Ginger entered the main dining room of Shepheard’s Hotel and pushed her nerves to the side. The room, designed to transport its guests into exotic opulence, helped her escape thoughts of the task before her. Brocade drapes shimmered in the light of the many crystal chandeliers and Oriental lamps. The head waiter, dressed in long flowing robes and wearing a turban, greeted guests with a solemn smile.
The ballroom itself was grand and decorated in Moorish style. Lofty ceilings gave the impression of an Egyptian temple, complete with towering pillars lining each side of the room. Soft hues of gold, silver, burgundy, and cream covered the wall’s hand-painted designs and moldings. Lush palms were artfully arranged throughout the space. Silverware and crystal stemware clinked lyrically amid the orchestra’s noise in the back of the room, where couples danced.
Despite Cairo’s mid-May heat, Ginger shivered as she followed her mother and Lucy through the crowd to their table. Stephen sat there, along with his sister, Angelica. Her heart fell at the sight of him. No one had said anything about Stephen coming to dinner.
Stephen spotted them and rose. Her mother greeted him warmly.
Angelica embraced Ginger. “I was so excited when Henry told me you were going to be here,” she said to Ginger. Willowy and fair, she looked like a female version of her older brother. “Now you can help me plan the wedding.”
Lucy pulled Ginger by the arm toward the other side of the table, where a man stood beside a brunette whose back was toward them. “Victoria! Ginny, this is Lady Victoria Everill, Lord Helton’s daughter. He’s one of the top men at the Cairo Intelligence Department.”
No wonder Noah’s engagement protected him. Her father wouldn’t want to risk his relationship with a superior officer.
Ginger grabbed on to the back of a chair as Victoria turned. Henry hadn’t exaggerated her looks. She was striking and elegant with her dark hair perfectly coiffed. Her shimmering dark-blue gown made the other women at the table look unfashionable. She flashed Ginger a smile as she held Lucy by the elbows and pressed a kiss to each of her cheeks. “It’s lovely to see you.” She tilted her head at Ginger, her expression polite but reserved. “Your sister has raved about you, Lady Virginia.”
Ginger offered a self-conscious smile. She should have taken more interest in her appearance. The tiered ankle-length skirt and V-neck seemed good enough when Lucy had lent it to her. “It’s a pleasure.”
“Victoria is fascinated by women who join the war effort as nurses.” Lucy grinned. She sat beside Angelica. The way Lucy said it made it sound as though she considered Ginger an odd specimen to examine.
Her mother allowed a waiter to pull out a chair next to Lucy for her. “I didn’t know I’d be the matriarch at the table.”
“You elevate the party,” Stephen said. “It’s a pity Henry couldn’t join us. He’s not still slogging at the office, is he? I keep telling him to join me out in the field. Get some sun on his skin.”
Angelica frowned at her brother. “Don’t you know? He’s in Alexandria. I would have given anything to attend a ball with Henry. He didn’t tell me he was going to be leaving town so suddenly.”
Ginger pressed her lips together. Unlike Angelica, she was glad Henry wasn’t here. Over the last few days, her resentment with Henry had grown. His trip to Alexandria had helped avoid confrontations, but his absence was also a painful reminder of how casually he’d mentioned killing Noah. She’d tortured herself for days, wondering if she wasn’t over-reacting. The last thing she wanted was for Noah to view her as even more gullible.
The only open seat for Ginger remained between her mother and an unfamiliar man. She hesitated, unsure if she wanted to spend the evening conversing with one of Stephen’s friends.
Victoria noticed. “Lady Virginia, this is Lieutenant Jack Darby.”
The tall, handsome man offered a handshake. “Nice to meet you.”
Ginger shook his hand and sat. “You’re American.”
He winked. “Yes, ma’am.”
His easygoing demeanor relaxed her. “What brings you to Cairo, Lieutenant Darby?” She sipped her water.
“Helping a friend.”
Stephen leaned forward. “Lieutenant Darby is a lifelong friend of Major Benson’s.”
The glass in Ginger’s hand nearly slipped. Water splashed from the rim and landed on her lap. She grabbed a serviette and wiped it, heat rising on her cheeks. If Lieutenant Darby really was a friend of Noah’s, maybe she should tell him about her concerns for Noah’s safety. But it wouldn’t be possible with Stephen so close.
Stephen pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. “Water can be such a difficult thing to keep in a glass.”
Victoria eyed Ginger. “Do you know Noah? Didn’t you arrive recently from the front?”
