Page 27 of A Zephyr Rising
From the Home Secretary.She held her breath.Was it possible Stephen had helped her after all?Her hope outweighed the dread of what it might mean.
“Of course.”Henry came away from the window and took the seat beside Ginger.Stephen sat across from them.“I take it he has news about the Martins?”
Stephen set his hat on his knee.“Were you aware Friedrich Martin has a brother who is anOberstin the Kaiser’s army?”
Whatever he meant, it didn’t sound good.Ginger exchanged a look with Henry.“What’s anOberst?”she asked.
“Colonel.”Stephen folded his hands.“Both Friedrich and John Martin are on a shortlist for repatriation as a result.”
If Stephen’s news had been accompanied by a thunderclap, it couldn’t have been more shocking.Ginger caught her breath, feeling ill.“Repatriation?But they’ve done nothing wrong!They can’t help who their relatives may be.What about Mrs.Martin and the other children?”
“They’ll stay here.Nevertheless, the situation, especially for the elder Mr.Martin, looks grim.David said he may be able to do something for the younger Mr.Martin, but you’d both need to get to his office as soon as possible and give sworn statements in his favor.The soonest he can see you is tomorrow afternoon, though.”
They would separate the family.For the length of the war?“But how can this be?The elder Mr.Martin is a kind man.Surely, we can make our appeals for him as well.”Ginger’s anger flared.“This is simply unacceptable.”
Spots of color appeared on Stephen’s cheeks.“Darling, what more would you have me do?We’ve taken this to the very top.If the Home Secretary won’t help, there’s really no one who can.”
She bristled at the term of endearment.“But we don’t know the Home Secretary won’t help.We know David Peterson won’t help.I’m certain if we?—”
Henry released an exasperated sigh.“Ginny, you’re behaving irrationally.More than likely because you need to rest.While your goal is admirable, you’ve got to be exhausted from your long night and morning.Why not go up and rest before dinner and let Stephen and me attempt to think of alternatives?Don’t forget, Stephen said there may be something he can do for John Martin.That’s not nothing.”
Ginger held back a sharp response.The mention of how long the day had been made her feel the exhaustion she wore in the stinging of her eyes and the dull ache in the back of her neck.The excitement she’d felt when she’d come into the room was all but extinguished.If she couldn’t even manage something as straightforward as releasing an innocent man from repatriation, her other goals might be more complicated than she imagined.
She wasn’t a suffragist revolutionary.She didn’t even know if she’d consider herself a Liberal, as James had seemed to assume.
With a pang, she remembered her thoughts of the London School of Medicine for women.She’d entertained the idea with about as much strength as a deflated tire.
“Yes, and thank you, Stephen.”She stood, feeling weak and tired, keeping her gaze on the gleaming oak floors and the woven rugs.“I suppose so.”
Stephen and Henry got to their feet.“Perhaps you can join me for a late-night drink, Ginny?I’d love to speak to you more, darling.”Stephen offered a charming smile.
I’m not your darling.She clenched her jaw.“Perhaps tomorrow?”Heaviness enclosed her heart.
She didn’t want to marry him.
Even if he’d just helped her.
Now she just had to tell him no.For good.
Tomorrow.
ChapterNine
Ginger limped down the staircase of her aunt and uncle’s posh London home, her ankle feeling sorer than it had the day before.She paused at the bottom step, her hand resting on the curved volute of the smooth mahogany rail.The sweet scent of cakes and scones greeted her from a tray a footman carried to the parlor for elevenses.She considered popping in for a moment, but she wanted to get to the hospital.
She crossed the foyer and slipped out without announcing her intentions to Giles.Her father had mentioned going to check on Charlie late last night when he’d arrived at the house.He’d brought Violet and his valet with him also.While Ginger was thankful to have some of her own clothes and her maid to help her, she felt guilty.Her poor aunt, they were practically invading at this point.If they’d had known they needed to return to London so soon, she doubted her father would have closed the house.
Fortunately, her father had left her aunt’s house again before breakfast.For all she knew, he’d already gone to visit Charlie.
Ginger hurried down the stairs and then startled as she nearly ran into a man who approached from the pavement.
Her heart squeezed in her chest.What was he doing here?
“Lady—that is, Ginger.”James Clark tipped his hat.“Good morning.”
“Heavens, what a surprise.”Ginger gave him a broad smile as she recovered from the scare he’d given her.“I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“As it so happens, my mother has a mutual friend with your aunt.When I mentioned you to her last night, she inquired about your aunt’s address for me.”James returned her smile.“I wanted to call on you last night, but I thought you might be resting after all you’d been through.”
