Page 31 of Sands of Sirocco
“Cairo is exciting.Have you been to the museum yet?”Ginger smiled, thinking of her own enthusiasm for the antiquities of Egypt when her family had arrived.“I nearly wanted to trade my nurse’s cape for a pith helmet after spending time amongst the mummies.”
“We may go tomorrow.If you’d like to come.Your mother tells me you had a penchant for reading books about Ancient Egypt before the war.You’d be a useful guide.”William gave her a hopeful look.
Ginger heard Lucy’s audible sigh beside her.Thankfully, the noise from the crowded streets had likely made it impossible for William to hear.“Unfortunately, I’m starting my work at a new hospital tomorrow.It’s a bit of a different assignment, one that will allow me to come home after work—I’ll be working as an assistant for a female surgeon.”
William nodded a few times.“Good.Very good.A female surgeon.That’s marvelous.”
“You think so?”Ginger furrowed her brow.She wasn’t accustomed to men who were supportive of the notion of female physicians.Even the army hadn’t known what to do with them.
“Oh, yes.There’s nothing quite so admirable as the women seeking to improve the circumstances of their sex.”William motioned toward her.“I think this war has proven how capable women are of assisting with roles such as those.”
“Goodness,” her mother said with a sparkle in her eye.“A man who supports Ginger’s wild ideas.What a notion.We can’t have two of you in the family.”
Ginger gritted her teeth.Her mother would think of it as something that would Ginger look at William favorably.She needed to tell Mama about Noah and soon.Disappointing her would be best done quickly.
But William had done her the favor of making a relatively easy segue into the conversation about medical school.“As it so happens,” Ginger said, her heart rate speeding, “I’m thinking of attending medical school myself.I’m preparing to send the inquiries to the London School of Medicine for Women soon.”
Her mother and Lucy stared at her as though she’d gone mad.Her mother pressed her lips together, her face blanching.“Perhaps we should save that discussion for another time.”
“I think it would suit you well.”William’s smile offered Ginger encouragement.“Given your work the last few years, I’m certain you’d be admitted.”
Her mother’s green-eyed gaze pierced Ginger as they drew closer to the bustling boulevard between Shepheard’s and Ezbekieh Gardens.At this time of night, Shepheard’s was heaving with life as officers and ladies came out for the evening.
The driver stopped, then exited the car to hold the door for them.Ginger wobbled on her heels, the pavement uneven, then thanked the driver.She blinked toward the bright lights of the terrace.The hotel terrace was as famous and popular among the officers and British colonial aristocracy as was the interior.The rails to the balcony of the terrace flanked both sides of the enormous staircase that led to the main entrance.Two large planters sat on each side of the staircase, and black iron-wrought railings decoratively edged the outer edge of the terrace.Dragoman guides, wearing long dark robes and tall red fez hats, were posted on each side of the giant arched main door.Ginger glided up the stairs, Lucy at her side.
“Admit it,” Lucy said with an eager smile.“You missed this.”
Ginger met her eyes, then grinned.“I missed this.There’s something about the energy of Shepheard’s that brings me back to happier days.”
They were ushered inside and soon found themselves seated at a table for dinner.Lucy’s eyes seemed to be anywhere but on the table as she searched for familiar faces.“Look,” she said to her mother, “the Wescotts are here.And Lady Lovelace.”
Names unfamiliar to Ginger.She exchanged a smile with William.“I’m afraid I won’t be any help to you at all in Cairo society.I’ve spent most of my time with the nursing units.”
William nodded toward the waiter as he offered them wine.“I’m glad to know I’m not the only one lost in the crowd.But I must ask you how you wish to be addressed—Lucy calls you Ginny, your mother Ginger, and I know your name is Virginia.”
“Ginger.”His question produced another smile.No one in her family took much time to consider what she wanted with her name.“My mother’s family always called me Ginger, as a tease at first, because of my hair.But I grew to love it.”
“Oh, look, Mama, it’s—” Then Lucy stopped short, and her gaze shot to Ginger.She froze, then lowered her hand.“Never mind.”
But Lucy’s reaction had piqued Ginger’s curiosity.She lifted her eyes in the direction Lucy had been looking.
Her heart nearly lurched to a stop.
On the other side of the room, Lord Helton was dining with his daughter, Victoria Everill.And seated with them was Noah.
ChapterEleven
Trying to converse with Victoria Everill when Ginger was only twenty yards away was distracting.Noah lifted his glass of water as Ginger’s eyes met his.He didn’t react—her family was watching her too closely for that—and forced himself to look away.
He’d noticed her the instant she’d come into the room.Good God,she looked beautiful.He’d only ever seen her dressed for a dinner like this once before and it had been here at Shepheard’s.But what was she doing in Cairo?
Ginger wouldn’t be happy to see him with Victoria.Though his false engagement to Victoria had been dissolved in the eyes of the public, his continued association with both Victoria and Lord Helton had provoked whispers.Whispers that neither Ginger nor her family would have heard, as they’d been removed to Alexandria.
The whispers he could explain to Ginger well enough.
What he’d have a harder time dealing with was the way Victoria continued to behave as though nothing had changed between them.His requests that she squash the rumors had been met by tepid shrugs.Then again, she’d made clear she didn’t care how those rumors affected Ginger or him.
Sipping his wine, he forced his focus back toward Victoria, who was still speaking.