Good gracious, now she really knew Noah was a liar. How could he have told her she was the most beautiful woman he’d met when his fiancée was Victoria? Her mother and Lucy watched her. “Yes, I’ve just returned from Palestine. I met Major Benson there briefly.”
“And he escorted you safely home from Gaza,” Stephen inserted with a leer.
“Yes, he was quite a gentleman. It was a stroke of luck he was in Belah as I began my leave.”
Victoria looked at her curiously. “Odd, he never mentioned meeting you.”
When had Victoria seen him? Victoria adjusted an enormous diamond on her ring finger. An engagement ring, perhaps? If so, Noah’s taste in jewels was exquisite—and expensive. Ginger tore her gaze from it, her nerves tingling. She watched the couples on the dance floor, wishing she could keep herself from blushing. “I’m afraid I was a dull travel companion.”
Stephen chortled. “I doubt anyone would say that of you.” He waved a hand for some wine and leaned toward Victoria in a manner that spoke of an intimate friendship. “She even got him to pull his nose out of a book long enough for tea at the Savoy in Port Said.”
Victoria’s dark gaze was analytical. “A mighty feat. Noah does enjoy reading.” She pulled out a fan. “But I never know where he goes. He pops into Cairo without notice and is gone again before I can blink. For all I know, he’s traipsing around with T. E. Lawrence. He certainly seems to prefer the company of the locals.”
A waiter with flowing white robes tied with a sash and wearing a red fez poured wine for the table. Ginger accepted a glass. Thank goodness.
“Ah, but you and the major enjoyed the past week together, no?” Stephen tapped his fingers on the table. “From what I heard, you were the toast of gatherings.”
Noah was in Cairo? Darker thoughts extinguished the spark of joy lit by the news. He’d spent the week with Victoria.
Oh, God, she was a stupid fool. While she’d been busy pining for him, he’d been socializing with his fiancée. She’d allowed herself to daydream he might appear and whisk her away. A crushing feeling grew in her lungs.
Victoria unfolded a serviette in her lap. “It’s been a brief respite. Without an end in sight to this war, I don’t know that we’ll have many such opportunities in the coming year.”
“He’s a fool if he doesn’t marry you soon.” Stephen winked at Victoria. “I hear you may move up the wedding date?”
“We’ll see.” A tiny smile curved the corners of Victoria’s lips.
A single drop of wine made its way down the side of Ginger’s glass. Each beat of her heart pained.
“What were you doing out in Palestine?” Lieutenant Darby broke into her thoughts.
Palestine? She stared at him as though he’d asked her how much she enjoyed seeing the penguins of Antarctica. She attempted to string a sentence together. “I-I was with the Queen Alexandra’s.” At his questioning look, Ginger added, “Nursing.”
“Ah.” Lieutenant Darby’s expression held a note of amusement. “Are you on a pass now?”
Why couldn’t she remember his question? “What was that?” Wonderful. She was making a fool of herself in front of Noah’s fiancée and his close friend. Ginger twisted in her seat.
Lucy rolled her eyes. “No, thank goodness, she’s given it up. I don’t see why anyone would want to be out there, but that’s Ginny.” Lucy turned toward Victoria and continued, “Angelica and I were talking yesterday about you. You must take us shopping next time you go.”
Victoria replied, but as the conversation at the table turned, Ginger couldn’t register her words. No wonder Noah had no intention of breaking his engagement. Her father was a man of influence, and she was a gorgeous socialite.
Sick to her stomach, Ginger finished her wine in a few gulps. Did Victoria even suspect Noah’s infidelity? A waiter quickly refilled her glass and she lifted it again, the contents sloshing. She placed the glass on the table, and a red circle appeared on the white tablecloth under the base of the crystal stem.
She felt as graceful as a cow.
Her mother placed a gentle hand on Ginger’s under the table. Her mother must wonder why she’d lost her composure.
Lieutenant Darby’s voice came from beside her. “Not as interested in shopping?” He nodded toward Angelica and Lucy, who conversed with Victoria.
Ginger sipped her wine again. “I’m not sure I can separate myself from being a nurse as easily as my sister seems to think.”
“I wouldn’t think so.” He leaned back. “You work on both the Gaza battles? I went to a hospital in Kantara after the first battle. The nurses worked fourteen-hour shifts.”
The hospitals in Kantara and El Arish had received most of the wounded men she’d seen come through the clearing station after the battles. They must have faced an onslaught. “Yes, I was on the front for both battles. It was exhausting.”
“That’s putting it lightly.” Darby shook his head. “I didn’t fully appreciate what you nurses were doing until then.”
Who was Lieutenant Darby? Noah had never mentioned him. Then again, he hadn’t mentioned Victoria either. Or much of anything.
