“Do not worry. It will be a very ordinary night. Boring conversations, a buffet, and champagne,” he said.
“I can tell you’re thrilled,” Lily said with a little laugh.
Heinrich joined her laughter. “That’s why I’m glad you’re my guest. You will hopefully help keep the evening lively.”
“I’m sure I’ll be out of place.”
Heinrich made a ch-ch sound. “Really, don’t worry. This will be a stuffy affair with officials, diplomats, men of the world and so on. Nothing frightening at all.”
Lily smiled, trying to pretend that going to an event at the German embassy wasn’t akin to entering the heart of the evil empire. She imagined the buzz there when the Germans occupied Paris. She prayed she wouldn’t have to witness it. Smiling brightly and leaning toward Heinrich, she cooed, “Oh, thank you. I thought I would be surrounded by Germans speaking about Goethe and Schiller. It would have been a bit boring, I think.”
Heinrich laughed. “You’re so amusing! First the Norse mythology and now Goethe and Schiller, too? What else are you hiding in there?” He touched her hair gently and Lily resisted ducking away.
In truth, Lily had never read these authors. She was drawing on a vague recollection from her studies at the Sorbonne. At a party, a handsome German had literally stunned her with his passion for these authors. He went on and on for nearly an hour, especially excited about Goethe. Lily had remained immobile the whole time, feigning polite silence. Finally, a friend rescued her, facilitating her escape from death by boredom.
Lily now prayed that Heinrich wouldn’t have any questions about these authors. Fortunately, the car slowed and turned into an honor court crowded with other cars. The Nazi flags floating above the portico of the hôtel particulier raised goose bumps on Lily’s arms. She clasped her gloved hands in her lap, feeling restricted by the soft fabric.
“Here we are,” Heinrich said.
Lily swallowed, trying to dampen the fear gathering in her belly. The limousine pulled up to the entry. Heinrich got out first, beating the porter to his duty. He reached for Lily, and steadying herself on his hand, she emerged from the car. No man in Denver had ever helped her so gallantly. At the foot of the grand staircase, two uniformed guards stood at attention. The usher bowed to Heinrich without a word. Heinrich asked a few questions in German and the usher showed him the list of guests. After a satisfied nod, Heinrich returned to Lily and escorted her up the stairs, her hand tucked onto his arm.
They found themselves in an enormous ornate ballroom, the crowd dressed in formal attire. The room buzzed with conversation. Lily said a silent thanks to whoever had sent her the dress. The din in the room was overwhelming to Lily. Most of the people there were older. She clung to Heinrich’s arm, a smile pasted on her face.
“Allow me to introduce you to my friends,” Heinrich said. He led Lily around, introducing her in French to his colleagues, tuxedoed men accompanied by women in floor-length evening gowns. He was completely at ease, introducing her by first name only. Lily felt like a trophy on his arm. But she reminded herself why she was there. She smiled and played the game in spite of a mean look from a woman wearing a decidedly un-modern dress. She caught an old man in a tailcoat regarding her with obvious interest. Lily tried to focus on Heinrich, staying close and quiet.
The waiters passed between the clusters of guests, bringing trays of canapés or white wine. Heinrich offered her something to eat but she shook her head, responding, “Non, merci.” She couldn’t imagine eating anything with her stomach so tense. She accepted a glass of wine, hoping it would give her courage. Scanning the room, she met the gaze of an older woman. The mutual recognition was instantaneous. It was the haughty countess she’d seen at the Crédit Municipal. The woman flushed and turned away immediately, continuing her conversation with the dapper man next to her. Finally, Lily found herself alone with Heinrich, away from the crowd for a moment. He smiled at her.
“You’re not bored, I hope. You’re very quiet.”
“For once, I’m sure you’re thinking,” she teased. “I’m just observing. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a party at an embassy before.”
