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

“Well, I’ll leave you to it,” he said, turning for the door. “Dinner should be ready soon, thank God. I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving,” she said absently, dropping back into the chair as she slid one of the new panels over. “I’ll be down in a little bit.”

Rob left the room and Evelyn pressed another panel. All of a sudden, there were a series of clicks and another panel slid aside, revealing a velvet-lined compartment. Her heart surged into her throat as a feeling of elation went through her. There, nestled in the center compartment of the box, was a folded piece of paper.

Evelyn pulled it out and set the box down on the desk, unfolding the scrap of paper. Across the paper, in her father’s distinctive hand-writing, was a single line. She stared at it, her forehead creasing into a frown. It looked like an address.

An address in Blasenflue, Switzerland.

Evelyn walked down the thickly carpeted corridor towards the stairs, smoothing a hand over the soft fabric of her skirt. She was wearing a dress that she’d bought in Paris in March but never got the chance to wear. It was part of the Spring collection, and she’d wondered at the time if she would have the opportunity to wear it at all this year. It may only be for dinner with her family, but she was glad to be wearing it now. It was a flattering shade of blue that made her feel pretty, even if she looked as awful as Robbie had said.

She knew she wasn’t looking up to her usual to her standards. She’d lost quite a bit of weight in her flight across Norway, and the emotional strain had left its mark as well. Yet Evelyn was very conscious of how lucky she was to be here, never mind even alive. If the SS had had their way, she would have been captured in a ravine in central Norway. Captured, or worse.

An involuntary shudder went through her and she resolutely pushed the memories aside. There was absolutely no point in dwelling on the past and what might have been. It hadn’t been, and that was that. She lived to continue on, and to fight another day.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Evelyn started down, her hand on the smooth banister. Coming to Ainsworth Manor for a few days hadn’t been her choice. She’d wanted to get back to Northolt and some sense of normalcy. Perhaps go out for a meal with Fred and laugh at his ridiculousness. Bill had been the one to insist that she come home for a few days. He said she needed the time to relax and be herself again. As much as she hated to admit when she was wrong and anyone else was right, Evelyn admitted now that Bill had been correct. She had needed this. The past few days had gone far to help her settle and think clearly, and now she could face the thought of going back onto the continent, or wherever they sent her, with much more composure and much less anxiety than before. She felt more like herself again.

The telephone on the little table in the hallway suddenly rang, startling her, and Evelyn let out a little gasp. Her heart thumped before settling down again and she sucked in a deep breath, laughing to herself. Perhaps another couple of days wouldn’t be amiss. Obviously her nerves were still not quite right yet.

She watched as Thomas appeared from the back of the house, moving towards the telephone with his steady, ponderous stride that never appeared to rush, yet always placed him exactly where he needed to be when he was needed. It was one of those mysteries of the serving class, how they were never in a hurry and yet were always on hand precisely when you needed them. It was one of the many things that made them absolutely invaluable.

Evelyn had just reached the bottom of the stairs when Thomas turned to look at her.

“You have a telephone call, miss,” he announced, setting the receiver down on the table next to the phone.

“I do?” Evelyn asked, surprised. “Thank you.”

He inclined his head and turned to return to the back of the house as she went over to pick up the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Evie? It’s Bill.” Bill’s voice came through the receiver, strong and steady. “How are you?”

“I’m doing well, thank you. How are you?”

“We’re all well, thanks. How’s the holiday? Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes. Robbie showed up unexpectedly this afternoon as well! It’s lovely to see him again. I feel like it’s been an age!”

“I told you it would do you a world of good to go home for a spell.”

“It has, but that’s not why you’re calling, is it?” she asked.

“No.” Bill cleared his throat. “Can you come to London on Tuesday? I’m in Paris now. I was supposed to return today, but something's come up and I won’t be back until Monday now.”

“Tuesday?” Evelyn frowned. “Yes, of course. I’m not due back at Northolt until Wednesday. I can take the train down. Is everything all right?”

“Yes, yes, but I’ll need to see you as soon as I return. I really am sorry to interrupt your holiday. I know I said I wouldn’t.”

“It’s quite all right,” she assured him. “I’m doing much better now. You were right. This was exactly what I needed, even if I didn’t realize it myself.”

“I’m very glad to hear that. You had me worried there for a few days.” Loud static broke into the line and Evelyn grimaced, pulling the handset away from her ear. “Oh Lord, what now? Evie? Evie, are you still there?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“It sounds like the line is getting interference. I’m going to ring off. Shall we say ten o’clock Tuesday? In my office?”

“Yes, all right. I’ll be there.”

Evelyn heard the same screeching static and suddenly the line was dead. She pushed the button on the phone a few times, but the connection had