The next day dawned with clear skies after the storm. Raindrops still clung to the O'Connell mansion, shimmering in the early morning light. Kit had nestled deep into her bed during the night, wrapped snugly in the clean linen and cozy quilt. The risen sun filled her room with a golden light and woke her. She stretched before opening her eyes only to find a similar blue pair staring back from that gap in her doorway. "AAAH!" Startled, she burrowed down into her sheets.

"Oh! Cripes." Alex quickly walked to her bedside, gently patting the sheets. "Sorry – Mum told me about you this morning – I was just seeing if you were up yet."

Kit's head poked up by her pillows and she eyed him warily before pulling herself up to sit. "Um – Alex, I take it?"

The blond boy smiled broadly. "Yeah. Mum and Dad already told you about me?"

Kit nodded. "Not much – I guess they wanted me to learn more by getting to know you."

Alex sat down on Kit's bed, his face suddenly becoming serious."You do know, as my auntie, that you now have eight birthdays, Christmases, and Easters to make up for, right?"

Kit blanched. "Um –"

Alex's face split into a grin. "Just putting you on, Auntie Kit."

Kit laughed. "You had me going for a second. Nice one."

"Say," Alex stood. "Have you gotten a tour of the house yet?"

"Not properly I guess."

Alex grabbed Kit's hand and pulled on it. "Come on, I'll give you the grand tour!"

Rick could hear their footsteps upstairs as he stood at the stove. "Maybe you shouldn't have told Alex just yet." He commented to Evy as he cracked an egg into the hot skillet that was already brimming with the scrambled fruits of his labor. "I'm sure she wouldn't have minded sleeping in."

"I have a feeling if we hadn't said anything to Alex we would have heard lots of screaming this morning when he moseyed on by the guest room on the way downstairs and saw someone in the bed." Evy replied from the kitchen tables as she placed the settings and silverware. "Check the scones for me, will you darling?"

"Uh…" Rick pulled the oven open. "Still whitish?"

"Couple more minutes then."

"Think she likes bacon?" Rick asked, prodding the sizzling strips in the pan next to the skillet of eggs.

"I'm sure we have enough food to go around if she doesn't, sweetie." Evy finished placing her last set of silverware and crossed to join her husband at the stovetop. "Why, trying to fatten her up?"

"…Maybe…" Rick admitted.

A few moments later, Evy called up, "Breakfast! And Alex, you best be in your uniform with your face washed!"

"You're going to make him go to school?" Rick queried, carrying the steaming dishes filled with eggs and bacon to the table. Evy finished sliding the scones into a bowl lined with a kitchen towel and covered the hot pastries with the extra length.

"Dear, it's Wednesday." Evy reminded him.

"Well, yeah, but it's not every day he meets an aunt he never knew about." Rick replied, grabbing the bowl of sliced fresh fruit from beside the sink and placing it in the center of the table. "I thought we might head into the city – Picnic at Hyde Park, maybe get a photograph done –"

Evy laughed. "Slow down, darling, there will be plenty of time for that in the coming weeks."

Kit and Alex arrived, Alex in his school uniform and Kit wearing one of the blue gowns Evy loaned her. "Auntie Kit helped me with my tie." Alex announced as he pulled out a seat for his aunt. She let out a laugh and thanked him as he scooted it in. "But can't I stay home with you all today?"

"We'll talk about it after breakfast." Evy replied as she sat, her husband pushing in her chair behind her. "Eggs, Kit?"

Everyone's plates were full of hot food and Kit was pursing her lips at the strength of Rick's brewed coffee when the front door closed. Jonathan soon entered the kitchen, dressed in a dashing three-piece suit and possessing a bouncy spring in his gait. "Hello, everyone!" He greeted, not even stopping as he crossed to the tea kettle at the stove and poured himself a cup. "Beautiful morning isn't it, especially after a storm like that!" He left his cup on the counter but reached to the table, grabbing a scone and taking a bite of it. "Sorry I didn't drop by last night, but I met –" It was at that moment he noticed a new face at the table. He immediately did a double take before flashing his pearly whites at Kit. "Hello! Who might this be? A friend, Evy? Why, isn't she the loveliest creature?"

