by CW Browning
“Never mind,” Evelyn said, standing and holding her hand out to him. “Come dance with me and make me forget about it.”
Miles grinned and pushed his chair back. “How do you know I dance?”
She raised an eyebrow and twinkled up at him. “Women’s intuition.”
“And is that ever wrong?” he asked, taking her hand.
“We’re about to find out.”
The figure moved carefully through the pitch black streets, murmuring apologies as he bumped into others in the darkness. The blackout really was a nuisance. By law, there could be no light at all after nightfall. Thick black curtains shrouded windows in businesses and homes alike, and street lamps were doused. Even headlights on cars were covered to direct their beams downward so as to minimize light as much as possible.
It fell to the neighborhood wardens to enforce the strict blackout, and they did so with enthusiasm, checking each window for even the minutest gleam of light. The result was that moving around in London was decidedly tricky after dark, and the rate of accidental deaths had skyrocketed as people were hit by cars or fell and injured themselves in the darkness. If something wasn’t done soon, there would be no need for the Germans to attack England. The blackout would take care of it for them.
With that thought, the figure looked both ways before jogging across a side street and going towards a telephone box on the other side. He opened the door and stepped inside, closing it firmly behind him. Picking up the receiver, he unscrewed the mouthpiece. It came away easily and he tipped the handset over his other hand. A rolled strip of microfilm dropped into his hand and he quickly replaced the mouthpiece before tucking the film into the inside pocket of his coat. Replacing the receiver in its cradle, he turned to leave the booth, closing the door again behind him. By the pre-arranged signal, if the door was left open, it meant that he had left something in turn to be picked up. By closing the door, he signaled that he needed more time. As the man walked away from the booth and headed to the corner of the dark street, his lips thinned into a line. His handler would be unhappy with the delay, but there was really no help for it.
When Robert Ainsworth had unceremoniously passed away in Bern, he hadn’t had the package with him. If he had, the man would have not only heard about it, but would have it in his possession. Not surprising, really. It wasn’t the sort of thing one would carry when traipsing across Europe in the twilight of another bloody war. It was far too dangerous. No. Robert had undoubtedly left it at his home in Lancashire, and that was where he would find it. The problem was retrieving it. His attempt yesterday had been a useless exercise. He would have to try again, and that meant his associates would have to wait.
The man crossed the road and turned down another street, heading towards Waterloo Station. He wasn’t worried about finding the package; he had no doubt that he would. What concerned him was that in doing so, the likelihood of his being uncovered increased ten-fold. Right now, he was above suspicion in all respects. That wouldn’t last if he continued to poke around in Robert Ainsworth’s affairs.
His lips tightened and he buried his hands in his coat pockets. There had already been a round-up of the others. They’d been uncovered and detained practically as soon as war was declared. The only thing that saved his own identity was his strict insistence that no one ever knew of his existence. In the beginning, his superiors had thought him overly cautious. In light of the recent arrests, however, they had been forced to admit that he had been right to keep himself firmly in the shadows. Now he was the only one left.
And he had no intention of being caught.
Chapter Five
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Evelyn lifted a hand to shade her eyes from the sun and peered across the south lawn at the driveway in the distance. A black, low-slung Lagonda was speeding towards the house and she felt her pulse give a little leap. Rob was back from collecting Miles at the train station.
“Your Tante Adele seems to be recovering from her bout with influenza,” her mother said, looking up from a letter in her hand. “She writes that they hope to be able to travel soon and come to visit.”
“Oh good!” Evelyn turned her eyes to her mother. “That will be nice company for you. How are Gisele and Nicolas?”
“Fine. Up to their usual pranks, I gather.” Her mother folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope. “I do wish they had been able to make it to the funeral.”
“They could hardly travel when she was so ill. At least they will be visiting soon.”
“Yes, but you and Robbie will have returned to your stations.” She sighed. “I don’t know what I’ll do when you leave. How will I keep myself busy?”
Evelyn reached across the table and squeezed her mother’s hand, a gentle breeze blowing a long strand of hair into her eyes.
“You’ll manage, I’m sure. Have you heard from Auntie Agatha? I thought she was considering coming to stay with you for a few months.”
“I haven’t had a letter from her yet, but you know your aunt. I’ll receive the letter a day before she arrives.” Mrs. Ainsworth set aside her correspondence. “Isn’t there any possibility of your getting assigned to a posting closer to home?”
“We’ve been over this, Mum. I can’t change stations just yet. Perhaps after Christmas I can apply for something closer.”
Before Mrs. Ainsworth could reply, the butler emerged from the house, stepping onto the flagged stone patio and clearing his throat.
“Mr. Mansbridge, ma’am,” he announced.
Evelyn looked up in surprise as a tall, dark haired man dressed in a charcoal gray suit followed the butler outside.
“Stephen!” Mrs. Ainsworth exclaimed, standing and moving forward to greet him. “What a surprise!”
“Hallo! I’ve come with my tail between my legs to beg your forgiveness for missing the funeral the other day,” Stephen Mansbridge said, taking her hands in a light clasp. “I couldn’t get away from London. I’m so very sorry.”
