Free Desert Song (DeWinter's Song 3) by Constance O'Banyon Page B

Next, the captain turned to the Egyptian. "Lady Mallory, this is Mr. Shemsa. He's returning to his homeland after going to school in England."
    Mallory recognized him as the man who had retrieved her sunshade. "How do you do, Mr. Shemsa?"
    He was dressed in a flowing white robe and matching head covering that was tied with a black cord. His skin was dark and his eyes even darker. He bowed respectfully to her, but not before she saw his eyes widen with unmasked admiration.
    She moved away from him, knowing the moment she'd been dreading had arrived. Mallory could hear Mrs. Wickett talking to Lord Michael. Then it was her turn, and she stood before him, her eyes raised to his face. How handsome he was, dressed formally in black. There was mockery in his eyes as Captain Barim presented her.
    "Now, Lady Mallory," Michael said, "we have been properly introduced." He extended his arm to her. "I believe you are seated next to me."
    Unwilling to create a scene, she reluctantly placed her hand on his arm. Apparently he was enjoying her discomfort. Did he think she would so easily forgive him for his pranks?
    He held the chair for her, and she sat down, folding her hands demurely in her lap. Mrs. Wickett had been placed on Captain Barim's right, and the Egyptian, Khaldun Shemsa, was across the table from Mallory.
    When they were all seated, Captain Barim turned to Mallory. "M lady, it falls to me to apologize to you about an incident that happened several days ago, but has only come to my attention today."
    She looked at him, puzzled. "I can't think what you would have to apologize to me for, Captain."
    "It's about the drenching you suffered."
    Her eyes went to Michael. "I don't hold you responsible for the bad manners of your passengers."
    The captain looked mystified. "Passenger? No, m'lady. A member of my ship's crew came forward this morning and admitted what he had done. I have reprimanded him severely, and he will be punished."
    Mallory's mouth flew open and she looked at Lord Michael, too humiliated to meet his eyes. "Please, Captain, I would consider it a favor if you wouldn't punish the poor man on my behalf."
    "As you wish, m'lady. You have a kind and understanding heart."
    Mallory straightened her spine when she heard Lord Michael choke back laughter.
    The first course had been served before she finally turned to him. "I ask your pardon, m'lord. I did you a great wrong."
    His lips twitched in an almost smile. "It was a natural mistake. I admit I did look guilty holding the bucket. I can't imagine why you would think I'd throw water on such a charming young lady, though." He laughed. "A young lady with such a charitable disposition—and how did the captain phrase it—with a kind and understanding heart?"
    Mallory chose to ignore his attempt at humor. "Nonetheless, I beg your pardon."
    "I accept."
    Mallory was glad when Captain Barim called for everyone's attention. "I regret that I must ask questions of all of you while we are eating. But it seems I have a bit of a mystery on my hands, and I'm hoping one of you might have seen or heard something that will help me in my dilemma."
    "What is it?" Mrs. Wickett asked, her eyes round and expectant.
    The captain cleared his throat. "Well, it seems we have lost two passengers."
    "Surely you jest," Mrs. Wickett declared. "How does one go about losing passengers at sea?"
    "In that is the mystery, madam. Two Arab gentleman, Mr. Senosiris and Mr. Burlos, have simply disappeared. They haven't slept in their cabins in days, and no one has seen them. I have had the ship searched from stem to stern, and they are not aboard."
    Michael and Khaldun merely exchanged glances.
    "Surely there is only one alternative," Mallory commented with horror.
    "I agree, m'lady," the captain said. "They must have gone overboard. But there is a puzzle as well. The weather has been calm, so they could not have been washed overboard. Say one of them fell, I could accept that, but both—I hardly think so."
    "I