Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Dr. Jane Radford wasn’t at all what Ginger had expected.
To begin with, she was only a few years older than Ginger. With auburn hair and an aquiline nose, she was rather pretty, though she had a look of skepticism that seemed to live permanently in her tall forehead.
Best of all, she was friendly.
“A woman in intelligence,” Dr. Radford said, as they made their way through the hospital corridor. “I’ve heard of them but never met any.”
“I could say the same about women surgeons.” Ginger smoothed the starched white apron of her uniform. She’d removed the famous QA red cape and insignias, but in the absence of knowing what to wear, her uniform had seemed the best option. “I hope I dressed appropriately.”
Dr. Radford smiled. “The RAMC hasn’t known what to do with us women physicians either. Or our uniforms. We’ve been fighting battle after battle with them since this damned war began.” Then she blushed. “Excuse me. You’ll find I’ve unintentionally adopted some of the language of the troops.”
Ginger laughed. “I did the same. Especially when I was out in the clearing stations. My mother nearly fainted upon hearing me when I came home for leave one time.”
Giving a throaty appreciative murmur, Dr. Radford’s hazel eyes glinted. “I like you already, Sister Whitman.” She paused in front of a door and turned the knob to reveal her office. Ginger followed her inside.
“I asked Peter Osborne to give me your file. I must admit, I was intrigued by it. You may be the first nurse I’ve stumbled across that has sections of her file redacted.
” Dr. Radford sat at her desk and invited Ginger to take the seat opposite her.
“As far as your credentials go, I’m impressed.
And I’m rather looking forward to having a nurse working directly for me instead of another organization. ”
Until now, Ginger had given little thought to that opportunity. Working for Dr. Radford directly might give her a freedom she’d never experienced. And she appeared to be young, motivated, and possibly even a bit of a rebel.
“I’m excited for this also. Especially because I’ve dreamed of going to medical school myself and it’s lovely to have someone I can speak to who’s experienced it.”
“It feels ages ago now.” Dr. Radford rifled through some papers on her desk. “When I finished in 1912, I thought I’d have a small country clinic. I never expected the adventure I’ve been on.”
“Yes, I can imagine.” Dr. Radford had two framed portraits on her desk. One of an older couple Ginger assumed to be her parents. The other was of a soldier.
Dr. Radford followed Ginger’s gaze. “My brother. Killed at the Marne.” Her face sobered.
“He’s the reason I offered my services to the RAMC.
He was so glad to take up arms and do his bit—didn’t even make it out of the first month of the war.
” Her voice trembled. “When I think of the entire generation of men this war has cost us, it makes me want to scream. They could have been scientists, philosophers, poets, statesmen. All that might have been if not for the ambitions of men drunk on power who simply saw their soldiers as expendable.”
Silence hung between them.
Ginger agreed with her, but she’d rarely met women so willing to speak their minds freely and honestly.
In some ways she reminded Ginger of her friend from nursing for so many years, Beatrice Thornton.
When Beatrice had sailed for France recently, Ginger hadn’t expected to hear from her.
Her letter of good-bye had brought tears to her eyes and made Ginger feel more alone than ever.
The events of the previous spring had done irreparable damage to their friendship.
Dr. Radford cleared her throat and gave a feeble smile. “Pardon me. I have the tendency to get carried away.”
“No, I agree wholeheartedly.” Ginger sighed, settling back against her chair. “The situation in Egypt is no less complex. Are you familiar with the local politics?”
“Not very.” Dr. Radford adjusted a pin in the tight chignon at the back of her head. “But, I’ve only recently arrived from Malta. Which was wonderful. I adored it there. But the hospitals are closing all over the island, and the army said they had need of me here, so here I am.”
Before their conversation could continue, a knock sounded on the door. “Come in,” Dr. Radford called.
The door opened and Mr. Osborne came inside. Ginger stood, and he waved her back down again. “No need, no need. I’m only dropping in to see how the morning is going.”
Dr. Radford gave Osborne a beaming smile. “She’s wonderful, just as you said she would be.”
Osborne seemed to shift uncomfortably, his neck reddening. He didn’t meet Ginger’s gaze. “Excellent. Remember, her schedule is to be as flexible as possible when necessary. And, Lady Virginia—” He halted, then glanced at Dr. Radford.
