Paris, France           A waiter cleaned up the broken glass of Champagne in Coco Chanel’s apartment.           “How clumsy of me,” Victoria said lightly.           Chanel pushed through the room to see what happened. “Are you alright, Victoria?”           Victoria smiled while trying to look contrite. “I’m in much better shape than your crystal. I used a generous amount of that exquisitely rich hand cream you gave me and I’ve been struggling to hold onto my champagne all evening.”           “Is that all? I thought perhaps Herr Frankel had propositioned you. A Frenchwoman would think nothing of it, but after all, you are British.”           “So I was right about your nationality,” Frankel crowed, quite pleased with himself. “I told you I’m rarely wrong.”           “Oh, pish-tosh,” Victoria said. “May I have another glass of champagne or am I now persona non grata for indulging in too much hand cream?”           “I will get you champagne,” Frankel answered and walked away.           “You seem to be charming Herr Frankel with your conversation,” Chanel said.           “Yes, but he’s not charming me. He said something very disturbing.”           “What did he say?” The designer spoke barely above a whisper.           Victoria went over their conversation.           Chanel did not react to what Victoria told her. Instead, she asked, “What about the other man? The one who you thought was following you.”           “I don’t see him here, and it’s just as well. One frightful encounter an evening is enough. Shall I continue talking with Herr Frankel?”           “Just for a moment. You wouldn’t want him to think you’re suspicious of him. Later, I’ll have Monsieur and Madame Guinon, your old family friends, escort you home.”           “I don’t think I’ve ever met them.”           “Trust me. It’s better that they’re old family friends, if only for tonight.”           Victoria looked over Chanel’s shoulder to see Frankel returning. “Yes, yes! You’re so right. I haven’t seen them in ages.” She took the glass Frankel offered her. “Tell them I‘ll be over in a while to visit. But first, Herr Frankel and I are about to enjoy another glass of your wonderful champagne. And that’s a priority.”           Victoria laughed lightly as she clicked her champagne flute against Frankel’s. She looked into his eyes and said, “Here’s to new friends,” and continued to converse lightly with him for nearly half an hour, before finally making her way over to Chanel and the Guinons.           “What were you talking about for so long?” Chanel asked.           “My guard dog.”           “You mean that matted little mop that christened the front of my shop this morning?”           “One and the same."           “He has killer instincts?”           “You have to see him attack a soup bone.” *           Frankel watched from across the room. Several minutes later, he saw Victoria leave with an elderly couple. His curiosity was piqued by the abrupt departure. *           On the other side of the channel, Cunard Captain Colin Forbes studied the Queen Mary's speed test results. The ship was about to be launched and she was Cunard’s best hope to capture the Blue Riband from the French ship Normandie.           George Gibbons currently captained the Queen Mary, but there was always the chance that Forbes could be called into service, if Gibbons couldn't make one of the transatlantic crossings. It was an opportunity Forbes would never turn down. *** Code Name: Evangeline is available in its entirety on Kindle Don't own a Kindle? Download a free app to read Kindle books on your iPhone and iPod Touch. Or get the free app to read Kindle books on your PC.