Miss Atkins slid the bottom drawer open and withdrew two thin folders. She handed one to each of them. “What we have on the current residents of the Ritz. Study the information, commit it to memory, and then destroy it. Clothes, money, and the cosmetics that you will need for your cover will be given to you just prior to departure. I would also suggest that you use this time to become familiar with each other and practice your stories. Review the details of your pasts. How you met, where you married, favourite colors, the things that a husband and a wife would know. Keep it simple but keep it consistent.” She glanced at Buckmaster. “Anything else?”

The colonel shook his head. “Not at this time. Major Reed will cover remaining details prior to deployment.”

Sophie wasn’t surprised. There would be no specific names, addresses, code phrases, or contact information given until their departure was imminent.

“Very good. Good luck to the both of you.” Miss Atkins brought the meeting to a close.

Sophie and Gerard both stood and exited the room, heading down the hall.

Sophie tipped the folder in her hand. “If it’s agreeable to you, I was thinking that perhaps we could photograph the pages of the code—”

“I do hope you understand your role in this mission,” Gerard cut her off.

“My role?”

“Like Colonel Buckmaster said, these will be very dangerous circumstances. I understand that I’ve been assigned a woman out of necessity—to avoid the suspicion that would normally fall on a male travelling alone through France. However, once we reach Paris, I think it’s best if you stay safely removed from any sort of danger.”

Sophie stopped in the middle of the hall. “I beg your pardon?”

Gerard also stopped and turned back toward her. “In Paris, I will make contact and take any necessary steps for the success of this mission. I cannot be worried about you and trying to find this bloody machine and its codebooks at the same time.”

“I see,” Sophie replied evenly. “Did you mention your concerns to Colonel Buckmaster?”

“I did.” Gerard removed his spectacles and scowled at her. “He has assured me that you are a capably trained agent and did not seem to share my concerns.” He shook his head. “And while I won’t deny that you look quite…capable, Madame Beaufort, war is a man’s domain. Thousands of years of history have taught us that, regardless of what Colonel Buckmaster says. As a woman, you cannot possibly begin to understand what it will be like facing the enemy on the front lines. The very fact that you are here is unnatural.”

Sophie stared at him, momentarily robbed of speech. That damn word again.