The Iron Storm by CW Browning (classic literature books TXT) 📕

reaching across the table and taking one of her hands in his. His strong fingers closed around hers. “You shouldn’t have come all the way to London if you’re not feeling well.”

Evelyn smiled into his eyes, enjoying the warmth and the strength of his hands around hers.

“I’m feeling much better now,” she assured him. “I just needed some rest. I’m right as rain now.”

“Hm.” He didn’t sound convinced and made no move to pull his hands away. “How long were you in Wales in the end?”

“Just shy of three weeks.”

“That’s a long time, isn’t it? All your courses aren’t that long, are they?”

Evelyn resisted the urge to squirm. “Not as a rule, no. Some are much shorter than others. It depends on who I’m training, really, and what they’re experience level is. This time it was an entire group of complete novices. They’d never even heard of...well, what we do, and so it was much more comprehensive. And then, of course, sometimes things happen that we can’t possibly foresee or plan for.”

“Such as?”

“Well, such as the equipment not working properly. If I have to get someone in to fix it, that can add a few days delay sometimes.” She swallowed and smiled at him teasingly. “I feel like I’m being grilled. Why the sudden interest?”

“I’m always interested, but this is the first time you’ve told me anything about what you do,” he said with a grin. “I wasn’t about to stop you.”

Evelyn laughed and pulled her hands away from his as the server returned with their drinks.

“And that’s where I stop,” she said. “I’ve already said too much.”

Miles sat back in his chair watching her face pensively as the server set the drinks down. As soon as the man had left again, he leaned forward.

“Will I ever learn everything there is to know about you?” he asked.

She gave him a look of mock-horror. “Heavens, I hope not!” she exclaimed. “If you do, you’ll discover what a boring old maid I am and stop asking me out to dinner!”

“I sincerely doubt that,” he said, picking up his drink. “I hope the WAAF knows what a loyal officer they have in you. I know several Squadron Leaders who love nothing more than to discuss things they shouldn’t. You’re a gem among officers, Assistant Section Officer Ainsworth.”

“And they say it’s the women with the loose tongues,” she said with a laugh.

“That’s certainly not one of your vices.” He lifted his glass in a silent toast. “Continue proving them wrong, m’dear.”

Evelyn lifted her glass with a smile, sipping her drink. Oh, if he only knew! She was privy to information and intelligence that most of the members of government didn’t know.

“I shall.”

“Do you have any vices?” Miles set his glass down and the sparkle was back in his green eyes. “I’ve yet to see any indication of one.”

Evelyn pretended to think.

“I do enjoy shopping a bit much,” she finally said, “and I’m sure Robbie would say that I can be a little too reckless on occasion.”

“If your shopping excursions end in frocks like the one you’re wearing, I’d hardly call that a vice,” he said with wink. “And as for being reckless, I rather think that’s more of an attribute than a vice. Lord knows I’m reckless enough.”

“Yes, but that’s different. You’re a pilot. You’re supposed to be.”

“So they tell me.” He toyed with his glass with one hand. “I’ve heard things aren’t going very well in Norway. The Germans are pressing north now, and they have complete control of the south. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start evacuating some of our troops.”

Evelyn thought of what she’d learned this morning from Bill, shaken at how close Miles was to the truth. Remembering the sight of German troops pouring out of Trondheim and into the countryside, she repressed a shudder.

“They were completely unprepared for an invasion,” she said before she could stop herself. “It wasn’t a fair fight from the start.”

Miles looked up, his eyes pinning hers. “Why do you say that?”

Evelyn reached for her drink. Good grief, what was wrong with her tonight? She was slipping left and right, and Miles was too astute for this. Already she’d caught more than one assessing glance from those green eyes of his. She had to get a hold of herself.

“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked, her eyes wide. “They didn’t see it coming. They never even began rearming their military. They believed Hitler’s promise to respect their neutrality. They just weren’t prepared at all.”

“That’s true enough,” he agreed, reaching for his glass. “There are a lot of accusations in the House towards Chamberlain for not moving to do more to prevent it. My father sits on the House of Lords, you know. He wrote that he’s never seen such division in the party.”

“What does he think will happen?”

Miles shrugged. “He seems to think that Chamberlain will have to step aside. We need a united government right now, not one that refuses to support the Prime Minister.”

“If Chamberlain is forced to step down, Lord Halifax will succeed him and I don’t know that that’s any better,” she said slowly. “He’s just as committed to taking a soft road in this war.”

“Yes.” Miles frowned. “It’s a right mess, isn’t it? I don’t know how we’re supposed to win a war with Germany when Parliament can’t even agree with each other.”

They were silent for a moment, then he shook his head and laughed ruefully.

“And there I go lamenting the state of the world again,” he said. “I promise I didn’t invite you out to dinner only to discuss war and politics.”

Evelyn looked at him and smiled. “You can discuss whatever you like,” she told him. “I’m just happy to hear your voice and see your face. “

He smiled slowly and pushed his chair back.

“I can do better than that,” he murmured, standing and reaching out his hand. “Come dance with me, and let’s forget all about the war.”

She laid her hand in his and allowed him to pull her