Stephen interrupted their conversation. “Ginny, why don’t we take a turn on the dance floor while we wait for dinner?”
The last thing she wanted was to dance with Stephen. “I’m not sure I’m the best dance partner.”
“Oh, go on, darling.” Her mother nudged her. “You and Stephen always made a splendid match.”
Ginger didn’t answer, and Stephen stood. He held his hand out to her.
She didn’t want to make a scene. Reluctantly, she followed him to the dance floor.
“You’re looking better than the last time I saw you.” Stephen placed his hand at her waist. She nearly pulled away, thinking of all she knew of him. Everything about him disgusted her.
“I should hope so. The last time you saw me, I was crying.” She avoided his gaze, keenly aware of the discomfort of their proximity. “I wasn’t expecting your company tonight.”
He led her in a waltz. “Victoria’s a close acquaintance of mine. I introduced Benson to her. I heard Angelica speaking of her plans, and I knew I had to come.”
Ginger clenched her teeth. “To continue to spy on me?”
“I’ve been hoping we’d have another chance to speak.” Stephen cleared his throat. “I’m worried about you. You were much more involved in this whole situation with that Turk than you cared to trust me with, and I understand. But if someday you feel you need someone to trust, please know I’m here. I want to help.”
Ginger narrowed her gaze at him. “Help me like you helped those Bedouins in Belah? Or Noah in Aleppo? He showed me what really happened.”
Stephen’s hand slid firmly, possessively down her back, pulling her against him. “Careful, darling, you don’t want to give yourself away as Benson’s whore in this crowd.” His voice menaced, his grip so tight she couldn’t pull free. “Or make me say something I shouldn’t. Especially after that scene in your hotel room. One word to my father about it and I promise you the engagement between Henry and Angelica will be finished.”
She used every ounce of willpower not to slam her heel on his foot. “Are you threatening me?” A dull ache of fear pressed into her heart. Much as she didn’t want to admit it, the threat of ruining Henry’s engagement did worry her. For all his recent mistakes, Henry loved Angelica. He would be crushed if he wasn’t permitted to marry her.
His lips grazed her ear. “Quite the opposite. Other men might not be willing to forgive what they witnessed, but they don’t want you like I do. You’ll learn soon enough how much you need me, Ginny. And I’m certain you’ll be willing to come to an arrangement that will be mutually … satisfying.”
She dug her nails into his side. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’d rather be known as Noah Benson’s whore than give you anything you want.” With a smirk, she added, “As though you ever would be man enough to satisfy me.”
“You think Benson gives a damn about you?” Stephen’s eyes blazed at her. “You’re nothing but another notch on his belt. And there have been many notches.”
The end of the song saved her from answering. She ripped herself free from his grasp. An angry red tone crept up Stephen’s neck. “Stay away from me,” she said in a low growl. She spun away from him and hurried through the crowd, Stephen at her heels. Not that she could find much comfort at the table. No matter how friendly Victoria was, being around her made Ginger feel sick.
She arrived as the waiter approached the table with escargots and caviar. Stephen didn’t sit. “It’s your turn,” he told Victoria. He led her away, Victoria’s figure swishing beautifully. Victoria waved at a few tables before she arrived at the dance floor.
“I’m sure Stephen would prefer to dance with you,” her mother whispered.
Did her mother think she was so vapid? Ginger stared at her hands, still seething over Stephen’s comments on the dance floor. “I’d rather he dance with her.”
Lieutenant Darby swirled his red wine in its glass, watching as it ran down the sides. “You looked about as happy out there as a jackrabbit around a coyote.”
She ignored his statement, desperate to change the subject to something mundane. “Are you finding Cairo to your liking, Lieutenant?”
“It’s a fascinating city.” He sipped his drink. “But it’s not my first time here. And, please—call me Jack. I know you British love your formality, but I don’t recognize my own name when someone calls me ‘Lieutenant.’”
She smiled. “I know how you feel. It took me ages to adjust to the title of ‘sister.’ I felt as though I’d joined a convent.”
“They do a good job of making sure you dress the part.” Jack grinned. “Someone shows an ankle, and heads start rolling. I don’t know that I’ve ever stared at any woman’s ankles thinking how pretty she is.”
“Are you suggesting our friends across the pond have forgotten their manners?” Her mother’s expression revealed she enjoyed Jack’s observations.
“I’m fairly certain we Yankees never had them in the first place.” Jack reclined comfortably. “Although, from what I’ve seen of the world, there’s a whole lot of pretending going on everywhere.”
