Read Murder Most Egyptological (A Mrs. Xavier Stayton Mystery Book 3) for Free Online Page B

afternoon in Luxor, the temperature was no more than sixty degrees; of course, compared to the grey winter days in England, I suppose that was warm.
       Entering the hotel lobby, I was taken aback by how decidedly European the décor was. A guest would scarcely realize he was in Egypt by the look of the place. I had hoped not for opulence, but rather exoticness.
       Lucy looked about the grand staircase and bright white walls, which were crowded with wainscoting, and remarked, “How lovely.”
       “Yes, isn’t it?” I replied agreeably.
       Sandy was standing at the reception desk, explaining who we were, and a well-dressed fellow gave us a wave before ducking around the counter and racing toward us; he too was not an Egyptian.
      “Mrs. Stayton, it is our pleasure to have you and your friend as our guest at the Winter Castle. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make your stay more pleasant.”
      Sandy clarified that this Englishman was the hotel’s general manager; he then politely gave the fawning fellow the brush-off and said, “I suppose you two need a bit of rest…”
        “Actually, Sandy, I am eager to meet the expedition team,” I told him.
       He took his watch from his vest and looked at the time. “Righto; I say, you two ladies will want to change your attire and then meet me here at half past four. I’ll introduce you to the gang—sounds good, yes.”
       Lucy and I looked down to our kaftans, which had caused many an odd glance, and I replied, “Yes, we will do just that.”
     
     
       Before our departure from England, Lucy and I had thumbed through a great many issues of The Science and Archeology Chronicle Quarterly in search of photographs that might show us what female adventurers wore.
       With the help of our seamstress and a cobbler, Lucy and I devised a number of seemingly suitable outfits. Riding boots were made to fit us, but the soles were given more grip to allow us better footing for exploring tombs. We had several wool skirts of modest length made, with pleats that hid higher than normal slits, which would give us the ability to climb on and off camels with greater ease. We had a collection of practical, loose-fitting blouses to be worn under our special-made vests. As we had seen in pictures, our vests had a great many pockets, which I suppose would be handy if we found artifacts or clues. I even had a pocket for a little pearl-handled gun that Mr. Jack had forced upon me, although the object was really too heavy for the vest.
      Lastly, Mother Stayton had helped to create a bonnet for Lucy. One quarter helmet, one quarter a sun blocker, the rest was pure fashion, as the scarf that kept it in place was leopard print and three shortened peacock feathers jetted from the left side.
       I had no need of a bonnet. All kitted out, standing in front of the mirror, I looked at my reflection with some amount of pride. Xavier’s pith helmet rested upon my head just perfectly.
       My dear Lucy clapped her hands together and exclaimed, “You look perfect!”
       Ever so pleased with ourselves, we left our room and headed down the grand staircase.    
       Catching sight of Sandy in the lobby, I noticed his eyes widen and his smile waver. Upon the last step of the stairs, I asked him, “What do you think?” with a flourish of my hands. I supposed that he saw few women who were properly attired for the West Bank.
       “Don’t you look … the part!” he said with a chuckle.
      Lucy and I gave a little bow, and then Sandy gestured not to the nearby exit, but toward a sitting room that was set for teatime.
       I was just about to tell him that we would dine after we returned from the Valley of Kings when I noticed an ensemble of people keenly watching us.
       Confusion clouded the polite smiles of the men who stood, one of whom crossed the space to take my hand.
      Sandy spoke rapidly. “Professor Kinkaid, may I introduce you to