Page 29 of Sands of Sirocco
Her meeting had made her doubt that.
Looking down at her hand, she fingered Noah’s ring.The questions it could raise worried her.She removed the ring, then placed it in a jewelry pouch.
Her finger felt strangely naked.Strange, given that she’d only worn it for a few weeks.She closed the trunk and stood.Noah’s at the front.He won’t know you removed it.
When her family had come to Cairo, they’d thrown themselves into society.Yet those friends and social circles had largely abandoned them this past year.Ginger’s name had been tarnished so profoundly that even the boldest retraction couldn’t restore it.
By coming to Cairo, she’d face taking part in society again.Dread filled her.
She went to the wardrobe in the room and pushed it open.It was empty, and the scent of warm cedar greeted her.After the spring, she’d sold almost all her frocks and jewelry.They had sold everything of value in the house to pay off some of her father’s enormous debts.
Fortunately, the largest debt her father had owed was to Stephen and, though that debt remained unsettled, Stephen wouldn’t return to demand repayment.The house and furniture alone had remained unsold, as there was a question as to its role in the estate.Her father’s solicitor in Cairo had advised them that the new earl might have a say in the whole matter.
She didn’t have a single thing she could wear to a ball—unless her mother had brought from Alexandria that dress she’d purchased for the dinner with William.Her wardrobe was severely limited, and what little she’d kept would serve for one or two outings before the gossipers in Cairo society took notice.They needed little encouragement to skewer her.
Perhaps Lucy would have something she could wear.They were nearly the same size, though Lucy had grown about an inch taller.Ginger’s recent time on the front had also made her slenderer than her younger sister.Rations of tinned foods and bully beef seemed to have that effect on almost everyone.
Ginger left the room and headed toward Lucy’s.Once inside, she was surprised at how quickly Lucy had accommodated herself.The décor was sparse but comfortable, as though Lucy had brought most of her things from Alexandria.Ginger went to her wardrobe and opened the doors.As she did, a hatbox, poorly situated inside, tumbled forward.
The lid of the box popped off, the contents spilling.Ginger leaned forward to collect the assortment of envelopes and postcards when familiar handwriting caught her attention.
The style was distinct, and she’d been the recipient of weekly letters from the sender for years.
Stephen.
A chill went through her.Ginger lifted the letter.It pulled free from a bundle—all from Stephen.
My darling Lucy,
I long to see you, feel your lips pressed to mine once more …
Ginger’s pulsepounded in her ears.A love letter?
She skimmed it faster, feeling sick, light-headed.She could barely concentrate on the contents, her face flushing.What on earth?When had Stephen sent Lucy love letters?And why?Stephen had claimed for years that Ginger was the object of his desires, and his obsession had been dangerous.
What could he possibly have been up to?
She scanned the letter for a date but found none.The absence of envelopes also stymied the satisfaction of her curiosity.
“I’ll just be a minute …” Lucy’s voice came from just outside the door, then the door opened.
Ginger jerked her head up as Lucy froze in the doorway.
Fantastic.
Lucy’s eyebrows drew together, then her eyes moved to the letter in Ginger’s hands.
Ginger lowered the letter.Nothing could be done now.Lucy had caught her with the evidence.
Lucy stormed up to Ginger, hand outstretched.“What in God’s name are you doing?Searching my things?”She snatched the letter, then her face paled.
“No, I came to see if I could borrow a dress, and the hatbox fell.”Ginger tried to remain composed.“When did Stephen write this?”
“Don’t you dare ask me questions.It’s none of your concern.”Lucy’s dark eyes flashed.She gathered her letters, then replaced them.“Anyhow, it doesn’t matter.It was a long time ago, and none of us have heard from him for months.”Tears filled her eyes.“And I tried to call on Angelica yesterday and she wouldn’t see me.I’m an outcast in society now.”
Demanding an answer from Lucy would be fruitless.In Lucy’s eyes, Ginger had violated her privacy about a secret matter.And she believed Ginger was to blame for their position, though Ginger and her mother had explained that losing the family fortune had to do with their father’s debts.The scandal that had erupted between Ginger and Noah before her father’s death had overshadowed everything.
Ginger put a hand on Lucy’s shoulder.“Lucy, you aren’t an outcast.We may not have the money we once did, but we still have a place in respectable society.”
