The Flying Cavalier

by Gilbert, Morris

  “I brought you up here so that I could tell you that you’re the loveliest woman in the world, and that I’m falling in love with you.”

  He brought her around to face him with the strength of his left arm, and Noelle put her hand up on his shoulder. And then, high above the earth, higher than Noelle had ever imagined, Lieutenant Lance Winslow kissed her. Although the temperature was cold, his lips seemed warm by comparison and she lost all sense of time. She could only imagine what was in his heart, but she knew that her own was stirred as it had never been stirred by a man. For that one moment high above the earth Noelle Laurent knew deep in her heart she loved this man. He was a foreigner, and they were very different in many ways. Everything seemed against such a romance, but the love she felt was greater than the differences.

  Finally he removed his lips and laughed aloud. “You’re a woman who can disturb a man, Noelle. I’d better pay attention to what I’m doing or we’ll crash.” He made a sweeping circle, and as he lined up the plane with the field, he turned to her. “Are you angry?” he asked anxiously. He did not want anything to go wrong with this woman, and he watched her face, searching for some sign of regret.

  But Noelle suddenly reached out and struck him on the shoulder with a light blow. She laughed aloud and shook her head. “Some men,” she said, delight dancing in her eyes, “will do anything to get attention.”

  ****

  As soon as Noelle returned home, Danielle, of course, begged her sister to tell her all about her outing with Lieutenant Winslow. Finally, with some exasperation, Noelle told her about the air show and the airplane ride.

  “Oh, I wish I could have gone up!” Danielle said. “You have all the luck.”

  Danielle kept pressing for details until Noelle smiled, saying, “He kissed me when we were up in the airplane.”

  Danielle stared at her sister for a moment silently, then she bit her lip and abruptly left the room. As she went to her own room, she threw herself across her bed, and hot tears rose in her eyes. “Why couldn’t it be me?” she whispered, pressing her face against her pillow. “Why couldn’t I be the older sister?”

  CHAPTER THREE

  “If I Have You—I Have Everything!”

  Spring had finally come to Paris with a burst of almost furious energy. As May came to an end, the parks seemed to explode with bright blossoms, and the grass was so green it looked like a carpet of emeralds. In contrast to the dark political cloud that hung over England, the season had a halcyon quality to it that seemed to override the fears that abode in the hearts of so many.

  Danielle Laurent gazed out the window with a disconsolate air as Noelle and Lance got into a taxi. As the vehicle pulled away, she turned and complained, “Lance never spends any time with anyone but Noelle!”

  “Well, that’s only natural,” Katherine Laurent said mildly. She removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes, placing the embroidery in her lap. Studying her youngest daughter, she said, “They’re engaged, Dani. They need time to be alone.”

  “Well, it wouldn’t hurt Lance to pay a little attention to someone else! Just because they’re engaged doesn’t mean everybody else has dropped dead in the world!”

  “Don’t talk like that!”

  Danielle suddenly burst into tears and ran out of the parlor, leaving her mother to stare after her. “Something’s got to be done about that child,” she murmured aloud. She and Pierre had talked more than once about the unnatural obsession Danielle seemed to have for Lance Winslow. At first it had been mildly amusing, for Danielle had formed schoolgirl attachments to young men before. However, this time it was different. Her other attachments had been, for the most part, to famous men whose pictures she saw in periodicals and newspapers, mostly actors. But after Noelle and Lance had become engaged, both Katherine and Pierre had expected Danielle to pass through that stage. To their dismay, it had not gone away. In fact, it had gotten worse. Now Katherine bit her lip and thought, I’ve got to talk to Pierre. Dani’s moodiness is getting serious. I’ll be glad when Lance and Noelle get married and move to England.

