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

the spring. I was glad to come away at the end of it. The training officer was an absolute tartar. I felt sure I was going to get run through with a sword if I missed something.”

“I haven’t seen one sword,” she assured him. “Although, I’ve heard that one of the CO’s has an axe in his office.”

“Who has an axe in his office?” Rob spoke behind her and she turned in her chair with a laugh.

“One of the COs on my station.”

“Tread carefully, then. Don’t let him hear your sass,” Rob said with a grin. He looked across the room at Miles and walked forward with his hand out. “Miles! What are you doing here? Did you desert?”

Miles stood up and gripped his hand with a laugh.

“Hardly, old man. I’ve been sent up to Catterick to pick up a kite. Ashmore asked me to stop by and bring you something from the station. It’s in the car outside.”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Not at all. Your sister’s been keeping me company.”

“Well, stay for a drink. You’ve missed lunch, I’m afraid, but there’s an excellent brandy I can offer you.”

“I stopped for a bite at a pub on my way, but I’ll take some brandy if it’s going.”

“Of course! Come into the study.” Rob turned towards the door. “Are you coming, Evie?”

Evelyn stood up with a smile.

“I’m not, dearest. I’m off to check on Mother and then I’m going to hide in peace somewhere for a few minutes.” She looked at Miles. “Not that it wasn’t wonderful meeting you, Mr. Lacey,” she added. “I hope you don’t mind. I’ll join you another time for a drink.”

His eyes met hers and he smiled.

“Not at all. I’m sure you’re just about fed up with visitors,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’ll hold you to that drink though, Miss Ainsworth.”

She took his hand with a smile and felt his long fingers close around hers.

“Please call my Evelyn.”

“Only if you’ll call me Miles.”

“Very well,” she agreed, pulling her hand away. “I’ll look forward to that drink.”

“As will I,” he murmured, watching her as she left.

Rob shook his head and clapped Miles on the shoulder as soon as Evelyn had disappeared out the door.

“Don’t get your hopes up, old man,” he advised with a grin. “It’ll never happen.”

Miles looked at him.

“Are you really going to play the defensive big brother?” he demanded.

“Good Lord, no! She can defend herself without any help from me.” Rob led him out of the drawing room and down the corridor towards the study. “But many have come before you and crashed in flames. I’d hate to see you go down burning.”

“You’ve seen me fly,” Miles said with a grin. “I’ll take my chances.”

Chapter Three

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Evelyn looked up as a woman dressed in a smart, gray suit with a silk blouse came across the small waiting area.

“Miss Ainsworth?”

Evelyn stood up. “Yes.”

The woman swept an assessing look over her before her sharp gaze settled on her face.

“I’ll escort you to Montclair’s office. Did you receive a visitors pass?”

Evelyn held it out and the woman looked at it cursorily. Even though the glance was brief, Evelyn got the distinct impression that she had examined it thoroughly.

“Right. Follow me.”

She spun on her heel and Evelyn followed, her lips tightening faintly in irritation. She had no idea who the woman was or why she was being so abrupt with her. She was here because of a borderline command from William Buckley, but this woman seemed to think they were doing her a favor by allowing her into the shabby, nondescript building situated on Broadway, near St. James Park Underground. Although it was only a few blocks from Westminster, the neighborhood had absolutely nothing to recommend itself, much less the building. She had stood on the pavement with the business card in her hand for a moment, staring at the number above the door and wondering if she had somehow got it wrong.

Following the woman down the corridor, Evelyn glanced at her watch. She was a few minutes late, due solely to the fact that the young man at the desk had taken an inordinately long time to process her visitor’s pass from the military ID she’d shown him. Perhaps that’s why this woman was so cold. Perhaps she disapproved of tardiness.

They reached the end of the corridor and went up a flight of stairs. A man in uniform stood at the top and, as they approached, he moved forward. The woman held up an identity card and he nodded before turning his attention to Evelyn. She held out her pass and he took it, examining it carefully before raising his eyes to her face. After studying her for a moment, he nodded.

“Thank you,” he said, passing it back.

She nodded and followed the woman down another long corridor lined on either side with closed doors. At the end of the hallway, she opened the last door on the left and motioned her inside.

Evelyn walked through and found herself in a large, well-appointed office with a polished mahogany desk set between two narrow windows flanked with blackout curtains. As she entered, Jasper Montclair rose from his seat behind the desk, a welcoming smile creasing his face. Bill turned in the chair before the desk and also stood as she entered. She smiled, surprised to see him there.

“Ah, Miss Ainsworth!” Jasper exclaimed, coming out from behind the desk and advancing towards her. “I’m glad you were able to come.”

Evelyn smiled and held out her hand. “Of course.”

“You know William Buckley, of course,” he said, releasing her hand and nodding towards Bill.

“Yes.” Evelyn smiled and nodded to him. “It’s good to see you again.”

“I trust you had an uneventful trip down?” Bill asked with a smile. “Did you take the train in?”

“No, actually. I drove down with my brother. He has some business to take care of with our solicitor before he rejoins his squadron.”

“Oh yes. He’s a pilot in 66 squadron, stationed at Duxford, isn’t he?”