What he felt could not be called love. That it was devotion there could be no doubt, but devotion to himself and no other. If it was his desire to make Sabina his bride, then who was she to refuse him? Germany took what it wanted these days—and so would he.

This was going to be a memorable day for more reasons than just his birthday. Gustav had something very special planned!

“Gustav,” said Brigitte in an insistent and pouting tone, “I don’t believe you heard a word I said!”

“Don’t be ridiculous, my sweet,” replied Gustav, pulling his gaze away from the door at the far end of the hall. “You have my full attention.”

“No I don’t… who are you looking for?”

“Nothing you need trouble your fair head about.”

“I insist that you tell me. Is somebody important coming?”

“I was only glancing about to see if your cousin had arrived.”

“Oh, her,” said Brigitte petulantly. “I had enough of her in Switzerland!”

Gustav took another swallow from the glass of wine in his hand, but said nothing.

44 Light and Darkness

44

Light and Darkness

Thaddeus McCallum and his son arrived some thirty minutes later. A last-minute delay kept them in Berlin longer than expected, and so they had come straight to the Schmundt villa without stopping first at Lebenshaus. They had not yet seen the baron or his family. Thaddeus was engaged at the moment with the French foreign minister and a low-level Spanish diplomat, both of whom conversed fluently in English.

“What do you think, Monsieur McCallum?” the Frenchman was saying. “Do you buy the line the Germans are giving us about this pact they made with Russia a few days ago?”

“You mean do I think it signals a new spirit of peace and cooperation by their Führer?” said Thaddeus.

The Frenchman nodded.

“Do you seriously expect me to answer you forthrightly here? We’re surrounded by Nazis,” he added in a low tone.

“Then whisper your answer,” said the Frenchman softly.

Thaddeus glanced around hurriedly. “I don’t think it signals a thing except more of Hitler’s blitz diplomacy,” he whispered.

“Do you consider war inevitable, then?” asked the Spaniard.

“I hope it won’t come to that,” answered Thaddeus. “But I must say, it doesn’t look altogether—”

He was interrupted by the sudden arrival of their host.

“Ah, my American and French and Spanish friends!” said Schmundt ebulliently. “I am so glad you could come. And what have you been discussing so quietly amongst yourselves?”

“We have just been congratulating your Führer on his peace negotiations with the Russians.”

“A masterstroke,” rejoined Schmundt. “He is indeed a great man of peace, something you would do well to communicate to the people in your countries. He is so misunderstood by those who consider him an aggressor. He only wants Germany’s historic territories secure so that peace can rule throughout Europe.”