Page 86 of Shadows In Paris
Lizzie felt a lump in her throat as she watched them meet in the middle and reach for each other. Hannah moved into Henry’s arms, and they clung together. Tears spilled from Hannah’s eyes. Lizzie had never seen the fierce Resistance leader so vulnerable, and tears rolled down Lizzie’s face. She glanced at Jack, who stood next to her, and she saw him swipe at his eyes with his sleeve.
Jack slapped his brother on the shoulder and said, ‘We’ll make ourselves scarce and leave you two to catch up. We’ll see you at seven for dinner.’
Lizzie waved to Hannah, who was so deeply engrossed in Henry, she didn’t notice. ‘Well, I don’t think we’re needed here until later.’ Lizzie turned to exit the lobby, but Jack caught her hand.
‘Remember, we’re under strict orders to relax and enjoy ourselves?’
‘Was that what Val said?’ Lizzie asked, beaming up at Jack, joy rushing through her at the thought of spending time with him and not having to worry the Gestapo would bang on her door at any minute.
‘Whatever she said, we’re not needed at Baker Street tonight, so when I booked Henry and Hannah’s suite, I took the liberty of booking us one, too.’ He extracted a large key from his pocket and waved it in front of her. ‘You’re all mine today, Seagrove. Tomorrow, I’ll return you safe and sound toyour family. I imagine they won’t let you out of their sight for a few days.’
Lizzie squealed in delight. ‘What a wonderful surprise, darling. How thoughtful of you.’
‘The elevator is still out of action,’ Jack said when they crossed the lobby. ‘We’ll have to take the stairs. All the engineers have been conscripted. We’ll be lucky if we have a working piece of equipment in the whole of London if this war doesn’t end soon.’
Lizzie stood at the bottom of the staircase. ‘Race you!’ she shouted and ran up the first flight of stairs before Jack could catch her. She heard him thundering on her heels, and then his hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around as they reached the second-floor landing.
‘Oh no, you don’t!’ he said, pulling her into his arms. She exhaled happily as she sunk into his embrace, and they leant against the wall, laughing and catching their breath.
They were home.
CHAPTER 44
Over dinner, Jack couldn’t take his eyes off Lizzie, and they sat shoulder to shoulder, wedged next to each other at the table they shared with Henry and Hannah.
Every second Lizzie was away from him was torture. He smiled at his sentimental thoughts, but it was all true. Jack had never imagined feeling like this about anyone, but Lizzie had captured his heart in the most extraordinary way.
As soon as this war was over, he would ask her to marry him and take her on the most spectacular honeymoon to all their favourite places in France.
He didn’t hide their relationship from his brother. What was the point when Hannah knew the truth? Jack didn’t have the heart to hide his feelings from Henry. Life was too short. He enjoyed the moment and revelled in their good fortune at them each having the woman of their dreams at their side.
Henry was overjoyed for Jack. ‘I can’t tell you how good it is to see you in love. We thought you’d never find the right one!’
Jack laughed. ‘I confess I thought the same.’
‘Does Maman know?’
Jack said, ‘Not yet. I’ve wanted to tell her, but we must keep our relationship secret at work, so it’s simpler to keep it between us for now. You’ll be back in the sky soon, so you’re an exception. Keep it under your hat.’
Henry promised Jack’s secret would remain between them. ‘We can have a double wedding when this damned war is over.’
‘Sounds perfect, little brother,’ Jack said, patting Henry’s shoulder.
After dinner, Jack made a toast. ‘Here’s to winning the war and to all of us being reunited again soon.’
They chinked their glasses, and the band played a popular Swing song, prompting Jack to offer his hand to Lizzie. Henry followed suit with Hannah and soon they were all on the busy dance floor.
Jack delighted Lizzie with his thoughtfulness. Amid the chaos of returning from the operation in occupied France, with his brother on leave, and Hannah in London, he still somehow planned a perfect magical evening for the four of them. Lizzie had never felt more blessed, and the evening passed in a flurry of drinks, dancing, and laughter.
Hannah winked at Lizzie as they crossed paths, and Lizzie winked back. They were both in love with a King brother and the happiness showed on their faces for all to see. Henry held Hannah tenderly as they swayed together, carefully keeping her sore arm away from the other dancers.
Seeing Hannah and Henry so in love was like a balm for Lizzie’s soul after the terror of their recent days in Paris. Her mind flickered back to the moment she shone the torch intothe cupboard at German High Command. Thank God she hadn’t found Hannah there. It would have been a very different ending to their story.
When Lizzie could barely keep her eyes open any longer, they said goodnight to the lovebirds and Jack led her upstairs. They climbed into bed in the luxurious suite and fell fast asleep in each other’s arms without stirring until morning.
The following evening, Lizzie arrived home at the Regent’s Park house to a cacophony of gleeful welcomes from her mother and sisters.
‘Why didn’t you warn us you were coming?’ Rose asked. ‘I would have organised a celebration dinner.’