Dr. Radford looked between the two of them, then stood abruptly. “Why don’t I give you a chance to speak in private?”
As the door clicked shut, Osborne rested his weight against the desk. Ginger sensed that he planned to bring up Noah. It would be better to be up front rather than appear to be concealing anything from him.
Ginger sat straighter. “I wanted to tell you I saw Colonel Benson last night, as it so happens. I assume he’ll be returning to the front soon? If he’s to be in Cairo, there’s a chance our paths may cross from time to time. I didn’t want you to think I’d been dishonest with you yesterday.”
“Yes, Lord Helton mentioned the encounter.” Osborne’s grey eyes gave nothing away.
“As it so happens, Colonel Benson has been granted some medical leave. He suffered a minor head injury while out at the front. But, between us, I think his motives are suspect.” He clasped his hands, his brow furrowing. “How well do you know Colonel Benson?”
“Not very well.” A pang of guilt went through her, but it couldn’t be helped. “But we are friendly.”
Osborne studied her and she shifted under the weight of his scrutiny.
“It occurs to me, Lady Virginia, that Colonel Benson may be a superb source of information about that concession. His intelligence report made us aware of it. Lord Helton wouldn’t want me to ask this of you but if you can speak to the colonel, see what you can find out about how he learned of it. ”
She held back an ironic laugh. He wanted her to question Noah? “He’s not likely to share that information with me, Mr. Osborne.”
“Isn’t he? I’d heard he was quite taken with you—even to the point of sharing information he shouldn’t have in the past.” Osborne gave her a pointed look.
Ginger felt herself tense, but he offered a kind smile.
“Come now, Lady Virginia. I know about your history with him. The man is in love with you. And while you claim to no longer share that interest, I think some encouragement on your part may do the trick should you want information on the concession.”
Ginger’s pulse increased. “But I told Lord Helton I would stay away from Colonel Benson, sir.” Just what was he suggesting?
Osborne chuckled. “What you don’t want Lord Helton to know, I won’t share.
We have a mutual goal: learn about the concession.
My rules about the methods you use to find it are less particular.
You work directly for me. And Lord Helton lets Colonel Benson get away with unscrupulous, possibly treasonous, behavior.
Why not see if we can’t take advantage of that? ”
It wasn’t the first time Osborne had implied that Noah was less than loyal to the Crown. “Frankly, Mr. Osborne, I’m surprised that you seem to distrust Colonel Benson.”
Osborne’s lips twisted below his moustache.
“I know—his record seems impeccable on the surface. It’s what’s under that which concerns me.
There’s a group of men in the intelligence world who lately have grown more vocal with their criticisms of the British policies with our colonies.
Colonel Benson is among them. And when I investigated him—”
Osborne stopped short, as though he realized she may not be the best person to entrust with his suspicions.
Osborne’s eyes locked with hers. Only the ticking of a nearby clock on a shelf sounded.
Then, he straightened. “Very well. For now, I’ll come speak to you here in the mornings.
This afternoon, I’ll expect you’ll need the time to acquaint yourself with the hospital.
But you’ll be free to go each day at noon from here, which should give you the time to attend to the matter we’ve hired you for.
You can ring me at the Savoy if necessary.
Thank you for your cooperation with this.
His Majesty’s government is grateful for loyal citizens. ”
As grateful as they were for the contributions of men like Noah? Ginger frowned as he left her. The more she thought about it, the more absurd it seemed that he should have any concern about Noah’s loyalty. Noah had sacrificed himself in so many ways throughout the years.
She lifted her head as Dr. Radford breezed back into the office. “Ready to begin the day?” The doctor gave her a bright smile. “I have a full schedule.”
Ginger stood. She hadn’t been away from nursing long enough to miss it, but now that she’d met Dr. Radford, she felt excited. “I’m ready.”
They headed out of the office. “Has anyone ever trained you in anesthesia, Sister Whitman?”
“I wish it had been possible. I had studied it, but then the RAMC strictly forbade it for all English and Australian nurses. A few New Zealander nurses were able to proceed with studying and practicing it though.”
Dr. Radford’s eyes sparkled. “Strictly speaking, I don’t think you’re employed directly by the RAMC anymore, are you? Why don’t we give you some materials to study?”
A thrill rose within her. Working with Dr. Radford might be her favorite assignment yet. If Ginger truly wanted to be a physician, this might be the start.