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“Not at all. It was my fault.”
Carol gave them both a sideways glance and smiled, saying nothing.
“Hell-o!” Sophie sang out as the front door opened. She appeared in the doorway, her hazel eyes widening as she caught sight of them all taking tea. “Sergeant Lawson, what a delightful surprise.” Her gaze scanned the room, looking for the person who wasn’t there.
“I’m afraid I’ve come on my own. Lieutenant Reese was otherwise occupied.”
“Oh, well, never mind,” Sophie said airily. “It’s lovely to see you, all the same.”
Despite her bright manner, Lily could tell her sister was disappointed, although she took great pains—perhaps too many—not to show it, exclaiming over the bounty in the kitchen, and then accepting a cup of tea from their mother, before sitting on the arm of the sofa, one leg swinging jauntily, in a way Carol wouldn’t normally allow. In light of their guest, she said nothing.
“This was jolly generous of you,” Sophie said with a nod towards the kitchen. “Did you feel badly because Lieutenant Reese ate so much of our Sunday lunch?”
“Sophie.”
“Well, he did,” Sophie answered with a laugh. “I suspect he’s used to life on the farm, when there’s meat and milk aplenty. How is Lieutenant Reese, Sergeant Lawson?” Her bright gaze met Matthew’s with unflinching directness. “Kicking his heels, I imagine, as the 82nd Airborne waits to be moved?”
“They keep us busy.”
“Not too busy, though, I’m sure.”
“Busy enough.”
Matthew met Sophie’s gaze without a waver, and in his unyielding stare Lily sensed a command for her sister to drop the subject. Thankfully, she did.
“Ah, well.” Sophie rose from the sofa. “These air raids have made everything frightfully dull these days, anyway. Never mind dancing, I can’t get a wink of sleep.”
“I imagine some don’t find them dull,” Matthew said with an intensity that felt like a reprimand, worse somehow because of how quiet he sounded.
Sophie turned to look at him, a flush starting in her cheeks.
“No, I don’t suppose they do,” she said after a moment, and Matthew rose from his seat.
“I’m afraid I must go. Duty calls, as ever.”
“Thank you again, Sergeant Lawson, you’ve been so kind—”
Matthew waved Carol’s words aside, and she nodded towards Lily.
“Fetch the sergeant’s coat for him, Lily—”
Her mother seemed determined to afford them every opportunity to talk alone.
Lily went into the hall and Matthew followed her, while Carol took the tea tray back to the kitchen, bidding Sophie help her.
The hallway felt quiet and confined as Lily took Matthew’s coat from the stand.
“Thank you,” she said yet again as she handed it to him and he put his arms through the sleeves. She breathed in the scent of his aftershave, something sharp and clean. Sophie had been right: American soldiers did smell heavenly.
“I told you, it was no trouble.” He turned to face her, close enough so his arm brushed her shoulder, and at that brief, tantalizing contact, Lily felt as if her heart had leapt into her throat.
She stood as if paralyzed, unable to utter a word, as Matthew gazed down at her, his face startlingly close, and Lily heard the clatter of dishes from the kitchen.
“Perhaps I shall see you again,” he suggested quietly.
“That would be…” She couldn’t finish the sentence. Her senses were swimming.
“It would have to be soon, I think. We’re leaving soon.”