Ginger smoothed her dress. “Are you well-traveled? Or just involved with the war effort for a while?”
“Well-traveled. My father was an archeologist and adventurer.” Jack loosened his collar. “I spent my childhood combing temple ruins like the ones at Karnak and then shuttling off the next year to explore the ancient civilization of the Incas in South America.”
“That sounds fascinating.” No wonder he was friends with Noah. They had unusual upbringings.
“Fascinating is one word for it.” Jack shrugged.
Lucy cut in. “Ginny. What do you think of Lady Victoria? Isn’t she a dear? I adore her gown tonight. They say her fiancé is as handsome as she is. I didn’t know you knew him. How is he?” Her energy amplified as she spoke. “I hoped he’d be here tonight.”
Which one of those questions should she bother to answer? She couldn’t let her emotions rule. “Major Benson is handsome. Wouldn’t you agree, Lieutenant?”
Jack chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know. Women seem to think so. He was never my type.”
“Do you think they’ll move up the date of their wedding now that he’s back?” Angelica asked.
“We should ask her. We can help her with the wedding plans.” Lucy giggled. “And we’ll assure our invitation.”
Ginger frowned at her food. If she received an invitation to Noah’s wedding, she’d find a way to escape to England. “Excuse me. I’m going to the ladies’ lounge.” She rose and gathered her handbag.
Victoria arrived at the table … and Noah followed directly behind her.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Good God, he was handsome. She’d pretended when she met him his looks didn’t affect her, but seeing him now, she couldn’t deny it.
Did he notice her? His hand was on Victoria’s lower back and he scanned the table.
His eyes moved toward her and continued right past.
As if she wasn’t there.
She stiffened, hurt budding. She’d hoped to talk to Victoria and pass along a note to Noah—but she’d never expected to see him here.
She couldn’t help but stare, her senses alert. How could it have only been a week since Port Said? Their separation had been a quiet torture, one in which she convinced herself how in love with him she was. And now that he was here … ugh. She was in love with him.
Her ears rang while Victoria introduced Noah to the group.
Victoria slipped her arm into Noah’s. They were the stunning couple she imagined they would be. Noah appeared every bit the polished military officer at her side. Her heart fell. They looked happy together. Victoria’s face practically shone as she watched him.
Noah’s eyes met hers as Victoria said, “I believe you know Lady Virginia Whitman.”
He nodded politely and moved his gaze toward her mother as Victoria introduced them.
A pang went through her.
“I’m so pleased to meet you, Major Benson.” Her mother beamed at him. “Stephen tells us we have you to thank for escorting our daughter home safely from Palestine. I appreciate you going out of your way for her.”
Ginger bit the inside of her cheek. Her mother didn’t know the irony of her statement.
Noah’s gaze flicked toward her. “Ah—that’s right. The nurse from Gaza. My apologies, I hardly recognized you without the nursing uniform.”
Without the uniform? Her face stung, the heat on her cheeks spreading to her ears. She wished Stephen could have heard it. He would have taken Noah to task for the lie. The one time Stephen would be useful, and he wasn’t around.
A waiter came by with a tray of champagne glasses. He stopped near Lady Braddock and Ginger. “For the lovely ladies.”
Ginger accepted the glass and sat. She finished it in a few quick swallows.
Jack watched her. “Thirsty?”
“Parched.” She fidgeted with the stem of the glass. Trust Noah’s friend to notice her distress.
“Let me get you another.” Jack fetched one from the waiter.
“Major Benson, you don’t disappoint.” Lucy’s eyes shone. “We’ve been so eager to meet you.”
Noah pulled out a chair for Victoria. A waiter hurried over with a chair for him. Stephen arrived at the table as Noah displaced him from Victoria’s side. Stephen sat without greeting Noah, his expression dark.
“And in what capacity do you work for the army, Major Benson?” Angelica asked eagerly.
“For the CID.” Noah accepted a glass of red wine. “Though I’ve spent most of my time out in the field.”
“It sounds like fascinating work. Do you enjoy it?” her mother asked.
Victoria laughed and touched his cheek before pursing her lips at him. She leaned closer to him, settling against his arm. “He had better enjoy it. Otherwise his eagerness to accept every assignment outside of Cairo would feel suspiciously like he was avoiding me.”
Noah exchanged a smile with her and lifted the back of her gloved hand to his lips. “Never, my darling.” He kissed her hand.
Ginger thought she might vomit.
“I would think a week spent in the company of your spectacular fiancée would be enough to shake you of desert attachments.” Stephen shifted in his seat.
Ginger gave Stephen a faltering glance. Her serviette slid from her lap, and she jerked her hand toward it. Her head spun from the amount of alcohol she’d consumed.