"Ahem… Jonathan –" Rick began. He'd seen that grin before.

Ignoring his brother-in-law, Jonathan stuffed the scone in his pocket. "Jonathan Carnahan is the name, Miss. I crave your indulgence and I do beg your forgiveness for being so rude!" He offered his hand and Kit accepted. "Feel free to call me Jon!" The man intoned before leaning down to give the brunette a kiss upon her hand.

"Jonathan –"

Rick was still disregarded as Jonathan clutched Kit's hands in both of his own. "I own London's best casino, Ahm Shere, you know, the one showcasing the American vocalist Katrina de Lujun, yes her!" Jonathan chuckled at his own good fortune. "Maybe sometime, you could drop by and I could give you your own personal tour! Yes?"

Rick's hand reached over to take hold of his brother-in-law's. "Jonathan."

Releasing Kit's hands (but giving her a wink), Jonathan turned to Rick. "Yes?"

"This is Kit. My sister." And with that, Rick squeezed Jonathan's fingers.

The man blanched. "Ah." He lamented, whether it was in pain or in regret (or possibly both) it was hard to say. Rick released Jonathan's fingers and Jonathan bowed to Kit. "I am so very sorry – I never thought – Never knew –" He turned to grab his cup of tea and jammed his hip right into the corner of the table, causing the furniture to shift. "Ah! So sorry I'm just going to… Go over here. And dig myself a grave; make it easier for your brother."

Kit bit back on her laughter and gave Jonathan a nod. "It's a pleasure, Jon."

Jonathan straightened the table and took Kit's hand once more, giving it a good shake. "My sincerest apologies once more. I'm afraid my mouth gets away from me at times."

"You just need to allow time for your brain to catch up." Rick rebutted, taking a sip of his coffee.

Jonathan looked back to his brother-in-law and nodded. "Quite." He placed his tea at the table's corner, grabbed a plate and fork and the spare chair from beside the icebox and joined the family for breakfast. He eyed Kit once more before looking to Evy. "You never told me Rick had a sister."

"It's a long story." Kit informed him.

"Ah." Jonathan nodded and began filling his dish with breakfast fare.

"Who did you meet last night, Uncle Jon?" Alex asked. He hadn't been allowed inside the Ahm Shere Casino before. His parents didn't think it was a healthy environment for children (and Alex was ready to argue that he wasn't a child, he was ten for cripes' sake!), so any news about the goings on of the casino intrigued the boy.

Jonathan's smile gleamed at his nephew. "Katrina de Lujun, my boy. She's madly famous and the best thing to come out of the states since the telephone!" Jonathan shoveled eggs into his mouth as he continued speaking, almost overwhelming himself with joy as he spoke. "She wants to start her European tour in London at the Ahm Shere! We have her for the month, but maybe I could squeeze out another two!" The man sighed dreamily. "Imagine! Sweethearts taking each other to hear her romantic tunes, paying ridiculously high prices to see her at my casino –"

"This isn't exactly breakfast table conversation, is it Jon?" Evelyn asked, her eyebrows arching.

Jonathan swallowed and grinned at his sister. "If you don't like it, then I suppose that I'll have to find another three – apologies, four," Jon winked at Kit, "People to fill my VIP table at opening night on Saturday!"

"Mum, can we go?" Alex begged, his fork falling to the table.

"I don't know –" Evy said, looking between her brother and her husband.

"I don't know if lounge singers are really something –" Rick began as he looked to his son.

"Please? You've never let me go to Uncle Jon's casino and if we're going to a show, I obviously won't have enough time to pick up any habits." Alex argued. "Plus Auntie Kit wants to go, don't you Auntie Kit?"

The brunette didn't expect to be pulled into this conversation and her face clearly showed it. "Uh…" She looked between her family members and shrugged. "I've never been to a concert per se –"

"I promise nothing but family entertainment." Jonathan swore, smiling once more. "You'll all come, won't you?"

