Three Rivers by Roberta Latow Page A

repair it on site, much better than moving such a large painting about, and so Sir Alexis had arranged for him to fly in for a few days.
    Anthony — as smooth a hustler as ever. Isabel was sure that he would get to see and do everything that he wanted to, and most likely sell a few paintings to a few charmed ladies just for good measure.
    The end of the plane journey seemed to come upon Isabel rather quickly. Not that she was rushed. It was more like a rapid succession of movements, all perfectly organized and played out in slow motion.
    From dining table to being buckled in one’s seat for landing, to the descent from the clouds, to flying up the Nile, to passing over Cairo, to landing and the cut of the motors, to being released from her seat, to seeing two Mercedes pull up to the plane, to the stairs being rolled across the tarmac and up to the plane, to the door being opened and the hot rush of air and sunshine that invaded the interior. Isabel was in Cairo.
    Alexander told her that they would go in two cars: Anthony and André in one and she and Alexander in the other. Would she please wait? He took the two men down to the first car after they said their farewells. When they were halfway down the stairs a man emerged from the car and went to meet André Beshawi. For a moment Isabel thought that the man was Sir Alexis, but he never greeted Anthony, and barely acknowledged Alexander, so it was obviously just a friend of Mr. Beshawi’s. They disappeared into the car and Alexander returned to Isabel.
    That is why we are going in two cars
, Isabel thought.
No room
. Alexander reported that it was lovely and nottoo hot out, just about eighty degrees with a nice breeze. He asked Isabel if she would wait for a minute while he went forward to check something out with the captain. Isabel sat down again and looked out of the window; while she had been talking to Alexander another car had pulled up in front of the Mercedes that was left on the tarmac. It was a maroon Rolls Royce, a very large and not very new one. The driver was standing next to the rear door, closest to the stairs. She could see no one was in the car, then realized it must have been sent for her and Alexander. The Mercedes was probably for the luggage.
    She stood up and was starting forward, towards the entrance of the plane, thinking she would wait outside in the fresh air. Gamal, who had been standing close by her, just waiting for them all to leave, asked her to please wait for Mr. Gordon-Spencer. While they were standing there having their little conversation, Isabel saw a shadow at the entrance door of the plane cut through the light and spill across the floor. Someone had come up the stairs of the plane. Isabel had missed seeing who it was get out of the Rolls.
    Gamal respectfully retreated back to the dining room. Alexis Hyatt had entered his plane.
    There were just the two of them there in the main cabin as he went forward to greet Isabel. She knew at once who he was, for he looked like a handsome prince. She automatically went towards him. They stopped a few feet apart. He smiled and said, “I have thought about our meeting for a very long time. Welcome to Egypt. I am happy that you are here.”
    He picked up her hand, looked at it and kissed it lightly. “Did you have a comfortable flight?”
    “Yes, most comfortable, thank you.”
    “What am I thinking of? Why am I keeping you standing here? Come, we will go home.”
    Isabel smiled at him, and he took her by the elbow and led her to the top of the stairs. Just before they started down he took both her hands in his and stepped back a few paces.
    “Let me just look at you for a moment. You are really more beautiful than I remembered.”
    “Please, Sir Alexis, you are embarrassing me.”
    And he was too, because he was looking at her from top to bottom, making her feel quite naked.
    “No, not Sir Alexis, Isabel. Alexis, I beg you. And I would never for the world want to embarrass you. The next time