“You’re determined to go?”
“Yes. I don’t want to be separated from Steve again. There has been too much of that in our lives, and I won’t risk our futures any longer. We have children. We have to forge a life together now, before it’s too late.”
“I see. Well, I cannot say I’m happy to hear that you’re going into a country seething with revolution, but I know the futility of trying to stop you from doing what you’ve set out to do.” His mouth twisted into a wry smile. “It’s never worked before, and I’m certain would be a waste of my time now to try to convince you otherwise.”
“Steve has diplomatic immunity. I do not anticipate any problems that can’t be safely resolved.”
“Perhaps. I assume Don Francisco is aware of your intentions?”
She bit her lip, uncertainty obvious, for her father gave a shake of his head. “Ah, Virginia. At least inform him of your plans before you arrive. He should be made aware.”
“Oh, I’m sure Steve has taken care of all the details. He usually does.”
“Yes, he does have a nasty habit of tying up loose ends—even those that should remain untied.”
Another silence fell, brief and pregnant with meanings that Ginny sensed were not meant for her to know.
She started to ask, but then her father said, “I would never do anything to hurt you. I’m sure you know that. Just be careful while in Mexico. Promise me that.”
“I promise. And I know you never mean to hurt me, just as I’ve never meant to hurt you.”
“Yes.” He struggled to his feet and grabbed his silver-headed cane in one hand, using it to propel himself to her side. A faint smile curved his mouth as he reached out to touch a stray copper tendril that dangled against her cheek. “You look so very much like your mother, yet you’re much stronger than Genevieve. You have all her goodness inside you, but I think you have learned my strength of purpose. Remember that. As long as you depend upon yourself, nothing can destroy you.”
“You sound as if I’ll be traveling to the mouth of hell instead of to a familiar home. Have you forgotten my time in Mexico City? In Orizaba?”
“No, of course not.” His hand shifted to lay on her shoulder, a warm, heavy weight. “But places change. People change. Goals change. I just want you to be prepared for whatever may happen.”
“Don’t you think I know better than most how things change? God, when I think of all that’s happened to me in the last ten years—But that’s not what we’re discussing, is it? No, I feel as if I’m being warned. What is it? What are you saying to me? Be frank. I’m not a politician, and I don’t like having to read between the lines. If you have something to say to me, for the love of God, say it!”
“Ah, Virginia, Virginia—you make it so difficult. No, my child, I’m not trying to warn you of anything, save your own impetuous nature.”
“Are you not? It seems as if you are.”
“Perhaps you aren’t aware of the political situation, not just in Mexico, but in the United States. The scandal of the Whiskey Ring is still a sharp memory in most minds, and even though Babcock was acquitted of conspiracy to defraud the Federal government of liquor taxes, the taint on him, as well as those connected with him, remains. President Grant may have intervened on behalf of his secretary, but too many people believe that the Whiskey Ring is part of a plot to finance the Republican party by fraud. It’s not easy getting bills through Congress or to earn public approval. My influence is not what it once was, I fear, should you find yourself in need of it.”
Ginny frowned as the senator turned away to stump back to his chair and sink down into it again with a muffled sigh of pain. Despite his seeming fragility of health, an aura of strength emanated from him, an indomitable will. She moved to stand close to his chair, studying him in the revealing light through the window. “Is that why you’re so worried lately? Were you involved?”
“Really, Virginia, what kind of question is that!”
“One that needs an answer. You’re right when you say I haven’t kept up with American politics. I’ve been gone so long that it hasn’t mattered to me. But now I find myself wondering if your concern for my safety has anything to do with more of your plots. I haven’t forgotten how you used me and Sonya to disguise the shipment of gold you were sending to Maximilian. I was such a fool. It all seemed so exciting and romantic. Poor Max. It wouldn’t have helped him in the end anyway. But you never thought of my safety then.”
“You’re wrong,” the senator said testily, and thumped the end of his silver-headed cane against the floor. “If not for Steve Morgan, you would have been perfectly safe. He did more damage by abducting you than he did by taking my gold.”
She couldn’t refute that. Ginny gazed down at her father for a long moment, then asked softly, “Were you more worried about me, or about the gold he took?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Virginia. You’ve always been worth more to me than any amount of gold.”
It was a facile reassurance, made with the aplomb of a politician, but lacking in sincerity. Brandon didn’t meet her eyes, but kept his face stubbornly averted.
Ginny didn’t stay much longer. When she left, she bade him farewell and gave him a perfunctory kiss, then called for her escort to bring her mount.
“Must you leave so soon, Ginny?” Sonya looked worried. “I would feel better if you would allow me to send Franklin with you as an additional escort.”
“Girard is quite
