[hr][hr][center][img]http://fontmeme.com/embed.php?text=Deeper%20Than%20The%20Sands:%20Chapter%20One&name=prinp___.ttf&size=30&style_color=f7976a[/img][hr][img]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6100219663_efbb8b62e5.jpg[/img][hr][@Pundii] [@Morose] [@FantasyChic] [@Nallore] [@Sigil] [@ONL][hr][/center][hr]

	Glancing over towards Nora, Vera gave her a confidant look and stepped over to her. She seemed like a woman that knew who she was and what she was capable of. Vera had to wonder if she would have been someone she could have gotten along with back in England. It would have been nice to have a woman that wasn't constantly asking her when she was getting married and and what colors she was going to wear to Almeck's latest crush. To exchange ideas and thoughts with one of her peers instead of being scoffed at by others of her own gender or being put down by those of the opposite. 

	[color=f7976a]"Would you care to join me on the morrow? I must attend the British Consulate to being workings between the Museum and the Egyptian government,"[/color] Vera said, inviting Nora to come along as her companion. At least with the two of them together neither of them would have to worry about needing a proper male escort and it would still be accepted by society at even the higher levels if word was to get back to England. 

	[color=a187be]"Oh thank you, yes. I wouldn't feel at ease if you both were not there,"[/color] Aziza said, stepping over towards Lauren and giving her a hug and smiling brightly at her before moving back over towards Harry and slipping her arm through his again. Tilting her head to the side she found herself biting her bottom lip as she spotted the color in his cheeks, wondering why it was there. Shaking the notion off that it was there because of her she glanced around and noticed Josephine moving from man to man and asking why a drink wasn't in her hand. This wasn't exactly the type of place to have a drink. This was a museum. The woman seemed to throw herself at any man willing to give her more than a second's worth of a glance. She had known women to be hung for less. 

	Not that she agreed with a woman being killed for flirting but she had to admit it seemed rather off putting. People were being branded and some mystical light affecting pieces of others and yet this woman seemed more concerned with who would be drug off to bed with her. She seemed to have her priorities truly in the wrong order. Though maybe that was why she was flirting with every man, she wanted protection at any cost. Maybe it was her profession, she surely looked like what she would picture as an American prostitute. Good for her! Women in her nation had to put out but got very little in return. If it kept her free and chosen what man was worth her time, more power to her. 

	Vera on the other hand also took note of the way that Josephine moved from one to the other and was acting like her office was Whites back in London. She did not take it as gently but Vera was ever a lady and kept her opinions to herself. Turning her attention to Lauren as she asked. [color=f7976a]"It will take some time but perhaps we should exchange contact information and when the time comes I can send my staff to give you a final time and place to meet before we depart,"[/color] she said in a kind voice. 

	As Josephine made mention of helping fund it, Vera let slip a visible scoff. [color=f7976a]"Thank you but no. Any expedition I attend will be funded by myself and the museums trust provided by the Duke of Carnarvon before his death. The Egyptian Government would not take kindly to American's furthering exploiting their historical sites by trying to negotiate movie rights. They would turn down our permit requests without thinking."[/color] Her tone was flat as she spoke before looking over towards her uncle and smiling confidently towards him in a way that would have been gossiped about at the ton had she spoken that way to anyone. 

	[color=f7976a]"Yes, if you would be good enough, please escort everyone but Lady Kingston here and Mr. Drake over to the Barracks uncle, you all can speak about things while us three plan. I will though need to have an escort in two days time via flight if it can be arranged to scout out a few things,"[/color] she said to Keystone. The scouting could wait but she knew how much he loved to fly and wanted to be of use. The scouting trip could pay off, at least she could see what condition certain things were in before they left Cairo. 

	Aziza perked a brow hearing Vera speak. The way her tone changed as she went from speaking to Josephine to how she spoke to Keystone. Her tone was a little snippy to Josephine but she knew Vera's words were true. Her government barely tolerated the British presence. American's were looked at as lower than untouchables in some senses. Her government was more likely to accept Aziza with open arms than Josepine's money. That was saying something. Hearing about heading over to the Barracks she nodded slightly, as her fingers curled against Harry's arm. 

	[color=a187be]"That would be very kind of you Lord Major, thank you,"[/color] Aziza said before looking up to Harry and smiling softly. [color=a187be]"As long as you escort me that is. Wouldn't feel right if you were not there."[/color]

	Vera rolled her eyes slightly at Williams words. Her hands going to her hips as she tapped her foot. [color=a187be]"Excuse me one moment,"[/color] Vera said before turning and heading towards the door of her office. She wanted to double check on something with the curator before she said anything else and she needed a moment away from William. It wasn't like they two of them were an item but she felt dirty right then. He would be his rakish self around her and then turn and flirt right with any woman that walked into the door, and then try again with her. Did he really think she was so cheep and easy? 

	Taking a breath she turned just at the door's frame and ran smack into a broad chest. Stumbling as she pushed back she felt a firm grip on her waist stabilizing her and pulling her close. Gasping she looked up, about to shove this person away. She would rather have fallen onto the floor than to be caught in the arms of a man in front of a group of people. Yet when her eyes locked with the new comers she froze, her mouth agape. 

	"Always lovely to run into you like this Vera," the [url=https://silverscreenings.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/mobsters4_b.png]man[/url] said in a thick British accent, using her given name. A custom that was very informal and one was usually only reserved to those closest to her in settings that were appropriate for it. Reaching up he brushed the curl from her brow and tucked it behind her ear. 

	[color=f7976a]"Peter...."[/color]