It was true that the senator had lost a great deal of money after the men working his mines were freed. Díaz had bowed to public opinion—shrewdly surmising that it would cost him little in actual silver and benefit him greatly with the citizens—and proclaimed that foreign employers must pay each man a fair wage for his work. Profits would be drastically cut under such a measure, and some investors had pulled out of Mexico.

It seemed counterproductive when Díaz was attempting to lure foreign business to the country, but Steve had said dryly that, behind the closed doors of the presidential palace, deals were being made that would increase foreign profits but also put harsh burdens on the citizens.

“Senator Brandon just happened to get on the wrong side of el presidente, or he’d be getting his share of the take. I wonder how much good I did shutting him down. He’s liable to be replaced by someone much worse.”

To Ginny, already troubled and saddened to learn that the man she’d always considered her father was so pitiless, it had seemed grossly unjust that more innocent people would suffer because of greed. Despite that, she had been unable to stifle a feeling of pity for the senator. He’d looked so old and weary, a bitter, defeated man.

Now she felt nothing but revulsion for him. How could he be so cruel?

Steve returned to the hotel just before dark. Ginny met him at the door of their suite in her dressing gown.

“Sonya told me that my father sent for the children! They are probably halfway here by now.”

Blue eyes caught and held hers, his tone grim as he said, “The ship carrying our children from London docked in Galveston three days ago. We probably passed them in the Gulf.”

“You knew.”

“Not until about two hours ago when I received a reply from your cousin Pierre. His cable expressed dismay that we had not authorized the children’s journey.”

Ginny stared at him. “Three days. Where are they? Oh God, where could they be?”

“I have some men working on it. Stay calm, Ginny. I don’t need female hysterics right now.”

His cold tone was like a dash of icy water in her face, and she recoiled. “I’m not hysterical, just frightened, and I would think you’d understand that.”

“I do. Believe me, I do. But this doesn’t help.”

Steve raked a hand through his dark hair, and Ginny caught a glimpse of silver threads among the black strands. It was hard on him, too, she realized, and took a deep breath to stem the flow of protests.

“Yes, you’re right, Steve. When do we leave?”

A faint smile crooked his mouth. “I’ve arranged passage on a ship leaving for Galveston in the morning.”

“This is going to be a long night.”