Strolling into the kitchen Evie retied the belt of her loose robe. In a magnificent silk the colour of peacock feathers, it had been a surprise wedding present from Rick and Evie felt that it described her transformation perfectly. Married life seemed to have turned her from a caterpillar into a butterfly and she couldn't have been happier. She opened the French doors and, hugging herself, looked out into the sunlit garden. It felt utterly decadent to still be undressed so late in the day, but since she was on her honeymoon, albeit at home, what did it matter? She made a mental note to attempt to put outside clothes on at least one day this week.

Crossing to the table she began to put some fruit into a bowl, the whole reason for abandoning her new husband had been to fetch sustenance. Her attention was drawn to an open book. The page depicted Neuth the Goddess of the sky and mother of all the gods. Soon absorbed, she began to read.

'I might have known; I could have starved to death in there!' Rick chided, wrapping his arms around her waist and peering over her shoulder. 'What's so fascinating?'

Taking a strawberry from the bowl, without turning around, Evie distractedly popped it into his mouth.

'It says here that there is supposedly an ancient diamond known as the Star of Neuth. It is alleged to be the size of an apple.' She said, tapping the book.

'Oo treasure!' Rick responded with interest.

Warming to her theme Evie continued. 'Lots of it. It is also theorized that the jewel is part of a much larger treasure hidden away in the mountains. Neuth wasn't generally well observed in temples, however she is often depicted in more out of the way places…' Evie glanced down, noticing that the arms around her were bare. 'Please tell me you put some trousers on.' She sighed.

'Jonathan is away, we have the house to ourselves and I will only have to take them off again…' He teased, squeezing her tighter.

Turning finally, Evie was relieved to find that he was clothed, from the waist down at least. 'You're incorrigible.' She said, shaking her head, as Rick's eyes flashed in devilment. Taking her hands, he began to back towards the bedroom, pulling her gently along with him.

'I thought you were hungry?' She said laughing as she resisted.

'I am.' He retorted with a sly grin.

'So are you going to come treasure hunting with me?' She asked cheekily stopping.

'As long as you don't expect me to go this second then yes.' He responded, still attempting to lead her.

'Are you just humouring me to get your own way?' She asked, still refusing to move.

Changing direction, Rick stepped forward and Evie found herself thrown over his shoulder. 'Nope.' He said giving her bottom a gently smack before turning to stride back to their room. He stopped as the knocking began on the front door.

'Who on earth is that?' Evie said, from her inverted position. Putting her down, Rick looked at her quizzically. 'How am I supposed to know?' He replied, before taking her hand and leading her away. 'Let's ignore it.'

'We can't do that.' Evie hissed.

'Then I will go and answer it.' He said in exasperation.

Evie put a hand on his arm and whispered. 'You can't go like that!'

'Like what?' Rick whispered back.

She indicated his clothing, or lack of. 'It's stopped, they've probably gone away.'

Sighing Rick rolled his eyes. 'I will…' He began in a whisper before realising what he was doing and continuing in a normal voice. 'I will go and put a shirt on and answer it.'

'No need to go to any trouble on my account.' Framed in the open doorway, Lady Isobella Carrington-Smythe began taking off her cotton gloves. 'Sorry, the doors were open, so I knew someone was at home.' She said eyeing Rick with undisguised appreciation.

'Isobella?' Evie said.

'I'll just go and…' Rick pointed towards the other room before disappearing rapidly.

Crossing her arms defensively in front of her, Evie raised an eyebrow scathingly. 'I don't believe it's polite to come barging into someone else's home uninvited.' She said.

Isobella held her gloves in her hand awkwardly. 'Unfortunately, needs must. I was hoping to bump into you, however I see you have been otherwise engaged. You seem to have succeeded where I failed. Well done.' She said snidely.

'I am on my honeymoon.' Evie said, her tone remaining icy.

'That was fast. I suppose I should congratulate you.' But the congratulation never came. 'Anyway, in the spirit of getting to the point. I wanted to see you to offer a proposition and the ship back to England leaves today.'

'Proposition?' Evie asked.

Isobella took Thoth's medal from her bag and held it aloft. It glinted as it swung in the light. 'This thing.'

Evie stifled a smirk. 'What about it?'

'Well, I can't possibly be out in society and be expected to tell the truth! It simply does not work that way. I need you to take away the curse. There must be a way?' Isobella couldn't keep the note of desperation out of her voice.

'I don't think so no, sorry.' Evie said curtly.

'Look, I'll be honest with you, because let's face it I have no choice, I did try and seduce O'Connell that night, but as soon as he realised it was me he pushed me away.' Isobella said hopefully.

'I am aware of that, he already told me.' Evie snapped.

'Ok, what about this. You must have another one of your little projects on the boil at the moment, poking around in filthy ruins?' Isobella began. She was encouraged by Evie's interest. 'I will fund your next expedition.'

'No, please leave the same way you came in.' Evie said turning away.

'Please Evelyn. You have no idea what it's like. I've lost Bertie, and now I'll lose my reputation too. You can't wish that on me?'

'Can't I? You were happy to humiliate me and hurt my reputation, why would you do something like that?' Evie demanded, her hands on her hips.

'You do things your own way, you always did. You never cared what anyone thought of you, and now look at your life. I suppose back in school I wished I could have been free instead of always having to live up to everyone's expectation of me. For that moment while they were looking at you, they weren't judging me.' Isobella's face was enough to convince Evie without the medal of truth. 'I won't ask for anything from the trip and I certainly don't want to come with you, but please can you help me with this curse?'

Evie's heart melted a little. Biting her lip, she considered. 'I might have just the thing.' She said eventually.

'You let her off far too easily.' Rick said as he stood beside his wife and watched Lady Isobella Carrington-Smythe trot away from the house.

'Hardly, the cure I translated involves camel dung, a sheep's eye and a very unpleasant journey home... obviously I made it all up.'

'Obviously… remind me never to get on the wrong side of you.' Rick said frowning.

'Oh I'd never do anything like that to you.' Evie said with a wide smile. She waved the money order under his nose. 'And we now have the funds we need to go hunting for the Star of Neuth.'

'But you did say we didn't have to go right this minute?' Rick said, putting his arms around her and pulling her towards him.

'It has remained undiscovered for centuries, a few more days won't matter and I'm fairly sure there was something we were doing before we were so rudely interrupted?' She said, bringing her lips tantalisingly close to his.

Evie squeaked as Rick picked her up. 'I'm sure it will come back to us eventually.' He said as he carried her to the bedroom.