No Regrets: A Novel of Love and Lies in World War II England (The Thornton Trilogy Book 1) (8 page)

Impulsively, Anne reached over and hugged Giselle. “I appreciate that so much. It gives me something to look forward to. Oh, I hope she’ll agree to take me as a student.”

***

Just as the name ‘Sloan’ had struck a chord with Elise, the name ‘Elise’ startled Anne. It was impossible to forget the girl Sloan had described in his heartbreaking letter. He’d clearly referred to her as Elise. It was typically French, although Anne had never known anyone of that name. But, she also remembered that Sloan had mentioned meeting her near Dunkirk. Obviously this girl was from that area, too. He’d said nothing about a marriage, nor a pregnancy, but then, as far as Anne knew, he’d only spent a short while with her. Anne looked forward to meeting Elise. Somehow, she would learn whether Elise was the girl who’d ruined her life.

It didn’t take long to get her wish. The following day, Giselle told Lady Celia that Elise would be happy to take Anne as a student. She suggested that Anne ring Elise to set a time for a meeting. Later that day, Lady Anne, once again, appeared at
Highcroft Hall
. She was filled with excitement at the news that she’d be able to learn French from a woman who’d actually lived in France. Giselle gave her the number of the cottage, and Anne immediately placed the call.

Elise answered on the first ring, sounding very professional. She had a sweet voice and a fetching laugh that sounded like a pretty, silver bell. The two got on well during the conversation. They made arrangements for Anne to visit the cottage at four o’clock on Monday. Anne wished she hadn’t found the girl so likeable on the telephone. She was fully prepared to dislike her, if what she suspected was true.

On the other hand, Elise had no ill will toward Sloan Thornton’s fiancée. It wasn’t Anne’s fault that she was in love with a probable cad. She and Giselle had discussed the entire incident, and Elise had firmly reached the decision not to tell Anne anything about having met Sloan. But she was still curious about the girl Sloan planned to marry. After all, the man had said that
Elise
was his soulmate. Would Anne resemble her?

At four o’clock on Monday, a knock sounded at the cottage door. Elise knew who to expect. She wore a simple dress of white piqué. Her golden curls were pinned on top of her head, and she wore dainty pearl earrings. Elise never needed any cosmetics to enhance her beauty, but she’d added baby-pink lip rouge to her pretty mouth. Opening the door, she was somewhat startled by the lovely girl who stood there. She was nothing like Elise. She had very dark hair, lovely skin and beautiful eyes. They were very different types. Elise was demure and angelic, while Anne was sophisticated and well... sexy. Her mouth was painted crimson, and her hair tumbled to her shoulders in soft, sultry waves. She didn’t look cheap. Elise knew the difference. There was nothing wanton about her appearance, but she did look worldly and sophisticated.
Chic
was the word she was searching for.

“You must be Lady Anne,” Elise exclaimed. “Do come in. I’m so pleased to meet you.”

“Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your making time to take me as a student. I’m anxious to begin my lessons,” Anne answered. Her heart was racing as she gazed at the girl who’d opened the door. She’d never set eyes upon anyone so incredibly beautiful in her life. She was certain this was the girl Sloan had written about. No wonder he’d been spellbound. The girl looked like a serene angel. She immediately despised her. How was she to compete with such an ethereal beauty? Surely she couldn’t be as innocent and pure as she appeared. Could she? Anne immediately made up her mind to learn everything she could about this French cherub. There had to be more there than met the eye. ‘Oh God’, Anne thought. What would happen when Sloan returned and discovered that his so-called ideal woman was living in Thornton-on-Sea? Something had to be done. Perhaps she could keep him from finding out that Elise lived in the village, until she’d won back his heart. No matter that Elise appeared to be all he’d described. She was still nothing but a refugee from a foreign land. She surely wasn’t the caliber of woman someone like Sloan should be considering as a future countess. All of those thoughts, and more, raced through Anne’s mind, but she kept a charming smile on her face, giving no hint that she thought of Elise as a rival.

