Page 34 of A Zephyr Rising
What?
Ginger’s jaw opened, her anger and resentment dissolving.
The news she’d hoped for.Everythingshe’d been working for.
Despite Stephen being the one to deliver the news, its impact was not lost.
“How wonderful!”Ginger laughed as Stephen caught her in an embrace.Even that didn’t bother her for the moment.John was going to be free.
Stephen pulled back, but kept his hands on her shoulders.“Well, when David told me last night about how you’d told him about inviting him to the Cape Town estate, I had my father pull a few strings with Secretary McKenna.”The gleam of excitement in Stephen’s eyes was infectious.
But—oh.
Oh, no.
Stephen believed she intended to accept his offer.
Henry must have seen the panic on her face—he cleared his throat.“I’ll leave you two to speak for a few minutes.Madeline had some questions for me about a new motorcar she’s considering buying.”
In the fading echo of Henry’s footsteps, Ginger felt her face burn, her heart racing.What was she to say?
She’d overplayed her hand.Blasted David Peterson.
Stephen held her hands and pulled her closer.“Darling, is this what I’ve longed for?You’ve finally accepted my offer of marriage?”His lips focused on hers, the space between them closing fast.
She dodged his kiss and twisted out of his arms.“No,” she choked out, her throat acidic.“No, I’m sorry, Stephen, but no.”Tears stung at her eyes.“I can’t marry you.”
He stiffened and gave her an odd look, his gaze clouding.“Whatever do you mean?”
“I mean—I admire what you’ve been able to do for the Martins.And I appreciate your friendship with Henry, but I don’t love you.I can’t marry you just because of those things.It’s not enough for me.”
Stephen’s face grew pale as his ears turned pink.“You’re refusing me?But why?”
Why, indeed, when he could give her every comfort?
Except love.Love wasn’t supposed to make her shiver with repulsion, and yet his gazes did precisely that.
“I just don’t?—”
Stephen held out a hand.“You don’t need to say it again.You’ve already wounded me enough.”His eyes narrowed.“Then you were just using my influence to get your way, was that it?And I’m the heartless one,” he huffed, a choked, angry growl in his throat.
“I never meant to manipulate you.”
“No, you just wanted to manipulate David Peterson.”He shook his head in disgust.“And here I rejoiced in his words.Because I never would have imagined you to be anything other than genuine.”
Ginger lowered her gaze, chastened.“I didn’t mean for it to get back to you.”
“Well, at least you’re being honest now.”Stephen paced for a moment and shook his head.
Speaking of which.
“Wait—” The circumstances were the worst possible to bring up the subject, but she had no choice.“What did Mr.Peterson say about John Martin?What do we have to do for the naturalization?”
The look Stephen shot her was icy.For a flash, Ginger thought he might not respond.Then he said in a stiff tone, “He has an appointment in five days at the office of the Home Secretary.He’ll need paperwork to be transported from the internment camp and then he’ll have to sign the Oath of Allegiance.David said he would telephone Henry to make the arrangements.”
Ginger swallowed, her throat dry.She was a terrible person for taking advantage of him like this.“Stephen, I’m truly sorry.I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
The corners of his mouth turned down.“You’ll change your mind.We were meant for each other.”
