Rebecca sat on the bed and took in the room. It was spartan, with a single mattress on the floor and a chair and table in the corner. On the table was a basin and pitcher. It was nothing like what she had been used to in England.

“We may as well settle in,” Simonetta said, pouring the water into the basin and washing off the kohl from around her eyes.

Rebecca sat down on the bed, and felt the events of the day catch up to her. She had woken up over the Mediterranean Sea this morning and survived being attacked, several gunfights, a riot, and nearly being killed several times over. She was really lucky to have found both Hawk and Simonetta.

Simonetta threw the water from the basin out the window, and then paced around the room. Rebecca could not help but watch. Simonetta was so lovely, and so unlike any woman she had ever met, so feminine yet riding like a cavalryman through battle and chaos. She noted the Very Large Gun was laying in the corner closest to the mattress. Simonetta would not be far from it. Always ready for whatever may come.

How could Hawk Ramsey not fancy her? She recalled them speaking in serious tones as they walked the streets of Sais.

“Simonetta,” Rebecca asked. “How long have you known Mr. Ramsey?”

“I only met him when he first came to Egypt years ago.”

“He’s not Egyptian?”

“He blends in well, doesn’t he?” Simonetta said, with a smile. “He’s a Red Indian from America.”

“How did he come here?”

“You’ll have to ask him,” Simonetta said. “I know he’s traveled extensively, but I don’t know specifics.”

“And you two were…” Rebecca started to say, trying to be as casual as she could.

“Quite intimate,” Simonetta said with a smile. “I can give you details—”

“No, no,” Rebecca said. “I have no desire to gossip. But you two are…?”

“What we had is done,” Simonetta said. Was that a hint of regret in her voice?

“And no one is else in your life, is there?”

“I thought you didn’t want to gossip,” Simonetta said, grinning.

“I just wish to get to know you. You have saved my life after all.” Rebecca gave her brightest smile.

“Not much to know. My father was the great archeologist Giovanni Belzoni and he had an illicit affair with my mother.” Before Rebecca could ask another question they were interrupted by the chiming of the clock in the center of the city.

“It’s getting late,” Simonetta said. “We have an early day tomorrow. We should get some rest.” She slipped off her jacket and threw it over the chair as she started to take off her blouse. She dropped it on the floor next to the gun and Rebecca suddenly felt very warm.

“Oh no! I’ve lost my dressing gown, with all my other luggage back in Naukratis!”

“It’s too hot for dressing gowns anyway,” Simonetta said, pulling off her boots.

Rebecca blinked. “You would expect me to sleep in the nude?”

Simonetta laughed. “You’re blushing. Are you embarrassed?”

“Not at all!” Rebecca fired back.

“I assumed that’s why you wanted Hawk to sleep separately,” Simonetta said. She took off her pants and stood naked in front of Rebecca. Rebecca felt her breath catch in her throat, and could not help but stare. Simonetta had a better toned body than any woman Rebecca had ever seen. She was well proportioned, although Rebecca’s eyes were drawn to two scars, one on Simonetta’s side, just below her right breast and the other on her thigh.

Seeing Rebecca staring, Simonetta turned away slightly. “You should get ready for bed as well,” she said.

“Yes, yes, of course,” Rebecca said. “And you are right, it is quite hot in here.” The kalasiris dress was easy enough to slip off, and Rebecca was grateful not having to fuss with a corset or any of the other encumbrances of the London fashions. After a moment, she was naked.

Rebecca remembered back in England, undressing in front of Evelyn. Her heart was pounding as much then as now. However, Evelyn watched her with rapt attention, while Simonetta barely seemed to notice.

She lay down on the bed with her back to Rebecca. Looking at Simonetta’s prone form, she needed no further invitation to crawl up beside her.

“Buona notte,” Simonetta said as she blew out the lamp. Rebecca lay there in the dark, feeling the heat from Simonetta’s body laying right next to her. And the scent in Simonetta’s hair. Was that myrrh? It was like that first time she and Evelyn… Her pulse was racing and she felt like she would burst. Rebecca reached out to place her hand on Simonetta’s leg, but there was no response.

“Simonetta…” Rebecca whispered.

Simonetta’s response was a soft snore, and Rebecca could only sigh.