Death and Desire (Love in Cairo #1)

Chapter Three

M orning seemed much brighter than she remembered. Violet blamed it on the haunting dreams that kept her restless until well after midnight. She’d never been a morning person, but she refused to lie abed when such wonders awaited her. It was a rare occasion when Violet abandoned her room before ten in the morning.

She quickly dressed, choosing a cream-colored dress with gold beading. Although the color did nothing to complement her auburn hair and fair complexion, she wished to remain cool in the unfamiliar heat. Much to her father’s chagrin, she was not here to catch a wealthy husband and comfort was her main concern.

By the time she reached the gardens, it was nearly ten. Her gaze skimmed the patrons partaking in midmorning tea as she searchedfor her new companion.

A flash of gold drew her attention to the far side of the terrace where Dina waited. She wove through the labyrinth of tables until she reached the corner overlooking a charming fountain.

“My apologies, Dina.” Violet greeted her companion with a kiss on the cheek.

“No need for apologies.” Dina sat, motioning for her to do the same. “I trust you slept well?”

“Not at all.” Violet sighed, still weighed by exhaustion despite her excitement. “I had strange dreams...quite vivid, truly. They kept me up much of the night.”

“Nightmares?” Dina asked as Violet poured tea.

“Not really.” Violet chuckled at the absurdity of it. “It’s the oddest thing.”

“Did they begin during your travels? Sometimes, the change in climate affects us in strange ways.”

“Actually, I’ve had similar dreams for years.” Violet stirred her tea before taking a sip.

“How interesting.” Dina leaned forward. “Tell me more about these dreams.”

“You’ll think I’m mad.” Violet scoffed before setting her teacup aside. “But these dreams are the reason I wished to come to Egypt.”

Dina’s brows rose. “You dreamed of Egypt?”

Violet nodded. “Perhaps the stories my mother told me of her trip to Cairo captured my imagination, but I’ve always longed to see the places in her tales.” She rubbed her thumb over the jewel on her wrist. “But this time...the dream was different.”

“How so?”

“I could better picture my surroundings. A narrow alley. An arched doorway. A luscious garden overlooking the Nile.” Warmth pulsed beneath her finger as she stroked the jewel, as she described the details, as though from a memory. “Only this time, there was a man waiting for me.”

“A man?” Dina teased. “Was he handsome?”

“I couldn’t tell. He was hidden in shadow.” Violet closed her eyes, summoning the memory of his warm, honeyed voice drifting out of the darkness. “But I have heard his voice before, in past dreams.”

“What did he say?” Dina’s interest was piqued with every revelation.

“Nothing important. He welcomed me to his home.”

“Is that all?” Dina pouted. “How disappointing. I was hoping for something scandalous.”

Violet’s cheeks warmed. Though they’d known each other for less than a day, she felt an immediate kinship with Dina. Perhaps this adventure outside her home country had given her the freedom to explore more than a new culture. It might allow her the opportunity to spread her wings. With a friend such as Dina by her side, she could truly embrace the freedom she desired. So long as her brother kept his promise to not tell their father everything that transpired.

“I hate to disappoint you.” Violet covered her embarrassment by selecting a scone from a tiered tray and laughed. “He said, ‘ Welcome to my home, little thief.’ ”

“ Little thief , huh?” Dina’s smile widened. “You must have stolen his heart with your vibrant wit and sultry sunset hair.”

Violet ran a hand over the braid pinned at the base of her neck. Even with her hair up, it was difficult to hide the vibrant color. She blamed Irish ancestry on her mother’s side.

“Why do you hide it?” Dina ran her fingers through her own short hair. “If I were blessed with such a color, I’d wear it like a badge of honor.”

“I don’t hide it.” She drew her hand away to keep from pulling any pins free. “But it’s quite heavy and reacts poorly to high humidity.”

“Perhaps you should try a style better suited to the times.”

“I’ve thought about it, but I can’t bring myself to cut it. My mother had similar hair.” Violet shook her head, hoping to redirect the subject. “So what’s on the agenda for today?”

“Well, I hope you brought your dancing shoes.” Dina winked. “Tonight’s gala is supposed to be a crush. With all the new arrivals this week, I’m certain there will be plenty of handsome, rich young men to keep us entertained.”

