The list was still unaccounted for.
He did not have it.
He had never had it.
Her heart hammered with something that was considerably more complicated than relief.
The next morning,Evie stood in front of the imposing neoclassical building and lifted her head to look up at the tall windows and doors. Up, far up, past the decorative urnsand statues and military emblems, perched on the roof, the proud imperial crowned double eagle looked haughtily down on her. This was theHofkriegsrat, the Imperial War Council, where every thread of Austria’s military power converged. This was Hartenberg’s world.
Her pulse beat a little too fast against her throat. She’d never felt so small in her entire life.
“Right.” She cleared her throat and braced her shoulders. “Forward, march.”
“Must we indeed go inside, my lady?” Her maid grabbed her by her arm and held her back. “This is a rather frightening place to be.”
“Well. It will not get any less alarming from out here.” She stared at the uniformed guards who stood with legs apart in front of the sentry boxes that flanked the door. They looked huge, uncompromising and frankly, rather terrifying.
Evie took a tentative step forward. They did not budge.
Another step. She cast a sideways glance at the soldier on the right, who remained unmovable. So far, so good.
She dared another step. Then another.
Just as she was about to heave a sigh of relief that she’d reached the door without any obstacle, both of them jumped into action simultaneously, barring their entrance with their rifles, giving them such a fright that Nellie screeched loudly into her ears, digging her fingers into her upper arm, which, in turn, caused her to squeal as well.
“Entry to civilians is strictly prohibited,” the soldier on the right rapped out in a booming voice that made her jump again.
“Goodness,” Evie groaned, pressing a hand to her chest.
“We’re terribly sorry! Please do not shoot us,” Nelliebabbled, attempting to drag Evie back, but Evie withstood her pull.
“Yes, that would be most gratifying,” Evie added. “But we do need to go inside.”
“But my lady,” Nellie protested.
“I am not a common civilian. I request to speak with His Excellency, the Field Marshal Hartenberg. I want to bring him,” she tapped the basket, “some cake.”
The soldier did not even glance at the basket. “That is impossible, ma’am.”
Evie shook off Nellie’s hand, who attempted to pull her back. “You do not understand. I am Lady Evangeline. The Field Marshal’s betrothed. I must see him at once.”
She saw the soldier’s eyes meet the other one’s. Something unspoken passed between them.
“We cannot admit you, ma’am. Please move on.” The second guard spoke, his voice a tad more apologetic.
Evie stepped up to him. She stared straight into his mud-sprinkled eyes. “What is your name, soldier?”
“Egger, ma’am.”
“Egger. And your colleague’s?”
“Gruber, ma’am.”
“Well, what are you both, corporals?”
“Corporals, ma’am.”
“Corporals. I see.” She clucked her tongue. Then she pulled her mouth into an angelic smile. “How would you like to get demoted and reassigned to the furthest corner of Galicia? I need but drop a word to Hartenberg and you shall be reassigned today.”