Elise, similarly, kept her feelings well-hidden. She wasn’t the sort of person who would think poorly of another woman. She found Anne very attractive and warm. She immediately thought that they might become friends. She could understand at once why Sloan was in love with his childhood sweetheart. She believed, all the more, that what had taken place at her farmhouse in France had been some sort of odd occurrence. She vowed to put it out of her mind forever.

Elise didn’t know how to be anything but genuine. As a result it didn’t take long before she and Anne were seemingly friends. Just as Anne had done with Giselle, she asked Elise to stop calling her ‘Lady Whitfield’. Elise wasn’t so naïve as to believe she could ever be a companion to a titled aristocrat, but as time went on, the two
did
begin to share thoughts and feelings. She had no idea that Anne wasn’t being forthright with her. Every Monday at four o’clock, just after the children’s class ended, Anne arrived at
No Regrets
, and the two spent two hours speaking only French. Anne found that by not being allowed to speak English during the lessons, she was forced to remember how to say what she was thinking in French. She made wonderful progress. During the lessons Giselle would tend to Chloe. If it was a nice day, she often took the infant out in a pram. If it were threatening rain, or too cool, they stayed upstairs, while Giselle rocked the baby and played little games with her. Anne’s lessons didn’t end until six o’clock, so it was a full day for Elise. It soon became a regular occurrence for Elise and Anne to share a cup of tea after lessons were over. They’d sit in front of the cosy fireplace and chat. At first the conversation wasn’t personal, but as time went on, Anne began to speak about deeper feelings.

The important thing to Anne was that she learn as much as possible about the naïve, guileless Elise. The ultimate goal was to erase her from Sloan’s mind. There was also an outside chance that Anne could find a way to remove the angelic beauty from close proximity to
Highcroft Hall,
but such a task would be difficult. Lord and Lady Thornton adored Giselle. They’d become quite fond of both Elise and Chloe, too.

Before Giselle had worked at
Highcroft Hall
for less than a month, the middle-aged couple had taken an interest in her. They’d even made a special effort to meet Elise and Chloe. They were invited to tea in the drawing room of the country house, which had thrilled and delighted Elise. She was astonished that members of the aristocracy would entertain someone of a much lower class. Although the Thorntons were noble and genteel, they didn’t seem to view Giselle and Elise as down-market. Lady Celia, in particular, seemed interested in their French upbringing, and that obviously played a part in her acceptance of them. Because the young ladies’ manners were beyond reproach, and their command of the English language as fine as any aristocrat’s, Lady Celia didn’t see them as common. She understood that many refugees from France, and other European nations, had come from high-born families, but found it necessary to begin again after they reached England. Lady Celia also adored babies, so Chloe charmed her. Giselle had given Lady Celia no indication that Elise was the girl who had saved Sloan’s leg. She’d been hesitant to do so. But, when the two visited for tea, the subject again came up. Elise acted astounded, and admitted that she had been the girl Sloan had met in France. Lady Celia and Lord Rowan were dumbfounded. The news only served to cement their relationship further. Of course, Elise knew that Lady Celia would tell Anne what she’d learned. Therefore, she decided to tell Anne herself, before she heard it from the Thorntons.

The very next day, Anne had a lesson with Elise. Before they started, Elise told her that she had something important to tell her. Anne listened intently.

“Anne, I need to tell you something. I don’t want you to think I haven’t been honest with you. You know that Giselle and I took Chloe and went to tea at
Highcroft Hall
yesterday, don’t you?”

“”Yes, of course. Did you enjoy yourselves?”

“Yes, very much. During the conversation, Lady Celia brought up the fact that her son had been injured in France, and had found aid from a French farm girl. The moment she told the story, I knew that she was referring to me. I can’t believe the astounding coincidence. I had no idea that he was the son of Lord and Lady Thornton. He never gave me his surname. It wasn’t an important event to me, and I’d never even mentioned it to Giselle. That was the same day I escaped to England. I had much bigger things on my mind.”

Elise felt dreadful about lying, but there was nothing else she could do. Anne took the news well. She smiled and said it was a small world. Then, she asked what Elise had thought of Sloan. Elise hesitated, and then replied that she didn’t remember a lot about him – she’d been nervous because there were so many Germans in the area. She was just glad when he left.