“Had I wished for that , I wouldn’t have had to leave England,” Violet joked. “But I do love dancing.”

“Good. Because I do too.”

“I hope the gowns I brought will suit.”

Dina waved a hand. “You would look radiant in a flour sack.”

Violet laughed, sobering the moment she saw her brother crossing the veranda toward them.

“Good morning, ladies. I trust I’m not intruding? Oh, my favorite.” He stole a scone from the tray and took a bite.

“Help yourself, Isaac.” Violet rolled her eyes. “Where’s David? Still indisposed?”

“No. He...” Isaac turned, searching the open courtyard and veranda. “He was right behind me. Damn him.” He tipped his hat.

“Don’t forget the gala tonight,” Violet called, but he was already halfway across the patio. “Curse him,” she muttered under her breath.

“Your brother is quite handsome.” Dina lifted her cup to her lips, which curled at Violet’s obvious horror. “Perhaps I shall ask him to dance tonight.”

“Do what you will,” Violet said, making a dedicated attempt to refrain from belittling her brother’s character. He was twenty-four but still her younger brother. “Mind you, he’s a terrible dancer.”

“I’ve been warned.” Dina’s laugh warmed her heart. “Who is David?”

“My brother’s best friend. I’ve known him since we were small children.” Her companion’s eyes sparkled at the new information. Guilt twisted in Violet’s chest. She always feared David had harbored a secret fondness for her for years, although she’d never shown any encouragement of his flirtatious teasing. He was like a brother to her, nothing more.

“David is a wonderful dancer,” she added, stoking the flames of her new friend’s curiosity. “I’m sure the two of you will get along splendidly.”

“Is he as handsome as your brother?”

“Even more so.” Violet grinned. It was not a lie. David was handsome and charming, but he was also the rascal who put frogs in her bed and smeared mud on her lovely paintings.

“How delightful.” Dina clapped her hands with joy. “With the gala tonight, we should take the afternoon to prepare—a little pampering to put us in the right state of mind.”

“I’d hoped to venture out and see the shops...” Violet attempted to suppress her disappointment.

“Tomorrow, I will take you to the best shops in Cairo.” Dina winked. “Today, allow yourself to bask in indulgence. We shall sip wine and eat the finest chocolate. My stylist will work her magic on us both. Tonight, we will be the most tempting women in Cairo.”

“You say this as though I’m here to snare a husband, not to savor the delights of a new city.”

“It’s possible to do both .”

“I have no desire to find a husband at the moment.” Violet flagged the waiter down and ordered a gin cocktail.

“Make that two,” Dina said before the waiter left. She turned her full attention to Violet. “You’re here for two weeks. I will take you wherever you wish to go. Whatever you wish to see, we will see it.”

“Thank you.” Violet softened and relaxed in her seat.

“But you know I must ask.” Dina leaned close conspiratorially and dropped her voice. “Why such a vehement dislike of the prospect of marriage?”

“It’s not that I’m against the institution, but...” Her face warmed. She’d never vocalized her thoughts on the matter before, and her friendship with Dina was a fresh spring blossom. The weight of her concern might be overwhelming.

“But what?”

“I have no wish to shackle myself to someone for the sole purpose of bearing children and caring for the home.” She hazarded a glance over her shoulder, uncertain of whether her father would make an appearance at any moment. “There’s something more for me out there.”

“I understand exactly what you mean.” Dina nodded. “My father is quite distressed at my being twenty-three with no prospects of marriage. He’s relentless.”

Violet chuckled. “Precisely. I’m glad I don’t suffer this misfortune alone.”

With a coy smile, Dina softened her tone, so it drifted only between them. “We shall stand together in solidarity.”

Resting her hand on Dina’s, Violet beamed. “I knew we would be great friends.”

“If husband-hunting is off the table, what other suggestion do you have for us to pass the time in Cairo?” Dina sipped her drink.

“I have a list.” Violet pulled a small piece of paper from her pocket. “Here are the places I wish to visit.”

Dina took the slip and scanned it. “This shouldn’t be a problem. Perhaps along the way, a handsome gentleman will catch your eye.” She winked.