Would anyone notice if she crawled under the table?
She straightened and turned to Jack. “How are Americans at dancing?”
Jack offered a gracious smile and held out his hand. “Far superior to our British counterparts, like everything else.”
She couldn’t help but return his smile. Thank God for him. She practically bolted to the dance floor.
“You know,” Jack said as they danced, “if you don’t want anyone to know you have feelings for Noah, you may want to conceal your reactions to him.”
She winced, her head fuzzy. “Is it obvious?”
“I don’t think your sister and her friend noticed.” Jack twirled her. He hadn’t lied about his dance skills.
“And Victoria?” She met his dark-brown eyes. “Be honest. I value it.”
Jack twitched his head in a subtle nod. “She’s used to women staring at him. Play your cards right, and she may not think it’s outside the norm.”
Especially when Noah did such a convincing job appearing indifferent to her. Maybe he was.
Pulling her close to him again, Jack said, “I’ll do my best to keep Stephen busy. Leave you alone.”
“If you hadn’t been here tonight, I think I would have left by now. Thank you, Jack.”
His laugh was a low rumble in his chest. “I’m here because Noah asked me to be. He told me about you and was concerned about this dinner.”
Her ire rose. So Noah wanted to use Jack to keep her in line, did he?
Jack’s presence saved her from one more thing—she could avoid talking to Victoria. She could tell Jack about Noah being in danger—but what about Ahmed’s bag? That was something she could only tell Noah himself. “I came because I need to talk to Noah, urgently. Can you arrange it?”
Jack frowned. “Here?”
“No, I suppose not.” That might undo what little poise she had left.
Jack scanned her face. “Can I give you some unsolicited and probably unwelcome advice?”
“With phrasing like that, I’m not sure I want to hear it.”
“Well, you should.” Jack glanced toward their table. “It’s none of my business, but he warned me you might try to talk to him. He cares about you, but you have to let it go. It’s better for you both.”
Of all the nerve. Her fingertips tightened against Jack’s hand. “I’m perfectly capable of restraining myself from being inappropriate.” She let out a huff. “I’m not here to wrest him away from his fiancée, if that’s what you think. I didn’t even know he would be here. I planned to send a message through Lady Victoria. But Noah is in danger, and I need to speak to him.”
Jack stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“I think someone might try to kill him.” It amazed her how calmly she could say that.
Jack appeared flustered for a response. His eyebrows furrowed. “You’re not hoping—”
“For goodness’ sake. I’m here humiliating myself because I want to warn him. I wouldn’t put myself through this otherwise. Now, can you arrange a meeting or not?”
An odd expression crossed his features. “Meet me tomorrow at noon at the Khan. Go to Fishawy’s. You know it?”
Everyone knew of the famous souk. “I’ll bring my sister with me. My father won’t let me out of the house otherwise.”
The song ended, and Jack linked arms with her. “Now, look at me and smile. And laugh, like I’m treating you to a hilarious joke.”
“And what joke would that be?”
Jack grinned. “Stephen’s a good joke.”
“You are rotten.” The genuineness of her laughter relaxed her shoulders.
They made their way toward the table. Passing through the narrow spaces between seats, they found themselves face-to-face with Noah and Victoria, who headed out to dance. Victoria stopped and pressed against Noah, scooting off to the side to allow Jack and Ginger space.
As Jack moved by Noah, Noah whispered to him. Jack nodded.
Noah’s proximity made him difficult to avoid. Ginger met his gaze. For a flash, the warm, passionate man she’d known stood there. Her heart thudded, her arm brushing against Noah’s as Jack pulled her past.
Noah followed Victoria onto the dance floor. The way he stared at Victoria—as though she was the only woman in the room—shattered Ginger’s heart. He’d looked at her that way in Port Said. The chill of being in the shadows now was more than she could bear.
Jack gave her a keen look as they arrived at the table. Ginger sat and lifted her champagne.
Jack pushed water toward her. “You might want this.”
She raised a brow and met his gaze. No doubt Noah requested he stop her from drinking. She emptied her champagne glass.
Jack turned away wordlessly. She’d had about enough of this evening. She needed fresh air. Ginger grabbed another glass of champagne from a waiter and bumped her way past the row of chairs.
Her eyes fell on the dance floor where Noah and Victoria swayed. Noah bent his head and kissed Victoria.
Doing everything to keep the tears from her eyes, Ginger fled from the ballroom. The cooler air of the lobby did nothing to assuage the flush of grief and shame. “Enough,” she whispered to herself. “Enough.”