Surrender (THE DRAGONFLY CHRONICLES) (12 page)

“Agreed.” He tipped his head. So she was aware of the underlying snake pit of rivalry, swindling and greed. “I prefer to face a hundred decayed mummies in dark tombs to the false pleasantries at these gatherings.”

She looked sideways at him, her smile still in place. “Ballrooms have the same effect on me as dark tombs, especially those ballrooms filled with vipers. Perhaps you best stay close to me tonight else I raze the roof.”

Jackson nodded and signaled the carriage he’d arranged. As the open air carriage approached he glanced around. “Any sign of your ghost?”

“Not at present, though she seems to show up without much warning.”

“Much?”

Kailin’s hand grazed her upper arm. “I have a birthmark, a dragonfly. She says all my siblings are marked with one.” He helped her into the carriage and sat down next to her. “It tingles, itches when she’s near.”

Jackson’s lips came close to her ear. “Make sure to tell me when you start to tingle then.”

Kailin inhaled quickly but nodded with a casual agreement. Her eyes flitted to the open night sky. She smiled softly. “How lovely. No roof.”

Jackson inhaled fully, ignoring the tang of the docks that mixed with the breeze whirling in from the chilling desert. “Fresh air. It’s good for the body and soul.” He winked at her and she leaned back into the leather seat, her head tilted back to stare up at the stars.

They rattled through the shadowed streets toward a wealthy area near the American embassy. His eyes glanced at the star-spangled rectangle snapping a sporadic tattoo in the night. Would he ever see the wide open valleys and soaring mountains of home again? Home? That hadn’t existed for over a decade now.

A mix of expensive electric lights and oil lamps sparkled through the opulent showcase house that Ian McGivens had bought over twenty years ago for his wife and daughter. Kailin only vaguely remembered the elegant, frowning beauty, Hilary McGivens. Ian had been totally enamored of his wife but his love for her was eclipsed by his love of Egyptian mysteries, which was why he moved her out to this grand mansion on the edge of the Nile. Her waspish, overly clean demeanor made it very apparent that she was completely unhappy in this “sand-contaminated, dirty, backward country.” Hilary died of a bacterial infection when Samantha was young. Samantha was very much like her mother except that she had never lived anywhere else so her longings for a different life were less severe. Although that was the only thing less severe in the replica.

Kailin allowed Jackson to help her from the carriage. She offered to pay the cab but Jackson waved her off. Where does he gain his money? Kailin suddenly realized she had absolutely no idea regarding Jackson Black’s financial health. Unless one made significant discoveries, archeologists were only rich in spirit and adventure, not in coin.

The suspicion shriveled into an inconsequential pondering as Jackson’s warm breath grazed her ear. “Hold your head high, Doctor Whitaker. You are far more intelligent than these snobs and absolutely stunning.” The compliment warmed her inside, somehow melting and strengthening her at the same time. If she’d had time she’d consider the odd combination. She’d never felt this way before. As they stepped up the marble steps toward the white-gloved native footmen, Kailin just concentrated on breathing and presenting her chilled, sophisticated-casual smile she’d perfected for such evenings.

“Kailin!” Doctor Ian McGivens called when he saw them enter. His bearded mouth turned up into a sincere smile. He begged pardon of the man and woman at his side and strode across the black-and-white-tiled foyer, meeting them under a crystal chandelier that probably cost as much as one of the footmen would earn in his entire lifetime. Ian’s eyes flicked to Jackson and back to Kailin, but he didn’t stop his momentum. Ian’s hand slid between Jackson and Kailin to clasp her shoulders. He squeezed gently, as close to a hug she would get in this arena.

“Ian,” she said with a genuine smile. “It’s good to see you.”

He shook his head and his smile faded. “I’m so sorry that it’s because of these horrific goings on.” His hands slid down her arms to clasp her hands in his. His face intensified. “We will find Anthony.”

“I plan to do just that,” she said.

“You?”

Kailin glanced at Jackson. “With my assistant, Mr. Black.”

Jackson tipped his hat. “Good evening, Dr. McGivens.”

Ian nodded to him. “Yes, yes, I had heard you’d gone to inform her. You are back much sooner than I imagined.”

“Doctor Kailin Whitaker travels quickly,” Jackson boasted.