Violet waved a dismissive hand and laughed. “Do not jest about such things. I have more important things to do in Cario than fawn over eligible bachelors.”

“Who said anything about eligible bachelors?” Dina released a devilish grin. “It’s possible to admire the opposite sex without wanting to marry them.”

“You’re a horrible influence.” Violet laughed. “I love how your mind works.”

Together, they sipped cocktails and planned their itinerary, making notes to place inquiries for some of the locations listed. The pyramids, the museum, the markets, antiques dealers, and, of course, a tour on the Nile.

After brunch, Dina took Violet to a salon, where they spent much of the afternoon being pampered and continuing to discuss their sightseeing plans. By the time the gala was to begin, Violet could barely contain her excitement. So much promise of adventure.

Dina’s stylist had managed to wrangle her hair into an intricate style and highlighted herbest feature with an intricate kohl, her eyes glittering in the fading sunlight. The winged edges gave her a seductive appeal, she thought as she studied her reflection in the mirror.

Without waiting for an escort, Violet wandered the halls until the alluring strains of music drew her to the ballroom. When she stepped over the threshold, the gala was already in full swing.

She admired handsome gentlemen in pressed suits and lovely ladies dressed to the nines. As she moved through the crowd in search of Dina, her brother, and David, she spied her father in a far corner with a group of older men. Cigar smoke ringed their heads, and whiskey sloshed in their glasses. She pointedly ignored that side of the room, giving her father wide berth.

“Are you looking for someone?”

Violet turned, half expecting a snide American adventurer with cool, charismatic charm. She blinked twice at the man before she found the proper word. Devilish . He was downright handsome with his dark brown hair and sapphire eyes.

“Perhaps.” Violet smiled before turning away.

“Allow me to be of service.” He stepped back into her line of sight. His persistence proved irksome but not rude.

“Do you have a name, sir? Or shall I delegate one to you?”

“James Beaumond.” He inclined his head.

“Violet Connoly.” She offered her hand, and he took it, gently placing a kiss on her fingers. She suppressed an uneasy shiver at his touch, thankful for the people surrounding them. It wasn’t that she was uncomfortable, but there was something unsettling about him. Something she couldn’t uncover in a brief conversation.

“Whom do you seek, my lovely flower?”

She shifted her gaze from him for a few brief moments, hoping to spot her brother or David in the crowd. Alas, from this vantage, she could not even see her father. Damn and blast!

“My brother.”

“Brother?” He chuckled, relief echoing through the sound. “Would you care to dance as you await his arrival?”

“I’m sure he’s already here.” Desperation clawed at her. “I really must find him.”

Violet shifted a few steps to the right, looking around at a potted plant. She needed to put distance between this charming devil and herself. Her intuition never failed her, and right now, it told her to run.

“Such a lovely gem.” He caught her wrist with his hand and lifted it to the light. “I have never seen one quite like it. Egyptian?”

“Yes, a gift from my mother.” Her tight response was polite but dismissive, brooking no further invitation to discuss it. She glimpsed a familiar broad-shouldered shadow standing beneath a shaded palm. David . “If you will excuse me, I see my brother.”

James released her hand with a flourish, his fingertips brushing the jeweled bracelet. “It was lovely to meet you, Violet. I hope to have the pleasure of your company again soon.”

With an unsteady smile, she tore herself from his side and cut a direct path for the familiar beacon of safety. The man beneath the palm moved, his profile comforting. But the closer she came, the more uncertainty filled her. She realized this was not her brother...or David...certainly not her father.

Her steps slowed, but she did not stop, certain James would take it as an invitation. As she approached, she searched through her mind for this familiar profile. In the background, the music shifted, the familiar strains of a waltz transitioning to a deep, rhythmic tempo. Exotic and unfamiliar to her ears. The Egyptian song thrummed through her as she drew close to the dark stranger. In her soul, she knew this man was no stranger, yet she could not find his name.

He turned when she reached him, as if aware of her presence. She tipped her head to look up at him. His dark eyes narrowed. No, she’d been mistaken. James wasn’t devilish; this man was. He was sin incarnate. Raven hair lay in waves around his angular face, resting against the collar of his shirt and casting his features in highlight and shadow. Tall for certain. Most definitely strong, she wagered, judging by the fit of his tailored coat.

