Page 31 of A Zephyr Rising
“Always.I wouldn’t have it any other way.”Her laughter belled behind them, and they hurried toward the car.
ChapterTen
“Considering that I’ve been here for a full day, trying to catch an appointment with you is nearly as difficult as getting an audience with the king,” Ginger’s father complained as he sat down beside her.
They’d gone through to the sitting room after dinner with Madeline and Henry—both of whom had excused themselves for early bedtimes.
Ginger rotated the stem of her glass of cream sherry, the light from the chandelier winking off the crystal.“I haven’t been avoiding you.I had hoped to see you at the hospital earlier.I just feel terrible for poor Charlie Martin, lying all alone in a city far from home.”
“You have a kind heart, Virginia.But if we remain here much longer, it would be wrong of us to take advantage of your aunt’s hospitality.And opening the home in London is illogical, considering we’re about to leave the country.”Her father settled back in his seat, against a round golden pillow in the settee’s corner.“It’s time for us to go home.We have given the boy world-class care.You’ve advocated as much as you can for the Martin men.We have other issues to attend to now.”
Her heart fell.He must have heard about her plans to enter the nursing service.This was his subtle way of building an opposition.
Ginger glanced at her father.Despite the difference in their gender, she was nearly as tall as he was, a fact that had slowly shifted something about the way she saw him.When she was a child, he’d seemed so large and looming.Capable and powerful.He still smelled the same—a mix of tobacco and cedarwood.In her girlhood, she’d stolen one of his embroidered handkerchiefs to keep it nearby when she slept, soothed by it.
She preferred to be direct about the matter.“You’ve heard then?That I want to join the Queen Alexandra’s?”
His mouth set in a line under his trim mustache.“Yes, I’ve heard.I thought to give you the courtesy of telling me yourself.”
“But not before you formed an opinion against it.”Ginger finished the remaining sherry in her glass.She was glad they were alone.This wasn’t a conversation she wished to have in front of her aunt.Or Henry.The glass in her hand felt like an obstacle she wished to be rid of.
“I’m not interested in marrying Stephen Fisher.”She stood and crossed the room, setting the glass on a small tray.Keeping her back to her father briefly, she summoned her strength.She had to convince him.“I don’t love him.The truth is, I’m not sure I could ever love him.And—I want to do something more with myself.Just being in the hospital the last few days has been invigorating.”
She turned and met his gaze with a strong lift to her chin.“I want to be useful to my country.I want to feel as though I have a skill that makes me worthy of being on this earth.Something more than being able to smile politely and hang on the arm of my future spouse as a prize he’s won.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.”Her father stood with a shake of his head.“This is not what I sent you into London for.Training as a nurse is out of the question.”
“And why not?I went to Hotel Cecil today and ran into Lady Forsythe and she mentioned her niece is signing up?—”
“The Forsythes are not our family.”Her father paced in front of the empty fireplace and then scratched his temple.“And frankly, I don’t care what they or any other family in the whole of England do.You will not be joining such a disgusting profession.You don’t know what you’re asking.War is something you’ve never truly experienced.You may think it’s glorious and adventurous now—but two weeks in the middle of war and you’ll be begging for Penmore and the comforts you take for granted.”
Did she really give the impression of being so soft and spoiled?She recoiled at his glare, frustration clawing at her belly.“I’m not as weak as you seem to think.I believe I can handle a great deal more, in fact.”
“Perhaps.But you won’t be handling the wounded men of England.Now, I’ve had enough of this delay with Stephen.An alliance with him will help secure our family’s future.”
“Yes, but why me with him?If what you seek is to join our family to the Knotley fortune, then look to Henry.He’s already more than in love with Angelica.”
Her father gave a guttural sigh of frustration.“And look what happened with Charlotte Thompson.Angelica is young and barely knows her own mind.Not to mention Henry isn’t the only young man chasing after her.We should cement what’s certain—Stephen’s offer to you.”
Much as Charlotte had always been a close friend and ally, Ginger hated that her friend’s happiness in marrying the man she wanted had put her in this position.“Well, I won’t have him.I’m joining the QAs.And there isn’t anything you can do to change my mind.”
Her father’s face reddened, his fingers curling into his palms.“How dare you be so selfish?You won’t be speaking so boldly when you find yourself cut off financially.”
Her breath caught.“You would really cut me off for joining the nursing service?”
“Yes.And more.I did some digging after your brother told me what you were considering.The Queen Alexandra’s rarely accept women under the age of twenty-four.You’re too young.I won’t give my consent.”
She set her hands on her hips.“I don’t need your consent.I’ll get permission.”James had suggested he could help her bypass the stipulation, regardless.“And I’ll learn to survive without the money.”
“If you think my influence won’t determine your acceptance into the nursing program, you’ve been deluding yourself,” her father snapped.He went up to the fireplace and set one hand on the mantel, leaning his weight forward.
Her lips parted with shock.He’d never been this aggressive with her.“You wouldn’t dare do that.”
“Wouldn’t I?I don’t approve of your joining it.I don’t want my daughter joining an organization which makes old maids out of their applicants.”Her father stared stonily into the empty hearth before turning toward her, an appeal on his face.“But I may compromise.If you settle your engagement, then I will give you my blessing.You can spend your time in the nursing service and then marry Stephen as soon as the war ends.”
His manipulation appalled her.The floorboards creaked as she inched closer to him, fighting back tears.“You would have me marry a man who will never make me happy to make your fortunes feel more secure.That’s it then?I’m simply a pawn to be traded in marriage.And if I don’t consent, you’ll make it impossible for me to do anything I truly desire.”
Her father’s face softened.“I want you to be happy.I do.But you’re being short-sighted with all of this.Happiness is a choice.”
