It all happened so fast, and yet, it was perfect.
The butler appeared at the door of the large drawing room, clearing his throat. “Mr. Rick, you have a visitor.”
“Oh?” He scratched the side of his face. Who would come to see him here? No one knew he was here except his senior office—
Oh.
His heart skittered to a stop then picked up double time. If Fairsworth was here, then ... what had happened? He kept his tone light so he wouldn’t upset Chaisley. “Where is my visitor, good man?”
“In the parlor, sir.”
Rick glanced at the girls. Their heads were together as Chaisley felt the fabric in her hands. Well, he wouldn’t interrupt them. Best to see whoever this was and send them on their way before the ladies even knew he was gone.
He slipped out and followed the butler down the hallway. With a bow, the older gentleman left him at the closed door.
Lord ... help. Please don’t let us be at war.He took a long breath then opened the door.
Fairsworth sat on a couch, his hands folded in front of him.
Rick frowned and strode across the small room to stand by the couch. “The news can’t be good if you came here in person.” He crossed his arms and arched a brow. “Well?”
The older gentleman’s face softened. “Hello to you, too, Friederich. I’m well. Thank you for asking.”
Why was he always so… contrary? Like he wanted to start an argument. Just because he was on edge andreallywanted to get married didn’t mean that he should be such a bear. “My apologies. But your visit is ... unexpected.”
Fairsworth clapped his hands on his thighs and stood. “Command thought I should give you this news face-to-face. Especially under the circumstances of your upcoming nuptials.”
A sensation he didn’t like prickled up Rick’s spine. Not war. Please, not war. The world wasn’t ready.Hewasn’t ready. “What news?”
Fairsworth’s expression changed from his usual indecipherable Cheshire cat imitation to something more serious. “All agents are to escalate their efforts regarding section D. The Munich Agreement has not only given Hitler what he wants, it has apparently inflamed his hunger for power. The reports we have received are disheartening. The world will be at war before we know it. Hitler is unstable, at best.”
Rick bit the inside of his cheek. Of course the Munich Agreementwould fail. He saw that coming from a mile away. “What exactly do you mean byescalate?I’m supposed to get married on Saturday.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, mate. You need to talk to your fiancée about the very real possibility that you won’t be here on Saturday. Every single target on each of our lists must be hit. Now. We cannot delay. The faster we knock out their communications the more time we buy for the prime minister and other leaders to figure out what they want the next united step to be.”
He was going to be sick. How was this going to work? He’d have to tell Chaisley everything he’d been doing the last few months and postpone the wedding. He rubbed his face.
She was going to be upset. But more than that, she would be hurt that he hadn’t told her. Especially once they were engaged.
Fairsworth grabbed Rick’s shoulder. “I know you love her. And while many agents would call you a fool for getting involved with someone during wartime, I won’t do that.” His voice was low. Kind, even. “But you better make this right with that girl before you have to leave. And you need to leave within the hour. Orders are orders.”
He swallowed hard. “Thank you for coming.”
“I’ll slip out now. I hope all goes well with your fiancée. And that God protects you.”
“He’s protected me from the Germans so far.”
Fairsworth gave him a wink. “I’m talking about the wrath of a woman having to postpone her wedding.” With that, the agent slipped out of the room and out the front door without a sound.
Rick stood in the parlor, staring at the empty hearth for a long moment. All the joy had been sucked from him. He’d been a fool to not tell Chaisley everything and to get caught up in the dream of a future at a time like this. More than anything, he wanted to marry her. Maybe he should start with that. He inhaled sharply and then let out the breath as he counted to five.
Making his way back to the large drawing room, he made his way toward the women, who were now enjoying cakes and cups of tea.
“There you are!” Chaisley put her cup in the saucer and slowly slid it onto the table in front of her. “Where did you disappear to?”
Her senses were uncanny. Rick licked his lips and glanced at Melanie. She tilted her head, an eyebrow arched in question. He shook his head with a frown.
This was a conversation he had to have in private. He owed Melanie an explanation as well, but after he talked to Chaisley. “Mel, would you mind giving Chais and me a few minutes?”
