Taplow, England           Major George Thorpington exited a nondescript sedan that had pulled into Cliveden’s courtyard and attempted to smooth the wrinkles out of his tweed suit.           A footman stepped forward. “Sir?”           “I’m Major Thorpington. I’m expected.”           “Of course, sir. I’ll just take your bags.”           “Yes. Do that.”           Moments later, a Bentley Saloon turned onto the long, gravel drive and pulled up to the house. Victoria emerged, impeccably dressed in a navy blue suit with a veiled hat that practically concealed her identity. She couldn’t help noticing the man standing in front of the door.           “Major, is that you?”           Thorpington turned and looked at the tall slender woman. “Madame, do we know each other?”           “Major, it’s Victoria,” she said, lifting her veil. “I realize it’s been years since we’ve seen each other. I guess I’m quite a bit older than you remember.”           “My goodness child, of course I remember you.” He studied her for a moment. “How could I miss your remarkable resemblance to your mother?”           “Well I’m glad to hear you haven’t forgotten me.”           “I must say, you sound different.”           “Like a Parisian?”           “That must be it.” He paused awkwardly. “I heard that William is missing. You have my sympathies. When I received the invitation to this party and it said you might be in attendance, I damn well knew I had to come.”           “Your invitation mentioned that I would be attending?”           “Yes, there was a handwritten note. It was just a sentence, really, mentioning you by name.”           “How extraordinary.”           “I hope you don’t mind. I don’t usually attend this type of thing, but I did so want to see you and extend my condolences.”           “You make Wills sound like he’s dead, Major. I refuse to believe that. Actually, I came to England so I would be here when he returns.”           “Yes, of course, dear. I’m sure Mother England will do everything possible to ensure his safety.” *           Weekend house parties at Cliveden were usually lively, and on that particular evening, Nancy Astor had engaged a troupe of Gypsies to perform.           One dark beauty was gyrating wildly in front of the dancing flames of the Tote Room fireplace. Its mantle was supported on either side by marble pilasters of female nudes. While the dancing Gypsy was not naked, her costume, which was highly decorated with brilliant sequins, was nearly transparent.           More traditional music was playing outside on the terrace, and miniature horses were prancing about on the south lawn to the various melodies.           Feuermacht walked among the many guests, acknowledging some with a simple nod, while greeting others like old friends. All the while, his eyes searched the crowd, looking for Major Thorpington or Lady Méliès.           Someone pointed out Victoria out. She was walking arm-in-arm with Nancy Astor on the terrace. If the Lady was here, Thorpington probably was, as well. Feuermacht wanted to make contact with Thorpington, first.           He spotted his prey at the entrance to the Tote Room. The Major’s eyes were trained on the Gypsy who was dancing her way around the room, flirting with different men who stood along the perimeter.           “Major Thorpington? Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Siegfried Feuermacht, a house guest of the Astors.”           “Aren’t we all?” replied the Major. “I abhor these house parties. There’s a lot of needless twitter, if you ask me. But I knew the daughter of an old family friend would be here. And it really wouldn’t do for her to attend unescorted, what with these gypsies and donkeys roaming about.”           The Major was interrupted when the dancer wrapped her scarf around his neck and then seductively pulled it away.           Feuermacht smiled. “I can understand how a man with your distinguished record at the War Office, could find better ways spend his time. But these parties do keep the ladies happy.”           “Yes, yes,” harrumphed the Major. “I can see that. I’m only here because I haven’t spoken to Lady Méliès for a while. I wanted to see her because her brother‘s been reported missing. He’s Lord William Tyning – a Commander in Her Majesty’s service. He means the world to Victoria. This party may be just what she needs to take her mind off William.”           “And that, Major, is one of the most amazing things about parties like this. You never know when you’re going to meet someone in a position to help you. It’s the perfect place for a discreet business agreement.”           “You’ve lost me. Who can get any business done with all this ruckus?”           