Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
A man wearing a cap came into view and Lizzie didn’t move. Jack lowered his gun and muttered under his breath. A smile lit up his face as he stepped forwards.
‘Jack! It is you. I hoped it might be, but thought it was wishful thinking. What are you doing lurking in the barn, my friend?’
Lizzie watched from her hiding place as they clapped each other on the back and embraced like old friends.
‘Thank God, it’s you. We’ve got ourselves into a tight spot and need to lie low for the night,’ Jack said, his smile joyful. ‘Lizzie, it’s safe. You can come out and meet my old boss and dear friend Pierre.’
‘Less of the old,’ quipped the farmer.
Lizzie straightened her dress and joined the men. ‘Bonsoir Pierre, pleased to meet you. We thought you might be the Gestapo searching for us.’
‘Ah, like that, is it? Well, just as well, I came out to find you two. Good to meet you, Lizzie.’
‘Tell me, how did you know someone was here? I was certain no one would be out in this storm, although I see it’s passing now,’ Jack said.
‘You’re right, I should be in bed at this hour, but there have been robberies recently, so I’ve taken to doing the rounds of the property before I go to bed. There was the scent of Gauloises cigarettes in the air. Reminded me of you working here before the war.’
‘Damn it,’ said Jack. ‘I must be more careful. Live and learn, Lizzie,’ said Jack. ‘That one indulgence could have got us killed if it wasn’t a friend who found us.’
The farmer invited them to come into the house.
‘I don’t want to endanger you any more than necessary. If we were to be found, at least you could deny all knowledge of us being here.’
Pierre wouldn’t hear of it and insisted they sleep in the farmhouse. ‘Camille will kill me before the Gestapo if I don’t invite you in,’ he laughed. ‘Besides, you’re my best friend’s son. What sort of friend would I be if I left you out here all night?’
‘If you’re sure,’ Jack said, ‘I won’t deny it would be nice. We’ve been on the move all day.’
‘We can hide you better in the house than out here. A lot has happened since you were here last,’ Pierre said.
Pierre led the way with his torch and Lizzie followed and listened to the men talk. Jack’s father and Pierre had been great friends, and his wife, Camille, had introduced Jack’s father to his mother.
Pierre turned to Lizzie. ‘You might even say that this divine specimen of a man wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Camille and her matchmaking.’ He laughed and Lizzie took to him immediately. He was clearly very fond of Jack and had a good-natured sense of humour.
Pierre looked from Lizzie to Jack. ‘I hope I didn’t disturb you two lovebirds hiding away in the barn. ’
Lizzie blushed fiercely and was grateful they couldn’t see her face in the torchlight.
Jack gave Pierre a playful punch on the shoulder. ‘You always talked nonsense,’ he said. ‘Nothing like that, I’m afraid, you old romantic. Lizzie and I are here in a purely professional capacity. Looking for Hannah, actually. Have you seen her at all, by any chance?’
At the mention of Hannah, Pierre cast his eyes about even though there was no one else around. ‘Let’s talk when we’re inside,’ he said, dropping his voice even lower. ‘This way, we’re nearly there now.’
Lizzie could make out the hazy shape of the large farmhouse in the moonlight. The storm had passed, and the air was fresh and cooler after the rain.
‘This damn blackout is a pain,’ said Pierre. ‘My wife is in bed already, but she’ll be excited to see you in the morning.’
Pierre ushered them into a large kitchen with a huge wooden table in the centre, surrounded by cushioned chairs. ‘You must be exhausted, you poor things. Sit down and I’ll bring you something to eat. There’s nothing hot now, but Camille will make you something tasty in the morning. I don’t know how, but that woman performs miracles with the meagre rations and what we manage to keep back from the farm produce,’ he said. ‘The German army takes most of it. They’re not going hungry anytime soon, that’s for sure.’ The disapproval rung through his words.
Pierre served them a hastily thrown together cold supper of bread, cheese, and homemade pickle, and poured them a glass of wine. ‘Made here in my amateur vineyard,’ he said proudly. ‘What do you think?’
