Chapter 10 #2
Lucy paused, hand in midair, then nodded. Ginger leaned down, searching for the remaining pins. “I don’t have the same level of skill that Bahiti does, but I’m happy to help with your hair if you’d like. Not having a maid the last three years forced me to learn to do my hair.”
Lucy smirked. “Yes, you’re the domestic one now.”
“Hardly.” Ginger reached for the silver-handled brush on the vanity. “I can boil a kettle of water for tea. Open a tin. That’s about it. I’d make a sorry housewife without a cook.” She drew the brush through her sister’s thick, dark hair.
“At least you can be a nurse. I have nothing to recommend me.” Lucy rested her hands on her lap. “I’m not even as pretty as you are.”
Ginger hugged Lucy from behind, settling her chin on Lucy’s shoulder.
Their eyes met in the mirror’s reflection.
“We’re two sides of the same coin.” Ginger searched their reflections.
“Whitman women. Daughters of the Earl of Braddock. That’s not nothing.
You were raised in a way that gives you a great deal to recommend you. And you’re much more beautiful than I.”
The corners of Lucy’s mouth tipped in a smile and she heaved a relenting sigh. “All right. I’ll lend you a dress. You don’t have to fib.”
Ginger laughed, her heart warming.
They both dressed and readied themselves for dinner. When they’d finished, Ginger glanced in the mirror. Last spring, Lucy had refused to rid herself of a single outfit. Though it had frustrated Ginger, she was glad Lucy had been so stubborn. They’d never have the money for a dress like this now.
Down the stairs, William and her mother waited for them. A suave smile spread on William’s lips as he saw Ginger with Lucy. “Cousin Virginia. I’m so happy Lucy could convince you to join us.”
Ginger adjusted the tops of her long gloves.
Lucy’s fashion-forward sensibilities had a downside—Ginger had never been such a risk-taker with fashion.
She felt quite bare, especially given how vastly different the elegant gown was from her uniform.
“I’m happy to join you.” The smile on her mother’s face brightened.
Not her too.
How could she explain to her family that there was no hope of anything developing between her and William?
William had arranged for a driver. As Ginger climbed into the car, it occurred to her that William must have his own source of independent wealth. She knew nothing about his family or occupation. Perhaps a letter to her aunt or grandmother in England would be in order.
They started through the streets of Cairo and William turned from the front seat to look back at her.
“It’s been such an adventure here.” He held on to his hat.
“We went to the most remarkable souk today. It’s a pity you couldn’t join us.
Your mother and Lucy had to teach me to haggle, which I enjoyed immensely.
I can’t say I knew the true value of anything, but I bought a replica of a sarcophagus I plan to take back to England. It’s enormous.”
Ginger laughed lightly. “A replica of a sarcophagus? What on earth are you planning to do with that?” She could picture the horrified expressions on the faces of the servants at Penmore. Where would he put it? The foyer?
“I’m not sure yet.” William winked. “But I may tell my friends that it’s real and contains a mummy. That would be a riot, wouldn’t it?”
The scent of petrol filled Ginger’s nose.
As they approached the main road, the sights and sounds of Cairo gave her a strangely settled feeling, like home.
Street peddlers and beggars moved in the shadows.
Aromas of animals, dust, and cooking were strong.
Carts and carriages passed by on the street, drawn by both camels and horses, and street dogs darted between them, nosing for scraps in the trash that lay along the sides of the roads. Yet all of it was wonderfully familiar.
“Cairo is exciting. Have you been to the museum yet?” Ginger smiled, thinking of her own enthusiasm for the antiquities of Egypt when her family had arrived. “I nearly wanted to trade my nurse’s cape for a pith helmet after spending time amongst the mummies.”
“We may go tomorrow. If you’d like to come. Your mother tells me you had a penchant for reading books about Ancient Egypt before the war. You’d be a useful guide.” William gave her a hopeful look.
