down on the settee beside her, towering over her, and gently he turned her and this time when he kissed her she melted completely, letting him enfold her, letting him breathe into her that powerful heat. She kissed his face, his cheek where the flesh was so taut over the bones, and then his closed eyes. She felt his hands tighten on her naked shoulders and she realized he was pushing her gown down and away from her breasts.
She drew back, ashamed. She had led him on and she hadn't meant to.
"I don't want it to happen," she said, her tears coming again.
Not looking at him, she pushed the satin sleeves upwards. When finally their eyes met, she saw only patience, and that faint half smile, now tempered by the same sadness she'd seen before.
He reached out for her, and she stiffened. But he merely adjusted the sleeves of her dress for her. And straightened the pearls around her neck. Then he kissed her hand.
"Come out with me," he said in a low, soft voice, kissing her tenderly on her shoulder." The wind is cool and fresh. And they are playing music in the public rooms. Can we dance together to the music? Ah, this floating palace. It is paradise. Come with me, my Queen."
"But Alex," she said." If only Alex ..."
He kissed her throat. He kissed her hand again. He turned her hand over and pressed his lips to her palm. The heat coursed through her again. To stay in this room would be folly, unless, of course. But no. She could not let it happen, until it was really what she wanted with her whole soul.
She might lose her soul utterly; that was the horror. There was a dim sense again of her world being destroyed.
"Let's go, then," she said drowsily.
He helped her to her feet. He took her handkerchief from her and wiped her eyes with it as if she were a child. Then he picked up her white fur from the arm of the chair and put it over her shoulders.
They walked together along the windy deck and into the corridor and towards the grand ballroom - a lovely confection of gilded wood and satin wall panels, of drowsing palms and stained glass.
He moaned as he looked at the distant orchestra." Oooh, Julie, this music," he whispered." It enslaves me."
It was a Strauss waltz again, only there were many musicians here, and the sound was louder and richer, flooding the great room.
No sign of Alex, thank God. She turned to him, and let him take her hand.
With a great sweeping turn, he began to waltz with her, beaming down at her, and it seemed then nothing mattered. There was no Alex; there was no Henry; there had been no terrible death for her father which must be avenged.
There was only this moment of dancing with him, round and round, beneath the soft iridescent chandeliers. The music surged; the other dancers seemed perilously close around them; but Ramses' steps were perfect for all their great breadth and strength.
Wasn't it enough that he should be a mystery? she thought desperately. Wasn't it enough that he'd torn the veil away completely? Did he have to be irresistible? Did she have to fall so hopelessly in love?
Far away, from the deep shadows of the darkly panelled bar, Elliott watched them dancing. They were going into the third waltz now, and Julie was laughing as Ramsey led her recklessly and madly, driving the other dancers out of his path.
No one seemed to take offense at it. Everyone respects those who are in love.
Elliott finished his whisky, then rose to go.
When he reached Henry's door, he knocked once and then opened it. Henry sat hunched over on the small couch, a thin green robe wrapped around him, his legs naked and hairy beneath it, his feet bare. He appeared to be trembling, as if he were terribly cold.
Elliott was appalled suddenly at the heat of his own anger. His voice came out hoarse and unfamiliar.
"What did our Egyptian King see?" he demanded." What happened in that tomb when Lawrence died!"
Henry tried to turn away from him, in a pathetic moment of hysteria, as if he could claw his way through the wall. Elliott turned him around.
"Look at me, you miserable little coward. Answer my question. What happened in that tomb!"
"I was trying to get what you wanted!" Henry whispered. His eyes were sunken. There was