“Good idea. I’ll pray God gives us guidance.” She finger-combed her hair and frowned. “Perhaps the minister could tell us where we can secure a bath. I’m a mess.”
“Try being on maneuvers for weeks at a time. It’s a wonder the enemy can’t smell troops coming.” His eyes flashed. “You’re lovely, but I would appreciate the opportunity to clean up, too.”
“And you’re a sweetheart for saying that.” She grinned, and her heart sped up. If he continued to compliment her, she’d begin to believe he felt something for her. She crossed her ankles, and her foot caught a scrap of paper lying on the floor. “What’s this?” She leaned forward and grabbed the sheet. Her body went cold, then sweat sprang out along her hairline as she stared at a sketch of her face and Gerard’s that could only have been drawn in the last few days.
His intake of breath was sharp, and he pointed to the announcement below the pictures. “Wanted for treason. Considered armed and dangerous. Contact the authorities with any information. Reward: 20,000 reichsmarks. There’s no maybe about it. This flyer proves we’re being pursued and are most likely compromised.”
Emily’s mouth went dry. “Did the Vidals drop this or leave it on purpose as a warning to us? Was it already on the floor when we arrived? I don’t remember seeing it before they entered the compartment. Do you?”
“No. The poster clinches it. We need to get off the train immediately and take our chances in the countryside. Who knows how many of these leaflets have been distributed. We also need to figure out how to change our appearance again. Your hair is already shorter, but perhaps you should cut it even closer to your head.” He frowned and fingered a stray lock hanging by her cheek. “Bad enough we had to bleach your beautiful cinnamon-colored hair, but to chop it off seems a crime.”
She stilled under his touch, and her breath hitched. Did he have any idea how he affected her? At least it took her mind off being on a wanted poster. She wiped damp palms on her slacks. “Uh…we should appear more ragged and poor. Our clothes are that of simple villagers, but they are only slightly worn. We are less likely to be bothered if we’re dirty and foul smelling.”
He rubbed his hands together. “Excellent idea. What do you have in mind?”
“If we pass a farm, we could find something earthy from the fields. That would definitely be off putting. If not, rubbing rotten food from someone’s refuse pile on our clothes might work. I don’t relish either choice, but…” She shrugged. “What do you think?”
“I’d rather be outdoors than anywhere else, so the farm motif is my preference. Easier to obtain, too.”
She nodded. “Farm life it is. How much farther until the next stop?”
Gerard glanced at his watch. “About three hours, which means darkness will be falling, making for good cover. We should eat, but I don’t want to expose ourselves more than necessary, so going to the dining car is out. Others may have seen the flyer.” He looked at her, his brow furrowed. “Can you hold up without a meal?”
“Her stomach grumbled, and she giggled. “Believe it or not, yes I can.”
His lips quirked in a smile. “Good girl.”
The door rattled.
He pulled her to him and put his mouth close to her ear. “They’re back. Follow my lead. It is imperative that this couple believe we are newlyweds and not Resistance members.”
Before she could respond, Gerard drew back and looked deep into her eyes, then laid a kiss on her right cheek, his lips warm and full of promise. He kissed her left cheek and then her forehead. His fingers kneaded her back. Tingles danced up her spine, and she shivered. Time stood still as he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers, soft yet insistent. He deepened the kiss, his breath mingling with hers. She closed her eyes, losing herself in his embrace. Tremors crashed over her in waves. A moan escaped, and her mind emptied of all thought. Then she was kissing him in return.
A cough.
Gerard continued to explore her mouth.
Another cough. Louder.
He pulled back and bumped the tip of her nose with his.
Her eyes flew open. The world tilted, then righted itself. Face heating, she dipped her head. She’d acted the part of a floozy, a loose woman, despite the fact they were supposedly married. They were married, even if only on paper. Would the couple be suitably shocked yet convinced by their behavior? She couldn’t meet the woman’s gaze that burned in her direction.
“Our apologies.” Gerard ran a hand over his head and seemed to be affecting embarrassment. “My maman et papa taught me better. They would be disappointed with me, but I was overcome with love for my wife. With passion. Surely, you understand.”
Emily looked up, her breathing ragged. “Oui. Forgive us.”
Monsieur Vidal thrust out his chest. “We may be old, but we are not mort. However, you must control yourself when in public. Your behavior is most unseemly, even for a Frenchman.” His mouth twisted. “We came to bid you bonne nuit, but it appears we shouldn’t have bothered. Best wishes to you.”
Madame Vidal drew herself to her full height. “We will not see you again before we disembark. Godspeed.”
Emily’s gaze shot to the woman. Godspeed? Had He sent the couple?
An imperceptible nod from the elderly woman, then her husband led her from the carriage.
Gerard grinned; his face flushed. “I feel like I’ve just been to the principal’s office, but it appears he may have believed our little performance. Otherwise, we would not have received the reprimand.” He nudged her shoulder. “You were great. Very authentic.”
Mouth throbbing, Emily nodded and pressed her lips together. Right. A performance. How had she forgotten that? The realism of his kiss, that’s how. Stupid to let her emotions take over. She could not allow that to happen. Once they escaped to England, they would go their separate ways. Her heart shrank, and she blinked back tears.
Chapter Twenty-One
Gerard peered out the compartment window at the dusky shadows on the landscape. Finally. Enough darkness to make their attempt to jump from the train. The last three hours had been an excruciating wait in alternating silence and awkward conversation. He’d pulled the curtains on the glass panel in the door to prevent nosy passengers looking in, but the fabric covers also meant he didn’t have a view either.
The muscles in his back ached from being clenched in anticipation of discovery. He massaged his shoulders and rotated his neck in an effort to get relief, but the knots under his skin remained firmly in place.
Next to him, Emily sat with her head bowed and eyes closed. Fingers laced together, her knuckles were white. If she was praying, her conversation with the Almighty didn’t seem to be bringing her any peace. The glass panes reflected the soft angles of her face, and he resisted the urge to trace a line down her jaw where her ear met the curve of her neck.
He pulled up the sleeve on his coat and checked his watch. “It’s time.” Rising, he buttoned his jacket then dug into his bag for his knitted wool cap.