Ian smiled and nodded. “All these years of expedition. Makes one quite flexible and fast to migrate.” He turned back to Kailin. “I’m so glad to see you, my dear, but I do worry about your involvement. Anthony’s kidnappers are powerful and professional. The local police have not been able to find any leads.”

Kailin squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry. I have a lead which Mr. Black and I will be following very soon. There is no doubt that I will retrieve what the kidnappers want in return for my father.” There, the message was delivered. May Ian spread it at will.

Ian lowered his voice. “The orb? That’s what they want, isn’t it?”

Kailin glanced at Jackson’s frown but nodded anyway. “What do you know about it?” she asked Ian.

He shook his head. “Not much. Your father was quite obsessed with it, but then suddenly gave it up. Said it wasn’t worth the danger of retrieval.” Ian said this as if he couldn’t fathom that concern.

“Perhaps my father has finally grown up,” Kailin said.

“You mean grown old,” Ian grumbled. He pulled her gently along toward a long table laden with small bits of tasty fare and three large Champagne fountains. Jackson stalked behind her. “I begged him to give me his notes. Said I would go after it myself but he refused. If he doesn’t get to discover it, he doesn’t want anyone else to either.”

Kailin patted Ian’s arm. “Sounds like the two of you haven’t changed much.”

Ian smiled dismally at that. “Well, good luck finding the unfindable. Say…” He stopped. “I could help you.”

Jackson stepped closer. “That’s my job.”

“But I have notes, an idea of where Anthony was looking,” Ian protested.

“Mr. Black worked alongside my father and has similar information. We will be fine.”

Ian’s eyes narrowed as he scanned Jackson from his polished black shoes to his hat. “Worked alongside Anthony Whitaker? I’d have known if he’d gotten himself a young brawny boulder-pusher.”

Jackson grinned casually at the description. “Dr. Whitaker didn’t like to publicize the fact that he might need some extra muscle to help with his digs. He’s a rather private sort.”

Ian sniffed, one eyebrow rising. “That’s certainly accurate,” he murmured and handed a fluted glass of Champagne to Kailin.

“Miss Whitaker. How wonderful to see you here.” Henry Dallinton broke from a small group of gentlemen to stride across the ballroom.

“Well if you won’t take me along, I best get started on trying to find it myself,” Ian said and turned.

“I need the orb for my father,” Kailin called as Henry stepped up like an expectant puppy.

Ian raised his hand and turned his head only to glance at her. He smiled. “Of course I will give it to you after I am certain I’m given credit for its discovery.
I’m
not through yet finding the glory of the pharaohs.” He laughed then and trudged off toward his study.

“Good God, is he planning to set out tonight?” Kailin said and glanced at Jackson. Henry still stood there waiting to be acknowledged. She gave him a quick smile.

“We’ll be ahead of him by at least a week,” Jackson said, his gaze hardening as he stared at Henry. “Dallinton.” He nodded.

Henry responded but turned immediately to Kailin. “More talk of rescuing your father?”

“It is foremost in my mind,” Kailin said.

“Of course, of course,” Henry assured. “As it should be.” He frowned. “I just hope you will exercise safety and restraint. I would hate to see anything unpleasant happen to you.”

“That’s my job,” Jackson said again low.

“Yes,” Henry said and eyed Jackson up and down much like Ian. “But digging through sand and rocks is not easy work. It is wrought with peril.”

Kailin frowned. She should be used to the chauvinistic view of women in the archeology circle, but comments about her fragility still riled her. She’d love to show these men just what kind of strength she had to move sand and rocks.

“Do remember, Mr. Dallinton,” she said stiffly, her ice façade easily slipping along the familiar ruts created over the years. “That I am an archeologist, well respected in Britain and beyond. I understand the discomforts and perils of expedition.
I
will not take foolish risks.” She looked to Jackson and felt the corners of her lips edge upward. “That’s Mr. Black’s job.”

She took a sip of the Champagne and let the bubbles tickle her nose and warm her throat on its way down. Perhaps more Champagne was needed in order to maneuver through this night. Though she was fairly certain the wine had contributed to the peacock feather inferno the other night.

Henry bobbed his head. “Please take no offense. I am not used to such a strong woman hidden within such a delicately beautiful form. I only worry about preserving such spirit.”

A flattering apology. Better than more pompous spouting of female failings. Kailin nodded, accepting his words.

