Page 14 of When a Lady Desires a Wicked Lord
“Your theory has merit, save for one detail—before he died, Hamid left behind a message on a stone slab, symbols like hieroglyphs rendered in his own blood.”
She blanched. “How dreadful. I presume Professor Stockwell was able to interpret the message.”
“He translated two of the symbols, but the others were unlike any he’d ever seen. He confessed to being baffled by the glyphs.”
“How very odd. His expertise was remarkable.” She glanced down at her hands, seeming to ponder the revelation. “The hieroglyphs that he interpreted—do you know what they depicted?”
“He believed one symbolized a woman…a goddess.”
“And the other?”
“That one was the most obvious, according to Stockwell—it represents death.”
“Death?” A gasp escaped her lips. “That’s rather morbid. The professor was certain of its meaning?”
“He was adamant about his interpretation. And Alex, there was something else written on that slab—a name. Akhetaten.”
“Good heavens. We were members of that expedition.”
“Stockwell took it as a sign that anyone who’d been involved in the search for the priestess’s tomb has been marked for death.”
She firmed her chin as she met his gaze. “If I am understanding this correctly, you believe we have been targeted.”
“That would seem to be the case.”
“But the expedition was years ago. If someone had opposed the dig, why would they wait until now to take action?”
“I cannot speculate as to the killer’s motives. But after what happened here tonight, I am convinced you are in danger.”
Her chest rose and fell as she drew in a deep breath. “After the initial exploration was over and we returned to Cairo, I translated the papyruses you and the professor recovered.”
“Your interpretation of the symbols led to further exploration…to the hidden antechamber.”
Her mouth thinned. “An action I regret to this day.”
The censure in her eyes was like a blow. Alex had begged him not to smuggle the ancient jeweled ankh from the tomb. She’d expected him to be noble, to settle for an academic’s life and the pitiful coffers that went with it. If only she could understand how everything had changed when he had come into his title. He’d been deemed a lord, but without the funds to maintain the family estate or meet his obligations, the title had been nothing but a weight on his shoulders. That single relic he’d claimed for a wealthy collector had brought him enough blunt to lay the foundation for his future—for an existence that did not depend on spoiled title-hunting heiresses, for a life that afforded him freedom from his family’s debts.
Of course, that choice had come with a price.
It had cost him Alexandra’s love. He would never stop craving the passion he’d found in her arms. But he’d done what he had to do.
“You’ve made that regret abundantly clear.” He met her piercing gaze. Even now, the amber fire in her eyes had the ability to detect his every weakness. “But given what we’re facing, that’s of little consequence. I am in need of your services. Your ability to translate these symbols will prove invaluable.”
“And if I disagree? I have no interest in whatever scheme you’ve come up with. I am certain, at some point, the endeavor will involve adding to your fortune.”
“If you doubt my motives, I suggest you visit your study and take another look at the bastard who came after you tonight. Rooney would have killed you. You cannot doubt that.”
She rubbed her upper arms, as if to ease away the violence the vermin had inflicted upon her. Her response was subdued, just as it had been all those years ago when Benedict had walked away. She’d bravely tipped up her chin and held back her tears, even as he’d kissed her for the last time.
Damn it, it wasn’t as if he’d had a choice.
At least, he’d told himself that during those bitter days and nights after he’d left her, fool that he was.
He shoved aside the thought. He had to focus on what mattered most—keeping them both alive.
“Precisely why did you come here?” she asked, an artificial coolness infusing her voice. “Did you intend to save me…or yourself?”
“Both.” He saw no reason to mince words.
