Sonnenhang, Switzerland —Saturday, 1 January 1916

"Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Happy New Year, everyone." David popped the Champagne cork, and then he turned to kiss Maria. Two more corks popped amid the cheers around them as their kiss deepened.

Rick took the bottle from David's hand. "I'll pour this, Sir. You keep on with what you're doing."

The celebration continued with strength for several minutes before it eased to a more sedate gathering, and by twenty past midnight, the last of the six bottles of Veuve Clicquot had been poured. The sixteen of them stood in a loose circle, enjoying the collective energy for another long while. Then, at a lull, David raised his glass. "Here's to doing this at home with our families next New Year. Let's all work toward that."

Georg nodded to Rick, who raised his empty glass to Bethia. "We thank you again for your hospitality, Frau Eberhardt." He set his glass down and stepped toward her. "You've been like a mother to us these past months. Before we head back to the mess, may I hug you for the team?"

Bethia smiled as she spread her arms and looked at the men. "I'll have a hug from each of you if you please."

While the hugging spread to involve others, Manny approached Maria. "I ain't never gonna think of a woman that way again." He blushed. "Would you allow me to tell you that you're the most beautiful and amazing woman I ever met?"

Maria stepped forward and planted a kiss on his cheek, then wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you, Manny. That's how it works."

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A while later, as David and Maria lay in an intimate cuddle beneath the duvet, she said, "A genuine sense of sadness in the men to learn you're leaving. You've built a strong rapport with each of them."

"But you see that also with Georg. They all show a deep fondness and respect for him, his style and his skills. The more I look at this, the more sense it makes for me to withdraw."

"But you'll still direct their activities, won't you?"

"Yes, the overview, the general direction, the prospective targets. But there's no need for me to be involved in the details. Georg is better able to see those from here than I."

"And it'll allow you to concentrate on finding targets for them."

"That was the thought which triggered the plan." David gave a slow thrust and chuckled. "I love the change in Manny's attitude. What had you said to him to cause that?"

"I didn't have to say much at all – just guide him along. He did most of the talking, analysing his behaviour and approach. He said it's what all Aussie blokes do, and the Sheilas accept it."

"They accept it because there's little choice. It's like the French women accepting the attitudes of their men."

"Not accepting, David. Enduring. Putting up with being demeaned and relegated to little but subservient objects."

"Like my father's attitude toward my mother." He blew out a deep breath. "And like the way sister Clemencia treated me. Used me as an object to satisfy her needs."

Maria rocked her hips. "I love how you respect me as a person. How you allow me to be me." She rocked with increasing vigour. "Getting close again. Need to concentrate."

A short while later, David trembled in sympathy as she convulsed in waves of ecstasy. Then he held her tightly, kissing her neck and nibbling her ears as she calmed.

"Roll us over, David. It's your turn. We need some sleep."

"If you've the energy for another, we can do one together."

Bern, Switzerland — Monday, 3 January 1916

After a pleasant drive on bare roads, David and Maria encountered the beginning of packed snow as they approached Brugg, and they stopped to mount the tyre chains. "I'm pleased the snow diverted us to the Rhine Valley last week, else I'd not have discovered it as the easier route." He fastened the final links. "Going through Winterthur and Zürich is a bit shorter, but this way is more relaxing with the straighter roads."

They arrived at the Ambassador's residence in Bern at one forty, and the butler answered their door knock. "Welcome back, Miss Maria, and you, Mr Berry."

"Thank you, Stanley." Maria looked at the butler, then at David and back. "But, you should call him Mr David, to be fair. Or call me Mrs Berry." She laughed. "Though I do prefer Miss Maria, and David likely prefers Mr David."

Stanley stifled a laugh as he turned to David. "Very well, Mr David. I'll have your bags taken up from the auto."

"Thank you, Stanley. Are Mr and Mrs Grant Duff back from London?"

"We expect them late tomorrow morning. Have you eaten? We can have something prepared and taken up."

"Thank you. We had sandwiches along the way, and we're fine until tea."

"Very well, Sir."

As they settled in their suite, Maria said, "It's everywhere, isn't it?"

"The discrimination? Yes, it's pervasive, but it remains unnoticed until another example is stumbled upon." He glanced at his watch. "You relax here, unpack and arrange when the bags come up. I must go to the Embassy to send a wire to William and to Mr Lloyd George and inform them of my movements and my decision."

"I hope if you run into the old Wind ... to Colonel Wyndcom, that he's been informed." She took a step and wrapped her arms around David, pressing her mound against his thigh. "Hurry back."

Twenty minutes later, as David walked along the corridor toward the Embassy's message centre, Colonel Wyndcom accosted him. "Aah! There you are. I have a few tasks for you. What do you know about –"

"Sir, I have other matters to which I must attend."

"After you've attended to mine. And what's that's the fur doing on your face? You're in the Army and on duty here."

"Didn't Hans explain?"

"Hans? Who is Hans?"

"Hans Wilsdorf. Your fuse connection in the Munitions Office."

"How do you know about the office? About Mr Wilsdorf's activities?"

"They're part of my ... I see Hans didn't find an opportunity."

"An opportunity for what?"

"I told you last week, my direction comes from above the Army."

"Not when I'm involved, it doesn't."

"I wouldn't like to disturb Mr Asquith to settle this, but it might clarify the situation if you sent an inquiry to him by cable." David reached into his breast pocket, pulled out his notebook and leafed through it. "This will get an encrypted message directly to the Prime Minister, and I can give the cypher clerk this hour's access code to him."

Wyndcom pursed his lips and slowly nodded while he paused. Then he waved his hand as if shooing flies. "Go on. Get out of here and attend to your ... your matters."

"Thank you, Sir. I'm sure this will all be resolved to your satisfaction tomorrow afternoon when Evelyn returns."

"Who's Evelyn?"

"Mr Grant Duff, the Ambassador."

"Then show respect and call him by his proper name."

"Sir, he asked me to call him Evelyn."

Wyndcom shook his head. "Where is our society going?"

"Hopefully, in a direction that will allow us to win the war."

"Impudent youth. Typical common Colonial. Go on. Out of my sight."

"Thank you, Sir."