  ****

  As usual, Lance had taken Noelle to the airport, where he had put on a pair of coveralls and allowed her to watch him as he worked with one of the mechanics tearing down an engine. As Noelle sat on a chair under the shade of the hangar, she was amused. It never occurs to Lance, she thought, that a woman might not be fascinated by watching an engine being disemboweled. Still there was affection with the thought, and she was content to be with him. Their engagement had happened rapidly, and her parents, to her relief, had approved of her marrying an Englishman. It would mean, of course, that she would be moving to England. There was a natural regret over that, but still they were very fond, indeed, of their daughter’s future husband.

  Her thoughts were interrupted as overhead an enormous dirigible floated over, its motors making a snarling sound. It seemed too large to fly, and she saw that it was a German craft. Lance had pointed them out to her more than once, for they seemed to be everywhere. Once he had told her, “The Germans are forging ahead. Mark what I tell you. One of these days those things will be dropping bombs and killing people.”

  Now as the dirigible settled down toward the earth, Noelle watched as men ran out, grabbed ropes, and anchored the monstrous aircraft. The canopy, which was suspended underneath, soon disgorged the pilot and crews. “Lance, do you really think those awful looking things will really become practical?” she asked.

  Looking up from a stubborn bolt that refused to become disengaged, Lance wiped his brow, leaving a black mark on his forehead. The perspiration flowed down, and his hair was matted. Casting his eyes over to the airship, he said, “They already are. Those things are all over Europe. Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin talks about what great passenger ships they’ll be, and they’ve flown great distances already. Why, I saw a poster the other day with a map showing their stops. Just like a train.”

  “Well, that would be good, wouldn’t it?”

  Standing to his feet, Lance came over to stand beside where Noelle was seated. She looked cool and very pretty, but his thoughts were on the massive craft that was being tethered. “I can see one thing,” he said soberly. “How big a bomb do you think this airplane would carry?” He motioned toward the frail airplane from which the engine had been removed.

  “Why, I don’t have any idea.”

  “Maybe a hundred pounds, but look at that Zeppelin. Why, it could carry plenty of bombs, and as far as hitting something, look how easy it would be, Noelle. That thing can hover in air just like a hummingbird! Just imagine if it came over Buckingham Palace. Why, the king wouldn’t have a chance!”

  “Do you really think that will happen, Lance?”

  “I think it might,” he said quietly. “I’ve been talking to some of the German mechanics. They’re going full speed at developing military aircraft of all kinds.” He shook his head, and disgust showed on his lean face. “And we’re doing nothing in England and France.”

  “France had better come up with some fighting aircraft because my country is so far behind, I don’t think we’ll ever catch up.”

  For a time Lance went back to working on his engine. Finally, when he had helped the mechanic install it back into the craft, he came over to Noelle, wiping his hands on a dirty rag. “Let me clean up,” he said, “and we’ll go get something to eat.”

  An hour later they were at a sidewalk café on the Champs Elysées. They were both hungry and ordered a large luncheon. “Do you miss English cooking?” Noelle asked.

  “Yes, I do, although everyone says French cooking is the best in the world. I guess,” he grinned, “I just would like to have some plain old English roast beef.”

  “I’ll have to learn to cook all over again. Not that I can cook much anyway. Marie does most of that.”

  Reaching over, Lance took Noelle’s hand. “You’ll be a wonderful cook,” he said. “Everything you do is wonderful.”

  “Little you know! Except for a cake or
two, I’ve never fixed anything for you!”

  “I’ll eat it no matter if it’s burned to a crisp.”

  For a time they sat there enjoying the mild breeze that stirred occasionally, and finally Lance said, “I have news for you. I got a letter this morning from headquarters.” He looked at her and turned his head to one side. “I don’t know whether you’ll like it or not.”

  “What is it, Lance?”

  “I’ll be leaving here soon. I have to return to my station.”

  “Oh, Lance, do you have to go?”

  “There’s a civilian speaking,” he smiled broadly. “Of course I have to go. Orders are orders.”

  “Then we’ll have to be married at once. When do you have to leave?”

  Lance stared at her and shook his head with admiration. “I wanted to ask you, but it seemed to be rushing it. I’ve only got two weeks.”

