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In truth, Rhys was the most unique gentleman she’d ever met, and she was fascinated by his contrasts. Quite simply, he defied categorization.
She desperately hoped he was successful in his search for his sister, although she couldn’t like the thought of the Pharaoh’s Trinity landing in the hands of this Collector. But if Rhys lost his sister—and surely, Helen was to blame for many of his delays—his pain would almost be too much to witness. Her eyes misted and she blinked quickly.
He looked at her in question.
“It’s just a bit of sand,” she said, and he nodded.
The low buildings of Selamun soon appeared in the distance, and her stomach pitched anxiously. If Mr. Masri was correct, the Tyndales were just beyond the next curve. She would soon be reunited with them, and Rhys would leave her to continue his search. He continued to watch her, his expression inscrutable, and she forced a smile.
——
The main streetof Selamun was noisy as people bustled along a line of vibrant shop stalls. Helen sat straighter on the mare as she glanced from side to side, seeking some sign of the Tyndales.
They neared the lane where Masri said they’d find his cousin’s shop, and Rhys spotted two ladies in English attire among the market-goers. “Helen,” he said with a nod toward the ladies. “Your companions are there.”
She turned to where he indicated. Her face beamed her relief, and when she grinned at Rhys, a pang tightened his chest. He dismounted and assisted her from the mare, his hands spanning the gentle curve of her waist. He held her a moment longer than necessary as she gazed up at him. Her lips were parted, and he was reminded of their kiss until she stepped back from him with a soft smile. He dropped his hands and she hurried forward to hail the Tyndales.
When he caught up with her, she was folded in Mrs. Tyndale’s grandmotherly embrace, and he detected the barest shimmer of tears in her eyes as she let out a shaky laugh. Mrs. Tyndale showed no such restraint, however, and tears flowed unchecked down her plump cheeks as she clasped Helen to her.
“My dear, you’re here! Henry!” Mrs. Tyndale called toward the shop behind them before turning back to Helen. “We’ve been so worried for you. Are you well?”
“I’m quite well, ma’am,” Helen assured the older lady.
Miss Lydia Tyndale seemed anything but pleased with their reunion. She stood sullenly, arms folded as her aunt exclaimed over Helen. Rhys couldn’t help but notice the young lady’s appearance had undergone a remarkable change since he’d last seen her aboard theOriental. Her gown was dusty and stained, her curls limp, her lips dry and peeling, and her face dotted with insect bites. It seemed the proud and lovely miss had come a bit unraveled.
Tyndale emerged from the shop behind them, arms laden with burlap sacks. His eyes widened on seeing Helen in his wife’s embrace, and he quickly set his burden aside to take her hands in his.
Mrs. Tyndale reluctantly released her charge, then she spied Rhys. Her brow dipped low in confusion to form a map of wrinkles across her forehead. “Mr. Evelyn! You’re here as well. How nice it is to see you again, although I must say, this is an… unexpected surprise.” She looked to Helen, a question in her gaze which Helen promptly answered.
“When I realized theTamariskhad left Alexandria, Mr. Evelyn graciously accompanied me to find you. He’s been tireless in his efforts and a perfect gentleman,” she assured them. Rhys thought that might have been gilding the lily a bit, but Mrs. Tyndale’s frown eased. Her husband, though, assessed Rhys with a measure of fatherly skepticism.
“But I don’t understand,” Mrs. Tyndale said. “Whyever did you leave theTamarisk?”
It was Helen’s turn to frown. “There was some confusion with the porters and our baggage. I went ashore to sort it before our things were taken aboard the wrong boat.” Her eyes darted to Miss Tyndale, whose expression had grown more peevish. “Did Miss Tyndale not tell you?”
All gazes swung to the young lady, who said, “I—I forgot about the baggage trouble. I had a head-ache, if you’ll recall, and had taken some of Aunt’s laudanum. I’m afraid I wasn’t myself, but I saw you pursuing Mr. Evelyn, and quite shamefully, I might add. I naturally assumed that you’d arranged to leave with him.”
There was a beat of silence as everyone took this in. Rhys opened his mouth, intent on defending Helen, but he stopped at the expression on her face. It was clear she debated the wisdom of holding her tongue or unleashing it. He silently voted for unleashing and was pleased when she straightened, eyes narrowed on the other lady.
She only reached the willowy Miss Tyndale’s shoulder, but she was magnificent in her scarf and felt hat. Eyes flashing, she spoke so softly that Rhys had to lean closer to hear. “IpursuedMr. Evelyn for the sole purpose of returning his bag to him. But you assumed—naturally—that I would abandon the opportunity to continue my work with your uncle? That I would repay his kindnesses with such a turn? That I would turn my back on society and my family to run away with… what? Anadventurer?”
Well, Rhys thought that was a bit harsh.
“Miss Tyndale, some ladies’ principles may permit such behavior, but I can assure you mine do not. You malign not only me but Mr. Evelyn with your words, and I think an apology is in order.”
Miss Tyndale looked to her uncle who merely frowned in expectation. Realizing she’d find no aid from that quarter, she relented.
“Very well,” she said mulishly. “I apologize if I misunderstood your intentions.” Her chin jutted stubbornly, but the effect was ruined when she reached a hand up to scratch her ear. “Oh! These infernal bugs!” And with that, she spun away. Mrs. Tyndale followed her, taking the young woman’s hand in hers despite the lady’s petulant scowl.
“Professor,” Helen began, “I must apologize if my words were unkind—”
The gentleman waved her apology aside with one hand. “It was well done, Miss Corbyn. I fear Lydia should have received such plain-speaking long before now.” He turned to Rhys. “Mr. Evelyn, we’ve been beside ourselves with worry since learning Miss Corbyn wasn’t aboard theTamarisk. I must thank you for seeing her safely returned to us.” He stressed the wordsafelyand eyed Rhys with a question.
Rhys pushed aside thoughts of the kiss he and Helen had shared. Looking Tyndale in the eye, he willed him to see that Helen remained unsullied, though a bit sunburned, for her time with him. “The lady is quite resourceful,” he said, “and I’ve no doubt she would have found her way back to you with or without my aid.”
The older man studied him for a beat longer before extending his hand, which Rhys took.
“Mr. Masri’s cousin has invited us to dine with his family,” Tyndale said. “I imagine he would welcome two more to his table, and it will do us all good to regroup for a bit before we continue our journey. Will you stay and join us?”
