Chapter 36 – Goodbye Robert
It was dusk. Once again the five members of the group were sitting around the fire eating the evening meal. Tia and Ardeth were sitting next to each other again, but this time she leaned comfortably against his shoulder. Rob watched the Medjai warrior put his hand possessively on her knee and saw her smile warmly up at him. He frowned into his plate.
"We'll go back to the desert with you," Rick was saying to the other couple. "I just need to contact our foreman and let him know we'll be delayed a while."
"Yes," Evie said. "How far from your camp is the Tirza site?"
"About six hours ride," Ardeth replied, "Not too far."
"How close is it to Hamunaptra?"
Ardeth looked at her dryly. "You don't need to know."
"Well, I was just thinking," Evie went on. "Since Imhotep isn't there anymore, there would be no reason not to excavate, would there?"
"It doesn't matter if he's there or not," Ardeth said firmly.
"I can see you not wanting me to go to Ahm Shere," she persisted, "but why not Hamunaptra?
"I am not going to tell you why," he replied calmly. "The answer is no."
"But…."
"Evie," Rick interjected. "If the Medjai don't want us there, we won't go. Stop harassing Ardeth about it."
"Does that mean there's something else that you're protecting?" Evie asked eagerly.
Ardeth merely looked up and gazed at her steadily. "Enough Evie."
Evie settled back with a sulky look on her face. "Oh all, right."
Rick grinned at Ardeth and then at his wife. "Not to worry, love. There's plenty of interesting sites in Egypt that have nothing to do with Hamunaptra."
Robert cleared his throat. "What about me?" When everyone looked over at him he continued. "Am I free to go, or am I a prisoner still?"
Rick and Ardeth exchanged quick glances. "You're free to go," Rick answered. "I don't need to mention that the Egyptian authorities would rather not know about our little adventures, do I?"
Robert glared at Ardeth. "You mean that you'd rather I didn't have you arrested for kidnapping and murder, right?"
"You forgot breaking and entering," Rick said casually, taking a sip of his scotch.
Ardeth shrugged, his demeanor turning icy as he looked contemptuously at Robert. "Who murdered who? If you feel the need to have me arrested, Varne, I'm sure I can tell the authorities a great deal about your father, not to mention who actually killed him." When Robert fell silent and looked away, the Arab gave a short, unamused laugh. "Don't threaten me, boy."
Tia put her hand on Ardeth's thigh and squeezed slightly. "I need to talk to Rob alone, Ardeth." He looked down at her and nodded slowly. If their relationship was to have a chance, he needed to trust her. She squeezed his leg again and got to her feet. "Come on, Rob," she said, taking his arm and leading him away from the fire.
Ardeth watched them go, wondering if he should follow and listen. Rick caught his eye. "Don't do it, pal." He grinned and took another sip of scotch. "Tempting though it might be, don't do it."
Ardeth grimaced and settled back. "I know."
As soon as they got out of earshot, Rob turned and spoke. "How can you allow that Arab to paw you like that?"
"Paw, me? Don't be foolish, Rob." Tia snapped.
"I can help you escape from him," urged Robert. "We can go back to Cairo. Back to England even. We need never come back to Egypt again. Let me help you, Tia. You need to be protected."
Tia waited patiently for him to finish. "Rob, I appreciate your offer, I really do. But I'm going to stay here. I'm going back to the desert with Ardeth."
"Why? You're just a possession to him. No more important than one of his horses."
"He's very fond of his horses," Tia replied dryly. "Rob, there's something between he and I, and I need to find out what it is."
"Don't tell me you're in love with him," Rob said bitterly. "You can't possibly be. He's just an ignorant nomad, stuck in the previous century."
"I don't know," Tia said with a shrug. "I might be. I need to find out for sure. Can't you understand that?"
"Don't tell me you want to spend the rest of your life as the whore of an Arab tribesman, living in a tent, cooking his meals and herding his sheep. You could have so much more. Marry me, Tia. When my father is found and confirmed dead, I'll inherit the title. You'll be Lady Varne. We'll quit Egypt and live in London. I'll be wealthy. You'll never want for anything."
Tia put her finger on his lips to stop him. "Don't Rob. You don't love me, not that way. You know that."
"Tia, I can't stand to think of you living that way!"
She smiled at him. "The only thing I'll miss is hot running water," she said humorously. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. And stop insulting Ardeth. You don't understand him, and you haven't bothered to try."
"What happens if you find out a year from now that what you feel isn't love at all? You'll be trapped in the desert."
"He's promised that I can leave at any time. He'll even escort me to Luxor or Cairo if I wish, and he's nothing if not a man of his word. So stop it, Rob. Be happy for me."
He stared into space. Was there nothing he could say to convince her? "Will you come to me if things don't work out for you here?"
She smiled sadly. "No, Rob. You don't deserve that. You need more than I can give you. Let it go." He was silent, staring out into the darkness. "Take the car and go back to Cairo in the morning." She rose on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Good-bye Rob. God bless."
He watched her as she walked back to the fireside. Ardeth rose and reached for her hand. She smiled, and led him into the tent they shared. Good-bye Tia, he thought. Good-bye.
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Author's notes:
Thanks LalithCat, OnThoseEyes and lilylynn. I appreciate your continued interest. Antonia – Good point.
Almost done, one more chapter.