He raised his other hand to her face,hesitated, and then stroked her cheek, his eyes never leaving hers.His caress was feather-light, yet she felt it in every fiber of herbody. She was drowning in his gaze.
“Senemut,” she breathed. “Senemut, I…” Shereached out to him with her free hand, then shook herself andgently extracted her fingers from his. This was no time to get lostin a romantic haze—she had work to do. “We must make your positionofficial. You need a title, so no one can question your authority.What do you suggest?”
Senemut’s face looked like a sleeper’s,awakening from a dream. “I know not…whatever Your Majesty wishes,”he said, his voice low and husky.
“Hattie, please,” she murmured.
“Aye. Hattie. In private,” he amended. “Idare not take such liberties in public.”
“Very well…for the present,” she said. “Yourtitle must be above reproach. There must be no one higher than you.You must be my most revered advisor. No one must be able tocountermand you, save me. I know not what the title should be,Senemut. Advise me.”
“Hattie, are you truly unable to recall?”
“Aye, I am afraid it is true.”
“Then, you must name me Steward of Amun,though I hesitate to suggest such an honor.” He bowed his head.
“Steward of Amun?” Hattie frowned. “That doesnot sound important enough. Steward sounds like the title of ahousehold servant. Are you certain that will do?”
“I assure you, it is the most importantposition in the two lands, save only High Priest of Amun and, ofcourse, Pharaoh.”
“Very well, then. Steward of Amun you shallbe, my most trusted advisor, and—” She raised his chin gently andsmiled into his eyes. “—my friend.”
CHAPTER 8
“Steward of Amun! Can you believe it?”Hapuseneb asked bitterly, spinning around to face the generalacross the small room.
He knew the answer before Snefru gave it. Thefury was plainly marked on the soldier’s face.
“It is preposterous! I should have been namedsteward. Did I not faithfully serve His Majesty Tuthmosis, fatherof Hatshepsut, for years?” Snefru snapped, halting long enough inhis pacing to glare at the priest.
“The man is common-born and completelyunsuitable,” Hapuseneb went on. Snefru was a good partner inconspiracy, but had a short attention span. Keeping his angerwhite-hot was a little security measure that Hapuseneb had everyintention of using to its fullest advantage. “But what can oneexpect with a soft-hearted woman as Regent? His handsome face hasturned her head. Pah!” He shook his head in disgust. “We must dosomething about her. She is dangerous and she has become aliability.”
“Aye, so you say. But words accomplishnothing. When do we act?”
“Watch your tongue,” Hapuseneb growled. “I donot need commands from you, only loyalty. I will think of somethingsoon, something that will not fail, and we shall be rid of her. Andthe usurper Senemut also.”
* * *
Hori bowed as he entered Senemut’s office.“You wished to see me, Lord?” Clucking his tongue disapprovingly,he hastened to light the lamp. “Why sit you here in the dark?”
Senemut looked up from the papyrus heabsently rolled and unrolled. “I am sorry. I did not realize thatnight was upon us. Please, Hori, sit with me.” He gestured at astool to his right. “I have news and I wish you to be the first tohear it.”
Hori grinned. “It is my pleasure.” He seatedhimself gingerly and heaved a deep sigh of contentment. “What isthe news?”
Senemut stifled a smile. Hori’s rheumatismtroubled him more frequently these days, yet he refused to slowdown or relinquish any of his duties. So Senemut found as manyexcuses as he could to insist that the older man sit and rest. “Ihave been granted a new title and position by Her Gracious MajestyHatshepsut.”
“Oh, have you?” Hori’s eyes were bright withcuriosity. “And what title did Her Majesty see fit to confer uponyou?”
“It is a most honorable one,” Senemut said,drawing out the tale and watching Hori from the corner of his eye.“She suggested it this morning. Of course, I told her I wasunworthy of such great favor.”
“Unworthy? By Amun, it had best be worthyof youor I will…” Hori leanedforward, fists clenched.
“Oh, it is most prestigious, Hori, I vow,”Senemut said, laughing. “Do not fear; she has offered no insults toyour once-wayward charge.”
Hori cuffed him lightly, then leaned back andfolded his arms. “Shame on you for provoking an old man! End thesuspense, I pray, and tell me your news before I expire ofvexation.”
“Very well,” Senemut said, still chuckling.“I will torment you no further. Hatshepsut has named me Steward ofAmun.”
Hori gasped, his eyes wide. “Steward of Amun?Truly?”
Senemut nodded. “She will assign Senimen totutor little Neferure. That will free me to be her closest advisor,to assist her in any fashion I may.”
Hori clapped his hands. “I have known sinceyour childhood that you were destined for greatness. But I darednot believe you would rise so high! Praise Amun for hisbounty.”
“Aye, well, you have always held greataspirations on my behalf. No man could ask for a more enthusiasticadvocate,” Senemut said. “I did not believe this was possible,since I am not of noble birth. I must confess I am still mystifiedby it.”
“Why?” Hori narrowed his eyes. “Has someoneimplied you are not qualified for the position?”
“Oh, I am most certainly qualified.” Senemutshook his head and frowned. “Nay, it is Her Majesty who continuesto mystify me.”
“In what way? Is she still confused, stillhaving problems with her memory?”
“Nay, she seems more decisive now. Her memoryis improving, though she still asks questions on occasion that sheshould know the answer to. But her judgments are…well, they seemmost unlike her.” He spread his hands. “I know not how to describeit.”
“What decision of Her Majesty’s do you findso unusual?”
“Well…” Senemut paused, then grinned. “Ofcourse, there is the matter of my unexpected advancement in herservice. But we have already discussed my aptness for theposition.” He leaned forward and motioned Hori closer. “Thismorning, Her Majesty suggested…” He looked around the room swiftly.“You must swear to reveal this to no one, Hori. Swear!”
“Aye, I swear,” Hori said, gesturingirritably. “Get on with it.”
“Very well. I will hold you to your word.”Senemut dropped his voice. “Her Majesty suggested that
