The Oslo Affair (Shadows of War, #2) by CW Browning (read after .txt) 📗

“Evie, give Robbie my best,” Tony said, holding out his hand to her as his sister settled her gloved hand on his arm. “Tell him to make us proud up there in his fighter plane.”

“I will.”

Evelyn watched them turn and move towards the entrance before continuing to the restaurant. Maryanne Gilhurst and she had become fast friends shortly after she returned from Hong Kong, and Lord Gilhurst was like another brother to her. She never considered the fact that they were peers of the realm, only that they were dear friends. Many of her acquaintances had a title before their name, but it never seemed to make a difference. Evelyn’s own family was one of the oldest and most distinguished in England, and that was all that really mattered when it came to London society. Where breeding and lineage were concerned, the Ainsworth’s were right up there with the cream of nobility.

She entered the alcove of the restaurant and turned to go to the coat check desk, the doorman following with her packages. The Grill was one of two restaurants in the famous hotel, and more relaxed than its exclusive and formal cousin. Catering more to the cosmopolitan and modern crowd, The Grill Room nonetheless still adhered to the excellent standards of both cuisine and service to which the patrons of the Savoy had grown accustomed.

“Good evening, miss,” a young woman greeted her as she approached the desk.

“Good evening.” The doorman set the boxes on the counter and Evelyn passed him a coin with a smile of thanks. He bent his head, wished her a good evening, and returned to his post. “I’d like to check these, please.”

“Of course, miss.”

The woman took the boxes and turned to carry them into a long, narrow room behind her. She returned a moment later and handed Evelyn a ticket.

“Thank you.”

Turning, Evelyn slipped the ticket into her purse as she went to the entrance of the restaurant. Before she could step inside, however, a voice called out gaily behind her.

“I’m here, Evie!”

She turned to find Rob striding across the foyer towards her with Miles Lacey beside him. Evelyn’s pulse leapt at the sight of the tall pilot and she had to force her breathing to remain steady.

“Sorry I’m late! I ran into Miles and convinced him to join us.”

“In all honesty, I didn’t need much convincing,” Miles told her with a smile, holding out his hand as his green eyes met hers. “I hope you don’t mind my crashing your dinner.”

Evelyn took his hand, her lips curving into a smile.

“Of course not!” she said. “I thought you were picking up a plane in Catterick?”

“Oh, that’s a story and a half!” Rob said with a laugh. “Let’s get to our table and he can tell you all about it over a drink. Have you been waiting long?”

“No. I’ve just arrived. I ran into Maryanne and Tony in the lobby. They send their love.”

“Tony’s here? Good Lord, I haven’t seen him in an age! Why didn’t they come along as well?”

“They were on their way to the theatre, or I’m sure they would have.”

Rob gave his name to the host standing behind the podium at the door. The man nodded, his demeanor becoming significantly warmer as he checked in the large book before him.

“Ah yes, Mr. Ainsworth. Here you are.” He made no mention of the extra guest. “If you would care to follow me?”

They followed him across the restaurant to a table in the corner and Evelyn smiled in thanks as he held a chair out for her.

“I’ll send someone over from the bar,” he said as Miles and Rob seated themselves. “Enjoy your meal, sir.”

“Thank you.” Rob waited until the man had retreated back to the entrance, then looked at Evelyn. “You look refreshed. What did you get up to while I was being put to sleep by stodgy old lawyers and bankers?”

“I went shopping,” she said with a laugh. “How did you know?”

“You have a gleam in your eye. I’m glad. Did you buy yourself something pretty?”

Evelyn thought of the warm pull-overs and woolen skirts that she had bought to combat the temperature of Oslo in November and repressed a laugh.

“Not pretty, no, but practical.” She looked up as a server approached the table to take their drink orders. “Dad would be proud of me.”

“And Mum will tell you that you should have bought yourself something nice,” Rob retorted. “What will you drink?”

“I think I’d like a sidecar,” she said after a moment of thought.

Rob ordered for her and he and Miles ordered pints. Once the server had gone away towards the bar, Evelyn looked at Miles.

“What happened with the plane?” she asked, pulling a cigarette case from her purse. “Was it misplaced?”

He shook his head and pulled out a lighter for her.

“Hardly. I arrived and they said it was all ready to go, but instead of flying it back to Duxford, I was to take it down to Biggin Hill instead. Well, I was halfway there when the instruments went biserk and I started losing altitude.”

Evelyn gasped and stared at him. “Oh my goodness! What did you do?”

He held out the lighter and she bent her head to the flame.

“What any sensible pilot would do; I made an emergency landing at Northolt.” He tucked the lighter away again as she lifted her head. “I called our CO and told him what happened. He said to check in again in the morning. I was on my way to a hotel when Rob caught sight of me outside Piccadilly.”

“Do they know what caused it?” she asked.

“Some ground crew mucked something up, more than likely,” Rob said. “It happens more than you’d think. Remember when Hadmire’s wheel wouldn’t come down? Some fool had left a wrench in there!”

Miles grimaced. “Didn’t he end up putting up the other wheel and landing on his belly after the fourth pass?”

Rob nodded. “Yes. Bloody good landing, that was.”

“Someone had to land without wheels?” Evelyn looked from