The Last Night in London by Karen White (reading list .TXT) 📕

annex Danzig and the Polish Corridor. Herr Hitler does not like to hear the word ‘no.’”

“But that’s so far away,” Eva said, tilting her head so he could apply the makeup. “I’d rather wait to worry about it when—or if—I have to.”

His dark eyes bored into hers. “That’s what the sleeping fly said before the newspaper hit it. Has your Graham said nothing to you about what’s going on? He works in Whitehall, yes?”

She smiled softly. “We don’t talk about things like that. He takes me to lovely buildings in the city and tells me about their history and design. We go on long walks and talk about things we like and the people we know and sometimes nothing at all. And we’re going to Kew tomorrow to see the cherry blossoms. You see? There’s so much more to life than worrying about Hitler. I say, thank goodness for the English Channel separating us from Europe.”

“I’m afraid Mr. Hitler views the Channel as a mere pond he can wade through to get what he wants.” Mr. Danek pulled out a powder puff and dabbed it on Eva’s nose and neck. “Sometimes I wish I had the ignorance of youth. How much happier I’d be.”

The sharp edge of his voice made Eva regard him warily. “I’m not ignorant, Mr. Danek. I’m just trying to be happy.” She winced, realizing how that sounded. “I’m not frivolous—I know there is real suffering and danger in the world. But I lived in misery for the first eighteen years of my life, and I finally have real happiness within my grasp. I don’t want to let it go.”

His eyes were sad when he spoke, and Eva remembered his dead wife and how little she really knew about Mr. Danek. “I have found that happiness is simply the absence of all other emotions. Remember, it’s best to always keep one eye open. Bad things usually happen when we’re not paying attention.”

“Is that why you had to leave Prague? Because you weren’t paying attention?”

He straightened. “It’s one of the reasons.”

“And your friend from the café, Mr. Zeman. What does he say?”

“Jiri thinks we should work with the Germans, that our economies will prosper if we all go along with their demands.”

“Wouldn’t going along with the Germans be more peaceful, then?”

Mr. Danek smiled at her, lifting just a corner of his mouth. “Ah, the näiveté of youth. You are like a cat, I think. You will always land on your feet no matter what happens.”

She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment, so she didn’t say anything. Instead, she reached into the pocket of her dressing robe and pulled out her new cigarette case. “Do you have a minute to look at something? I’m trying to find out what this means.”

He took the case, raising an eyebrow as he felt its heft. “This is very nice. Expensive. Did your young man give it to you?”

Eva couldn’t meet his eyes, knowing she’d see disappointment in them. “No. It was given to me by another gentleman—someone I met at a dinner party.”

He was silent. When she didn’t look up, he continued to examine the silver case. “It’s very beautiful. But I hope you are planning on returning it to him.”

“Why?” But she already knew. She’d been hearing the words in her mother’s voice ever since Alex had given it to her.

“Because only a certain type of gentleman gives an expensive gift to a woman who is not his.”

Now their eyes did meet. “I’m not married or even engaged, Mr. Danek. Therefore I didn’t feel as if I should refuse.”

His eyes remained on hers for a long moment. Finally looking down, he flipped over the case. “Are these the words you need translated?”

She nodded. “Do you know what language it is?”

“Latin—from an old proverb.” He studied the case, then read the words out loud. “‘Nil credam et omnia cavebo.’”

She repeated the words, loving how the rounded vowels felt on her tongue.

“You really have an excellent ear, Eva. Your pronunciation is perfect.”

She blushed at the compliment. “But what does it mean?”

“Betray before you are betrayed. It’s not an exact translation, but that’s what it means more or less.” He lifted his gaze to her face. “An odd gift to a young woman from a virtual stranger, don’t you think?”

Eva agreed, but she didn’t want to admit it. “Maybe it was already engraved when he bought it. I doubt he knew what it meant. But the bee on the front is so lovely. He said it was exquisite and unique and that’s why he thought of me when he saw it.”

“Did he?” Mr. Danek pressed the button, and the case popped open, exposing Eva’s Matinée cigarettes.

“Yes. I found it charming,” she said, sounding defensive.

“As I’m sure was his intention.” He snapped the case shut. “Be careful, Eva. It is sometimes hard to recognize wolves because they are wearing sheep’s clothing.”

“Thank you for the warning, Mr. Danek, but I’m too old for fairy tales. I’m quite capable of taking care of myself.”

“Yes, you are, my dear. But you have a fondness for beautiful things. Some might see it as a weakness and use it to their advantage. That is all I am saying.”

He placed the case in her hand, and she closed her fingers over it, then stood. “It’s only a cigarette case. He meant no harm.”

“Is that so? And what did your Graham say about it?”

Eva shook her head, flustered. “I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet, but he’ll understand.”

Mr. Danek stood, too, his face unsmiling. “I am sure he will.”

Eva nodded. “Thank you for fixing my makeup. You’re a genius.”

“Thank you, Eva, for giving me such a beautiful canvas upon which to work.” He gave her a mock bow.

She said good-bye, then walked hurriedly back to the models’ room, which had erupted into a volcano of silk stockings, garters, and step-ins as the girls began dressing in their first outfits. She dressed, too, and chatted with Precious and the other