Jack took several gulps and set his glass down, smiling. ‘My goodness, that could burn the hairs off your chest.’
‘Cheeky boy,’ Pierre said, bursting into laughter. ‘I’ll have you know if it wasn’t for this blasted war, my wine would be a prize-winning label by now.’
The atmosphere in the kitchen, lit only by the soft glow of a lamp, was warm and friendly. It was a welcome respite after the tension of the past days. The camaraderie reminded her of home, and she thought longingly of her family and wondered what they were making of her extended absence. She hoped they had believed her boss’s cover story and weren’t worrying about her.
The door creaked open, and Lizzie saw a woman, wearing a long pale nightgown, her hair in braids.
‘Am I dreaming?’ she said, staring at Jack as if she’d seen a ghost.
Jack rose hastily and closed the distance to the door, relieving the woman of the candle she held and engulfing her in a big bear hug. ‘Auntie Camille,’ he said. ‘I didn’t dare hope I would see you, but it’s so wonderful. You are just as beautiful as ever.’
Camille entered the kitchen, her smile so wide, Lizzie thought her pretty face would split. ‘You always were a charmer, Jack King. And who have you brought to see us this time?’ she asked, as Jack released her.
‘This is Lizzie. She’s one of ours and we needed somewhere to stay for tonight. She’s had quite a time of it.’
‘Well, I’m glad you came. We’ve talked about you no end since the war began, wondering how you are and hoping you, your dear mother and Henry are safe. It’s too dangerous to send messages now, you know. The Gestapo are becoming more efficient at tracking down wireless operators. We don’t listen to ours anymore for fear they’ll show up on our doorstep. Mind you, we still kept a spare one when they confiscated them.’
Jack gave them a quick overview of what had happened since he arrived and how they needed to get Lizzie to the pickup spot the following evening.
Camille asked what more she could get them. ‘Would you like a hot drink, Lizzie? I bet you could do with a cup of something to restore you. What a horrible time you must have had, you poor love. I do hope we can welcome you back here soon in happier, peaceful times.’
Lizzie sipped the tea the kind farmer’s wife made for her and felt the stress leave her body as she relaxed in the chair. It was good to just sit and listen without having to do more than smile or contribute occasionally. She was bone tired and couldn’t wait to close her eyes. The last few days were catching up with her now. Perhaps they would even get a proper bed to sleep in.
‘Come, my love. I see you are weary. Let me show you where you can sleep for the night. Not that there is much left before morning,’ she said.
Lizzie followed her slowly up one flight of creaky stairs as Camille led the way. ‘There’s somewhere you can sleep that’s safer, just in case.’ Camille stooped to clear some towels and bed linen from shelving set into the wall.
Lizzie gasped when Camille pushed the wood, and the shelves swung backwards to reveal a dark opening. ‘It looks ominous, but it’s comfortable enough once you’re in. We’ve had friends stay here since the war began.’
Camille lit a lamp in the secret room.
There was one bed in the centre and a small sink in the corner. Camille wished her good night and Lizzie opened her case and did her ablutions quickly. Her eyelids were leaden as she pulled her dress over her head and slipped into the one nightdress she had brought with her.
Lizzie hadn’t wanted to put it on in the barn, feeling too self-conscious with Jack there, but now she abandoned all thoughts of modesty, in her longing to sleep comfortably. When her head hit the soft pillow, she was asleep within seconds.
Shards of pale light infiltrated the blacked-out slit of a window, and Lizzie opened her eyes to a new day in enemy-occupied France. Rolling over luxuriously in the soft bed, she drew a sharp intake of breath when her body touched Jack’s.
He must have crept into the room because she hadn’t heard a thing during the night. That, or she was so exhausted, nothing could wake her.
Her heart filled with tenderness as she watched him sleep, and his chest rose and fell with each breath. His stubble was heavier this morning and would become the shadow of a beard if he didn’t shave soon. Long dark eyelashes swept over his eyes onto the skin below. He looked the most peaceful she had ever seen him, and she just lay there watching him for a while, wondering what would become of them in this mad world they now inhabited.
