how Britain ran its great empire, and so forth and so on. That he had loved Julie Stratford was obvious; Ramsey had "stolen" her, but again, it didn't matter. Not at all. What he'd thought was love wasn't love but something paler, more convenient, and altogether too easy. But did she really want to hear about his family? No, talk of history, then, and Cairo, and Egypt, and the world...
It had been a great chore to keep him from calling his father. He felt guilty. But she had used all her persuasion and all her wiles. He did not require fresh garments; his shirt and jacket looked every bit as fine as they had last night.
And so off they were going now through the crowded lobby of Shepheard's, to drive in his Rolls-Royce, to see the Mamluke tombs and all the" history" mat she had asked about; and the tapestry was becoming fuller and fuller.
But he'd remarked more than once on how changed she seemed from last night, when she had been almost playful. And that made her faintly afraid. How strong her affection was for
him.
"And do you like this?" she asked as they moved towards the front doors.
He paused. It was as if he were seeing her for the first time. It was so simple to smile at him; he deserved one's tenderest smile." You're the loveliest, most wonderful thing that's ever come into my life," he said." I wish I could put into words the effect you have upon me. You are ..."
They stood amid the crowds of the lobby, lost in each other's gaze.
"Like a ghost?" she suggested." A visitant from another realm?"
"No, you're much too ... too real for that!" He laughed softly." You're altogether vivid and warm!"
They crossed the veranda together. His car was waiting, just as he'd said it would be. A long black saloon, he'd called it, with deep velvet seats and a roof. They would still feel the wind through the windows.
"Wait, let me just leave word at the desk for my father, that we'll see him tonight."
"I can do that for you, my lord," said the servant who held the door for them.
"Oh, thank you, I do appreciate it," Alex said politely, that same generosity evinced for the lowest underling. As he gave the man a small gratuity, he looked him directly in the eye." Tonight, I shall see him at the opera - if you please."
She admired the subtle grace with which he did the smallest things. She took his arm as they went down the steps.
"And tell me," she said as he helped her into the front seat," about this Julie Stratford. What is a modem woman?"
Ramsey was still arguing as the car pulled into the drive before Shepheard's.
"We will do everything society expects of us," Elliott said." You have the rest of eternity to search for your lost Queen."
"But what puzzles me is this," Ramsey insisted. He opened the door carelessly, almost wrenching one of the hinges." If her cousin is wanted for high crimes, how can Julie dance at a ball as if this thing is not happening?"
"Under English law, my friend, a man is innocent until proved guilty," Elliott explained, accepting Ramsey's helping hand." And publicly we presume Henry is innocent; and we know nothing of these atrocities, so in private we have done our duty as citizens of the Crown."
"Yes, you definitely should have been an adviser to a King," Ramsey said.
"Good Lord, look at that."
"What?"
"Just my son driving off with a woman. At a time like this!"
"Ah, but perhaps he is doing what society expects of him!" Ramsey said contemptuously, leading the way up the steps.
"Lord Rutterford, excuse me - your son said to tell you that he would see you tonight, at the opera."
"Thank you," Elliott said, with a short ironic laugh.
Elliott wanted only to sleep as he entered the sitting room of his suite. Some drunk he was going to be; he was already thoroughly bored with being inebriated. He wanted a clear head, though he understood the dangers.
Ramsey helped him to a chair.
He suddenly realized that they were alone. Samir had gone on to his own room; and Walter for the moment was nowhere about.
Elliott sat there, trying to collect his strength.
"And what do you do now, my lord?" Ramsey asked. He stood in the center of the room, studying Elliott." You go back home