No Regrets: A Novel of Love and Lies in World War II England (The Thornton Trilogy Book 1) (18 page)

“So is a niece,” he smiled.

They reached the cottage, and Josef laughed heartily at the little sign that said ‘
No Regrets’
.

“Is that true?” he asked, pointing to it.

“For the most part,” she answered. “There’ve been bad times, but they’ve always been followed by happiness. I’m much more fortunate than so many who lived through the war, let alone those who didn’t.”

“I know. I feel the same way. I’m very angry with the leaders of France, I can tell you that. There were many reasons for their actions, but I don’t believe we should ever have laid down arms. To let those barbarians take over France. Really. It was unbelievable. I think I’m going to make my home in England. I’ve seen the bravery and courage this land displayed for five long years. I want to be one of them. I hope you plan on staying here. Together we can become British citizens.”

“That’s my plan too, Josef. I
feel
British. When I tell you everything, I think you’ll understand why. I’m just so glad to hear that you want to stay, too. I wish you’d move to this village. I love it here. What do you intend to do in terms of employment?”

“Restaurant Management. It’s what I did in Paris. I have the experience and the education.” He laughed, “If need be, I’ll return for more study. I’d like to eventually own a gourmet establishment. Does this village have many places of that sort?”

“None, Josef. That sounds excellent. If you stay in Thornton-on-Sea, there’s a chance that people I’ve met could help you.”

“Any help would be appreciated,” he smiled.

Josef had an artistic touch with food preparation, and Elise knew he’d be successful. There was no French restaurant in Thornton-on-Sea, and there wasn’t any question in Elise’s mind that such a spot would be welcome. Stepping out of the car, they went into the cottage, making themselves comfortable in the parlour. Chloe was at school, so they had plenty of time to chat openly. Tea was ready in the kitchen, and after drinking a cup, they settled and began to speak about all that had happened since they’d parted in May 1940.

“So, Elise. You escaped France for England, just as I did. Did you go on the same day I last saw you? How did it all come about?”

“It’s a long tale, Josef. After you left that morning, I was awfully afraid. I knew that the smart thing would be for me to follow you to the beaches and try to get to England myself. But that was a terrifying thought. I’d just about made up my mind to stay in the farmhouse and ride it out, hoping the Nazis didn’t end up occupying France. Then, a young RAF Lieutenant came to my door. At first I was frightened to answer his knock, but I looked out of the window and could see it was an English soldier. He was in obvious distress. He was lying on the porch, clearly wounded. It was pouring rain. So I did open the door, and he asked for my help. Of course I didn’t turn him away. I couldn’t have.”

“You must have been afraid you’d be seen, and reported for aiding an enemy of the Third Reich?”

“Oh,
Mon Dieu
! France wasn’t yet occupied, so I didn’t really think of that. But, I did know there were Germans swarming the area. However, he needed aide. What was I to do? I helped him over the threshold, and he explained about his aircraft being shot down. The same bullets had wounded him in the leg. I gathered every medical supply we had and set about splinting and bandaging the leg, after I removed the bullet.”

“The nursing experience came in handy, eh?”

“Yes. I was glad I knew what to do. I only wish I’d had better instruments with which to work. Anyway, after I treated his injury, I gave him food – soup, cheese and bread. He was finally able to put weight on the leg, and we sat in the parlour for a short time, chatting. He was very nice, and I was confused a bit.”

“How so, Elise?”

“Well, he began to speak about soulmates. He told me he’d always dreamed of an ideal woman and, when he saw me for the first time, after I opened the door, he was certain I was the person he’d waited for all of his life.”

“Ooh la la.” Josef laughed. “I can imagine your confusion. Did you think him daft, as the English say?”

“Yes, a bit. I thought perhaps his wound had left him with some difficulty thinking clearly. But he went on and on, and finally I realized he was serious. He was extremely well-spoken – obviously a gentleman – clearly well-educated. I didn’t think he was saying those things as a means to seduce me. It would have been a strange time for a man to attempt seduction – Nazi aircraft flying overhead and Germans on the march very nearby, not to mention the queues of soldiers and refugees trying to reach the beaches and safety.”