Then he stirred and muttered something. She drew closer and listened carefully, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying, for the sound was muffled. His warm breath caressed her skin, and she longed to reach out and touch him, but she held back.
Thoughts of the previous night when he kissed her so passionately in the barn filled her mind and an unfamiliar ache consumed her.
Would they have gone further if Pierre hadn’t interrupted them? She didn’t know. All she knew was she would give herself to him in a heartbeat if he wanted her like she wanted him. His heavy arm shot out to rest on her stomach and her heart galloped at his touch. Then he turned to face her and muttered, ‘Seagrove.’
Hearing his special name for her on his lips as he slept filled her with the boldness she had felt when they kissed. She reached out and ran her fingers through his black hair.
‘Raven,’ she whispered. ‘My raven.’ The feel of him made her want him more, and she looked at him, willing him to wake up. After not sleeping properly since he arrived in France, he was in a heavy slumber.
Lizzie sighed. She didn’t know what to make of their passionate embrace, but there was a nagging need inside her to be near him. And then she felt his arms reach for her and he pulled her closer.
He caressed her, and she wondered if he was properly awake. His mounting excitement was obvious, and she felt herself losing control and drowning in his touch.
The exhilaration of their mutual desire rocketed through her body and his eyes flickered open. He let out a loud groan full of need. And then they were kissing again, and the heat intensified between them, and they were lost in a fever.
Suddenly, Jack moved away from her and rubbed his sleepy eyes. ‘Lizzie. I thought this was a delicious dream. I swore to myself we wouldn’t do this again after last night. It’s too dangerous.’
Lizzie put her finger to his lips, her heart thudding. ‘Shhh, they’ll hear us downstairs. We’re supposed to be hiding in here, remember?’
He had woken fully now, and his eyes were alert. He raked his hand through his messy hair and shook his head. ‘We mustn’t do this, Lizzie. This is not how I can protect you. I hope you can forgive me for losing control like that. God knows, I want you, but…’
‘But what?’ she said, her voice laden with sadness.
‘But we can’t. We’re on a mission. And you’re a young woman in my care. I can’t take advantage of you like this. Drake would kill me if he knew. Never mind Val. She’d wring my neck with her bare hands. ’
‘Well, I won’t tell them,’ Lizzie whispered, still reeling from the loss of his closeness. ‘Besides, you’re not taking advantage of me. I keep telling you, I’m not a child.’
Jack captured a lock of her hair and twisted it around his fingers as he looked into her eyes. ‘Having you in bed with me like this was too much. Against my better judgement, I lost control. You must think me a dreadful reprobate.’
‘No, actually, I think you’re a dreadful tease. There is only one bed in this room. Camille didn’t tell me we’d be sharing. You could have asked to sleep elsewhere if you didn’t want to share it with me,’ Lizzie said hotly, jerking her head, so the lock of hair unravelled from his fingers.
A lick of anger raced through her at his apology. It was humiliating.
Jack held up his hands as if surrendering. ‘You’re right, I’ve handled this badly, and should have slept elsewhere. Whatever I say will only make it worse.’
That wasn’t what she wanted to hear, and it aggravated her more. ‘Well, I’ll be gone tonight so you won’t have to share a bed with me ever again,’ she said, her tone stiff.
‘Don’t be like that, darling Lizzie,’ he said.
‘Like what? You kiss me and then reject me. That’s twice you’ve done it now. You won’t get another chance,’ she said, turning away and scrambling for her dress.
‘You’ve got the wrong end of the stick. It’s against all the rules for a superior ranking agent to get involved romantically with a subordinate agent in the field.’
‘Fine,’ she said. ‘Whatever you say. You are my superior, after all.’
‘Ouch,’ he replied, wincing at her biting tone. ‘You’re a tough nut, you are.’
‘Turn around, please. I’m changing,’ Lizzie snapped as she fought with her dress and washed her face at the sink.
‘I’m going downstairs,’ she said, feeling wretched that they had argued but unable to stop herself from lashing out after he rejected her like that.
Hannah was clearly the only woman he would bend the rules for, and she was going to have to come to terms with it, no matter how her heart ached.