Page 7 of A Zephyr Rising
Ginger had never paid too much attention to Angelica, as she’d always considered her one of Lucy’s friends.After Angelica’s debut this year and Henry’s sudden attachment to her, she’d become part of Ginger’s circle, rather than Lucy’s.Not that Ginger found much to say to the quiet Fisher girl.What she lacked in personality, she more than made up for in looks, though, and her debut had been a smashing success.
“I’m sure Angelica would be glad to see you, Lucy.She’ll likely welcome the break from Henry and his cabal,” Ginger said.The three women crossed the lawn toward a tent, Lucy leading the way.
As they drew closer, Ginger caught sight of Stephen Fisher, who simpered at Henry’s side.Henry and Stephen’s friendship went back to infancy.If she refused Stephen, she didn’t want to be the source of a rift between the two.Given that Stephen had made his intentions with Ginger known, her refusal would wound his pride in a manner he would consider publicly humiliating.
Stephen wore a hat over his straw-colored hair, the flat brim shading his eyes.Ginger couldn’t tell if he’d seen her yet.Into the lion’s den.She restrained the urge to hold her breath.If only Stephen wasn’t well-liked, it would be so much easier to explain to everyone.Yet he was charming and affable, respected, and handsome.
Maybe she was being foolish.
But where her family seemed to find his attentions to her romantic, the way he looked at and touched her repulsed her.She shivered and pushed her feelings deep down.
“Ah, there’s my darling sister.”Henry stood from his seat at a round table, where some of his friends were gathered.He grinned at Ginger and then gave a quick wink to Lucy.“And you, too, Lucy.”
Lucy’s cheeks reddened.But she wouldn’t dare retort in front of their guests.
Angelica sat beside Henry.“Angelica.My mother was inquiring about you.Lucy can take you to her,” Ginger said.Hopefully, Lucy would have the time she sought with her friend.
Lucy gave Ginger a grateful look as Angelica stood.The willowy blonde held out an arm for Lucy and they left, whispering together.Ginger slid into the seat Angelica had vacated, still avoiding Stephen’s gaze.She practically felt the weight of his stare.Charlotte rejoined her husband’s side after greeting Henry.
Much as it had stung Henry when Charlotte had chosen Robert over him, Charlotte was right—Henry didn’t seem nearly as bothered about it now that Angelica had become the object of his affections.“I’m glad you hurried over.”Henry lifted a teacup to his lips.“I was telling the fellows of the Martins and it so happens Stephen may know someone who can help.”
Ginger cringed inwardly.She wished Henry wouldn’t have said anything to his friends.Especially not Stephen.Stephen sat across from her and her face flushed.“How wonderful.”She smiled at Stephen.“I’d be so grateful for your help.Poor Mrs.Martin is devastated.”
Stephen reclined back in his chair.“Of course, you realize the Aliens Restriction Act passed unanimously.You aren’t likely to find too many sympathetic to the Germans now.”
The weight of additional eyes and ears weighed on their conversation.Ginger wished her champagne glass wasn’t empty—it made it so much easier to act calm when she had some object in which to direct her nervous energy.How like Stephen to insert his authoritative, smug attitude into everything.“I’m not sympathetic to the Germans.Only the Martins.Mr.Martin has been here for years.His wife is English.It seems to me a travesty to arrest him and his son for the crime of having been born in another country.”
“A country with which we are currently at war,” Stephen countered.A few of Henry’s friends nodded and murmured in agreement.“The papers have been warning of spies in our midst for the last couple of years.”
“But Mr.Martin isn’t a spy.”Ginger’s anger grew.She pleaded to Henry with a look.He could silence Stephen’s attempts to embarrass her this way.
“How do you know?”Stephen shrugged.“I’d venture to say there are many who are sympathetic to the Germans, right under your nose.What does a German spy look like?They aren’t very good ones if they wear their allegiance like a button on their lapel.”
Henry set his teacup on its saucer.“Ginny’s right to be concerned about the Martins, though.We can’t rightfully assume anyone with German ancestry must be sympathetic to their cause, can we, Fisher?”
Something in Henry’s words chastened Stephen.He cleared his throat and his smile to Ginger faltered.“I was merely playing devil’s advocate.It’s good for Ginny to know what she’s up against.”
Under the tent, the clink of silverware against porcelain interrupted the din of conversation occasionally.Guests sat at their tables listening to the strains of the violins while footmen served ices.
She met Charlotte’s encouraging gaze briefly.“I know what I’m up against, Stephen.I’m up against a group of individuals who would rather not bother with the trials that are changing the lives of a few people who they consider beneath them.”
Ginger stood.“If you’re able to help, as Henry suggested in the first place, I’d be grateful for it.Otherwise, I don’t need the education you seem so eager to provide.”
She sped away from the tent, furious for allowing Stephen to rankle her in front of their friends.Henry would be upset with her for acting impulsively.A breeze caught her hat.She held on to the brim, her face flaming.Why couldn’t she control herself?She’d done so well over the Season, being polite and smiling.Laughing at jokes and even enjoying vapid conversations of no actual substance.But Stephen’s proposal meant she could no longer pretend it wasn’t all heading into something more.
The sounds of the party faded as she headed into the immaculately landscaped hedges forming a wall around one garden.She pushed a gate to the side and slipped inside, longing for privacy.
“Ginny!”Stephen caught her by the elbow as she moved to close the gate.
Ugh.Why did he always have to follow her?She gritted her teeth.“I don’t appreciate being made fun of.I care about this.What happens to the Martins is about so much more than them.How can we turn a blind eye to the good people caught in this situation?”
He encroached on her space.Slipping both hands onto her shoulders, his fingertips curled over her collarbone.Too close and intimate.She stiffened.“I didn’t intend to poke fun at you, but I apologize.I love you, Ginny.I had hoped you would give me your answer by now.”His thumbs rubbed gentle circles over the tense knots on her shoulders, making goose bumps rise on her neck.
She pulled away and turned, leveling her gaze at him.“I’m not sure I’m ready to be married.”
A frustrated look crossed Stephen’s face, and he stepped back.“Not ready?Ginny, we’re about to go to war.Who knows what it will mean for me in the coming months?Either you’ll marry me or you won’t.It’s simple.We’re compatible in every way.And I’d give you all the privilege and prestige worthy of your name.You’d want for nothing with me.”
The hum of bees amidst the sweet perfume of flowers ought to have been more comforting than it was right now.