Rick gave his wife a shrug and she sighed. "We'd love to, Jonathan."

"Excellent!" Jonathan took another bite before looking at the kitchen clock. "Blimey, is that the time? I must run!" He stood, placing his plate in the sink. "If I don't see you before Saturday, doors open at seven! Kit, it was enchanting to meet you, be good Alex, and Rick, Evy thanks for the breakfast!" And with that Jonathan was gone from the house as suddenly as he arrived.

"…Who was that again?" Kit asked once the door closed.

"My brother." Evy replied, laughing a little.

"Is he –"

"Always like that?" Rick finished for her. "Pretty much."

"Jonathan is right, it's getting late." Evy said, looking to the clock. "Alex, do you have everything in your rucksack?"

"Course, Mum, but do I have to go to school?"

"Tell you what." Evy looked to her husband and back to Kit. "Go for the morning and we'll pick you up at midday. Your dad has some plans." Rick smiled and gave his wife a kiss on the cheek. "Besides, I think a trip into the city is called for. We have to get some proper clothes for the show, I suppose."

"Shopping?" Rick groaned. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Evy replied, giving him a poke. "Unless you want Kit running around in my old clothes all the time."

"I don't mind." Kit said, putting her hands up defensively. "You've already been overwhelmingly kind –"

"Let us continue our streak then!" Evelyn laughed. "Is that alright with you, darling? You wanted to go into the city anyway."

Rick nodded. "Sure. I'll go bring the car around." Rick picked up his dish, threw back the rest of his coffee, and put his dishware in the sink before leaving the kitchen.

"I'm not going to get a new suit, am I?" Alex asked, his eyes suspicious now that the subject of shopping was brought up.

"Maybe a tie. Would you like a new tie?" Evy asked her son. He shrugged. "Alright then. Now finish your breakfast and let's be off!"

Saturday evening came soon enough. It was once again raining as the O'Connells drove into the city, all dressed to the nines. Alex could barely sit still with excitement and it was not a moment too soon when the car pulled up underneath the canopy of the Ahm Shere Casino in downtown London. A bright neon sign glowed on the exterior of the several story building, featuring a yellow pyramid with a glowing diamond at the top and the words "Ahm Shere Casino" written in swanky handwriting. Jonathan was waiting for his family next to the automobile attendant, both staying out of the weather due to the cover of the canopy. Rick's door was opened first, and as he skirted around to open the door for Evy, the backdoor was opened, releasing Kit and Alex. "Kit! How lovely you do look!" Jonathan sighed as he surveyed her chocolate gown. "And the new hairdo – Absolutely smashing! Shorter, wavier styles are all the rage these days or…" Jonathan cleared his throat, "So I'm told! Would you like me to escort you?"

"Uncle Jon, are you trying to steal my date?" Alex asked, offering his arm to his aunt. His uncle now saw the two were wearing the same color and Alex had a smug smile on his face as his aunt took his arm.

"Wouldn't dream of it, old boy." Jonathan replied, ruffling his nephew's hair. He turned away as Alex groaned in distress and the man gave his attention to his sister and brother-in-law. Evy wore a gown of emerald green while her husband opted for his rather American cowboy style of suspenders, no tie, and an overcoat. "Glad you could make it with the rain! Come on in!"

The inside of the casino was warm and noisy, not to mention hazy with tobacco smoke. Roulette and card tables were the guts of the place with more intimate booths tucked along the sides of the main room. Curtains hung at the entrances to the booths should the occupants wish for privacy. Girls in skimpy outfits selling cigarettes milled about while waiters carrying trays of food weaved in and out of the crowd, somehow managing not to spill. Kit heard an astonished, "Wow!" from Alex a time or two as they passed beneath women wearing feathered costumes swaying back and forth on bejeweled swings up above a jazz band tucked near the front doors. The men were all wearing suits or tuxedos and the women draped on their arms were crusted in jewels and layered in silks. For the eight year-old boy it was all a very foreign and glamorous sight.

