower, and she struggled to maintain her composure.

She tilted her chin so she was looking up into his eyes and immediately knew that was a mistake. She needed to sever this connection between them, not intensify it.

‘I won’t think any less of you.’

Emma shook her head. He might not think less of her, but she would. She would never forgive herself for pulling out now.

‘I am completely certain I want to go ahead with this expedition,’ Emma said, looking Sebastian squarely in the eye.

There was a pause, a couple of seconds where they both remained completely still until Sebastian grinned.

‘Good. I’ve been looking forward to this for days.’

Chapter Eight (#ulink_8264185b-bb2e-50ff-9807-7e3df88afddd)

Seb finished securing the last few bags and turned to survey the yard. He couldn’t count the number of expeditions he’d been on in the last few years. Every few weeks he would set out into the wilderness, sometimes on his own, sometimes accompanied by a few of his most trusted employees. Never before had he taken someone like Emma along with him though.

He wondered if it really was a good idea. She didn’t know what she was letting herself in for, that was for sure. He could emphasise the dangers all he liked, but nothing prepared you for your first experience of the desert. The days were scorchingly hot, the nights freezing cold, and the terrain one of the most inhospitable on earth.

He pictured the corner of the scroll he’d caught a glimpse of and knew he needed to go on this expedition. All the time he’d spent in Egypt he’d been waiting for something like this, something big, something to discover for himself. Here was his opportunity. And if it meant taking the delectable Miss Knight along for the ride then he’d just have to remain professional and do what she was employing him to: be her guide.

He glanced over to the entrance of the yard, where there was some commotion. Colonel Fitzgerald had just left, after bidding a fond farewell to Emma, but another small group had arrived. He scrutinised the newcomers with interest. It was possible someone else had got wind of the scroll already and they were coming to threaten or cajole their way onto the expedition.

His frown lifted as Ahmed, Emma’s stalwart companion, greeted the three men warmly. He watched as the older Egyptian listened carefully to what was being said, his face crumpling at the news.

After a few minutes Ahmed separated himself from the group and made his way directly to Seb.

‘Can I speak with you?’ Ahmed asked, his face grave.

Seb led the way inside and up to his office. He motioned for Ahmed to have a seat and waited silently for the older man to start to speak.