Read Scent of Triumph for Free Online Page B

clothes.”
    Jon hurried away, and Danielle watched him go.
I’m so glad he made it
, she thought.
And my darling Max, too
, she hurriedly added, squeezing her husband’s hand.
    Max frowned. “Who is Libby Leibowitz?”
    “A friend of Jon’s. We can stay at her home.”
    “Danielle, you know we cannot impose on strangers.”
    Had she heard him correctly?
“What?”
    “We’ll make other arrangements.”
    “Such as?”
    Max jutted his chin out, but said nothing.
    Exasperation welled within her, and she began to count to ten.
One, two...I cannot deal with his infernal pride...three...
and then she lost her composure. “We don’t have any money for a hotel,” she shot back. “We spent it all in New York. And we can hardly call our banker in Poland. Of course, to call my parents, that would be charity. Will you let your pregnant wife sleep in the street?”
    “Danielle, control yourself.”
    She heard a child cry in the distance, and it fueled her anger. “And I should
never
have left Nicky!”
    Max looked shocked. He put his arms around her. “I’m sorry, I never dreamed it would come to this.”
    Danielle steadied herself.
Two apologies in two days. It was unlike him.
She pushed their petty argument aside. “Max, we must return home.”
    “Soon, I promise,” he said softly.
    “Look, here’s Jon again. And that must be Mrs. Leibowitz.”
    A small, dark haired woman, dressed in a nubby tweed suit, walked beside Jon. She didn’t wait for introductions.
    “You must be the von Hoffmans.” She turned a lined, wren-like face up to them. “I’m Libby Leibowitz,” she said, an Eastern European accent clearly evident. “You’ll stay with me and my family.”
    Before Max could argue, she replied, “We would be most appreciative. I’m quite exhausted.”
    “We’re happy to host you until the Germans are defeated, or until...well, let’s leave it at that, shall we?”
    Jon offered a weary grin. “What did I tell you? Isn’t Libby terrific?” He gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you later this evening. Duty calls, I must join my father.”
    Max and Danielle followed Libby to her car. When Danielle saw the shiny black, chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce, she glanced down at her tattered clothes in embarrassment.
But I am so grateful.
They stepped into the car and Danielle breathed in the rich scent of the leather upholstery.
    “We’d planned to have a dinner party tonight,” Libby said. “But it will be very casual, in view of everything. The Newell-Greys will join us later. Lord knows they’ll need to relax.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Leibowitz,” Danielle said. “But I may not feel up to dinner. I’ve been rather queasy.”
    “Probably because you haven’t eaten. You must eat. Now more than ever,” she said with force.
    Danielle decided that Libby, though tiny in stature, was a woman with immense resolve. She wielded her power with well-practiced authority.
    On the drive to the house, Libby turned to them. “My husband is an advisor to the Crown. He’s been in meetings all day, but will be pleased to meet you.” She sighed. “I have lived through one war, that’s what brought me here, and I have no desire for another. Hitler must be stopped at any cost.”
    “I agree,” Max said. “Though it will not be easy.”
    “Nothing worthwhile ever is.”
    “May I ask where you’re from?” Danielle couldn’t place the woman’s accent.
    “I am from Lithuania,” Libby replied with obvious pride. “Although I haven’t been back since the war.” She shrugged. “My life is here now, with my husband.” Her eyes darted from Max to Danielle. “Do you have family?”
    Danielle felt her throat constrict.
I hope so....
    “Yes, we do,” Max said. “Our son Nicky celebrated his fourth birthday before we left. He’s at home with my mother. In Poland.”
    Libby’s face clouded. “This is not good, not good at all. You must get your family.”
    “As soon as we can,” Danielle said, her jaw