"We're a bit slow right now!" Jonathan informed his family. "We always pick up closer to midnight! Ah, Izzy! How are things going this evening?" Jonathan asked, bringing their procession to a halt at one of the booths. Sitting in the middle and lit by a red-shaded lamp sat the dirigible pilot. On each arm were two women whose male counterparts were busy enjoying the casino. "Kit, this is my erm… Business partner, Izzy! Izzy, you know the O'Connells, and this is Rick's sister, Kit!"

"Didn't know you had a sister!" Izzy replied, nodding to the family. He was dressed in a white coat and tails and over his left eye he wore a silken white eye-patch festooned with pearls. Upon leaving Ahm Shere, the O'Connells had to endure the argument between Jonathan and Izzy concerning ownership percentages of the diamond during the entire flight to Cairo. They finally came to an arrangement that Izzy would take ten percent of the diamond and partnership in his choice of Jonathan's investments. The casino suited both men well. "Ladies, this is Jonathan Carnahan, my partner. Enjoy the show, all!"

"Keep an eye on the place while we're in the lounge, won't you, Izzy?" Jonathan asked, leading his family once more.

"Of course, Jon." Izzy turned his attention back to his companions. "So, the way I lost me eye—"

"Again? Izzy, take off that stupid eye patch already. You look like a pirate." Rick called over his shoulder before they were out of earshot. He smiled and muttered to Evy, "That should make his night interesting."

They only faintly heard Izzy's strained laugh before he stuttered, "And the way is…I gotta go!"

The entertainment lounge of the Ahm Shere was christened "The Diamond of Osiris." Twin golden effigies of the god guarded an enormous diamond at the top of the double doors heading inside and the mood was set with hieroglyphs and scarab beetles carved into the wall. "You do know that most of those hieroglyphs are nothing but words for food and animals?" Evy asked.

"If you notice, there's a good sprinkling of 'amenophus' there too." Jonathan replied, his eyes sparkling.

The inside of the lounge was rimmed with cozy booths similar to those in the casino. Separate tables dotted the main floor in front of the stage with a small square cleared away in the center for dancing. Jonathan led his family to one of the front tables. "Best seats in the house!" He promised his family as they all sat.

"This place isn't too shabby." Rick observed as he pushed Evy's chair in before seating himself. "And you only begrudged Izzy ten percent?"

"A good businessman knows how to make his resources work!" Jon replied with a nod.

"When can we meet this businessman?" Rick asked.

Other patrons soon began filling the lounge. By the time the house lights dimmed, the lounge was packed. The rumble of conversation hushed as the lights went up on the stage, revealing the musicians that had seated themselves in the darkness. Applause thundered forth and then rose to a heavenly swell when a single spotlight went to stage left, following the woman that had to be Katrina de Lujun. She was of average height, her figure curvy and her hair the color of chestnuts. Her green eyes sparkled with the emeralds at her ears and throat and the white gown she wore shimmered in the spotlight. Whistles cut through the air as her fingers gripped the microphone stand and she dazzled the crowd with a smile. "Thank you," She purred as the crowd quieted down. "I'm Katrina de Lujun and I'd like to welcome you to the Diamond of Osiris!" She spotted Jonathan at the table as applause rolled forward once more. She gave the man a wink and turned her attention back to the audience. "Let's get this show on the road!"

Her jazzy selection of music was well-received by all. Alex and Jonathan took Kit out for turns on the dance floor and Rick and Evy found themselves taking a spin a time or two. By the time the singer and her band exited the stage and the house lights came up, it was well into the evening and all at the O'Connell table were pleased with the show. Jonathan excused himself to go find Katrina while Alex took his mother to the dance floor, determined to spin her as he did Kit a few songs before. Rick and his sister were leaning against the table, offering advice such as "Put more whip into the spin!" and "Use both hands!" when Jonathan rematerialized with Katrina on his arm.

"Evy, Rick, Alex, Kit – May I present Katrina de Lujun?"

The singer smiled. "It's wonderful to meet you – Jonathan was boasting about you all coming tonight!" She had taken off her gown and opted for a pair of black trousers and a white blouse. Her stage makeup was wiped off and her jewelry gone, but she still possessed the same charisma that she had exhibited on stage.