  “Two weeks is enough. We’ll have a June wedding.”

  “June is a good month for weddings,” Lance said. He had learned to love this girl more than he had thought possible. At times the intensity of his feelings for her almost frightened him. He had learned to control fear in the air and was a man of steadfast character. Still, just the thought of losing her sent a cold chill down his spine. He held her hand then and said, “There’s no one like you, Noelle.”

  “Oh, there are plenty like me.”

  “No. You’re the only one for me. I could never love anyone else.”

  “I like to hear that, and you must tell me often.”

  “It’s true enough.” He squeezed her hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed it. “If I have you,” he said quietly, “I have everything.”

  Noelle reached out and put her hand on his cheek. “You have your moments, Lance Winslow,” she murmured. “Indeed, you have your moments!”

  ****

  The Laurent household turned into a hive of furious activity. Katherine Laurent, like all mothers, wanted to have a very formal wedding, but the shortness of time limited them somewhat. Nevertheless, by the time June 2 came, all the arrangements had been made. On the day before the wedding, Lance came for a final visit. He was wearing a freshly tailored uniform, and as he stood before his future mother-in-law, he said, “I wish I could wear one of those fancy wedding suits that I see in the society pages, but I didn’t think I should spend the money.”

  “Of course you shouldn’t, Lance,” Katherine said. She came over and stood before her tall soon-to-be son-in-law, looking up at him. “You look very handsome in your uniform. All of Noelle’s girlfriends are going to be alive with envy.”

  “Well, I’ve worried about one thing, Katherine. I’ll never be a rich man. You understand that.”

  “You’ll be a general one day. I’m sure of it.” Katherine smiled and patted his arm. “In any case, I wanted to tell you how fond Pierre and I are of you. Noelle couldn’t have picked a better husband.”

  A warm feeling washed through Lance and he reached out and hugged Katherine. “It’s good of you to say that,” he whispered. “I’ll do my best to make her happy.”

  At that moment Danielle came in, and she stopped abruptly upon seeing Lance. “Hello,” she said in a small voice.

  “Why, hello, young lady.” Lance went over and stood before her. “All ready to be the bridesmaid tomorrow?”

  “Yes.”

  Lance gave a quick look at the face of the young girl. Usually Danielle was cheerful and full of life, but there was a lackluster quality about her today. “Hey, tomorrow’s my wedding day. You’ve got to cheer up. It’s the bride who is supposed to be nervous!”

  Danielle did not answer. She hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked away without another word.

  “What’s wrong with her? Is she sick?” Lance asked with surprise.

  “You don’t know?”

  “Know what?”

  “Oh, she’s got one of those schoolgirl affections for you. What do they call it? A crush.”

  Surprise caused Lance to blink. “Why, that’s not possible!”

  “Possible. It’s not only possible, it’s so. If you were French, you would have seen it a long time ago.”

  “Why, Katherine, it’s ridiculous. She’s just a child!”

  “No. She’s not just a child,” Katherine said, and her lips drew together in a tight line. “She’s halfway between being a girl and a woman, and now the woman in her has taken over. Pierre and I have been very concerned about it. So has Noelle. She’s never mentioned it to you?”

  “Never said a word.” Lance was thoroughly shocked. “But surely it will pass away.”

  “Of course it will. We had just hoped it would be before now. But, as you say, it will pass away. Don’t let a foolish young girl’s impossible dreams spoil your wedding day. You’ll have a daughter of your own one of these days. Just remember they can be very foolish.”

  Later on Lance spoke to Noelle about Danielle. “Your mother tells me that Danielle’s behaving rather foolishly.”

  Quickly Noelle looked up at Lance. “Yes, she is,” she said. “She’s always been impulsive. It’s not the first infatuation she’s had. Don’t worry about it.”

  But Lance was looking closely at Noelle. “You’re worried about it. I can tell.”

  “Well, a little bit.”

  “Did you ever have one of those things? Crushes.”