Feuermacht played his hand. “You may have discerned from my name, Major, that I am of German descent. As it happens, I’ve heard from my homeland about a matter of great importance. The Reich is holding an Englishman on charges of espionage. He's a Commander who's wearing a very distinct family ring. He’s apparently a peer of the realm. From what little I garnered from my countrymen, they are quite willing to trade him. But the trade must be arranged immediately. He’s in great danger and I can’t say what might happen to him if he’s left in a Nazi prison much longer.”           “My God, man, that must be William. What do the Nazis want?”           “There were some coded documents and a map in a room where Tyning was being detained. There was a distraction. The documents disappeared. It’s believed the British have them. I understand you work in the archives at the War Department. A man of your stature would have access to these documents if they were retrieved by Allied soldiers.”           “I’ve seen nothing like that.”           “I believe these papers may cross your desk in the next few days. We – my countrymen – must retrieve these documents before they’re cataloged and analyzed. Of course, that may already have happened. In that case, the poor Commander is lost.”           “No. No, I assure you. The very first step would be to log the documents into our archives so we can keep track of them. It would never do to lose them.”           “We want those documents.”           “Have you contacted the British War Office?”           “This must be done quietly. The British War Office must not be involved. You, Major, are in a position to retrieve those documents for us.”           “What you’re asking is treason!”           “No, Major, what I’m proposing is the safe exchange of a human life for some useless papers. There’s nothing in the documents that involve the British Empire. Yet, they can spare Tyning’s life. In fact, it’s the only way to save him. You and I, Major, we could take care of this business right now. But I will give you twenty-four hours to think it over.” *           Lady Méliès, have you met Siegfried Feuermacht? He’s from Waldorf, a small village near Heidelberg that my forebears and I have ironically been named after. He’s expressed an interest in meeting you.” The introduction came from Waldorf Astor.           Victoria smiled as Feuermacht kissed her hand.           “Lady Méliès, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”           Astor walked away, leaving Victoria alone with Feuermacht.           “Herr Feuermacht, I’m flattered you wish to make my acquaintance.”           “Lady Méliès, when I heard you were here, I knew I had to speak with you. I understand your brother is missing?”           Victoria felt chilled. “How would you know about that, Herr Feuermacht? It’s not common knowledge.”           “I’ve just returned from Cologne, Lady Méliès, where everyone’s talking about the British spy who was captured by Hitler’s army. It’s said he was wearing a ring that bore the Tyning Family Crest. I was led to believe that’s your family name.”           “Is he all right? Surely there’s no reason for the Führer to detain him.”           “The Nazis say he was part of a conspiracy to steal important documents. Those documents have gone missing. Your brother will not be released until they’re returned.”           “If the Nazis have Wills and he doesn’t have the documents, then he couldn’t have stolen them. A child could make that deduction.”           “Someone stole them. And there’s speculation the documents are now in this country. There’s someone here, tonight, who would have access to the documents in question. Let me stress, retrieving them and returning them to their rightful owner may be the only way to save your brother’s life.”           “Who is this person who can recover these documents?”           “Major George Thorpington. He denies having seen them, but they’ll eventually come to his attention. He’s your only hope for retrieving these important papers. I suggest you speak to him. Not here, not now, but privately, and quickly.           “Impress upon him the urgency for his cooperation in returning these papers, and more importantly, the need for utter secrecy. If word were to get out about the documents, your brother’s life would be sacrificed. You’re the only one who can convince Thorpington to find and return those papers.           “We’ll be riding to the hounds on Sunday. Meet me on the south side of the stables a half hour before the hunt begins, and let me know the Major’s decision. You must come alone. I cannot be seen again speaking with the Major. It’s too dangerous.”           “And if he refuses?”           “Then I suggest you prepare to go into mourning.” *           Victoria retired early, saying she had a headache, but before going to her room she stopped Major Thorpington and asked him to meet her the following morning behind the Octagon Temple. “It’s the chapel overlooking the river. There are stairs on the far side. Take them down and I will meet you in back of the temple at seven a.m.” *** Code Name: Evangeline is available in its entirety on Kindle Don't own a Kindle? 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