Wicked Deceptions - Amy Cecil Page 0,46
arrived. I am here now.”
I begin to cry. “I thought you weren’t coming back.”
“Never think that. One way or another, I’ll always come back to you.” He takes the seat Madame had occupied, and I sit back down in my chair. “You would not believe what all has happened.”
“Did something bad happen?” I ask, dreading his answer. I don’t think I can handle any more bad news.
“No, just the opposite. I was summoned to the Forest of Compiègne to witness the end of the war.” He shrugs. “Well, technically it is just a cease fire, but frankly, I believe the war is over.”
I shriek. “Oh my goodness, that is the best news I have heard in a long time!”
“It was exactly as I had predicted. The Germans were losing their numbers, and with the Americans involved and able to send fresh troops into combat on a regular basis, they were outnumbered. The country was broke and starving. Both sides were ready for the end, but the German military was so weak, it feared an invasion and requested the armistice.”
He reaches for my plate and breaks off a piece of my baguette, then eats it. He’s so happy and excited, and relief washes over me. Thank God, it’s finally over. “From what I understand, Germany has been requesting it since early October, starting with President Wilson. When they did not get a favorable response from Wilson, he contacted Marshal Ferdinand Foch, the leader of the Allied forces. The meeting was set, and in the eleventh month, on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour the armistice was signed in a railway dining car at the Forest of Compiègne.”
“I assume Germany had to agree to specific terms?”
“Yes, and they were harsh but expected. They agreed to pull their troops out of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. They had fifteen days or take the risk of becoming prisoners of the Allies. They had to turn over their arsenal, which included thousands of artillery pieces, machine guns, and airplanes, as well as railroad locomotives, trucks, and wagons.”
I’m not really sure why I asked, but it makes me feel good to see Germany lose so much after all it has taken.
He clears his throat and continues. “They also had to give up the contested territory of Alsace-Lorraine and agreed to the indignity of Allied forces occupying German territory along the Rhine.
“Oh my, that is harsh.”
“Well, the Allies wouldn’t have given them better terms. We defeated Germany, and they could not be allowed to get away with all the destruction they have caused. And, we had to make sure they could not enter into another war any time soon. We had to cripple them.
“And we did. Let’s just pray it is enough.”
“None of that. No more doom and gloom.” He takes my hand. “Look at it this way. It’s one more step closer to us living our future together, my darling.”
“Indeed.” And for the first time in a very long time, I am giddy with excitement. I’m not looking forward to what’s in store for me to get released from Germany’s clutches, but with Chris by my side, anything is possible.
Chapter 17
Washington, DC
January 1919
Christian and I remained in Paris until December and then packed up our belongings, boarded a ship, and traveled to America. During those months, I continued my contact with Gerhardt, keeping up the illusion that nothing had changed with my alliance to Germany. Mid-November, he requested my return to Germany. I agreed and we arranged that I would arrive by month’s end. I knew I would never follow through on that promise, and when it came close to my scheduled departure, Christian moved me to a safe house owned by British Intelligence. He had to remain to tie up some loose ends and wanted to ensure I was safe. We both knew the Germans would come looking for me when I did not arrive in Berlin as planned. To the Germans and the world, I disappeared.
They did not give up easily, however. I heard on several occasions they questioned Madame LaRue, who was instrumental in sending them on wild goose chases for my benefit. By the end of December, the searching stopped. Reports of murdered politicians and military leaders filled the newspapers. Germany was crumbling, and I believed was finally safe.
We arrived in America two weeks ago, and I have spent all of my time with the MID, which I have learned is the Military Intelligence Department. I have not been able to see