No Regrets: A Novel of Love and Lies in World War II England (The Thornton Trilogy Book 1) (21 page)

“Anne, I don’t know how to thank you. I owe you a huge apology. It seems my judgment isn’t as keen as I thought it was. I have to reconcile this muddle with Elise. I’m heartbroken, Anne. I loved her. Really loved her. You know, I can even understand how a young girl could make bad decisions – especially one without a mother to guide her. But, to sleep with Nazi’s! And lie about everything to me. I can never forgive that. Never.” He put his head back into his hands.

“I’m sorry, Sloan. I wouldn’t have hurt you intentionally. I think, under the circumstances, we should forget about lunch. I doubt you feel much like eating. I know I’ve lost my appetite. My only advice is that you don’t let her manipulate you with more lies. She knows you love her. I’m sure she’ll use your love to try to convince you that none of this is true. Of course, she’ll say that I’m lying, or try to clean it up, by giving some sort of false explanation. If you don’t believe me, go to Brighton yourself. Talk to Lana and Adele.”

“I believe you, Anne. You’d have no reason to make something like this up. No sane person could invent this. It’s too incredible. But don’t worry. I’ll remember what you said. She’ll not get another chance to hoodwink me. I’m going to see her right now, and get it over with. I suppose she’ll ring you. I don’t intend to use your name, but she’ll undoubtedly know where I learned the truth. What are you going to say if she calls? I hate to put you in the middle of this.”

“I’ll just hang up, Sloan. She hasn’t any right to be angry with me. All I’ve done is try to protect a friend.”

“You’re absolutely correct. Right, then. Thank you again, Anne. I’m off to her cottage. After that, I’ll go back to
Highcroft Hall
. I feel like hell. I just want to have it out and go home.”

“I understand. I won’t bother you. Ring me when you feel up to it.”

Sloan left the bistro and got into his auto. Looking at his watch, he checked to make certain Chloe wouldn’t be home. Poor girl. He had no desire to hurt her any more than she already would be, when she learned she wasn’t going to have a Daddy, or a pony.

He decided he’d drive to the cottage and tell her what he knew. He wasn’t about to give any warning. She didn’t deserve any. He thought about the quaint, little place where she and Giselle had chosen to live.
No Regrets
. He laughed aloud as he drove. That really said it all, didn’t it? If they were at all ashamed of what they’d done in the past, they’d have torn that sign down. But to leave it up! It was like announcing to the entire village that Elise and Giselle weren’t a bit ashamed of the degrading life they’d led. He imagined the two of them, sitting in their cottage, laughing at the way they were making fools of the good people who’d accepted their lies. Damn her soul, he thought.

He pulled up in front and got out of the car. She was in the garden. He was beyond furious, but controlled his anger so they didn’t have a row outside in the open. He’d have to go inside with her, where they could have privacy. She glanced up when she heard the door slam. She was clipping the last of the summer roses. There was a large bouquet in her hand. His heart ached. She stood there in the sunlight, golden hair streaming down her back, dressed in a sweet, pink and lavender pinafore. She was the epitome of innocence and purity. How different reality was from the vision. She smiled a sweet smile and waved to him.

“Hello, Sloan. I didn’t expect to see you today. What a happy surprise. I’ve just finished clipping the last rose of summer. I always feel a little sad when that’s done. No more blooms until next spring. But, by then I’ll be living at
Highcroft Hall
. I’ll have to come back and teach Josef how to care for all of the flowers.”

Sloan nodded his head. “Can we go into the house, Elise? I have something I need to speak with you about.”

She looked curiously at him. “Of course, Sloan. Is something the matter? Is everything all right with your parents?”

“Everything is fine with them,” he answered shortly.

He opened the front door for her, and they stepped inside. She stopped in the kitchen and filled a vase with water, so the roses wouldn’t die. After she’d tended to that, they went into the parlour. Sitting down on the sofa, she motioned for him to make himself comfortable. He choose to stand. That confused her even more, and she sensed his anger.

“What is it, Sloan? You seem upset.”

“Yes. You might say that,” he answered. “I now know that you aren’t the person I thought you were. To begin with, I’ve learned that you had intimate relations with not one, nor even two Nazi soldiers. One of them is Chloe’s father. My God, Elise. You don’t even know which of them that is. You were never married. You made it all up. Even your name is invented. Does
Maison de
Violette
in Brighton sound familiar to you? I understand you were very popular there, you and your dear friend Giselle. She’s certainly taken Ted for a ride. Who would think a seasoned prostitute could win a Boston banker’s son? She must be very good at what she does. To think, I might have had you for a few pounds, instead of a wedding ring.”