"Jonathan has spoken of little else since you came to town. Your voice is lovely." Evelyn complimented.

"Thank you. Jonathan told me you're an Egyptologist with the British Museum?" Katrina asked.

"Well, yes, but –" Jonathan began.

"I've always been fascinated with Egypt – Pharaohs and sphinxes and the like." Katrina smiled widely. "I wish I could have gone to a university to study history, but things are a bit hard in the States right now. Maybe after my singing career has played out I could do such a thing, if I put aside enough money."

"Your career, play out?" Jonathan echoed. "Never!"

Katrina crouched to be more on level with Alex. "And what did you think, cutie?"

"It was a blast! Mum and Dad have never let me go to anything with a live band. All my mates at school will be jealous."

Katrina nodded. "I bet they will, especially when you tell them about taking lovely ladies for a spin on the dance floor!" She kissed a blushing Alex on the nose and straightened up, turning to Kit. "Talk about a lady-killer, you better keep your eye on him."

Kit laughed. "I will."

Katrina's smile stayed and she clapped her hands together. "Thank you so much for coming. It was lovely to meet you all, but I must go. My band wants to hit the town to celebrate our first performance overseas. But hopefully I'll see more of you all in the coming month?"

"Maybe you could come have dinner at our house one night?" Rick suggested. "Or Evy could give you a little more insight on Egypt at the museum –"

"A little being a bit overboard, if I have anything to do with it." Evelyn laughed.

Katrina's face lit up with delight. "I would adore that! Either of those, actually!"

Jonathan smiled and turned to Katrina. "Trina, I'll escort you to the stage door – And I'll be 'round for breakfast tomorrow, everyone."

Goodbyes were said and soon the O'Connells were back in their car and homeward bound. Alex could not stop chattering about the evening on the ride.

"Oh, that was super cool Mum and Dad! Thank you so much! All my mates are going to be so jealous – their parents don't let them into casinos!"

"Their uncles don't own them, Alex." Rick reminded his son. Alex disregarded that.

"And Miss de Lujun was really nice! Do you reckon she'd maybe like to come to my school? Even if she didn't it'd be nice to have her for dinner! And Auntie Kit, did you see those stares everyone gave us? Bet they were so jealous!"

Kit laughed but Evelyn knew that Alex was working himself into a frenzy that would not be calmed in time for him to get to bed when they arrived home unless she stoppered his enthusiasm for now. "Alex, did you do your Latin homework this afternoon?"

Her plan worked and Alex groaned. "Of course I did, Mum –"

"Then I want you to count to one hundred. Slowly, so I can hear each number."

Alex groaned once more, but obliged his mother. "Unus, duo, tres…" Alex trucked along well until he hit the teens. He stumbled over sixteen and found himself stuck on seventeen.

"Were you lying to me about finishing your homework?" Evy demanded, looking over the seat into the back.

"Naw, Mum, I swear I wasn't. I just can't remember!" Alex insisted.

"Septendecim, Alex." Kit said softly.

"Yeah, septendecim!" Alex agreed. Rick looked into the mirror at his sister.

"You know Latin?" Rick queried. Evy's lips had parted in her own astonishment.

"Learned it at the school for girls." Kit said. "Might be rusty, but most of it stuck."

"Maybe you could help Alex," Evy suggested, "If you're so inclined…"

"Any other languages pattering around in there?" Rick queried.

"Arabic and a smattering of German." Kit replied. "I could also fake Afrikaans good enough to get around." She laughed.

Evy turned to look at her sister-in-law. "That's wonderful! Kit, would you be interested in maybe a side job? We always need gifted linguists at the museum and anyone with skill in Latin would be absolutely treasured. We just got a haul of Imperial Roman artifacts in and our linguists are being taxed enormously by them."

"I don't see why not." Kit replied, smiling.

"Brilliant. We'll see what we can scrape up for you." Evy turned back around and after a beat said, "So, septendecim? This doesn't get you out of your recitation, Alex." Her son groaned and continued with his counting all the way home.