“Don’t worry, Lily. Just enjoy yourself.” He squeezed her arm and went about his mingling. He chatted about this and that, introducing her to his friends, whose names she instantly forgot. She smiled, again and again, with great conviction, and exchanged a few banalities with people who ventured to ask her questions. Heinrich was in his element, and seemed pleased to have her at his side, silent or not. He worked the room, cigarette in hand, always smiling smoothly. They danced, Heinrich holding her close and sharing gossipy tidbits, harmless barbs at his “friends.” Lily pretended to share his interest. After a few dances, she squeezed his arm.
“Do you mind if we sit down somewhere away from the smoke? I’m starting to get a touch of a headache.”
“But of course. Come.”
He led her to a tiny alcove in the great hall, where they sat on a cushioned bench. He sat close and Lily felt slightly dizzy. She finally had his complete attention. Gripping her clutch, she brought the conversation around to books.
“Do you shop often at Sylvia’s?” she asked.
“When I am in Paris I make it a point to visit the bookstore,” he said. “I like knowing what Sylvia is up to.”
“What do you mean?”
“She always has new books, new magazines. Sylvia always knows what is new and—more importantly—what is good in literature now. It was quite kind of her to sell me that book the other day. I know she treasured it.”
“What’s so important about the book?”
“You are most inquisitive, Lily,” he said, and Lily wasn’t sure if he was pleased or displeased by it. “I’ll tell you: it is a very special book. It’s an eighteenth-century English translation of Norse mythology. It was written by an unidentified monk in the eleventh century. It is the only one remaining.”
“So it’s very valuable for you?”
Heinrich chuckled. “Not so much as a collectible. But there are certain scholars who would very much like to study this work that is part of our heritage.”
“How interesting. That makes it even more exciting to see it, then.” She brightened with false enthusiasm.
Heinrich put his hand on Lily’s and said, “Oh, yes! I promised you that you could see the book. Well, I always keep my promises.” He stood and extended his arm. “Shall we?”
She nodded and leaned in, catching his woodsy scent. They left the hall and found the two guards still guarding the staircase. The guards moved apart and stood at attention with a Nazi salute. Heinrich led Lily between them without response and mounted the stairs.
In his office, he lit a stained-glass table lamp. Two of the walls were lined with glassed-in bookshelves; the other held a bank of French windows. Lily nervously pulled off her gloves, and wished she could kick off the uncomfortable shoes. But that would appear too familiar, so she left them on, watching Heinrich carefully. Unlocking one of the bookcase doors, he retrieved the book and placed it carefully on the desk. It was as large as an encyclopedia but not nearly as thick. Lily admired the cover and tentatively opened to the table of contents. It was an illuminated manuscript, the letters lovingly written. She tried to scan the contents to divine what might be so interesting to the Nazis. But it was difficult to concentrate and decrypt the old English with Heinrich looking over her shoulder, leaning too close. After a few minutes, she pulled away from the book and glanced at him. His eyes were glassy as he gazed at her.
“It’s very beautiful,” she said.
“As are you, dear Lily,” he replied. He placed his hand on her shoulder and leaned forward to kiss her. His lips were on hers for several seconds before Lily drew away.
“Oh,” she said. “No! I’m flattered, of course. But it’s too soon for me,” she said. “
Why don’t we go back to the others. The speeches must be starting.”
Heinrich blushed slightly and murmured agreement. He placed the book in a desk drawer and extinguished the lamp. A light from outside illuminated his face, looking at Lily with tenderness. She giggled nervously and he backed away, leading her out of the room. She made idle conversation about the book on the way back to the ballroom. The hallways were deserted and Lily wanted to get Heinrich back to the others as quickly as possible. They were nearly there when Lily stopped abruptly.
“Oops! I’m sorry, but I need to use the powder room. Where is it, please?”
“Oh. It’s just here.” Heinrich gestured to the door behind them.
“Thanks. Go ahead, I’ll find you in a minute.”
“I can wait. It’s not a problem.”
“But you’re missing the speeches!”
“It’s not too important; I can miss one or two of them.”
Lily didn’t know how to deflect his insistence. Finally, she spoke coyly.
“Thanks. It’s embarrassing but . . . I wouldn’t feel comfortable knowing someone is waiting for me behind the door.”
