Page 4 of A Zephyr Rising
Not having even considered the opposite perspective made her feel foolish.
Still, the anguish on Mrs.Martin’s face at being separated from her husband and son reminded her it wasn’t so simple.And John Martin couldn’t help his parents’ decision not to naturalize.“But John is as English as I am, raised here.His mother was born here.And all his siblings are British subjects.”
Her father tapped the letter in his hands against the window frame.“There may be a better case for the younger Martin than the old codger.He was a fool not to have the young man naturalized years ago—or do so himself.But everything is changing quickly now.”He was silent for a few beats, then drew in a sharp breath, straightening.“I’ll make some inquiries with a solicitor.See what can be done.”
At least his practical side didn’t prevent his willingness to help.Relieved, Ginger relaxed her shoulders.“Mrs.Martin asked if you could learn their whereabouts.The poor woman is terrified the government may repatriate them back to Germany.”
“And with good reason.Not everyone will have as much sympathy for the Martins as you and I.But consider the fact that repatriation might be better than being imprisoned for however long this war lasts.”
The hypocrisy of it infuriated Ginger.She huffed.“The king himself has German relatives—including the Kaiser.”
“Yes, and see how well that familial relationship worked out for the whole of Europe.It’s why we’re in this mess.”Her father’s gaze followed the swirl of dust motes swimming in the sunlight pouring through the windows.With a look of resignation in his face, he moved toward a secretary against the wall.“Mrs.Martin would do well to stay indoors for a few weeks.”
Ginger stood.She’d thought her father would show more alarm over the matter than he had.“And that’s it then?You’ll inquire with a solicitor, and she should stay indoors?”
“Dear girl, what more would you have me do?I have many far more pressing matters.”Her father opened a drawer and put away the letter he’d held.“The Foreign Office is already calling me to a new post.”
No wonder.Ginger cringed.The news would devastate her mother.“For the army?”She hadn’t thought her father would be amongst the first to be asked to serve.
“To service in their offices in Cairo.”A tired expression crossed her father’s face, a muscle twitching in his jaw.“They want me ready to board a ship in a fortnight.”
Cairo?Ginger’s jaw slackened.The whole family had spent a year in Cairo when she was seven—she still remembered some of the Arabic her Egyptian governess had taught her.Warm memories of sitting on open verandas, stealing sips of sweet tea spiced with cardamom, and skipping by busy markets came rushing back.“But…” Ginger blinked rapidly, taking his words in.“Why Cairo?”
“There’s concern about the allegiances of the Ottomans.If they enter the war with an alliance to Germany, there will be a need to transition the khedivate into something more friendly to the British.The Suez Canal could be at risk.”
Her father spoke of that area of the world with an ease which displayed his expertise.She made a mental note to borrow some of his books on Egypt and Arabia from the library later—brush up on her own understanding of the Arab world.
Then another, more worrisome thought occurred to her.“Wait—a fortnight?Just you?Or will you be taking us all to Cairo?”Wartime life here at Penmore had seemed daunting enough.But if they all went to Cairo…
The changes to their lives would be drastic.Far more than she’d considered.She toyed with her necklace apprehensively.
“We still have the house in Cairo, which is more than adequate and comfortable accommodation for the family.Really, it will come down to the wishes of your mother.”Her father rubbed his jaw and gave her a stern look.“No one is to know of this, though.”
“Of course.”Despite her father’s sober demeanor, she appreciated when he gave her a straight answer, rather than telling her it was of no concern to her.She eyed the secretary where he’d placed the letter.She suspected he’d just learned of the assignment himself, given his behavior.Was he afraid?Disturbed?He certainly didn’t seem to welcome the news.“Have you told Mother yet?”
What would her mother say about going to Cairo?Mama wouldn’t be happy to have the family separated.
“Not yet.I don’t want to put anything else on her this afternoon.She’s thrown herself into transforming this garden party into a fundraiser so admirably.No need to upset her now.”
Ginger nodded.Given how unsettling the news about the Martins was, it would be more than enough to worry her mother for now.“That reminds me—I should go and warn her there won’t be a butcher order.Thank you for promising to investigate the matter for the Martins.”She headed toward the door.
“The Fishers will attend this afternoon, won’t they?I believe I heard from your mother they’re invited.”
Ginger froze midstep.Her back grew taut as she swiveled her head over her shoulder.“Yes.”She’d hoped to avoid this conversation before the party.
“And?”Her father folded his hands in front of him.
A burning sensation rose in her esophagus.If she’d experienced any joy at the declaration of war, it had been as it regarded to this: she’d hoped the war would allow her to delay answering Stephen altogether.An engagement seemed an odd thing to consider while everyone else concerned themselves with looming battlefronts.“And I still haven’t changed my mind.”
“Stephen deserves your answer, Virginia.And we could still just about arrange a wedding before this conflict takes him away.”Her father’s lip curled under his trim moustache.Her chest tightened.She hated when he put so much pressure on her.
“In just two weeks?I hardly think so.Besides which, I gave him my answer.”Prickles went up the back of her neck.“The only reason I even agreed to consider the matter further is because you demanded I must.In which case, I need more time.”Ginger thought of the giant diamond Stephen had flashed when he’d proposed two weeks before.A beautiful jewel straight from his family’s diamond mines in Kimberley.“I told him I’d give him my definitive answer in a month and I intend to.”
She wished she’d had the strength to refuse to reconsider.She already knew what her answer would be—didn’t she?The thought of marriage to Stephen made her ill.
“He was practically a fixture at your side all Season.”Her father’s dark brown eyes glittered.“And you’ve always known my wishes for you both.”
Those wishes had led to this current unpleasantness.She was too fond of her father to argue with him again—doing so after Stephen’s proposal had kept her up many nights the last few weeks.Their relationship had never been less than cordial.Her father expressed his admiration for her in ways that made her feel respected.She didn’t want to disappoint his expectations.
