Page 42 of A Zephyr Rising
Madeline’s chauffeur said nothing as he opened the door to the motorcar for them.But a smile glimmered in his eyes.
As the door shut behind them, Ginger gripped the sides of her seat, her palms sweating.
Somehow, they’d done it.
ChapterFourteen
Standing in the back of the hospital ward at St.Thomas’, Ginger watched as John sat beside Charlie.Her joy felt incomplete.But at least John would be free.And as a British subject, it meant help for Mrs.Martin and her children.He would stay in London and help with his brother’s recovery.Her aunt had promised to help with Charlie’s care and to find John lodging and food.
Until the British Army called him away to the service he’d promised himself to.
A small part of her wondered if he wouldn’t have been safer staying in internment.
James approached her and crossed his arms as he stood at her side, watching John.“And how is it you accomplished this?”
She gave him a slight smile.“I broke the rules.”At his curious look, she added, “I may have gone to the internment center and told them his family had typhus and he needed to be quarantined.By the by, you wouldn’t be willing to discreetly return some nursing uniforms for me?I may have used them.”
James’s mouth opened in shock.“You didn’t.”
“It wasn’t just me.My aunt and grandmother helped.In fact, Gran came up with the typhus claim.She was brilliant.”
His incredulousness seemed to deepen, his eyes wide.“Now I know where you get your spirit from.”
Ginger laughed, covering her face as embarrassment crept in around her chest.“I don’t know that I’ll ever forget it.”
“Then they support you joining the nursing service?”
“Not entirely.”Ginger tilted her head and indicated they should leave the ward.“John’s naturalization was at stake.We had to get him to the Home Office but had a limited window to do it and lacked the proper paperwork.”She didn’t want to tell him about Stephen, or how she’d come to him for help.
James stopped walking and shook his head, admiration shining in his eyes.“You truly are an incredible woman, Ginger.”
“Thank you.”She laughed.“You flatter me.I’m much more selfish than you give me credit for.”
“Well, I don’t see that at all.I see a kind, brave woman who would do her country proud as a nurse.”He cleared his throat.“And, I might add, that any man would be proud to have as his fiancée.”
A fiancée?
She really hadn’t been paying attention to James, had she?
He’d helped her, introduced her to his mother.Inspired her to consider new opportunities.
What if this was the type of man she’d been looking for?She didn’t care for him the way she thought she might—but romance could blossom.After all, she didn’t really know what love was.Her father had pointed that out to her more than once.
Ginger met his earnest expression and a thrill of excitement rose in her.Gran’s words echoed in her mind:
If you can’t win fairly...cheat.
Her father had said he wanted her engagement settled before she entered the nursing training program.But he hadn’t said to whom.
Epilogue
Penmore loomed in front of Ginger as the car made its way up the drive.Beside her, Violet beamed.“Aren’t you glad to be home, my lady?”
The knot of tension in Ginger’s chest tightened.She’d timed the trip home precisely, after spending a week at Madeline’s.The announcement would be in the newspaper this morning.Her father may have already seen it.
Sneaking John Martin out of an internment center seemed easy compared to this.Not to mention that she wouldn’t have her aunt or grandmother at her side.
“Delighted.”Ginger even managed a taut smile.
