Allegiance to Alsace by Marta Anne Tice

Author:Marta Anne Tice [Marta Anne Tice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BQB Publishing
Published: 2022-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

PREPARING FOR WAR

Early the next morning, I got up and quickly dressed. I needed to find Papa before he started the day’s work, otherwise I wouldn’t have any time alone with him because he and Albert would spend hours harvesting the grapes. Luckily, I caught him leaving his room.

Before I opened my mouth, Papa said, “Well, you now know about the captain?”

“Yes! And you put me through the aggravation of being fooled!” I said in anger.

Papa pulled me inside and shut the door.

“It was too dangerous, and we just had to let it play out,” he said. “I was protecting you. If I’d told you before the ball, you could have been nervous and perhaps not have been as elegant for Napoleon and Joséphine. And besides, you might not have fallen in love.” Papa waved his hands in a dramatic gesture.

Papa was right, though. I probably wouldn’t have fallen in love. But I was still somewhat upset that he hadn’t disclosed his plan to connect Hans and I together at the ball. I realized Papa was a master of his work in espionage.

“So, you have known Hans’s family for years?” I asked.

“Yes. Stefan Roster and I met during the Seven Years’ War. We worked together, he in the battlefields and I in espionage. Unfortunately, Stefan passed away just a year ago.”

“Is that why you went to Karlsruhe so often?” I asked.

Papa nodded. “Our families were also involved in the winery business, and I delivered wine to Millicent after Stefan’s death. Millicent and her daughter, Mary, have been struggling with the business, and I like to help them when I can. We will have to visit them on our way back to Alsace.”

“I look forward to that. Hans has mentioned them, and I so long to meet them,” I said.

“Please, Annaelise, know that I couldn’t tell you because I had to protect you. You are my shining sun, and I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you.”

I embraced him in a hug. “I know, Papa. I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said. “Now, run along and help your grandmother.”

I went down the stairs to the kitchen where Grandmother was baking rolls with Gretchen.

“Ah, you are baking rolls for the men, I see.” I grabbed one garnished with smoked ham. “I have been up so early and I am hungry.”

“Have another roll,” Grandmother said, and I complied. “So, Captain Roster is quite handsome and very knowledgeable with horses. His family lives here in the Pfalz near Karlsruhe?”

“Yes, that is what Papa was telling me,” I said with a mouth full.

“Annaelise! Slow down. You will get a sick stomach with your mouth filled with a bread roll,” Grandmother said with a smirk. “We will have to ask Captain Roster more questions regarding his family.”

“Now is not the time to discuss this with him. His troops are leaving tomorrow for the eastern front,” I said.

The conversation became a mute issue. I packed a picnic for Hans and myself. We planned to ride out to a quiet place by a tributary of the Mosel River.

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