Free Egyptian Honeymoon by Elizabeth Ashton Page B

incongruous.
    Splashing, audible through the thin partition, indicated that Steve was in his own cabin taking the suggested shower. Instantly Omar was banished from her mind and her thoughts reverted to the incident of the early morning. Omar had mocked and Marcia had scolded, but it was probable that Steve's prompt action had saved the man's life, who, panic-stricken, might not have been able to grasp the lifebelt. Noelle felt an urge to go to him and express her admiration for his courage and resource, but would he admit her? The door between them was locked in more senses than one.
    An excuse occurred to her. The unfiltered Nile water presented a hazard, one that he was still risking. Taking a bottle of disinfectant from her case, she knocked upon the communicating door.
    'Yes, what do you want?'
    'I… I've something for you. Something you need.'
    Silence, and she feared Steve was not going to let her in. Then the key turned in the lock and he threw the door open. He was naked except for a towel wrapped around his middle, his bronzed body still dripping from the shower. It was that of a young man, flat stomach, long muscular thighs, the skin smooth over his powerful neck and shoulders. Only that touch of silver at his temples betrayed that he was no longer a boy, but a man in the prime of his health and strength. Noelle blinked, aware of a stirring of her senses. It was the first time she had seen him without his clothes in the full light of day, and she thought Michelangelo's David had nothing on him. He gave her a quizzical glance, as if he guessed her thoughts, and she held out the bottle.
    'I thought you should use some of this.'
    He took it from her and held it up to the light.
    'To decontaminate me from the Nile water or Marcia's embraces?'
    'Steve!' Noelle flinched. Had he no shame at all? The thought of Marcia in those strong arms gave her an acute stab of jealousy. 'Did you spend the night with her?' she asked bluntly.
    He looked at her with a sneer.
    'That's what you believe, isn't it?'
    'All the evidence points to it.'
    He scowled at the bottle. 'You judge me by the standards of that degenerate lot you worked with in the, rag trade. Circumstantial evidence is never conclusive.'
    Instantly Noelle took fire at this slur upon her former associates. How dared he pass judgment on them!
    'If you're suggesting that Hugh…'
    He dropped the bottle with an oath.
    'Mention that name again and I'll strangle you!'
    Noelle was delighted.
    'Surely you can't be jealous of a dead man?'
    'No,' he returned squashing her newborn hope. 'The trouble is he made you into a dead woman. Was his lovemaking so wonderful that you can't bear any other?'
    About to tell him that Hugh had never made love to her in the sense he meant, Noelle checked herself. Marcia was still rankling. Why should she give him such an assurance when he continued to insult her by his connection with that woman? If she had not been there… but she was, and her red hair and green eyes would pursue them all the way up the Nile.
    'Hugh,' she began, ignoring his threatening gesture as she spoke the name, 'was gentle and considerate, and I was the only woman in his life.'
    Steve reached for his trousers, the towel slipping dangerously. Noelle modestly averted her head, but with a swift movement he concealed himself. Her action did not pass unnoticed.
    'Such a modest little violet,' he jeered. 'One would think you were a virgin.'
    Again Noelle was about to speak, but checked herself. Possibly a confession of her innocence would put him off. He had not the patience to initiate her, he preferred his women to be experienced.
    'So the dress designer told you you were the only woman in his life,' Steve went on, his eyes glinting maliciously. 'And you believed him?'
    'Of course. Hugh would never lie to me.'
    Steve's thin lips curled satirically. 'My love, there are some subjects about which every man will lie to a woman.'
    Out of his own mouth he was condemned.
    'I'll