Page 55 of Sands of Sirocco
“It’s a fine sport.”The truth was she’d rarely paid attention to a match.Not that Henry and Stephen hadn’t dragged her to their fair share of games during the London Season when she was younger.But back then she’d had her own friends to keep her distracted.“You?”
“One of my favorites.That is … before.”William’s eyes drifted to his sling.“I was quite the polo player.Won several tournaments with the boys in my club.But that’s what we all did back then.Play games, spend the days in careless exhilaration.Those were the days, weren’t they?”
Ginger’s lips tightened.Something about the way William had said it made her wonder.Not that she didn’t imagine he couldn’t have been an athlete.But the way he spoke could be considered braggadocious.Yet William didn’t appear to have that quality.Not really.
Taking another sip of her drink, she glanced at Lucy.She’d better get on with the reason she’d come.“Is Lady Hendricks here?”
“Yes, I think she’s over with Mother, in fact.You should ask her for an introduction.”Lucy’s facial expression made it clear that she didn’t intend to accompany Ginger.
Ginger excused herself from the party and continued down the field.She paused as the polo players came closer.Then she startled.It appeared Mr.Osborne was on the team opposing Noah.She hadn’t expected that.Hopefully he wouldn’t think she was wasting time by being here.
When she reached the older women, her mother introduced her to the group.Ginger recognized some of them but she focused her attention on Lady Hendricks.
Lady Olivia Hendricks was far younger than Ginger had expected.
In fact, she appeared to be closer to Ginger’s age than her mother’s.Her presence with the older, married women spoke of her wealth and marriage status, but the black arm band on her left arm told a different story, perhaps.She was in mourning.For her husband?
Lady Hendricks’ chestnut-brown hair was well-coiffed under her hat, a birdcage veil partially shading her eyes.She was stylish but somewhat plain.She gave Ginger a warm smile that disarmed her.She didn’t at all seem to be the frosty woman Lucy had suggested she might be.“Lady Virginia, what a pleasure.I’ve always wondered when I might meet you.”
“Likewise, Lady Hendricks.My sister has spoken highly of your devotion to aiding the troops.”Ginger positioned herself closer to her.
“Yes, well, we must all do what we can.But I don’t have to tell you that, do I?”An insect settled itself on Lady Hendricks’ sleeve, and she swatted it away.She motioned toward the empty chair beside her.“Please, be seated.I fear my dear Stewart has wandered off.”
Stewart?Ginger felt sheepish inquiring about to whom she referred.Lady Hendricks assumed she knew who Stewart was.
“I’m so impressed with you and your admirable service,” Lady Hendricks said as Ginger sat beside her.“Such marvelous bravery you’ve shown, going to the front lines.I hear you’re newly returned to work in the hospitals in Cairo.How are you finding them?”
“Now that we’re a few years into the war, they’re all well-staffed and equipped.They were in a dreadful state when the war began.”Ginger’s eyes flitted to the field as the sounds of hooves came closer.Don’t let Noah distract you.His proximity made her feel comforted though.
“Is there anything you need more of?I’m happy to order items from England and have them shipped.”Lady Hendricks sipped her drink.“I hear the Gypos working in the hospitals are such terrible thieves.One nurse told me horror stories of how they must lock everything away when they’re on duty, or it will get filched.”
Ginger winced at the racial epithet for the native Egyptians.Some nurses used it too, and it always produced a sour feeling in Ginger’s stomach.She gave a tight-lipped smile.“Thievery in times of war is quite common, even amongst the troops—as the boys say, ‘There is only one thief in the army.Everyone else is simply trying to recover what he’s lost.’”The men used more vulgar terms, but she didn’t dare use them with Lady Hendricks.
“Indeed?How amusing.”Lady Hendricks lifted her brows, but the glimmer in her eye showed she didn’t appreciate Ginger’s subtle implication that the natives weren’t the only ones to blame for thievery.Her gaze wandered past Ginger, a hint of distraction in it.
There was that superiority Lucy had referenced.Ginger ought to give her sister more credit.On more than one occasion Lucy had proved herself to be insightful.Sensing she was on the verge of losing Lady Hendricks’ attention, Ginger cleared her throat.“By the way, Lady Hendricks, I understand we share an acquaintance.Freddy Mortimer.”
Lady Hendricks’ hand jerked in her lap, spilling her drink.“Oh!”She looked down at the liquid pooling on her lap and stood, trying to brush it off before the tawny fabric absorbed it.
What an odd reaction.
Ginger stood and reached for a handkerchief.“Here, let me help.”Ginger held out the handkerchief.A manservant hurried over with a serviette.
When Lady Hendricks lifted her eyes to Ginger, they blazed.Her lips twisted, a vein throbbing in her temple.She said nothing, then her gaze moved across the field.“Ah, it appears Stewart may need me after all.Excuse me, Lady Virginia.”Without another word, Lady Hendricks hurried away.
What on earth?
Lady Hendricks’ reaction was more than unusual.She’d been flustered and angry.But why would she react that way to Freddy Mortimer’s name?Mr.Brandeis had said they often dined together at Shepheard’s.
Her mother was involved in a conversation, so Ginger ducked away.Hopefully her mother hadn’t noticed the exchange.She didn’t want to be the source of further embarrassment.She returned to Lucy and William, never so glad to sit with Lucy in her life.
The hint of a smile flashed across Lucy’s mouth.“How did it go?”
“Don’t ask.”Ginger shook her head.“She’s as awful as you said.”
Lucy gave her a knowing look.“One day you’ll learn I know what I’m talking about.”
“Who are you ladies discussing?”William shifted between them.Their speaking across him was likely making him uncomfortable.
