Lovers in Enemy Territory (20 page)

How could he tell his brother that she loved God too much to give up the religious life? He shuddered over the repercussions. Jeff wouldn't get over it. He knew his brother too well.

"Holy Mother ... Sister," he greeted them.

"Where’s Michael, Mr. Norwood?"

"We arrived a while ago, so one of the other sisters took him to play with his friends in the courtyard."

"You must forgive us, Mr. Norwood," the Holy Mother explained. "There’ve been some pressing matters. We came as soon as we could."

"I understand. I've enjoyed listening to the music. It’s very beautiful." He was growing more and more uneasy. "Holy Mother, may I speak to Sister Catherine for a moment? If it weren't of vital importance, I wouldn’t ask. It concerns Michael's father."

The two women exchanged glances. "You may," she said quietly and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Suddenly Catherine was afraid. Something could have happened to Jeffrey during their separation. She leaned toward him. "What is it?" she asked in a tremulous voice.

"Jeff was called away on a secret mission last night. " Catherine heard the words and couldn’t move a muscle. The only sign of distress was in her eyes, which clouded immediately. Philip forced himself to go on. "It came sooner than he’d expected or wanted, but his particular services could be rendered by no one else.

“He asked me to give you a message, knowing I’d be seeing you today. He’s written a letter, but he’s afraid you won’t read it. He’s asked me to read it to you."

Catherine's mouth turned up at the corners, despite her anxiety. Her husband-to-be was a determined soul. How she loved him for it! "I’ll read it," she said.

Philip was surprised, but he took the envelope from his coat pocket and handed it to her. She accepted it and he noticed that her hands shook. She clasped it to her bosom and walked to the end of the room, away from his gaze.

She opened the letter. His handwriting was bold, the letters formed with straight, simple lines, like his drawings.

My darling Catherine, Less than two weeks have gone by since you went away with my heart. I’m the one languishing now just like Michael. Every second without you has been utter agony. I've been on my knees many hours, pouring out my heart to God, begging him to let you spend the rest of your life with me.”

Catherine fought her tears.

This ill be my last chance to communicate with you before I leave London. What I told you the day of the picnic has come to pass. This new assignment will require several months instead of days to accomplish. I wouldn’t have taken it if Michael weren't so much better. Now that Phil is going to be there to watch after him, I can go away resting a little easier. The part that’s so difficult to bear is knowing I'm going to be so far away from you. I love you, Catherine.

She couldn't see the writing. It was all a blur. Now she wouldn’t be able to tell him for months. What if something happened to him on the mission? What if she never saw him again? She finally continued to read.

I had to tell Phil, Catherine. He’s probably reading this to you right now. Forgive me, my darling, for divulging matters between us, but I trust Phil with my life. He’ll continue to bring Michael to the convent till I can come back to do it myself. And Catherine, I will come, and I'll convince the Holy Mother that I have to talk to you. I plan to make you my wife! All my love, Jeffrey.

She folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, wondering how she was going to exist till she could feel his arms around her again. She turned back to Philip and returned the letter to him. He could tell nothing from her expression. Her face looked terribly sad. The luminous eyes were wet. She was fighting for composure. What was going on in her mind?

"Thank you," she whispered huskily. "I'll have Sister Margaret show you to the refectory so you can eat while I go and find Michael."

"Thank you, Sister." He couldn't stand it any longer. "Sister Catherine?"

"Yes?" she turned and waited at the threshold.

"There’s a small chance Jeff will contact me tonight. A slim one. I don't know where he is or how he can arrange it, but apparently he’s still in England. He said he would try to phone and see how things went today. Please. Is there any word I can give him from you? He’s suffered so much since you left. You have no idea."

There! He'd asked her, point blank, but he knew it was useless and didn't really expect an answer.

She didn't make a move. She seemed to be rooted to the spot. He probably shouldn't have asked, but suddenly she looked up and her face seemed to glow with a luminescence all its own. She walked back to the table, her eyes looking directly into his.

"Tell him," her voice caught, "tell him that I’ve laid my case before the Holy Mother. I am leaving the sisterhood."

Philip had been prepared to hear the very worst. He stared at her. "What did you say?"

Catherine smiled. She could see the news had amazed him. "My love for Jeffrey is too strong to be denied. I plan to become his wife as soon as the Pope grants a dispensation."

"Are you serious?" His voice still sounded unbelieving.

"Completely.” She smiled and put out a hand to touch his arm. His face lighted up.

"My brother’s going to be the happiest man who ever lived, Sister! Jeff is a very lucky fellow," he whispered. "When will you be free to join him?"

"In several months. Tomorrow I have an interview with the Bishop. That is the first step. There are many things involved, you understand."

"Of course. Jeff won't be the same man when I tell him." He cleared his throat. "I don't have to tell you how I feel about you. You're the best thing that ever happened to any of us."

"Philip," she said his name for the first time with such sweetness. They looked at each other with love. "There’s something else I want him to know," Catherine added. "Until he comes back from his mission and my dispensation is official, I still have work to do for the Lord."

"I understand."

Catherine grew nervous. "I’ve accepted a special assignment which will take me away from Castle Combe for a few months. I’ll be leaving this week." Philip was listening, alert to the tension which had crept into her voice. "I'm being sent to Spain, to join our sisters at Saint Theresa's convent in the Pyrenees, near the French-Spanish border. It's one of our Benedictine priories."

"I don't understand."

Catherine moistened her lips. "The priory is housing refugees from France. It’s severely understaffed. I’m going there to render service."