“So, how did it end?”

“He maintained that I was his soulmate until the end. He described me perfectly – on the inside – what I was like. It was eerie. He was adamant that if we had more time to spend together I’d realize that
he
was
my
soulmate, too.”

“And so...”

“And so, I told him I thought he had a fantasy – an ideal, and that he didn’t know me well enough to be saying such things. Shortly after that, he left. Before he did, he took my hands in his and said he knew he’d see me again in England.”

“Haven’t you ever been curious to learn more about him?”

“A little. But I didn’t have to search for answers. When I moved here, to Thornton-on-Sea, I learned that my ‘soulmate visitor’ was none other than Lord Sloan Thornton, the Viscount who will eventually become the Earl of Wessex and oversee
Highcroft Hall
, the family seat.”

“
Mon Dieu
! How ironic. Do you know him now?”

“On yes, indeed. But let me finish telling you what happened. Not very long after he left, there was another knock at my door. I thought perhaps it was him, returning for some reason. I was careful, but I opened the door slightly, and the next thing I knew it was forced inward. Three Nazi soldiers forced their way in.”

“Oh, my dear sister. I’m not sure I want to know the rest of this story.”

“Yes, well, it isn’t pleasant. They’d seen me aiding Lord Thornton, although I think that was just an excuse to break into the house. They said they were going to punish me. All three assaulted me, repeatedly. I wished I were dead. I thought it would never end. Finally they left. I was terrified and, of course, in shock. My only thought was getting away. I was so frightened they’d return. I still believe they would have.”

“I imagine you’re right. The dirty swine. I wish I’d been there. I would have killed them.”

“I’m glad you weren’t there, Josef. You might have managed to kill one of them, but you would have been killed, too. They were large, brutish men. There’s no way you would have been able to overpower all of them. Anyway, they did finally leave. I bathed, and made ready to escape. Actually, I put on some of your old clothing.” She smiled and laughed ruefully. “I went over to the farm next door – you remember Brigitte, our neighbour? I told Brigitte that I was going to England if I could get on a boat. She told me to go to Brighton after I reached Dover. She had a friend from long ago who owned a boarding house there. She made me repeat the name so I wouldn’t forget it.
Maison de Violette.
It’s a long story, Josef. I did as she said, and Madame Violette took me in. I hate to admit this, but her so-called ‘boarding house’ was, in reality, a brothel. I was so naïve. But she was lovely to me, as were most of the girls who worked for her. I really don’t know what would have become of me had it not been for her.”

“But, Elise. Your reputation? Weren’t you concerned that people would think you were one of her – eh – her girls?”

“At first, yes. But you know, Josef, I’ve learned that there are more important things in life than what others think. After I’d been there three months, it became obvious that I was pregnant.”

“
Mon Dieu
,
Mon Dieu
! Oh, my sweet sister. How unimaginable. So this is how Chloe came to be?”

“Yes. Of course I don’t ever want her to know. Madame Violette suggested that I change my surname, acting as if I were married, and wear a ring on my left hand.” Elise held out her hand. “I still do.” “So, then, that’s what I did. I’m now Elise de Baier. That’s the name on Chloe’s birth certificate. Everyone in Thornton-on-Sea
thinks I was married, and that my husband was killed at Dunkirk – that I was pregnant when I left France. Of course, I truly
was
pregnant when I left, although I didn’t know it. So, that part is true enough.”

“Poor Elise. Did you stay in Brighton until Chloe was born?”