Anne was pleased. So, although Sloan had written to her, raving about having found his soulmate, nothing had taken place between them. Obviously, Elise didn’t have any feelings for Sloan. That was a relief. It didn’t erase her worry about what would happen when Sloan returned to Thornton-on-Sea and learned that Elise lived there. It was still going to be necessary to think of something she might do that would cause Sloan to change his feelings for the enchanting Elise. Anne decided to focus on finding Elise’s Achilles heel. The question was, where to begin? Anne hadn’t the faintest notion about how to research a person’s background. Especially when that person had come to England from a foreign land. And the foreign land was France, now occupied by the Third Reich. The only way she could imagine learning anything about Elise’s past, was to become her dear friend. Friends shared even the darkest secrets. So, she began to work even harder to accomplish that goal.

The lessons continued through the autumn, and into the beginning of winter. On Sunday, December 7, 1941, the news reported that Pearl Harbor had been bombed by the Japanese. It was a horrendous tragedy. The American Navy was stationed there, in the faraway Hawaiian Islands. On a sleepy Sunday morning, ghastly Japanese aeroplanes flew in from the sea and slaughtered the poor, young men who slept in bunks aboard their ships. The airfield was also nearly destroyed. America immediately declared war on Japan. Before anyone could blink an eye, Germany and Japan were foes of the Americans. England was appalled at the attack, and many people shed tears for the slain naval fleet, but they couldn’t help but be happy that they’d no longer be fighting alone. Everyone hoped it would be a turning point in the war. When Anne arrived for her French lesson that Monday, it was impossible to think of anything but the war. Chloe slept in her cot, while Elise, Giselle, and Anne sat in the parlor, going over and over what had happened and pondering the changes in store for Great Britain.

“I suppose we’ll have American military here now,” Giselle said.

“Yes. I wonder what they’re like. I’ve heard Americans are very forward. Has either of you ever known one?” asked Anne.

“I have,” Elise replied. “When I was much younger. We lived in Monte Carlo. Americans visited the casino there. They seemed nice enough. Some were a bit unruly, but for the most part they acted decently. I was too young to see them socially, but knew girls who were older. A lot of them thought Americans were very good looking.”

“I’ve never known one,” Giselle lied. While working in Paris, she’d had occasion to meet
many
young men from the United States. They were generally doing the Grand Tour of Europe, after completion of Ivy League educations. She’d known some
very intimately
, but wasn’t about to reveal that information.

“I wonder if there’ll be a base anywhere near the southeast coast,” mused Anne. “It would be fun to meet someone from America.”

“I think they’re pretty much like men anywhere,” Elise said.

“I think Englishmen are more proper and gentlemanly. At least aristocratic Englishmen,” Anne replied.

“Is Sloan proper and gentlemanly?” Giselle asked.

Elise shot a look of warning. There’d been no conversation about Sloan, and she didn’t want for there to be. But the question hung in the air.

“I think he’s the most proper, dear man in the world,” Anne answered. “The epitome of an English gentleman. What do you think, Elise? You’ve met him.”

“He seemed very proper to me, if I recall. It was all such a rush,” she answered. “I wonder if the American’s joining the fray will speed the war’s end. It has to make a difference,” she added, changing the subject.

“Yes, I’d think so,” Anne answered. “We can surely hope so.”

“I think it will definitely give weight to an Allied victory,” added Giselle.

“When that happens, will the two of you return to your homeland?” Anne wondered aloud.

“We’ve never discussed it,” Giselle said. “Frankly, I doubt it. We’ve put down roots here now. What do you think, Elise?”

“No. I don’t think so. I’ve grown to love England. My little girl knows nothing of France. I have sad memories from there. Our move was meant to be a new beginning, and Great Britain has been good to me. Chloe was born here. It’s home to us.”

“Well, I’m very glad to hear that,” answered Anne. It was a hard sentence to speak. She would have given anything to hear that the two would be returning to France after the war.

The chat continued until the sun set over the sea. Then, the three young ladies stopped talking and made plans for a resumption of their regular routine the following Monday. After Anne left, Giselle and Elise talked between themselves.