Ginger heard Lucy’s audible sigh beside her.
Thankfully, the noise from the crowded streets had likely made it impossible for William to hear.
“Unfortunately, I’m starting my work at a new hospital tomorrow.
It’s a bit of a different assignment, one that will allow me to come home after work—I’ll be working as an assistant for a female surgeon. ”
William nodded a few times. “Good. Very good. A female surgeon. That’s marvelous.”
“You think so?” Ginger furrowed her brow. She wasn’t accustomed to men who were supportive of the notion of female physicians. Even the army hadn’t known what to do with them.
“Oh, yes. There’s nothing quite so admirable as the women seeking to improve the circumstances of their sex.” William motioned toward her. “I think this war has proven how capable women are of assisting with roles such as those.”
“Goodness,” her mother said with a sparkle in her eye. “A man who supports Ginger’s wild ideas. What a notion. We can’t have two of you in the family.”
Ginger gritted her teeth. Her mother would think of it as something that would Ginger look at William favorably. She needed to tell Mama about Noah and soon. Disappointing her would be best done quickly.
But William had done her the favor of making a relatively easy segue into the conversation about medical school.
“As it so happens,” Ginger said, her heart rate speeding, “I’m thinking of attending medical school myself.
I’m preparing to send the inquiries to the London School of Medicine for Women soon. ”
Her mother and Lucy stared at her as though she’d gone mad. Her mother pressed her lips together, her face blanching. “Perhaps we should save that discussion for another time.”
“I think it would suit you well.” William’s smile offered Ginger encouragement. “Given your work the last few years, I’m certain you’d be admitted.”
Her mother’s green-eyed gaze pierced Ginger as they drew closer to the bustling boulevard between Shepheard’s and Ezbekieh Gardens. At this time of night, Shepheard’s was heaving with life as officers and ladies came out for the evening.
The driver stopped, then exited the car to hold the door for them.
Ginger wobbled on her heels, the pavement uneven, then thanked the driver.
She blinked toward the bright lights of the terrace.
The hotel terrace was as famous and popular among the officers and British colonial aristocracy as was the interior.
The rails to the balcony of the terrace flanked both sides of the enormous staircase that led to the main entrance.
Two large planters sat on each side of the staircase, and black iron-wrought railings decoratively edged the outer edge of the terrace.
Dragoman guides, wearing long dark robes and tall red fez hats, were posted on each side of the giant arched main door.
Ginger glided up the stairs, Lucy at her side.
“Admit it,” Lucy said with an eager smile. “You missed this.”
Ginger met her eyes, then grinned. “I missed this. There’s something about the energy of Shepheard’s that brings me back to happier days.”
They were ushered inside and soon found themselves seated at a table for dinner. Lucy’s eyes seemed to be anywhere but on the table as she searched for familiar faces. “Look,” she said to her mother, “the Wescotts are here. And Lady Lovelace.”
Names unfamiliar to Ginger. She exchanged a smile with William. “I’m afraid I won’t be any help to you at all in Cairo society. I’ve spent most of my time with the nursing units.”
William nodded toward the waiter as he offered them wine. “I’m glad to know I’m not the only one lost in the crowd. But I must ask you how you wish to be addressed—Lucy calls you Ginny, your mother Ginger, and I know your name is Virginia.”
“Ginger.” His question produced another smile. No one in her family took much time to consider what she wanted with her name. “My mother’s family always called me Ginger, as a tease at first, because of my hair. But I grew to love it.”
“Oh, look, Mama, it’s—” Then Lucy stopped short, and her gaze shot to Ginger. She froze, then lowered her hand. “Never mind.”
But Lucy’s reaction had piqued Ginger’s curiosity. She lifted her eyes in the direction Lucy had been looking.
Her heart nearly lurched to a stop.
On the other side of the room, Lord Helton was dining with his daughter, Victoria Everill. And seated with them was Noah.