He took her hand, shaking his head and smiling gently.
“Of course. Don’t worry, I don’t want to embarrass you. I will be downstairs.”
“Thanks,” Lily said, feigning shyness.
She walked slowly toward the restroom, listening to Heinrich’s steps in the corridor, then going downstairs. Once inside, she looked in the mirror. Her face was flushed and her wide eyes revealed her terror. She gathered herself, tucking back a stray curl. At the door, her heart thumped as she peeked out to verify that the hallway was empty. Nobody. Just the echo of the reception below. She pulled off her shoes and ran to Heinrich’s office, closing the door quietly.
She kept the lights off, slipped back into her shoes, and rushed to the desk. She jerked open the drawer, revealing the book. With a sigh of relief, she grabbed it. Certainly it wouldn’t fit in her reticule. She had no way to conceal the book. She panicked—she had to get it out. But how? She scanned the room and spied a leather briefcase hanging on a hook in the corner. Grabbing it, she stuffed the book inside, then rushed to the window. Confirming that no one was in sight, she leaned over the railing and tossed the bag down. It landed behind a bush. She closed the window and glancing around spied her gloves on the desk. Grabbing them, she rushed out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Rounding the corner, she came upon the German from the Exposition, Heinrich’s friend Karl. He seemed more aggressive in his full uniform. She froze, unable to speak.
“Guten nacht,” he said coldly. He continued in French. “I hope you have a good reason for your presence here and not below with the others?”
Lily’s legs shook under her gown. Her mind was suddenly empty. She stared at this man in his black Nazi uniform, his face steeled in righteous anger.
“Well?” he continued. “I am waiting! What are you doing here?” He spoke louder, as if Lily didn’t understand him. His shouts snapped her out of her stupor.
She stammered, “I left my gloves in the office.” She held them up. “Heinrich was showing me something and I forgot them there. Now I’m going . . .” She tried to move past him but he blocked her way, grabbing her arm and pulling her to him.
“Where are you going? You really think I believe that story?”
“Leave me alone!” she shouted in panic, trying to pull her arm back. But he merely held on more tightly.
“You will stay here while we sort this out. I will call the guard.”
Lily shrank back. “Let go of me!” She tried to pull her arm back but Karl kept his grip. “Let me go!”
Suddenly Lily heard a shout come from behind the German.
They turned to see Heinrich at the bottom of the stairs, his expression angry. He shouted in German to Karl, who explained, pointing first at Lily and the door of Heinrich’s office. Heinrich shook his head and sprinted up the stairs. He pulled Karl’s hand off Lily and placed himself between them.
“Are you all right?” he asked Lily.
“No! This guard dog attacked me without reason,” she said, nearly crying.
“What were you doing in his office?” Karl pushed at Heinrich’s shoulder to continue his interrogation.
“I told you, I left my gloves there!” Lily shouted. “After the powder room I went to retrieve them. Who knew it would be such a drama!” She moved next to Heinrich and took his arm. Heinrich patted her shoulder as if to reassure her that it was okay.
“This situation is not normal, Heinrich,” Karl insisted.
Heinrich responded firmly in German. Karl stiffened and looked away. With that, Heinrich escorted Lily down the stairs. She felt rather than saw Karl eyeing their backs angrily.
Lily began to breathe again on the way down, replacing her gloves. “I’m sorry, Heinrich. I didn’t mean to make trouble for you.”
“It’s me who owes you the apology. I should not have left you alone upstairs. If I had informed the guards of your presence, nothing like that would have happened. Karl can be very protective of me. My apologies.”
“I didn’t mean to cause a problem between you. I just thought I could quickly get my gloves and not be a bother at all.” She smiled what she hoped was a wistful smile. He smiled back. “It’s time for the buffet, then those speeches,” he said. “Perhaps we can slip away before then.”