“I understand,” she said with a smile. “Your mother explained everything. Come, have a seat. Can I offer you tea?”
“Thank you.” Stephen followed her to the table and smiled warmly at Evelyn. “Hello, Evie. How are you holding up?”
“As well as can be expected, I suppose,” she replied, taking his outstretched hand. “Did you come on the train?”
“No, I drove up. I’m on my way to Wales.” Stephen seated himself next to her. “Is Rob still on leave, or has he returned to his Spitfire already?”
“He’s still here. He’s just gone to the station to pick up a friend of his,” Mrs. Ainsworth said. “He’ll be returning to Duxford tomorrow.”
“He’s actually just arrived back,” Evelyn said. “I saw the car drive up.”
“Jolly good, I’ll see him after all. I was afraid I’d miss him.” He looked from one woman to the other. “How was the funeral? Were you inundated with all the distant relatives you’d forgotten about?”
Evelyn couldn’t repress the chuckle that bubbled up.
“How did you know?” she demanded.
“Call it a hunch,” he said with a grin.
“Now Evelyn, don’t be impertinent,” Mrs. Ainsworth admonished. “It was kind of them to come.”
“I’m sorry, Mum. Of course it was.” Evelyn smiled sheepishly.
“I am sorry I couldn’t make it up,” Stephen said. “I did try. If there was any way I could have been here for you, Evelyn, you know that I would have.”
“Is that Stephen Mansbridge I hear?” a voice called from the other side of the patio.
They turned to watch as Rob rounded the corner of the house with Miles close behind. Evelyn caught her breath as her pulse leapt again at the sight of the tall, handsome pilot with her brother. Good grief. Why couldn’t she get a hold of herself when she saw him? He was just a man, after all. A very good-looking man, but just a man.
“Good Lord, it is!” Rob crowed, vaulting over the low balustrade that encircled the patio. “I haven’t seen you in what seems like years! How are you?”
“Robbie!” His mother exclaimed in exasperation. “Really! There’s an entrance right over there!”
Stephen grinned and went over to ring Rob’s hand.
“Never better, old man, never better,” he said. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it for the funeral. I couldn’t get away, I’m afraid.”
“So we heard. You mother explained everything.” Rob turned as Miles circled around the patio to come through the opening a few feet away. “Don’t let it worry you. The whole day is something of a blur, to be honest. I doubt if I remember who did show up. Miles! This is Stephen Mansbridge. We’ve known him for years. Practically grew up with him. This is Miles Lacey, a mate from Duxford.”
Miles grinned and shook Stephen’s hand. “Hello.”
“Hallo.”
“You know Evie already,” Rob said, continuing the introductions. “This is my mother. I don’t think you met her when you were here the other day.”
“No, indeed.” Miles smiled and held his hand out to Mrs. Ainsworth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for having me. I’m sure the last thing you want is a house guest right now.”
“It’s no trouble,” she answered graciously, motioning him into the seat Stephen had vacated. “Rob explained the situation. Did you really have to land in London?”
“I’m afraid so. It doesn’t look as though they’ll have the plane fixed by tomorrow, so I’m to go back with Rob. I was all set to stay in the hotel another night when Rob suggested I stay here.”
“Of course! You’re more than welcome,” Mrs. Ainsworth said warmly. “We’ve plenty of room.”
“Have you had tea yet?” Rob asked. “I’m starving.”
“Thomas is just bringing it.”
“I gather from that conversation that you’re a pilot as well?” Stephen asked Miles, pulling out a cigarette case.
“Yes.”
“You wouldn’t happen to be related to the Laceys in York, would you?” he asked, his brows creased thoughtfully. “I could swear you look familiar.”
Evelyn thought she heard a very faint sigh beside her.
“Yes, I am. I believe we met last year at Lord Sandringham’s masquerade,” Miles said.
Stephen snapped his fingers and his face cleared.
“Of course! I knew I recognized you! And now you’re flying airplanes.”
“Oh, I was flying airplanes then, as well.”
Evelyn looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
“I’m fairly positive you failed to mention that you were one of the Yorkshire Laceys,” she said, tilting her head.
“You didn’t ask,” he replied with a quick grin.
“Stephen, how long are you staying?” Rob asked.
“Only for tea. I just stopped in on my way to Wales.” Stephen lit a cigarette and glanced at him. “I’m glad I was able to catch you, though. It’s been a long time.”
“So it has. Are you still with the diplomatic service?”
“As long as they’ll keep me.”
Miles looked at Evelyn as Stephen and Rob moved away to the other end of the patio.
“How much longer is your leave?” he asked.
“I have to go back tomorrow, the same as Robbie.”
“Doesn’t seem fair, does it?” he asked. “It’s hardly enough time to wrap your mind around everything.”
“That’s what I was saying this morning,” Mrs. Ainsworth agreed.
“There is a war on,” Evelyn pointed out. “We’re lucky we got the three days that we did.”
“I know,” her mother sighed. “I’m grateful for the time you had. I just wish you had more of it to relax before going back. Why don’t you show Mr. Lacey the stables after tea?”
