Chapter 36 #2
A German patrol boat caught their attention, and Heinrich waved back to a member of the crew and acknowledged the horn blast.
‘Good men,’ he said, standing tall and looking pleased at the obvious show of respect in front of Lizzie. He drained his champagne. ‘Shall we proceed to the next stop—St. Lunaire?’
The mention of St. Lunaire troubled Lizzie, and she had no desire to go anywhere near it. It was too meaningful for comfort, and she thought of Fabian and Judith carrying out their sabotage operations.
Just as she was wondering how to get him to turn back to St. Malo, the yacht lurched in a series of swells caused by the passing military vessel. Lizzie stumbled as the yacht rolled sideways, and she dropped her glass and lost her footing, slamming against Heinrich’s chest.
He caught her in his muscular arms as she fell and pulled her close. ‘Ach, mein Liebling!’
Lizzie fought to regain her balance and to distance herself, but the yacht continued to jerk to the fierce rhythm of the waves.
Heinrich gazed at her with a blazing hunger in his eyes. Then he bowed his head, and before she could stop him, his mouth devoured hers.
Lizzie stiffened within his firm grasp as his lips crushed hers.
Heinrich kissed her hungrily, and his large hand groped her breast as he lost control and pushed against her. Then he muttered, ‘Ah, it feels like I have wanted you forever. Such sweet torture.’
Lizzie wriggled beneath his hands but was too locked in his arms to wrench herself away.
Too much resistance could alert him to her real motives, not enough would seem like she was too easy a prize.
It was a deadly game, and she shuddered as his hands roamed over her intimate parts.
If things went much further, he would force himself on her right here on the deck, and she would have to kill him, which would be the end of her mission.
She couldn’t let that happen.
‘Please, Heinrich, not here,’ she gasped, appealing to his softer side.
Heinrich opened his eyes, but didn’t release her. ‘Come now. It is just us, Rose. There is nothing to fear. Let’s make the most of our time together when no one is watching. You know you want me as much as I want you.’
‘Of course I want you, Heinrich, but not here,’ she said, her voice shaky. ‘We might be seen by a passing fisherman, and then ...’
Heinrich sighed and reluctantly released his hold on her.
Lizzie haltingly stepped backwards and touched her lips, feigning a look of confusion as if she were an innocent virgin shocked by their intense mutual attraction.
The mask had slipped, and she saw the Nazi who wasn’t used to taking no for an answer. His expression was chilling until he recovered himself swiftly.
The yacht was now steady, and the moment passed.
‘Forgive me, Rose. My feelings for you got the better of me in this romantic setting.’
The light was gradually fading, and Lizzie glanced towards St. Malo as the sun dropped lower in the orange sky, the pale city walls basking in the golden light beneath the darkening horizon.
Night was falling over St. Malo.
Lizzie shivered.
‘You’re cold,’ Heinrich said. ‘We will turn back and visit St. Lunaire another day.’
His face showed intense disappointment, but his ingrained chivalry won out and, to Lizzie’s relief, he stooped to retrieve her coat and held it out for her to wear.
‘Thank you,’ she said, one hand at her side near her small knife hidden in the concealed compartment. ‘That would be lovely.’
Once on dry land, she declined dinner, glancing at her watch. ‘I am tired and must be home well before the curfew.’
Heinrich kissed her hand like the perfect gentleman, as if they were really courting and he wasn’t the head of the occupying army who enforced the curfew, and she a young woman with no say in how late she was permitted to stay out in her own country.
‘Of course, and I promised to ensure your full recuperation.’ He smiled, showing his polished teeth and she shivered.
Lizzie saw he was genuinely smitten, and the realisation deepened her fear of what might follow. Heinrich Adler, the Golden Eagle, was not a man who was used to being rejected.
‘When will I see you again, dearest Rose? I already feel the loss of your presence, and we haven’t parted yet.’
He touched his heart in a self-deprecating manner as if he had no control over his intense feelings for her.
Lizzie pretended to be charmed by his romantic gesture. Despite the knot in her stomach, she knew that the more his feelings controlled him, the less likely he was to suspect her and view the situation objectively.
Lizzie touched his arm lightly. ‘Soon, dear Heinrich. I must take a few days to complete some work at the office. You know how important that is. We mustn’t delay your fortification plans by not delivering our final assessments on time.’
He tilted his head and smiled. ‘I shall count the days. And whilst I will miss you terribly, I applaud and admire your commitment to the Reich.’
They parted, and Lizzie arrived at the house to an avalanche of questions from Aunt Giselle and Sophie, who had waited for her in the kitchen, terrified she would not return.
‘You are playing a dangerous game,’ Sophie whispered that night after they turned the small lamp out and lay in their small beds side by side.
‘I know, but it will all be alright. Sweet dreams, dear cousin.’