Page 73 of Sands of Sirocco
“No, unfortunately not.But I intend to search my home later this afternoon when my family is out.”
“The information you’ve provided me so far has been less than helpful.”Osborne’s face reddened further.
Ginger did her best to keep her composure.“I’m sorry that’s been the case, but I’m doing what I can.You didn’t assign me a time limit as far as I’m aware, what’s the sudden urgency?”
“I just need to be certain you’re giving this assignment your attention.”Osborne gave her a cutting gaze.He clearly didn’t trust her anymore.He sniffed, looking out toward the crowded street.“You’re rather busy with personal matters, especially those involving Colonel Benson.”
Her jaw clenched with irritation.Each time Noah entered their conversation, Osborne appeared to become more aggressive.On the stoop of a jewelry shop, a cat lazed in the sun.As they passed, it gave them a yowling hiss.Flecks of moisture showed on his shirt, and he frowned at the perspiration.
Perhaps his urgency came from a different source.One that she’d paid less attention to.Hewantedto prove himself.As a newcomer to the Foreign Office, he’d probably wanted to show his skill.She frowned, feeling as though she should have listened to the voice of caution in her head in Alexandria when he’d approached her.
He was a young, intelligent officer.Likely wanting to make his mark.He’d probably been too curious, investigated what had befallen Lord Braddock a bit too deeply.
She blinked at him, a defensive feeling rising in her.Not just toward Noah but toward her family.What had he discovered?“I don’t know what the official documents said, but the situation with my father was a complex one.Regardless of the activities he may have been involved in, he died in service to his country and protecting me.”
“As you say, a complex situation exists with your father.I’m certain his name has been besmirched though.Something I’m sure you’d very much like for me to prove.”
Ginger’s stomach soured.Osborne was on the wrong hunt.“Mr.Osborne, if you’d like to understand what happened with my father, I suggest you investigate Stephen Fisher.Colonel Benson is not to blame.”
His lips pursed, an angry bulge in the veins near his temples.“Colonel Benson is a menace.You saw what he did to Captain Young.He’s ruthless.And he has no genuine regard for His Majesty’s government.Do you have any idea what a cold-hearted savage he is?Just ask him—ask him about his ruthlessness at Kut.”
She kept her face blank.At Kut?That was where Osborne had become a prisoner of war.Noah had never told her about being there, but then, they’d barely discussed most of his work in the past.She was right.He’d targeted Noah for something personal.
“Has Colonel Benson done something to you?”Ginger felt chilled.
Whatever Osborne had intended by the statement, it was clear from his furtive survey of the pavement that he’d revealed more than he’d intended.“Let me remind you, Lady Virginia, I’m your superior.You don’t ask me questions—it’s the other way around.”
She felt choked.How could she have been so misguided about Osborne’s character?“And if I no longer want to participate?”
“But you will.Because I’m certain you’re not the only one who has a vested interest in learning of the concession.”He gave a meaningful glance toward Groppi’s.“And I doubt very much your mother and sister would like to learn that the reason they’re in such a terrible financial state is because you killed your own brother to protect Colonel Benson.”
He knows?She stepped back, horrified.Besides Noah, only one other person knew the truth of her brother’s death: Lord Helton.She’d never spoken of it to Jack or Beatrice, who had been close by when it happened.But Lord Helton had demanded the truth.Bile crept up her esophagus, and she prayed her reaction wouldn’t show in her eyes, though her fear was palpable.
“Are you threatening me, Mr.Osborne?”The day no longer felt hopeful, the red sun beating on the back of her neck despite her hat.Her pulse pounded.
“Treason and sedition are very serious charges, Lady Virginia.If I have but even the slightest suspicion you’re helping Benson, I’ll have no other choice.”Osborne stepped back, a congenial smile returning to his face.“But it won’t come to that.Because we’ve come to an arrangement.I have a much bigger fish to catch.You’ll find I can be an extremely understanding man when necessary.”
She gaped at him, unsure how to respond.He’d gone from appearing like a stuttering, incompetent neophyte to someone who terrified her in a matter of seconds.
Mr.Osborne checked his watch.“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.Be punctual.”With a tip of his hat, he started the other way.
Thoroughly chilled, Ginger watched him go.Her hands trembled.How could she have been so fooled by his character?She’d thought him agreeable.Even pleasant.
She rushed down the pavement, desperate to put space between herself and Osborne.
A protective feeling came over her as Groppi’s came into view.Ginger was determined to keep her family safe from men like Osborne, who wouldn’t hesitate to use a deep secret to manipulate her.
Well, she wasn’t about to let him.She’d tell her family the truth herself, if it came to it.
But how on earth would she ever be able to admit she’d killed Henry?They would hate her for it.
Her worries must have showed on her face when she arrived at the table in the garden of Groppi’s.William stood, alarmed.“My dear Cousin Ginger—are you well?”
“Quite well, thank you.”Her face had a habit of turning a bit too bright red when she was distressed or embarrassed, one downside of being a redhead.She sat, fanning herself with her gloved hand.“The walk was a bit more strenuous than I expected.”She lifted the glass of water at her place setting, thankful that it was there.
“Who was the beau?”Lucy looked up from her tea with interest.A warm breeze brought the fresh scent of baked bread, cardamom, honey, and other savory spices.
While she’d told her mother about the situation with the concession, Lucy didn’t need to know anything about the matters that plagued their family from the past.It would only put her in danger.“Peter Osborne, with the Foreign Office.But he’s just a casual acquaintance.Just inviting me for a picnic with some of the other nurses.”
