Page 54 of Sands of Sirocco
A breeze ruffled Ginger’s skirt, a welcome break from the heat of the late-afternoon sun.“I don’t think it takes too much to be less enthusiastic than Lucy.She’s quite young.”She regretted the words immediately.Lucy wanted to be taken seriously and probably by William.Painting her as a young girl in front of William would only cause problems later.
Lucy had already seated herself beside two young women Ginger didn’t recognize, along with a few officers.“Come and meet my friends.Francine and Katherine Platt, my sister Virginia.But we all call her …” Lucy stopped, with a look to Ginger, “Ginger.”
That was unusual.Lucy had never cared one whit what Ginger preferred.Maybe she’d been paying attention when William had asked the question the other night.
Francine and Katherine offered pleasant, identical smiles and Ginger blinked.They were clearly twins.They introduced the officers with them.Ginger took one of the open seats near them on the lawn, and William sat between her and Lucy.“Ready to watch the match?”Ginger asked Lucy, leaning forward so she could see past William.
Lucy laughed.“Oh, you know me.I don’t know a thing about polo, but I love the refreshments.”Since her family had returned to Cairo, Lucy practically glowed.She was back in her element.
As Lucy turned back toward her friends, William’s eyes drifted over Ginger.“You look lovely, by the way.Is that from your new wardrobe?”
She fidgeted with her handbag.Not only had he spent that much money on her but he’d likely felt some level of encouragement to do so.
“Yes, thank you.”She gave him a faint smile.“I’m so grateful—”
The sound of the ponies drew closer, drowning out her words.Ginger looked up at the players on the field, the sunlight bright in her eyes.
Then one man on horseback came into view.Noah.
What was he doing here?
Fate would have it he would be playing.After all, he was a skilled horseman and athletic.Any team of officers that met on this field would gladly snatch him up.
He hadn’t noticed her yet and she bit her lip, staring at him.In the golden light of the sun with sweat soaking the shirt that clung to his muscles, he reminded her of a tanned, dark-haired …
She stopped her train of thought, then blushed.
Lucy watched her.
She looked away, then down at her lap.With her wedding ring there, their secret felt shared.
As alluring as he was, she couldn’t be the only one attracted to him.Jealousy snaked around her mind.He’s mine now though.
Lucy arched a brow.“Enjoying the view?”
“Aren’t we all?”one of Lucy’s friends chirped from her seat.She and her sister giggled.
Ginger pressed the cool side of her fingers to her cheek, wishing she’d brought a fan.“It’s warmer than I expected it to be.”
William gave an affable smile.“Isn’t this so splendid?When I think of the weather back home in England, it seems like I’ve come on a proper holiday.”
Lucy snickered at William’s obliviousness.Of course, Noah wasn’t the only comely man out there, but he stood out.It wasn’t the first time Ginger had seen women fawn over him.He had a magnetism, combined with an utter lack of interest in the attention given him, that made him irresistible.
Stupid, stupid Ginger.She had to do a better job of hiding her attraction to her husband.
The thought almost made her melt right there.
A smattering of applause broke into her thoughts as one team scored.“Do you know what chukka this is?”Ginger asked Lucy’s friend, who was closest to her.She didn’t know how Lucy could tell the sisters apart.
“The second,” the officer beside her replied.
William accepted a tall Pimm’s Cup from a man serving refreshments, then took one for Ginger.“Here, I’m certain you’re eager to unwind after your long day of work.”
“Ginny is a nurse,” Lucy told her friends.“She’s recently come to Cairo from Alexandria to work at a hospital here.”
As they murmured congenial responses, Ginger handled the cold glass.Cucumber and orange floated near the top, along with mint.She sipped it, sneaking a glance back at the field.Had Noah seen her?
“Are you a polo enthusiast?”William asked.
