Gene of Isis

will return the object to its place of origin.

My eyes were fixed on the floating footstool as I plucked a particle from the air and, placing it on my tongue, I closed my eyes.

White sand beneath the sandals on my feet. Hot sun above and large pillars ahead supporting the entrance to a mighty dwelling. Dark, straight hair, darker than Susan’s, swept across my face. This was not prophecy; it was past or future life memory! With that thought, the vision departed.

I placed the precious vial back in its case.

‘Tell me, Albray, how is it you know so much about this substance?’ I put my wonder aside for a moment. I realised I didn’t know anything about my otherworldly ally.

I have escorted that vial to safekeeping before. He became rather mysterious. It was one of two vials. This one contains the life-body, and the other the life-blood, of gods. Together they are known as Star-Fire…you hold the Star in your hand.

‘And from where did it originate?’

During the Albigensian Crusade, my oath to the Prieure de Sion—the branch of the Temple knights to which I belonged—bound me to escort the Star-Fire safely out of France and back to where it belonged. When I last saw that vial, I was on a mountain in the Holy Land. He seemed to be rather saddened by the fact.

‘Serabit el-Khadim.’ I named the place I suspected.

He knew Douglas had told me about the sacred site. Yes.

‘Do you think Mr Hamilton intended for me to return this vial there?’ My breath caught in my chest, as the revelation constricted my heart with excitement.

Yes.

‘And you are here to guide me.’ If there was one thing I knew about the Order of knights to which Albray belonged, it was that they knew the way to the Holy Land better than anyone.

I am a guardian of Star-Fire, its order and its bloodline. He bowed, at my service.

‘But I still don’t see how this vial grants me an alternative passage to the Continent?’ I came back to the question at hand.

You were the one that gave me the answer. Albray referred me back to the vial’s housing. Such a big case for such a small vial, don’t you think?

‘A hidden section then?’ My fingers traced the edge of the padded velvet surface in which the vial lay, until I felt a hard section and pushed down, whereupon the tray lifted to expose a compartment. I was amazed to see the contents. ‘Money, in many currencies; jewels; a bottle of insect repellent; a map to the mountain of the Star-Fire’s origin.’

Well, I think that confirms Douglas’ intentions, don’t you?

I looked at Albray, a huge smile on my face. ‘I have a mission.’

Having been something of an adventurer himself, Albray was excited for me. Yes, you surely do.

Lord Hamilton’s funeral, wake and will reading were terribly unpleasant affairs. His family resented my presence and if the Cavandishs had not been there to support me, I would not have been able to see it through. The Hamilton family were fearful that Douglas might have already altered his will to accommodate me and when that did not turn out to be correct, they assumed I hadn’t got my hooks into the viscount fast enough. Little did they know he’d already given me his greatest and most secret treasure.

There was a certain freedom in knowing about my private insurance policy. If I did choose to marry Devere, all that was mine would become his, but as nobody knew about the contents of the red book, it would remain my secret nest egg. I could make it to the Holy Land on my own, and yet I couldn’t deny my desire to have a companion to share my journey. Clarissa had shared Douglas’ journey; at the end of their adventuring days they were able to sit down, reminisce and pen their discoveries together. Maybe I was a romantic after all.

Albray insisted on leaving the question of marriage entirely up to me. Still, my secret inheritance ensured that I could not be pushed into anything, which I felt certain had been Douglas’ intention when he’d given me his gift.

The universe always provides, he had written on the back of the map for my treasure quest; unlike most treasure hunts, mine was to replace a treasure, not to steal it. That dear, sweet old man had known that, with his gift, he was giving me a chance to fulfil all my desires! It was a favour I could never hope to repay. I wished Lord Hamilton all speed to his next soul quest and all the happiness, recognition and fulfilment he so richly deserved when he got there.

Once Lord Hamilton was peacefully resting alongside his good wife, I ceased to wear black, an indication to Mr Devere that we were at liberty to resume our talks.

As soon as word reached the Devere household that I was no longer in mourning, my suitor left a calling card with the Cavandishs steward, along with an invitation to join Mr Devere for an early walk in the park the following day. It was now only one week before our relatives were to wed and set off for France. I was only just coping with the pressure of the big decision I had to make—would I marry this week?

‘He’s here.’ Susan was at the window of the upstairs drawing room, keeping watch. ‘And Lord Devere and my dear sister-to-be are with him.’

‘Oh, wonderful.’ I sat down. ‘No pressure, of course.’

‘Last time you spoke with Mr Devere you weren’t under any pressure…’ Susan reminded me about the kiss that had happened with no prompting from anyone.

His lips had not been far from my thoughts since that moment. They were, in fact, the only incentive I had for the meeting this morning—apart, of course, from the small matter of placating my father, which I couldn’t decide if I wanted to do in any case. I had discovered via the grapevine that my father had not yet taken legal steps to disinherit me, so I still had the option of making Mr Devere my lord and baron.

The Devere party were led to the drawing room, and there were greetings all round.