A high-pitched trill of false laughter edged with disparaging condemnation filtered through the low murmur of the crowd and chamber music. Samantha, probably picking apart her quickly stitched costume. Kailin’s stomach squeezed on reflex, hitching the Champagne up in her stomach. She set her glass down. Henry made a soft noise that sounded like a curse before turning apologetic eyes to her. His expression alone made it obvious who Samantha must be pointing out.

“She really is a lovely woman most of the time,” he apologized, frowning. “I believe she has a difficult time with your beauty overshadowing her own.” Kailin focused on his kind brown eyes. “It brings out the worst in her.”

Kailin’s tight lips softened.

“Smooth, Dallinton,” Jackson said as he took her elbow. “I think we’ll find a more enjoyable room so as not to torment Miss McGivens any longer.”

Kailin let Jackson guide her toward the adjoining room but his words irritated her. “And why wouldn’t I want to torment Samantha?” she asked with sarcasm.

Jackson leaned into her. “Because I don’t feel like stomping fire out of the drapes just yet,
Atsila
.”

“Let’s leave then,” she hissed as sets of eyes fastened on her when they entered. She was caught between the piercing chuckles of Samantha and her friends behind her and the pointed stares before her. Inside she quivered. Outside she stood tall, an ice statue with a razor stare.

“We’ve only been here a quarter hour.”

“I’m very efficient,” she insisted.

“You need to spread word about our expedition.”

She huffed through clenched teeth. “Impossible,” she breathed. “I don’t mingle. Ian and Henry are as far as I’m going to spread word. They’ll do the rest.”

Jackson’s other hand reached over to cover hers where it sat on his arm. The warmth of his palm permeated her glove. She glanced at him, their eyes connecting instantly. He led her to a shallow alcove and blocked her view of the floor where several pairs rotated through a quadrille.

Jackson’s gaze bored into hers and caught her breath. “Kailin,” he murmured. “Dallinton may be a blue-blooded ass but he’s right about Samantha.” She tried to look down but he caught her chin with the crook of one finger. “You are easily the most beautiful woman here.”

Kailin exhaled and blinked long. “I didn’t have time to properly outfit myself. We were rushed.”

“You could be in rags and still outshine the loveliest queen in Egypt.” Jackson’s face was intense without his usual mask of humor. “You really don’t know that, do you?” Kailin’s breath caught somewhere in her chest as she clung to his words. He released her chin but her eyes stayed locked to his, as if they were a raft in this pool of sharks. Jackson’s finger brushed her cheek. “So strong yet you let these people bother you.”

His brow furrowed and she answered with a sigh. Yes, these people, this world bothered her, to use Jackson’s words. She was an outsider. Even with Anthony as a father, her strange reactions and introverted demeanor had fostered whispered and open criticism. She’d taken on the ice-façade to protect herself.

Jackson’s intensity faded back into a casual grin. “If they only knew how you could turn this party inside out,” he whispered and raised his eyebrows.

A genuine smile twitched the corners of Kailin’s mouth. “I’m tempted, so you better not stray far.” It felt good having someone other than her very worried father know her secret so openly. Hiding ones true self from the world was taxing.

“It would keep Ian McGivens busy for more than a week,” he teased and turned with Kailin toward the floor. Her laughter dwindled as a tall, dark man stood before them. He bowed stiffly.

“Doctor Whitaker, I am Doctor Hasani Moghadam.” The man completely ignored Jackson. “I have had the intellectual pleasure of studying your father’s many great findings and adventures.” One of his eyebrows rose over deep brown eyes. “I have little doubt that you are just as interesting.”

Kailin tipped her head slightly and ignored the murmured curse from Jackson. “Hello,” she said simply. She wasn’t going to waste small talk on this crowd and if she’d allow herself to admit it, the man was a bit intimidating.

He inclined his head to match her response. “If your guard permits, would you accompany me through the next dance?”

Guard? Very well, Jackson was a guard, protecting the world against her spontaneous wrath, but that’s not what this elegant, glint-eyed Egyptian man meant. In this stuffy, male-centric, pompous world Jackson did serve as the figurehead of a guard, much like Anthony had done for her. So why did the man’s question irritate her so much?

Kailin looked at Jackson with sharp eyes. “Do you permit?”