She shook her head, unable to comprehend the truth.

“Is something wrong?” His deep voice rumbled through her, firm and soothing in tandem.

Violet knew him, but she’d never met him before...at least not in the waking world. She swallowed the lump in her throat. How was this possible? She’d never seen the face of the man in her dreams, and yet, it was his voice . His voice had lured her to Egypt...to this moment.

“Dance with me,” she blurted out.

To his credit, the shadowed stranger did not protest. He glanced at their clasped hands as she pulled him to the dance floor. When his hand came to rest on her hip, a delightful shiver raced through her. The press of his fingers ignited a flurry of chaos inside her. Meeting his dark gaze, she fell into step with the music.

He hesitated for a moment, as though uncertain, but he moved to align himself to both her and the tempo of the music. His face was devoid of any emotion.

Her hand rested on his shoulder. The muscles beneath the fabric moved with fluid precision as he guided her to the pounding rhythm of the music. She’d been right. He was strong.

When he spun her, she caught sight of James on the periphery of the crowd. Their eyes locked, and a knowing smirk tugged at his mouth before he turned, disappearing into the room beyond.

A sigh of relief stole from her lips. Turning her attention back to her silent partner, she studied his face in the light. Handsome, stoic, mysterious. He was certainly not what she’d expected to find in Cairo.

“Why do you look at me as though you’re attempting to read a difficult passage in a rare tome?” he asked.

“I wasn’t aware I was looking at you in such a specific way. It’s not as if any harm ever came from reading a book.” Violet cocked her head. “Have we met before?”

“No.” His lips pressed into a thin line.

“We must have.” She drew closer, and he stiffened slightly as she brushed against him. “I recognize your voice.”

“Impossible.”

“How so?” she asked, curiosity driving her forward.

“You’ve never before been to Egypt,” he said, his tone measured, certain. “And I have never left.”

Her brow rose. “How do you know I’ve never been to Egypt?”

“Your complexion is too fair.” His lip lifted at the corner. Not a smile, almost a sneer...and yet, it made her chuckle.

“That was either a terrific insult or a terrible compliment.”

“It was the truth.”

They took a few turns to the music, allowing silence to fall between them. She admired how quickly he became accustomed to the dance. The first awkward steps had morphed into something graceful, almost bewitching.

“Since you know so much about me, perhaps you can tell me your name?”

He regarded her for several heartbeats. Violet felt each acutely as she waited for his response.

His grip tightened on her waist as he spoke. “Khalid.”

Violet repeated the name, smiling when he nodded at her pronunciation. “How lovely. What does it mean?”

“Eternal.”

She laughed, and the sound made him scowl.

“Why do you laugh?”

“I thought your name would mean something more...terrifying, given your demeanor.”

His harsh expression disappeared, leaving the absence of emotion on his handsome face.

“I’m Violet.” She beamed, hoping to break his facade.

“What does it mean?” he mimicked.

“It’s a type of flower.”

“A flower?” He sounded confused by the statement.

“Yes.” She stifled a laugh. “Do you know what a flower is?”

His lips twitched again. “Of course I know what a flower is, but I have never seen a violet.”

The music came to an end.

“Now you have.” Violet reluctantly relinquished her hold on him.

With a stiff bow, Khalid turned and left the dance floor, his gait determined as he vanished from the room. Air left her lungs in a whoosh , as though she’d just run a mile. Blood raced through her veins, her heart pounded.

Was it her impetuous action that left her in such a state or his sudden departure? She pressed a hand to her chest where it ached.

She missed him already.

That was insane . She knew nothing of this stranger other than the odd feeling she’d met him before. Who was he? How did they share this strange connection?

She shook her head, willing her thoughts to clear.

“What are you doing standing in the middle of the dance floor alone?” Isaac’s question startled her.

“Oh, I...uh...never mind,” she stammered before snatching him by the arm and dragging him to the bar.

For the rest of the evening, Violet searched the shadows for any sign of Khalid, but he was gone. And that night in the comfort of her room with an open window overlooking the garden, she slept in peace, without a single dream.