“One of the Yorkshire Laceys?” Adele nodded, impressed. “And he’s a pilot?”
“Yes. Well, they’re all having to do their bit now, aren’t they?” Mrs. Ainsworth shrugged. “Look at Robbie.”
Gisele looked across the table at Evelyn, her lips curved wickedly.
“One of the Yorkshire Laceys?” she repeated, eyes dancing. “Oh he doesn’t stand a chance, does he?”
Evelyn couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out.
“Not with these two sitting here with that look in their eyes!” she agreed, finishing her coffee. “Come on, Zell. Let’s go and leave them to it. I want to look for a hat to go with the suit I just ordered.”
Gisele nodded and finished her coffee, then stood up and pulled on her gloves.
“You realize they will have your entire wedding planned before we get home?” she asked with a grin.
Evelyn picked up her bags and stood, glancing at her mother and aunt.
“Can we please get through the war first?” she asked with a laugh. “I refuse to make any plans when I don’t know where I’ll be next week.”
“We’re not making plans, dear,” her mother said complacently. “We’re simply noting that Miles is an excellent prospect.”
“Of course you are.” Evelyn leaned down to kiss her mother on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have fun.” Mrs. Ainsworth waved her away with a smile. “Don’t forget the Buckleys are coming for dinner with Marguerite.”
“I won’t.”
She turned away from the table and smiled as Gisele tucked her arm through hers. It was lovely to be back in Paris with her family, even if the purpose of her visit wasn’t pleasure. The smile faded somewhat. Bill was coming to dinner tonight and, while he was there, would give her the address in Metz where she could find Josephine Rousseau. The war continued, even in Paris in the spring.
And she had work to do while she was here.
Chapter Four
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Evelyn looked up when the door to the music room opened and Gisele’s twin brother Nicolas strolled in carrying a sketchbook in one hand. His step checked when he saw her.
“Oh! I didn’t know you were in here,” he said. “Would you rather be alone?”
“Not at all.” She closed the book in her hands. “I was just reading. Auntie Agatha and Mum started arguing and I had to get away.”
He grinned and closed the door, crossing the room to drop his sketchbook on the table near the window. During the day, sunlight poured through the glass panes, making the light ideal for drawing. Now darkness had descended and the curtains were pulled across the bay window, blocking out the night.
“She’s your father’s sister, isn’t she? I thought they seemed to get along well.”
“They do, for the most part. Auntie Agatha is very outspoken and stubborn, but Mum tends to balance her somewhat. It’s only occasionally that something sets them off.”
Nicolas crossed to the piano in the corner and perched on the bench.
“And tonight was one of those times,” he finished. “Well, it’s bound to happen, I suppose. She’s staying with Tante Madeleine now, isn’t she?”
“Yes, for the time being. She closed her house in London. Said she couldn’t abide the blackout and the war preparations.” Evelyn set her book on the cushion beside her. “I think the company is good for Mum. It’s been an adjustment for her since Dad died. Robbie gets home as often as he can, of course, but it’s still difficult.”
“I can only imagine.” Nicolas lifted the cover to the keys and pressed one absently, and then another, picking out a random tune. “It was a shock when he died. We were all completely stunned.”
“So were we,” she said dryly.
“Couldn’t have happened at a worse time, could it?” he asked. “I mean, not that any time is a good time to lose your father, but with the war just starting and everything getting thrown up into chaos, it seemed a bit much at the time. At least Tante Madeleine has Agatha with her now to help her through it all.”
“I’m happy she’s not alone,” Evelyn agreed. “And I know Robbie is too. He was worried about her.”
“How is he? Still flying Spitfires?”
“Oh yes.”
Nicolas was silent for a moment, playing the piano half-heartedly with one hand, then he got up restlessly.
“What do you think of this whole business?” he asked, glancing at her. “With the war, I mean. Do you think it will get started now that winter’s over?”
She watched as he crossed the room to a side table and opened a sturdy wooden box. He pulled out a cigarette and held it up questioningly. She nodded and he pulled out a second one, walking over to hand it to her.
“I think it’s bound to, don’t you?” she asked as he held out his lighter for her.
“I suppose so.” He lifted the lighter to his own cigarette as she sat back on the love seat, blowing smoke up into the air. “Everyone’s saying the Nazis won’t make it past the Maginot.”
Evelyn looked up at the tone in his voice. She raised an eyebrow and studied her cousin’s face.
“You don’t agree?”
He shook his head and tucked his lighter back into his pocket.
“No.” He turned to retrieve a crystal ashtray from the table and carried it over to set it on the small, round table near her elbow. “Zell does. She thinks this will all be over by summer. She listens to Marc Fournier and his crowd. They’re idiots.”
Evelyn laughed. “They’re amusing idiots, though.”
He flashed a grin. “Yes. And Marc still asks about you. You’ll have to see him before you go back to England. I’ll never hear the end of it if you don’t.”
“I think Gisele already arranged something for later in the week. Don’t worry.” Evelyn tilted her head looked at him thoughtfully. “What do you think will happen? Do you think the Germans will try to invade
