then, because she was afraid he might somehow already know or could easily find out from Kommandantur records, she added, “And I had two sons.”
“Where is the other?”
“He—he’s no longer with me.”
Glad he didn’t press the issue, she searched for another topic, but when she looked up, he seemed to be thinking of something else, staring straight ahead as if his thoughts replaced the conversation he’d claimed he wanted to extend.
“I had two sons as well. Only two years apart, and so alike many thought them twins. Strong, tall boys. Handsome.” Then he grinned. “Fair appearances skip—every other generation, I used to say.”
“What happened?” But she already knew.
“It’s what’s happened to every family, on both sides, since the beginning of this war. All our boys will be gone if it doesn’t soon end.”
“Were . . . both . . . ?”
He nodded and she very nearly reached out to touch him but held back.
Suddenly he struggled to his feet, his back to her. He didn’t move nearly as smoothly as he had lately. “Yes, well, this war is what it is. None are pleasant, so I’ve been told.”
She stood as well, afraid he was ready to leave. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Leaning forward on his cane, he faced her again. He seemed to want to smile, but the effort in the small twitch to one side of his mouth seemed greater than the result. “It appears all we have to talk about is sadness. I’m sorry for that. I would have liked to know you apart from this war.”
Her own smile felt odd on her face, awkward, almost shy. Things she hadn’t felt in years. “I don’t suppose we would have had much opportunity for that, would we?” She might have mentioned he could have been a guest at her hotel, but it only reminded her of what his army had cost her, so she said nothing.
“No, I’m sure you’re right.”
Just then Genny saw Isa at the door and wondered how long she’d been standing there. Her cheeks grew warm and she looked away, ashamed she’d been caught enjoying this man’s company.
“Has Clara returned?” Genny asked.
“Yes, actually, she’s just come home.”
“Ah, so the evening is saved,” the Major said.
Genny started to move toward Isa, intending to go downstairs, where she was expected to help in the kitchen. But the Major briefly touched her arm.
“Frau Kirkland.” His voice was so quiet she leaned forward to hear better. “I wish to say one more thing, if I may?”
Genny looked at Isa, who waited. “I’ll be down in a moment.”
Obvious confusion ruffled Isa’s brow. “Yes, well, Clara will probably need both of us. The Kommandantur delivered more than she expected.”
Genny nodded but did not move, only watched as Isa turned and left.
“I don’t mean to keep you,” the Major said. “Just long enough to tell you . . .” He hesitated as if carefully choosing his words. “To tell you that when the war broke out, I was not with those who marched through Belgium. I was in Germany training new recruits. It wasn’t until late ’15 that I was reassigned to the front, near Ypres, where I was wounded. I came to Brussels only months ago.”
She said nothing, just took a small step away, toward the door.
“I don’t want you to wonder, madame,” he said gently after her, “if I was that soldier, the one who killed your husband. It was not I.”
20
It is said the German spirit admires bravery of the small against the great, that they hold in esteem the Spartans against the Persians, David against Goliath. Yet in Belgium, Germany has become the very thing she previously abhorred.
La Libre Belgique
* * *
Isa sat on her favorite chair in the parlor. Yet neither the plush cushion nor the fine Belgian fabric offered comfort tonight because she sat so stiffly she barely felt the padded flowery upholstery beneath her.
Sitting above an illegal press, even one not yet assembled, would have been bad enough. But the Major sat in another Queen Anne not far off, and Genny nearby. Edward as Father Antoine had not yet arrived, but he, along with the rest of their “guests,” was expected at any moment. Fatigue from a day fraught with tension left Isa raw, as if the slightest jab to her senses would be too much to bear.
She nearly jumped from her seat when the ringer sounded. She’d instructed Clara not to leave the kitchen and so, praying Edward would arrive first, Isa hurried