Chapter 11 #2
Had her father said something to him? His appearance here so early seemed more than well-timed. What if her father had told him she meant to refuse him?
She hadn’t prepared herself mentally to see Stephen this morning.
Her argument with her father from the night before wasn’t sufficiently behind her to not feel her resentment toward Stephen unfurl in the flare of her nostrils and snake its way up her gut.
She wasn’t in the mood to entertain him.
Or pretend she had any desire to consider seriously marrying him.
No matter how much he’d helped with the Martins.
Her anger subsided when she saw Henry first. He and Stephen were in the middle of an animated conversation. Henry’s infectious laughter filled the space. She had to be reasonable. Careful. If not for herself, then for the sake of Henry’s relationship with Stephen—and Angelica.
The two men composed themselves when they saw her. Stephen flashed her a dazzling smile. “Ginny, darling. How lovely you look this morning.”
His term of endearment made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Not today. Today she couldn’t take it.
Ginger smoothed her hands on her walking skirt. She had dressed for travel, not for company. Still, Stephen had always been quick to compliment her. “I’m surprised to see you here.” Ginger approached them and folded her hands. “It’s so early.”
Henry and Stephen exchanged a look. “Shall I tell her?” Stephen smiled more broadly this time and came forward, taking her hands.
“I’ve just had news from David Peterson—first thing this morning.
He’s arranged the naturalization for John Martin, and it looks as though we may stop the repatriation of Friedrich Martin for now.
He’s being kept in internment, but not sent to Germany. ”
What?
Ginger’s jaw opened, her anger and resentment dissolving.
The news she’d hoped for. Everything she’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.”
She squared her shoulders, even though she didn’t feel strong now. She felt awful. Like a manipulative, cruel woman. “No, I don’t think so. But maybe when my family returns from Egypt, we can be friends.”
He gave a scoffing laugh. “As though that would ever be enough to satisfy me.” He loosened his collar.
“I was going to tell you another time, but I’m going to Egypt to work with your father.
And my father is going to allow Angelica to come with me—she’s very keen to see Egypt and with Henry going, she wanted to be close to your family. ”
She didn’t know whether to feel sorry for him or to be dismayed he was following her family to Egypt.
He spread his hands in front of him. “I need to protect my investment.”
Her dismay turned to revulsion. Did he mean her? What could he mean?
“I won’t change my mind.” A wave of tiredness came over her.
She didn’t want to have this argument, not now, not at this time of day.
The thought of him being in Egypt was overwhelming and oppressive.
“I know you care for me, Stephen, but I don’t return your feelings. I won’t marry you. Not now. Not ever.”
Stephen’s face darkened. He stalked toward her slowly, looming in front of her. “You will. I promise you.” She backed away from him, feeling threatened, and her back hit against the bookcase with a soft thud. “You’re mine. And you always will be.”
Pinning her shoulders against the bookcase with a forearm across her clavicle, he grabbed her chin roughly in his fingertips.
His mouth descended upon hers with a force that made her heart hammer into her chest. Paralyzing fear froze her.
His lips moved against hers and she felt the clash of his teeth against her lips, his breath on her face.
His hands cupped her breasts, fondling her through the fabric. His touch was enough to spur her into action. She reached for the closest book, fished it from the shelf with a shaking hand, then slammed the spine into the side of his head.
Stephen swore and sprang back. He touched the side of his head where she’d hit him, then inspected his fingers as though expecting to find blood. She wished she had hit him so hard. Hopefully she’d given him a good bruise, at least.
The book clattered to the floor as she ripped herself away from the bookcase, scrubbing her lips with her fingertips.
“How dare you?” Her voice rippled with fury.
The taste of his cigarettes remained on her lips, and she wanted nothing more than to go and bathe and rid herself of any trace of the repulsive kiss. “I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” Stephen’s eyes narrowed. “Tell your father? Henry? And you don’t think they’d only see your lewd behavior as more reason for you to marry me?
Careful, dearest Ginny. If you admit too freely how I’ve spoiled you, you may not like the consequence.
Everyone knows we’ve spent the summer together.
And you’ve just told David Peterson you intend to marry me. You think anyone will believe you?”
Her lewd behavior? As though she’d invited it. Sickened, she swallowed back bile. “Get out,” she gritted through clenched teeth.
Stephen glowered at her. “This isn’t over.”
He left and she sank onto the floor, struggling for breath, hands shaking.
His threats sliced into her skin and she relived the horrible kiss all over again.
She thought she’d disliked him before. Now, hatred ran through her veins.