Tuesday, 4 January 1916

Maria ran to answer the knock on Tuesday morning, speaking through the door as she approached it. "Yes?"

"Miss Maria, I'm to inform you that the chauffeur has just left to fetch the Ambassador from the rail station."

"Thank you, Alice. Please tell the butler we'll be down shortly."

"Very well, Ma'am. Is there anything else I may do for you?"

"No, that's fine, Alice."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

Maria turned and headed back into the bedroom, giggling as she approached the bed. "You're up for more? I thought we had just finished."

"The sight of your cheeks as you trotted toward the door."

"A quick one, then. They'll be here within the half-hour."

Twenty minutes later, they sat on chairs in the foyer and watched as the entire household staff was assembled and inspected by the butler and the housekeeper. David leaned and whispered in Maria's ear. "This is so like the Army. The discipline, the pecking order, the inspections."

At the knock, David and Maria stood and approached the door; then, they greeted Evelyn and Edith as they entered. After hugs and kisses, Edith said, "We'll go up and refresh. I'm so pleased you've returned early. I've so much to share. Will you join us for lunch?"

"I will, but the men may have matters wanting attention at the Embassy."

Edith glanced over at David and Evelyn talking quietly off to the side. "I suspected something from his concern on Friday. So difficult to get answers over the holiday. What is it?"

"A loose cannon. Henry's replacement. David says the staff have him pretty much under control. Once they realised."

"Evelyn will soon have that sorted." Edith turned back to Maria, her face beaming as she took her hands. "It's happening, Maria. They've all agreed, and Henry's been put in charge."

Maria looked askance for a moment, then she mouthed a silent scream, her eyes stretched wide. "The prisoners? They've agreed?"

"Yes, and the first should begin arriving within a few weeks. We've much to do."

Maria took Edith's hands to her lips. "This is like another dream."

"We need to do all we can to make it real. And we will." She looked again at Evelyn and David. "But we have other things to discuss. Come, accompany me as I go up to refresh. Tell me about your wedding, your Christmas."

Evelyn paused as he watched the women head up the stairs. "Best we go over to the Embassy and sort this out before it goes too far." He signalled to the butler.

"Yes, Sir."

"Inform Jacques we need to be driven to the Embassy immediately."

"Very well, Sir."

"Oh, and telephone Miss Hutchins to have her tell Colonel Wyndcom not to go to lunch. I'm on my way over, and I wish to meet with him."

"Very well, Sir."

Evelyn chuckled as he watched the butler leave. "And I don't even have to dress." He lifted his hat in a gloved hand. "Scurry up and get your coat and hat so we can get this resolved."

A quarter-hour later, David sat in the Ambassador's office telling him about his meeting with Mr Lloyd-George when there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

Evelyn and David rose to greet Colonel Wyndcom, and then they all sat in the stuffed leather chairs around a low table. "Have you settled in, Wilfred?"

"Yes, I have. The hotel suite is adequate, though I expected far better. Oh, and I prefer not to be called by my given name in front of juniors."

"There are no juniors here, Wilfred. We're all in this together."

"But he's only a Lieutenant. And a Colonial one at that."

"And what does this have to do with our roles here? And speaking of which, have you any idea what his roles are?"

"Beyond being your Aide-de-Camp, I could find nothing in my files."

"Did you bother to ask him?"

"I ..." He looked down at his hands. "I kept being interrupted by his wife." He snapped his head to look at David. "And you never did tell me why you had brought her into the Embassy."

"Are you aware of the Injured Prisoner of War Program?" Evelyn asked.

"I saw something about it in the files Lieutenant-Colonel Picot had left. A bloody misguided idea, welcoming injured Germans here."

"And the French and the British, Wilfred, not only the German. Treating as many injured prisoners as is possible so we can get them out of the camps and give them a chance to recover."

Wilfred nodded. "It could have some merit. But, the Germans –"

"David's wife, Maria, and my wife, Edith, conceived the idea. The Red Cross, the Vatican and the Swiss Government are collaborating with the separate countries to bring the programme into form. And Henry has been assigned to run it. That's why you've replaced him."

