Page 26 of Sands of Sirocco
What is he doing here?
Lord Helton’s hair had been silver from the time she’d met him, but something in his appearance looked older.His job in intelligence couldn’t be a peaceful one.
“Ah, Lady Virginia.How good of you to join us.”He didn’t emerge from behind the desk, gesturing to the two chairs in front of it.“Do be seated.”
As she settled herself in the chair, the door clicked shut and Osborne took the chair opposite her.Lord Helton studied her, then pulled out a file and set it squarely in front of him.
She’d never imagined working with Lord Helton—he seemed to detest her.He opened the file and sat, adjusting his spectacles.“And your family?I trust they are well?”
“As well as can be expected.They’d recently come back to Cairo with the new Lord Braddock, William Thorne.”Politeness dictated that she should inquire about his daughter, Victoria, but Ginger didn’t.She wasn’t interested in Lord Helton’s snobbish daughter, who had made clear her dislike for Ginger.Victoria resented Ginger for having won Noah’s attentions.
“That’s very interesting.I’ll have to call.”Lord Helton nodded toward Mr.Osborne, as though giving him the reins to the conversation.
Osborne leaned forward.“I’ve brought Lord Helton up to speed with what we discussed in Alexandria.While it’s regrettable that you won’t be able to work with the QAs anymore, we have found you a post assisting a female surgeon in a local hospital—a Dr.Jane Radford.I don’t suppose you’re acquainted with her?”
She stifled a chuckle.As though she’d be acquainted with every doctor.His comment was oddly sweet and endearing, though.“No, I can’t say I am.”
“She’s a fine woman.”Osborne handed her an envelope.“She’s expecting you tomorrow.I don’t know what your duties will be specifically, but it will serve as the reason you shall provide to anyone who inquires why you’re in Cairo.Dr.Radford is well aware that you may need more flexibility to your schedule than others.”
Ginger set the envelope in her lap.She tried to keep her knee from bouncing, but she could do nothing about the fluttery nerves in her stomach.
Osborne lifted a wooden case from the desk.“We’re also issuing you a service revolver.”He opened the case to reveal the weapon nestled inside.“You likely won’t need to use this, but we’d like you to have it all the same.”
She blinked at the gun.She’d sworn to herself she would never touch another gun again.Not after the last time.She tightly clasped the fingers of one hand in the other.
If she’d never picked up that gun, Henry would be alive.
But Noah would be dead.
The case clicked shut.“Thank you.”
Osborne’s facial features sobered.“Now, as to the finer details.I hate to reiterate the facts I mentioned to you in Alexandria, but I feel I must.Whatever we discuss here cannot leave this room, you understand?”
Even though she had never wanted to become involved in the world of intelligence again, the jittery feeling in her legs betrayed her underlying excitement.“I understand.”
Rising from his seat, Osborne stood and crossed the room for a water pitcher and two glasses.He placed one in front of Ginger and poured some water for her, then for himself.Taking a sip, he remained standing and said, “One of our officers had a brief romantic relationship with you last spring, yes?While he was on an assignment involving your father?”
Ginger shifted in her seat under the weight of Lord Helton’s gaze.She couldn’t deny it with Lord Helton here.Heat rose on her cheeks.What did Mr.Osborne want to know?“What of it, sir?”
“I’ll come right to the point.I understand you have had no contact with Colonel Benson since that time, correct?”Osborne’s grey eyes seemed to pierce her own, as though he could find the answer he sought there.She glanced away, feeling exposed.
She’d made a promise to stay away from Noah.And while Noah claimed he’d never agreed not to see her, he’d told her Lord Helton had done his best to prevent their meeting.
Noah’s ring weighed heavily on her finger.Would they know he’d given it to her?She kept her face blank.“No, I haven’t attempted to communicate with him.”A lie of omission rather than an outright one would have to do.
“Very good.”Osborne hesitated, then his voice softened, as though he hated to make her uncomfortable.“And do you intend to resume that relationship with Colonel Benson in the future?”
Lord Helton’s look was disdainful.“Were you to resume a romantic relationship with Colonel Benson, you’d be not only violating our prior agreement but also putting your reputation into question.You and the colonel were scandalously linked in the papers.I doubt the matter has been forgotten.”
“Yes, thank you, Lord Helton.”Any guilt she felt for lying to him evaporated.“I hardly need the reminder.And I can assure you the colonel and I have nothing to do with each other.”
Osborne grimaced.“Not to worry, Lady Virginia.I believe you.And while Lord Helton sings Colonel Benson’s praises, I’m convinced of your innocence in the matter.Your reputation”—he gave Lord Helton a firm look—“is not at risk.I’ve investigated Colonel Benson and worry that he may not have the best interests of the British Empire at heart.But you’re an entirely different matter to him.”
What?She absorbed Osborne’s words with an outward sense of calm that didn’t match the confusion in her mind.
She didn’t believe it.
Noah would never betray the British.A feeling of déjà vu washed over her, from when she’d been less than certain of Noah’s loyalties.