They entered a room near the ballroom. Inside, liveried waiters served the guests from behind a laden buffet table. After choosing a few things from the buffet, they sat at a table with six other people. She tried to be as invisible as possible while eating, all the while thinking about the book in the shrubbery. The people at her table spoke German. She adopted a look of polite interest, pretending to demurely follow along. At one point, she caught Karl lurking near the door, staring at her with a threatening look. She was trying to conjure up an exit excuse when a man in uniform approached Heinrich and whispered in his ear. After a brief discussion, Heinrich turned to Lily.
“Again, my apologies. I have an urgent matter I must attend to. Would you like to stay and wait for me?”
Lily shook her head. “No, that’s okay. I’m a bit tired, so I’ll just go home now, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. I will call my driver.”
“Oh, please, no, that’s not necessary. I’ll take a taxi.” Lily stood and touched Heinrich’s arm.
“I won’t hear of it. My driver will take you.”
Lily nodded. Heinrich motioned to a servant and spoke to him in German, gesturing to Lily. With a smile, he turned to her.
“It’s all taken care of. My driver will pull the car up. Thank you for a lovely evening. I hope to see you soon, Lily.” He bent to kiss her hand.
She blushed, grateful now for all the people around them. They left the ballroom and Heinrich joined a pair of men in the foyer. They slipped into a side room and closed the door. Lily waited for a moment, then headed for the exit. Outside, night had fallen. Walking slowly, she pretended to admire the garden, making her way around the building. She spied the tree she’d seen from Heinrich’s office and ducked toward the bushes. There, upside down, lay the briefcase with the book inside. She grabbed it, hugging it to her, then hurried around the corner of the hôtel particulier. Strolling calmly, briefcase against her chest, she arrived at the exit. Passing the guards manning the portico and a black car waiting for her, she broke into a cold sweat. She left the embassy grounds and hurried down the empty street.
After a few blocks, she released her breath just as she felt a hand on her arm. The briefcase fell to the ground with a thump. She cried out with surprise. It was Karl. He glanced at the briefcase, then back to Lily, a snarl on his face.
“Well, well! What do I see here?” He picked up the briefc
ase and shook it in Lily’s face. He tugged her arm, pulling her back toward the embassy.
“Let me go!”
“No. You’re coming back to the embassy, you little spy! You have some explanations to make, which I’m sure Heinrich will be happy to hear. Come!”
“Laissez-moi!” she cried, struggling against his grip.
“Enough!”
He forced her forward. Footsteps clattered behind them and Karl dropped his grip on her. Lily stumbled back, shocked to see Paul delivering a series of blows to Karl’s face. Her attacker slumped to the ground. Karl’s face dripped blood and he desperately tried to protect himself, crying out in German. The soldiers guarding the embassy rushed to the entrance and turned toward them. Lily tried to stop Paul.
“Paul! We have to go, now!”
Paul saw the men running toward them and grabbed Lily’s hand to dash off.
“Wait!” She snatched up the briefcase, kicking at Karl’s hand when he tried to grab it.
“Viens, Lily!” Paul pulled her away and they ran down the street. They crossed to a motorcycle parked on the sidewalk. The soldiers shouted in German but Paul jumped on the bike, urging Lily to get on the back. She kicked off her shoes and pulling her dress up with one hand straddled the seat. “Hurry!” she shouted, glancing back at the soldiers. Paul repeatedly kicked the starter, gunning the throttle. But the bike refused to start.
“Paul, Paul, Paul,” Lily chanted under her breath, her heart thumping against the briefcase. The soldiers were almost upon them when he managed to start the engine, and the motorcycle lurched away with a bang, leaving the soldiers behind. One drew his weapon and aimed at their backs, but his comrade shouted, causing him to lower his Luger. Paul sharply took the corner and they sped away.
BEFORE LONG, LILY recognized the neighborhood, and minutes later Paul pulled to a stop in front of Shakespeare and Company. Lily climbed off, clutching the briefcase. Paul frowned when he saw it and gripped the handlebars of the motorcycle. To Lily, he was even more handsome astride the bike, wearing his stern look. She leaned toward him, kissing him gently, but when he didn’t respond, Lily drew back. “Paul, thank you so much for saving me. I would have been toast back there if you hadn’t come. How did you find me?”
Chasing Sylvia Beach Page 25