“I like her so much,” said Elise. “I hope I’m doing the right thing by not telling her the entire truth about Sloan. She seems to love him so much. It would be cruel to break her trust in him.”

“I like her too,” Giselle agreed. “But you know, Elise - I wouldn’t say this to anyone except you – I don’t trust her completely. I wish I could say why. Something about her doesn’t seem genuine. You’re so good. So trusting. Perhaps I’m more suspicious than you. You don’t trust men, and I don’t trust a lot of women.”

“What has she said, or done, to make you feel that way?”

“Nothing. I can’t think of a single thing. That’s the problem. It’s just a feeling I have. I’m probably being unfair. I was prepared to dislike her before I met her. I thought I’d gotten over that. I truly thought I had. But there’s just some strange feeling I get.”

“I think you’re wrong, Giselle. She seems honest and straightforward. She genuinely seems to like both of us. I think we’re lucky to count her as a friend.”

“We probably are. Pay me no mind. I’m probably wrong.”

***

As it turned out, the entire southeast coast of Britain was filled with airbases where Americans were stationed. From East Sussex, to Kent, to Hampshire, there were many, many airfields. Everyone had known about the locations, for they were RAF bases first and foremost. When the 8
th
Air Force of the United States came in January 1942, they were stationed with the RAF. Towns like Thornton-on-Sea and Whitfield Cove, where Anne’s home was located, became accustomed to seeing RAF chaps, as well as American boys in the pubs and Inns.

Anne finally got to meet an American man. Her parents, the Duke and Duchess, Lord and Lady Whitfield, were acquainted with the president of a large bank in America. Lord Whitfield had known him since his days at Oxford. Now his friend’s son was in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at RAF Ashford. His friend’s name was John Cabot, and he was a distant relative of the famed Cabot family of Boston, a very wealthy, aristocratic clan. John’s son was Major Theodore – Ted – Cabot. John Cabot wrote to Lord Whitfield, asking if he’d invite Ted to
Meadowlands
, and keep watch over him while he was stationed in England. Lord Whitfield was delighted to do so. Thus, a dinner was planned, when the young flier had a free evening, and it was a festive affair. Lady Celia and Lord Rowan were invited. Of course, the Whitfield’s daughter, Anne would be there, too. It was made clear from the beginning that she was engaged to marry an RAF Captain, serving in the Middle East, so the Major was well-aware that she wasn’t free. Sloan had been promoted by that time, but Anne wished she could say that he was a Major, like Ted Cabot.

Anne decided to engage in a bit of innocent flirting. She found the handsome, rugged airman very attractive, with his auburn hair and deep blue eyes. Of course that didn’t mean she’d forgotten Sloan – such a thing could never happen. But it had been a long time since she’d had the chance to bat her eyes at an attractive gentleman. After all, she thought to herself, she needed practice in order to be prepared to win back the adoration of the only man she’d ever loved. Sloan had apparently done his share of flirting – or at least
thinking
about another woman. Although no one was aware of it, Anne and Sloan weren’t even engaged anymore. She was seated next to Major Cabot, which afforded ample opportunity for sly little glances and downcast eyes that showed her long lashes. It was apparent that the Major found her intriguing.

“Tell me about your home, Major Cabot,” Anne said. “I’m afraid I know little of America, but I’d like to familiarize myself with your country. You’ve arrived at such a frightening time in Great Britain. I hope you know how much we longed for your intervention. We desperately needed help. Now you’re here, and I think we owe it to your fine people to learn all we can about them.”

The Major appeared to be pleased at her interest in America.

“The United States is like England in many ways. After all, we were a part of you for more than a century. A lot of our beliefs and customs are based on English traditions. But we’re much more diverse. They call us a ‘melting pot’, and that we are. In the beginning, the majority of our people came from European countries, but mostly England. There were Dutch, Spaniards, French, and early Germans too. Then other nationalities began to immigrate, and soon we had Irish neighborhoods, Italian, Polish, and Russian. People from every country in the world can point to relatives in the States. We’re still a young country by your standards. As a result, I’d say we’re less inclined toward holding to a class system, which has continued in England. In America, a person who’s lowborn can become very wealthy and be accepted into society.”