Topaz - Leon Uris [99]
“Really, how interesting. Then your family has substantial interests in Montrichard?”
“We do.”
“Land. Assets.”
“Yes.”
“And your schooling?”
“I am drawing a conclusion about this questioning, Monsieur Thibaud. Perhaps you will tell me if I am correct.”
“Man to man?”
“Yes.”
“Devereaux, my daughter has taken quite a liking to you. She has a disturbing temper ... disturbing! Very willful. Young man, are you interested in Nicole?”
“Yes, sir, I am.”
“Then I’ll be candid. Nicole returns your feeling, fully. I am in a position to get you out of here and fix you up with a set of papers. My business in Madrid could use a young chap like you with legal background and your knowledge of several languages. You see, we engage in international trade and ...”
“Why, Monsieur Thibaud. I do believe you are proposing to me.”
“Well, you want to get out of this mess, don’t you? Do you intend to rot in this place?”
“I intend to fight for France. Good day, sir.”
“Devereaux!”
“Yes?”
“You are not to call on Nicole again.”
“That is her choice, sir. She knows where I live.”
Nicole stood on the fringe of the outdoor patio of El Torito Café, where the men drank cheap wine and discussed news and rumors with a zest that could only sparkle from Frenchmen.
“By the end of the year all of North Africa will be in La Croix’s hands!”
“Mark my words. La Croix will move his headquarters to Algeria, and then we’ll see about Admiral de St. Amertin.”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, you do know the bastard scuttled part of the fleet rather than deliver it to the Allies.”
Nicole spotted André, twenty-one, filled with exuberance and handsome in his way. She caught his eye. He excused himself and they walked silently to the end of the street, which led to a country road and a meadow.
“I came to say good-bye,” she said. “Papa is taking us back to Madrid tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry.”
She broke into tears. “I thought you said you loved me!”
“I do, Nicole.”
“And after what we did together, you refused my papa’s offer!”
“Making love is a natural expression of a man and a woman who desire each other. As for your father’s offer, I’m not to be selected like a bottle of wine.”
“After I have given myself to you, you’d leave me?”
“Only till I get my job done.”
“What job? You have no job.”
“Nicole. In Africa there are Frenchmen wearing the French uniform, fighting for France. Jacques and Robert are among them. This war is passing me by. Did you see the men in El Torito? We all exist for but one thing ... to redeem the honor of France.”
“I don’t understand this rubbish of honor and this fanaticism for blood.”
“You’ve lived in Spain most of your life. You don’t even speak French to your parents most of the time.”
“But I love you, André.”
“The way to love is by giving, not taking. If you really love me, then get me my freedom and let me do my duty.”
“Oh, God! I don’t want you to go.”
“That’s what I’m going to do, Nicole.”
“There’s no choice then, is there?”
“None for me.”
“Will you ever come back for me?”
“Yes, I want to.”
“I’ll ... I’ll see that Papa buys your freedom.”
“Nicole, try to understand.”
“No, I don’t. But take me to your room ... now!”
André arrived in Málaga, where a number of liberated prisoners from Miranda de Ebro slept in the bullring awaiting transport.
He boarded the ship with a mixture of elation and sadness, for his heart was filled with love for Nicole.
Operation Torch, the British-American landings in North Africa, had swept the coast and the tug of war was on between the two divided French forces.
The arrival at Casablanca set off a grand welcome. Bands and troops were there in the uniform of the Spahi Cavalry and the Foreign Legion.
Tears of joy streamed down the cheeks of men as they once again saw their beloved tricolor and once again heard the national anthem.
André Devereaux had arrived in the stronghold of Admiral de St. Amertin.
6
CASABLANCA, A CREATION OF French imperialism since the turn of the century, was suddenly thrust into world attention as a focal point of invasion by Operation