Wilfred nodded again; then he looked at David. "And Lieutenant Berry is now working with Lieutenant-Colonel Picot on this. Yes, I see."

"No, you do not see. David is working on projects under the direction of the Prime Minister's offices."

"And what are these projects, pray tell?"

"You are not cleared to know, Wilfred. And besides, it's of no ..." Evelyn paused at the knock. "Yes, come in."

"Your lunch, Sir."

The three sat silently as platters of cold cuts and cheeses and a basket of bread were set on the table, along with plates, cutlery and wine glasses. Evelyn pointed at the wine bottle. "We'll leave that for later, Pierre. Could you make a pot of tea for us to sip in the meantime?"

After the staff left, Evelyn continued. "Wilfred, David's roles are of no concern to you, except that you are not to interfere with him nor with his activities. And if he requests something from you, you are to comply. In effect, Wilfred, you are working to support him."

Wilfred sputtered. "Preposterous!"

"No. Reality."

"But he's little more than a child. His dossier shows him as twenty-one and a Lieutenant. I'm a full Colonel. I've led men into battle. I've –"

"I've read your record, Wilfred," Evelyn interrupted and then watched as Wyndcom's face reddened. "I'll save you further embarrassment and not share it. Just be aware I'm aware."

"Humf! My record's of no concern here, anyway." He shook his head and looked at the meat platter.

"But back to the topic, Wilfred. We have managed to save the library from destruction. You may hate the Germans, but the information we glean from their newspapers, documents and books is valuable not only to our efforts but also to David's safety."

"I still don't understand what he does."

"You have no need to understand. You simply need to support him and do as he asks without question."

Wilfred sputtered again, then wiped the spittle off his chin. "Be ordered around by a child who has never seen battle, doesn't know the terror instilled by an attacking enemy, the gut-wrenching fear of turning and running with the Huns advancing ..." He paused and looked down.

"Precisely, Wilfred. He doesn't know cowardice. Allow me to tell you a bit about David's background. He was –"

"And of what import is that to me? To my position here?"

"Of utmost importance, Wilfred. Please allow me to continue. David was in the trenches at Ypres when the Germans launched their first chlorine attack. He was twice mentioned in dispatches during that first day, before he was wounded. The following day, he answered the call for volunteers among the walking wounded to move forward to assist in holding the gap that had been left by the French when they abandoned their positions and fled. The following day, he was granted a field commission, and a few hours later, his actions won him the Distinguished Service Order." Evelyn glared at Wilfred. "Shall I continue? There is much more to ..."

He paused at the knock on the door. "Yes, come in."

"Your tea, Sir."

They remained silent while the steward brought in the tea and poured it. When he had left, Wilfred wagged his finger and said, "But the DSO is given only to senior officers. He has fabricated his story to you."

Evelyn sighed. "Allow me to continue. You appear unaware that in rare circumstances, the DSO may be awarded – and that's the word, Wilfred, awarded, not given. Awarded to a junior officer whose actions while in command under enemy fire are just short of meriting the Victoria Cross." He paused and looked at David, then back to Wilfred.

"If he had been killed or wounded, I have no doubt his actions would have merited the Victoria Cross. His DSO was presented by the King at Windsor Castle last July. You can go to the library and check the entry in the Gazette – I'm assuming you haven't had those destroyed."

Evelyn paused to take a sip of tea, "Now, Wilfred, allow me to be blunt. For us to work effectively together, I must ensure you realise David has priority. Also, you must learn that this is neither the time nor the place for pomposity and bluster. We're not strutting cocks. We're not fighting each other; we're fighting Fritz, the Huns, the Krauts. Focus your vile attitudes on them."

He took another sip and savoured it as he looked at Wilfred. "I do like the smokiness of this Lapsang Souchong, don't you?" Evelyn paused, slowly nodding. "I can easily find ways to have your concoction of acting rank, temporary rank and brevet removed and return you to your battalion. Ways your uncle will not be able to countermand. Are you curious to find out what tea they serve in Salonica, Captain Wyndcom?"