“Please call me Miles,” he said. “When you say Mr. Lacey, I feel I ought to look round for my father.”
“Very well, Miles.” Mrs. Ainsworth smiled. “Do you ride?”
“I do.”
“Wonderful! Evelyn can take you out this afternoon. The fresh air will be good for her.”
“And what about you?” Evelyn asked fondly. “What will you do for fresh air?”
Her mother waved a hand vaguely. “This is as much fresh air as I can stand today. Don’t you worry about me.”
Miles looked at Evelyn and his green eyes met hers. He smiled slowly.
“It looks like you’re stuck with me.”
Evelyn grinned. “I’m sure I’ll find a way to manage.”
Evelyn studied her reflection in the mirror critically. She wore a simple dress in her favorite shade of blue that was more than appropriate for an evening meal at home. She’d purchased the gown in Paris in the spring during an impulsive afternoon of shopping and this was only the second time she’d worn it. The color brought out the blue of her eyes, and her cheeks were still flushed from her ride with Miles earlier. Her mother had been right. The fresh air had done her a world of good.
Well, that and the company of Miles Lacey.
Evelyn turned from the mirror and went across her room to the door. There was no denying her attraction to the pilot. From the first moment she laid eyes on him, she had felt irresistibly drawn to him. The ever-present twinkle in his green eyes filled her with warmth, and when he smiled, she felt it clear through to her toes. There was something about Miles that was altogether different from any other man of her acquaintance, and Evelyn was uncomfortably aware that this was a man she could easily fall in love with.
And they both had to return to their respective stations, and the war, in the morning. He would go back to flying his Spitfires, and she would return to Scotland to prepare for Oslo.
Evelyn opened the door and stepped into the hallway. It was only pure chance that brought him here today. If the plane he’d been flying hadn’t developed mechanical issues, she probably would never have seen him again. The thought sent a dart of dismay through her and she frowned in reaction. It was just her luck. She finally met a man who was interesting and worth getting to know better, and they were in the middle of a bloody war. It was really quite impossible.
She reached the end of the thickly carpeted hallway and started down wide shallow steps. It was probably just as well. She didn’t have time for any kind of relationship, and neither did he. Never mind that they had spent the entire afternoon laughing, or that he had the same sense of humor as herself. It didn’t matter that when she was with him she felt perfectly at ease and comfortable. Tomorrow she had to return to Scotland and he would go back to Duxford. And that was an end to it.
“Hallo.” A voice spoke behind her and Evelyn turned to see the man himself coming down the stairs behind her. He was dressed in his RAF uniform, a navy and white spotted silk neckerchief tied at his throat. “I'm not late, am I?”
“If you are, then so am I,” she said with a smile, pausing to wait for him.
“It’s very kind of your mother to entertain me like this,” Miles said, joining her. “It can’t be easy for her.”
“I think it might be the best thing for her, to be honest. She’s always loved having people to stay. Even though it’s only for one night, it’s a distraction for her, and a welcome one at that.”
“That’s a relief, at any rate.” He glanced at her as they went down the steps. “And you? Do you mind having your brother’s reckless friend hanging about?”
“Are you reckless?”
“’Course I am. I’m a pilot. Stands to reason I must be. No one with any sense would choose to go up when you can remain with your feet planted safely on the ground.”
“I must be reckless myself, then. I can think of nothing I’d like more!” Evelyn said with a laugh.
Miles grinned and his eyes met hers. “Really?”
“Oh yes. I’ve always wanted
to fly. It just never came to be. And so I content myself with driving my car very fast and associating with people like you.”
“Touché,” he laughed. “Is that why you joined the WAAFs?”
They reached the ground floor and Evelyn turned towards the drawing room.
“Of course! Why else?”
“Do you know, Evelyn, I think I’m really starting to like you.”
She shot him a look full of mischief.
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that, if I were you,” she warned teasingly. “I’m dreadfully dull when you get to know me. I am an Assistant Section Officer, after all.”
He raised his eyebrows and looked horrified. “Good God, are you really? That sounds jolly official.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Evelyn laughed. “And jolly ugly, too. Don’t get too comfortable with me. I fully expect to start growing warts soon.”
Miles held open the door to the drawing room for her.
“I think I’ll take my chances,” he murmured as she passed through.
“There you are!” Rob exclaimed from the other side of the room, a drink in his hand. “We were about to send out a search party!”
“Sorry I’m late down,” Evelyn apologized, moving forward to kiss her mother’s cheek. “I was reading and lost track of the time.”
“I have no such excuse, unfortunately,” Miles said behind her. “I’m afraid I might have dozed off.”
“We’re very informal here,” Mrs. Ainsworth assured him with a smile. “Never mind Rob. He’s just teasing.”
“What are you drinking, Miles?” Rob asked, setting down his glass and moving over to the sideboard where an array of bottles was set out.
“I’ll take a sherry, thanks.”
“And you, Evie?”
“I’ll have the same.” Evelyn sank down onto the love seat next to her mother. “Have you both been waiting long?”
“Not at all,” her mother said. “How was your ride this afternoon?”
“It was lovely. You were right. The fresh air was just what I needed.”