Elise was stunned. She felt nauseous, and her face turned ashen. “Where did you get these accusations? Did these come from Anne? You have to let me explain. You don’t understand anything.”

“Oh I understand only too well. Don’t think you’re going to persuade me to listen to more lies. You’re a whore, Elise. A whore! I’m disgusted. I can’t believe I ever considered marrying you. Your portrait would have hung in the gallery at
Highcroft Hall,
next to all of the lovely ladies who are my ancestors. You aren’t fit to be in their company. How could you ever have thought you’d get away with this? When did you dream up this scheme? Probably the minute I left the farmhouse. You saw a good thing and went after it. You must have been thrilled when you moved here, only to discover that I was a bigger catch than you knew. You’d attracted a Viscount. That set up Giselle to get her hooks into Ted. Women like you are very good at knowing how to read men. You knew what I was looking for. I’d been stupid enough to spell it out for you. My God! I even broke my engagement to Anne because of you. Anne! One of the loveliest ladies in the land – all of the things you aren’t. Well bred, honest, decent. You should be ashamed of yourself. Damn you. Damn you, Elise.”

Tears were running down her cheeks. No one in her life had ever spoken to her in such a manner. She tried again to make him understand. “No. No. You’re wrong about all of this. Please, please listen to me. Sloan. Our entire life hangs in the balance. Won’t you at least give me a chance to be heard?”

“Answer this, Elise. Is it true that Chloe’s father is a Nazi and that you don’t know for certain who he is?”

“Yes.... But... Please... There’s more... “

“I know there’s more. Not just one Nazi, but many. You admit that’s true. What more do I need to know? Was there more than one?”

“Yes... Yes... But... Sloan... You’re not letting me speak...”

“No. I’m not. If you don’t think that’s all I need to know, you’re daft. There’s nothing I want to hear from your lying mouth. Why don’t you get out of this town? Go to America with your friend Giselle. Perhaps you can accomplish more with a naïve American.”

Suddenly Elise stood and began to shout. “I do not have to sit here and be abused in my own home. I was wrong to think that you were different. You’re not. You haven’t the slightest notion of what you’re talking about, and you’re being unbearably cruel. I don’t have to justify myself to you. You know nothing about Ted and Giselle. Ted makes ten of you any day. Now get out of my house. This is the last time I’ll ever let any man into my house who only has the intention of hurting me. Get out!”

Sloan was amazed that Elise had the nerve to act as if she were the one who’d been wronged. But, it was obvious the conversation was over. She took off her engagement ring and threw it at him. “Take your stupid ring and leave,” she shouted.

He stooped and picked up the ring. “I might as well throw it in the rubbish. After it’s been on your hand, it’s not fit for any decent woman’s finger.”

She ran over and slapped him across the face. “Get out! Get out! I hate you!”

“Don’t worry, Elise. I’m going,” he replied. With that, he walked out of the door, slamming it behind him.

Elise slumped down on the sofa. For a moment she didn’t even cry. The shock was overwhelming. Then she let out a howl, and tears fell for hours.

***

Josef returned home shortly after Sloan had left. He’d been out looking for a building to buy or lease, where he could establish the restaurant. When he came into the cottage, he found Elise lying on the sofa, still crying hysterically.

“What the devil has happened? Who did this to you?”

She could scarcely speak. Finally, she managed to say Sloan’s name in between sobs.

“Sloan? What do you mean Sloan? Sloan loves you. He would never hurt you. Has something happened to him? Oh God no, Elise. Don’t tell me that.”

“No. No. Nothing has happened to Sloan,” she hiccoughed. “He’s hateful, disgusting, and a pig. I never want to see him again. Never!”

Josef laughed. “So you’ve had a lover’s quarrel, eh? It was bound to happen. Too much stress, you know.”

“No – you have no idea, Josef.” Elise sat upright and tried to talk.

“Then explain to me, dear sister. I’ve never seen you so upset. Tell me everything.”

He sat across from her. It took nearly an hour for her to tell him. She kept breaking into hysterical tears, and he had to wait until she pulled herself together before she could continue. When she finally finished, he was appalled. He was livid that Sloan hadn’t let her tell her side of things. He also wanted to go to Anne, and have it out with her.

“No. I already know what Anne is up to. I’ve figured it out. I believe she had this planned from the time she met me. She made certain to become my friend and managed to get me to reveal confidential things to her. Then she sat back, like a giant spider waiting to pounce. It worked. She got what she wanted. But, she isn’t the one I blame. Sloan had to listen to her. He had to believe what she said. Without even giving me the benefit of a doubt, he believed her. He isn’t the man I thought he was. I’ll never trust another man again.”

