The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6) - Lucinda Riley Page 0,146

lifting her upright, then some liquid was dribbled into her mouth. Despite the fact that she almost choked on its strength, it helped bring her senses back. Seeing Bill standing above her, she almost wished she hadn’t. She immediately blushed in embarrassment.

‘I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.’

‘Perhaps it was the sight of a lion heading straight for you,’ said Bill. ‘I’ve seen grown men vomit all over their shoes. You’ll be all right. Let’s get you back to the camp.’

He supported her as they returned to the tents. Cecily saw Nygasi just behind them and could still smell the gunpowder in the air.

‘How . . . how did you know?’ she asked, her legs like jelly beneath her.

‘That you’d be a silly girl and wander off?’ he said, raising an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t. Nygasi had seen the lion’s tracks and we’d been following them. We’d just spotted him when I saw you. You were lucky I was there.’

Cecily blushed to the roots of her hair, only hoping he hadn’t seen her squatting in the long grass just before the lion had pounced.

As they approached the camp, Katherine came running towards them and supported Cecily on her other side.

‘What were those shots? What’s happened?’ she asked.

‘Just a hungry lion,’ Bill replied. ‘He’s taken care of. Right.’ Bill handed Cecily over to Katherine then spoke to Nygasi, who nodded then walked back in the direction of the lion.

‘It’s definitely dead?’ Cecily managed.

‘Yes,’ Bill nodded. ‘Trust me, I’ve shot many a lion in my time. Now, let’s get you some tea.’

Cecily allowed Katherine to fuss over her, wrapping her in a blanket and sitting her down by the fire with a tin cup of fresh tea that she insisted Cecily should drink in small sips.

‘Honestly, I’m fine now,’ Cecily said as she hauled herself to standing, her pride winning over her tenuous physical strength. ‘What will happen to the lion?’

‘They’ll load it onto the back of Bill’s pick-up and take it back with them. Some rich American is sure to buy the head and the skin as a trophy.’

‘That American sure won’t be me,’ she panted. ‘It was all my fault. I wandered off too far.’

‘Well, I promise that Bill will be secretly thrilled. He had an excuse to win another trophy. Are you able to walk to the pick-up? I think you’ve had quite enough excitement for today – I’ll fetch Bobby to drive us back. He was just filling up our water canisters.’

Katherine left her side and, clutching her mug, Cecily walked to the edge of the camp and saw Bill and Nygasi carrying the lion on a canvas sheet. She followed them to Bill’s pick-up, where they and the other two Maasai unceremoniously hauled the animal onto the back and began fastening it in place with ropes.

Up close, the lion was simply huge, and even in death he had not lost his dignity. His mane shone a rich dark gold in the sun and his mouth hung open, baring his yellow fangs. She could see what looked like scars across his face.

‘He’s an old one,’ Bill said. ‘Been through some battles by the looks of him, and he’d been going hungry too – see his ribs? Most likely he was already injured and hadn’t been able to hunt decent prey. Good job he didn’t get you, Cecily.’

Cecily nodded wordlessly and walked back to the camp where Bobby was dismantling the tents and where Katherine was packing up their hampers.

‘Have you ever shot a wild animal, Katherine?’ Cecily asked her.

‘Yes. Lord forgive me, I have. If you’re brought up out here, you’re taught to shoot from an early age. As you’ve just seen, it’s a skill that can save your life. I’ve never done it for sport, only for self-preservation, but you have to remember it’s a very different life out here, Cecily. Danger is real.’

‘I’m beginning to realise that.’

‘Ready to go?’ asked Bobby as he got into the driver’s seat.

‘Yes,’ said Katherine firmly, as she helped Cecily into the back and climbed in next to Bobby.

‘Goodbye, Cecily. I’m sorry your first safari was so . . . eventful.’ Bill had appeared by the pick-up and was looking down at her.

‘Oh no, Bill. I’m sorry to have been such a bother. Thank you for saving my life,’ Cecily said.

‘I aim to please. Safe journey home.’

‘Are you not coming with us?’

‘No. Nygasi and I and the others have work to do out here. Goodbye now.’

Cecily looked behind her