"But we're at war, Sister, and Spain will come into it officially at any moment. You won’t be safe."

"Rest assured our Heavenly Father will protect me. I’m one of many being asked to give aid. How can I refuse?"

Philip was flabbergasted. "If I tell Jeff about this on top of the other news, it will tear him to pieces!" It was one of the few times in his life Philip felt totally helpless. His legal mind had no answers. How was it possible that the Church would allow a young, innocent sister to travel to the war zone? It was inconceivable.

He doubted he would tell Jeff the complete truth if he should call. It would kill him to be so close to having her now, and then hear she was going off for one last time. She might never come back!

Philip experienced a new heaviness and he feared for Catherine. He loved her, too, and even if this adventure was sanctioned by the Vatican, Philip did not have her faith.

Catherine saw his reaction. What would the news do to Jeffrey? "Please don't be concerned for me," she pleaded with him. "I want to go. There are children who need help."

He bowed his head. "We will never stop praying for your safety. How will you get there?"

"By boat. We’ll travel with the Mother General.”

He shook his head. Perhaps it was best after all if Jeff weren't able to reach him. Catherine could read his mind. "Philip, it will turn out as God wills."

"You're right, Sister."

“I’ll go and find Michael now. He has to be told.”

Philip's lips broke into a tight smile. "He loves you so much. I wish I could see Michael's face when you tell him."

Catherine returned the smile. She cared a great deal for Philip. "When Michael and I have had our talk, we’ll come and find you."

"Very good, and Sister? Catherine?" he said her name. "God bless you."

She bowed and left the room, walking with consummate grace. Jeffrey was a fortunate man, but Philip wondered if the two of them would survive the war to even see each other again.

Catherine found Michael playing with his best friends, Peter and Brock, out on the grassy slope behind the convent. They were involved in a game of "Doggie come running," but when Michael saw Catherine in her flowing white habit, he left his play and dashed up the hill into her outstretched arms.

"Sister!" He hugged her.

"Michael, darling," she nuzzled her face in his neck to kiss the soft skin.

"I've missed you. Did you know Daddy went away last night?"

"Yes.” She finally put the boy down. They clasped hands and started walking toward the brook.

"I wish he didn't have to go away."

"I'm sure he didn't want to, but he has a job to do to protect our country, like King Richard, remember? And soon he will be back again."

"Uncle Phil is staying with me. Aunt Ellie has gone away. I'm glad."

Catherine was pensive. "It should make you very happy that your uncle is home with you."

"But I still wish you could come. I wanted to visit you last Sunday, but Daddy was sick."

Catherine slowed her pace. "What was the matter with him?"

"He couldn't sleep. Dr. Endicott came over." There was a pause. "Sister, why did you have to go away?"

Catherine knelt before him, brushing the curls out of his blue eyes. "Michael, in a few months I'm going to come and live with you and your daddy."

Michael looked incredulous. "For a visit?"

She shook her head. "Forever! I'm going to marry your father." It took a moment for the words to register. He cocked his head.

"Then you'll be my new mummy?" His eyes opened till they were round as saucers.

"Yes, darling."

"And you won't have to wear that long dress and funny hat anymore?"

"Oh, Michael," she crushed the boy to her, laughing and crying all at once. "No. I'll be just like all the other mums,” she whispered. He pressed himself against her and they clung for a long, long time. Words were unnecessary. She'd never known such happiness. Finally she let him go and stood up.

“Now I want you to listen carefully to something else I have to tell you. Until I can come to live with you and your father, I have work to do. There are some poor little children at another convent who need my help for a while. That means I won't be here at the convent. You won't be able to come and visit me But you won't mind, will you darling? Pretty soon we're all going to be together, and I'll never leave you again."

He was very calm. "That's all right, Sister. You're going to be my new mum.” He clapped his hands. "Can I tell Peter and Brock?" Catherine could see that the news brought a light to his eye. He didn't care about anything else, to her relief.

"Not yet. This will be our little secret. Just you and your Uncle Philip know."

"Daddy doesn't know?" he asked.

She enfolded him once more. "No, not yet. Your uncle is going to tell him tonight if he should call."

His eyes danced. "Daddy said he was going to ring me up tonight. Can I tell him?”

"If you want to.” She kissed him. "Now let's go find your uncle. He’ll be anxious to get back to London."

The child ran on ahead of her in carefree delight. He was going to be her very own little boy soon. Another life was about to unfold for her. When she thought of being in Jeffrey's arms, of bearing him children, she couldn't breathe.

A few minutes later, Philip and Michael were in the car once more, traveling back to London. The child rattled on endlessly about the exciting news. Philip realized she had not told Michael any details about her new assignment. It was wise that she had spared him.

He drove faster than usual, his mind in a fog. Michael finally fell asleep on the back seat, exhausted from the excitement. This left Philip with several hours to consider this new state of affairs. He prayed that it would all turn out right!

*****

Coastal Command Headquarters were set up outside London in an immense mansion which could house several hundred men if necessary. Jeffrey had driven there with Lord Wyngate the night before. They’d come from a special air ministry meeting and went directly to headquarters for further conferences.

Jeffrey had been ordered to attend and to be prepared to brief the staff of dignitaries on his last intelligence gathering mission to the Mediterranean. The summons had come sooner than he would have liked, for Michael's sake as well as his own. He’d planned to drive to Castle Combe that very Sunday and speak to the Holy Mother about Catherine.

For nine days he’d waited impatiently for some word, and every moment away from her had been excruciating. Then he was told to report to Headquarters and he had to go. He had no choice.