“Elise, never say never. I don’t believe you can have stopped loving Sloan so quickly. I understand your anger. I’m furious. I can’t even begin to imagine how you feel. It’s a good thing the English banned duels. I’d challenge him to one. Whether you like it or not, I’m going to speak to him. He’s my partner in the restaurant agreement. I’ll gladly negate that contract, but not without telling him what I think of him. Someone needs to stand up for you. You’re my sister. I love you, and I’ve always protected you. I’ll always feel guilt for not having been there when those evil Nazis assaulted you. I’m not going to stand by and have you hurt like this. Someone needs to speak on your behalf. But, when all is said and done, I don’t believe you’ve stopped loving him. I’m just wondering what you’ll do if, after he learns what an arse he’s been, he comes to you and begs forgiveness?”

“Josef. He wouldn’t give me a chance to speak. It’s impossible to believe he accepted the horrible things Anne told him about me and never even questioned them. All he had to do was come to me, and ask for an explanation. I’ve been operating on the assumption that he already knew everything. He said he that he did – that Anne had told him all about my past, and he didn’t need to know more. Obviously she hadn’t told him much of anything – probably that my husband had been killed, and it was terribly painful – that I didn’t want to talk about it. She can’t have told him the truth, because it’s pretty clear now that he’s only just learned the truth – and still not the actual truth! She made it sound like I’d willingly been intimate with several – many – Nazis. In other words, that I was sleeping with them – having affairs, or whatever one would call such behavior. How could he believe such a thing? It would be impossible for me to forgive him. You didn’t hear the things he said and the scornful tone in his voice. He looked like I disgusted him.”

“I understand. I’m disgusted with
him
. I’m trying to put myself in his place, as another man. Naturally I’d be upset, if I heard such things about a woman I loved. But, I hope I’d be decent enough to listen to her side of the story.”

“I hope you would too, Josef. In any event, I’m awfully confused and hurt at the moment. I was so happy such a short while ago. Now, it’s all been smashed to bits. What am I going to tell Chloe? She was so excited about having a Daddy. My poor baby. Perhaps I was selfish in not letting her be adopted by two, kind, people who would have given her a proper home.”

“Elise. Let’s not even discuss that. You made a decision, and Chloe is a sweet, well-adjusted, little girl. I agree that this will be a huge disappointment to her. We’ll need to think of a kind way to tell her, but I don’t think it should be now, when you’re so upset. Let it rest for a few days at least.”

“You’re probably right. I’m not in any condition to have a long, difficult chat with her. I need to get my emotions under control.”

***

Sloan stood by the window in his sitting room. He could see the orchard from there. The exact spot where he’d first kissed Elise. In the privacy of his own rooms, he let his emotions take over. Tears streamed down his handsome face, and he ran his hands through his hair, over and over again. “God Almighty,” he thought to himself. “How could this have happened? I loved her. I loved everything about her. How could I possibly have been so deceived? I was positive she was my soulmate. Can she really be so wicked? Such a tramp? How am I going to tell my parents? What am I going to tell them?” They were upset enough about having lost Giselle. His mother refused to even look for a replacement for her.

He walked into the bedchamber and threw himself down on the big four-poster. He hadn’t the faintest idea what he was going to do. Everything was in ruins. It was amazing that a person could go from being extraordinarily happy one day and in the depths of despair the next. He couldn’t imagine ever loving a woman again - not the way he’d loved her. He kept trying to remind himself that what he’d loved hadn’t really existed. He’d loved a fantasy. Anne had been right. Even Elise had said that to him, when he’d first met her in France. He’d been a fool. He got back up, and paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. Perhaps he should leave Thornton-on-Sea. But that wasn’t feasible. He was being groomed to take over
Highcroft Hall
someday. Perhaps she would leave. But where would she go? What about little Chloe? He’d shouted in anger that she should go to America, but he didn’t really mean it. Or did he? He was miserably confused. He lit a cigarette, but put it out after holding it for a moment. Walking back to the window, he allowed his mind to wander. She was the most beautiful creature. He could see her hair shining in the sunlight, and her perfect skin, with those lovely, pink cheeks. The idea that any other man had held her drove him mad. Nazis! How could she have? She wasn’t desperate for money. She had a home, and her brother took good care of her. What about Josef? Had he known of her behavior? He must have. Until the day Sloan showed up at her door, Josef had been living with her too. None of it made any sense. Josef was a fine chap. Upright, decent, honest. Wasn’t he? Sloan didn’t trust his judgment about anyone anymore.

Just as his mind turned to Josef, the telephone rang. He had a private line in his suite. He hoped it wasn’t Anne. He didn’t want to speak to her right then. But he felt he should answer it. Picking up the receiver, he heard Josef’s voice.