  “Oh, half a dozen, but I got over them very quickly, and so will Danielle.” Forcing herself to smile, she reached up and pulled his head down and kissed him. “There, that’s the last kiss you get until after we’re married.”

  “And what about afterward?” Lance teased her.

  “That will depend on how good you are. Now go.”

  ****

  Even with such little time to plan, Katherine Laurent managed to give her daughter Noelle a beautiful wedding.

  As Lance stood in the front of the church and watched Noelle come down the aisle, he thought, There’s no other woman in the world like her. And as she came to stand beside him, he smiled and received her smile in return. Then they both gave their vows, and afterward when he kissed her, he said, “If I have you, I have everything.”

  It was something he often said to her. He had first said it that day at the airport when they had seen the German Zeppelin, and it had become very precious to Noelle. As they turned and went out of the church, she caught one glimpse of Danielle’s face and for a moment allowed herself to become disturbed. Then she thought, Lord, you’ll have to take care of my sister. I’ve got a husband now, and he’s going to get the best I’ve got to give him.

  That afternoon they boarded the steamship that would mark the beginning of their honeymoon trip. Lance had requested extra leave and planned a tour through England and Scotland to see his mother.

  That night as Noelle was lying in the bed, Lance came to her, took her in his arms, and said, “You may get tired of hearing this, Noelle, but I love you probably more than a man should love a woman.”

  Noelle was wearing a gleaming white satin gown, and as he lay beside her, she felt a glow of possession. “How could a man love a woman too much?”

  “I don’t know,” he said. He kissed her and then whispered, “If I have you, I have everything.”

  Noelle returned his kiss and then put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Tears came to her eyes, and she whispered, “I hope you’ll always feel that way, sweetheart.”

  ****

  The honeymoon was wonderful, and when it was over, Lance and Noelle knew that their love was everything they had hoped it would be. They treasured each other’s company more than they could imagine. Neither had ever been so at home with a human being, and more than once Noelle would stop and say, “Lord, you have given me just the husband I needed, and I thank you for it.”

  They had settled down in a small apartment in Hastings, and Noelle had at once set about becoming an English house-wife. Sometimes Lance was gone for several days and he was rising in importance in the service.
Noelle learned to cook and spent much time at the fish markets down on the coast and in the greengrocers’ shops. She became a regular customer, and was greeted warmly by the English shopkeepers and fishermen.

  They enjoyed their time on the weekends, and when Lance could squeeze out some days off, they went on short trips throughout the countryside. Once Noelle said, “I believe I’m seeing more of your country than I ever saw of mine.”

  One day in July Lance came running in, his eyes bright with excitement. “It’s happened!” he cried. Picking Noelle up, he swung her in a wide circle.

  Almost breathless, Noelle demanded, “What is it? What’s happened?”

  “It’s Blériot. You remember the pilot we met on our first outing?”

  “Certainly I remember Monsieur Blériot.”

  “Well, he’s done it! He’s crossed the Channel! The first man to fly across the English Channel.”

  “Oh, how exciting! Did you get to see him?”

  “See him! I was there when he landed! England’s going crazy.”

  “What does it all mean, Lance?”

  “It means, for one thing,” Lance said soberly, “that England’s protection is gone.”

  “Her protection?”

  “Yes. Up until now we were in a fortress here. We could only be attacked by ships, but now planes can leave France and attack us from the Continent.” His jaw grew hard and he nodded. “That means we have to have airplanes that can fight them off, and soon, I’m afraid.”

  Lance was so excited about Blériot’s success, he insisted they both go and congratulate him at once. It took some doing, but Lance used his influence, and they were able to meet with the newly famous pilot. Blériot smiled at once when being introduced and shook his head. “Ah, you think I would forget such a lovely lady? I remember you well, madame.”

  “Congratulations, Monsieur Blériot. I’m very proud of you, as is all of France.”

  “And England as well, Louis,” Lance said.

  The two had a short visit with the pilot, then he was soon dragged off by the powers that be to receive proper accolades.