“Yes. Madame Violette made arrangements for me to deliver in hospital. I had the best care. When I returned to
Maison de Violette
I realized, however, that no matter how kind everyone was, Chloe needed to be raised in a better environment. I had no idea what I’d do. Then, the best friend I’d made there, Giselle Dupris, presented an offer I couldn’t refuse. She said she wanted to find a decent job and quit the life she’d been living. She wanted me to share a cottage with her, in a village somewhere far removed from Brighton. So we came here. She got a job as lady’s maid to Lady Celia Thornton at
Highcroft Hall
. I packed up Chloe and moved here too. We were able to lease this cottage, and it’s been wonderful. The people are gracious and kind. They’ve been very welcoming. Naturally, I was stunned when I learned that Giselle was working for the mother of Sloan Thornton, the man who’d visited our farmhouse on that fateful day. He wasn’t here, obviously. He was RAF – based in North Africa. It’s all so complex. I learned of his engagement to a girl named Anne Whitfield – a Duke’s daughter. It infuriated me that he’d made such overt comments to me about soulmates and the like, when he had a lovely girl waiting at home for him. “

“This does get more and more complicated. Can we take a pause while I refill my tea, Elise?”

“Yes, certainly. I’m sorry. It
is
a long tale. But I want you to understand all that’s happened, and where things stand now.”

“I want to know every bit of it,” her brother answered. “I’ll just be a second.” He went to the kitchen and refilled his cup. Returning, he settled back in, ready to hear the rest of the story. “All right, Elise, where were we? So, you found out that Lord Thornton was engaged to someone else, when he made overtures to you.”

“Yes. That’s the gist of it. I didn’t care, except I thought him a terrible cad. Eventually I met his fiancé, Anne. She ended up taking French lessons from me. One day we drank wine, and I’m afraid it loosened my tongue. I told her the truth about my not being married, the Nazi brutes – all of it. She was very sympathetic. She knew I’d met Sloan, but only that I had bandaged his wound. I didn’t say anything about the conversation about my supposedly being his soulmate. But, he’d actually written a letter telling her about me. I was stunned.”

“But, he scarcely knew you. Also, Elise, was it wise to tell her your story? Do you trust her?”

“Yes, I do. She’s a lovely person. She and Sloan broke off their engagement. Actually he asked her to release him from the commitment. He said he loves her like a sister, but should never have proposed. He’d proposed the night before he left for the war.”

“Many men made that mistake. War is a dreadful thing, and it also makes people more impetuous. There’s great romance associated with the idea of going off to fight and leaving someone you love behind.”

“I know. It’s not unusual. Anyway, to make a long story shorter, Anne and I are good friends now. She doesn’t harbour resentment towards Sloan, and now he’s home, they’ve pledged to be friends forever. She’s actually very keen on getting Sloan and me together.”

“She must be very special. He’s a lucky man. If that had been me, the scorned woman would have had my head,” he laughed.

“I know. But, she’s been very nice about everything.”

“Are you involved with Sloan, then? Don’t tell me you believe in this soulmate business?”

“Not especially. But I do like him a lot. We’re friends. Whether it goes further, I don’t know. At first I thought he would be repulsed if he knew my story. But apparently Anne told him everything, and he says it doesn’t matter – that it will never be spoken of again.”

“Well, he certainly sounds like a compassionate sort. Of course, none of what happened was your fault Elise. Why do you think he, or anyone else, would be repulsed? Repulsed at the Nazis’ behavior, but not at anything you’ve done.”

“Yes, but I can see where a man might find me disgusting to be with. I feel soiled and unworthy of a decent man.”

“Elise! None of it was your fault. You need to stop such thinking.”

“That’s what Sloan says, too. That’s really the only thing he said about it. He asked if anything about my story was my fault, and I replied that it wasn’t. That was all that mattered to him.”

“Elise, are you in love with him?”

“I don’t know, Josef. I’m afraid to give my heart to anyone. Men frighten me. And I have Chloe to think about. I’m confused, to be honest. I think I
could
love him, if it weren’t for everything that’s happened to me. I’m terribly afraid to trust.”

“I’d like to meet Sloan Thornton. I could form a better opinion about whether I believe he’s trustworthy.”