Выбрать главу

“You do dance, Lieutenant?”

“As a matter of fact I am an excellent dancer, but frankly I do it only as an accommodation.”

Well! Does he know it.

“If it annoys you so much, why did you bother to come?”

“My colonel ordered me to come. You see, I have covered my brigade with glory.”

Of all the fantastic conceit!

Gabriela was about to walk off but saw Martha Thompson out of the corner of her eye. Martha was nudging Tommy and snickering. The music started.

“I am certain you won’t have any trouble finding a partner, Miss Rak,” Andrei said. “There’s a whole line of stags drooling for you over there.”

As he started his retreat Gabriela impulsively snapped her finger and said, “Hey you.”

Andrei walked toward her slowly, put his arm about her, and whisked her onto the dance floor. He was not boasting about his prowess as a dancer. Every female eye in the room watched them enviously. Gabriela was furious with herself for behaving as she knew a thousand girls had done before. But she liked being in his arms. They were nicer than any pair of arms she had been in for a year. This made her angrier, because he was managing to convey the feeling that he would just as soon be dancing with a broom.

The thought of bringing this egotistical roughrider to heel began to delight her. What a wonderful idea to torment him! How lovely to end the evening giving Lieutenant Androfski just enough to make him plead ... then slam the door in his face. First the hat from Martha Thompson.

“I should like you to see me home later,” she said at the end of the set of dances.

Her trap was swift and complete. When one is playing the game at a grand ball and one is a Ulan, it would be an unpardonable discourtesy to reject a lady’s “request.”

“Perhaps your escort may take exception,” he answered.

“I came with Mr. Thompson of the American Embassy—and Mrs. Thompson. I am quite free, Lieutenant—or is it necessary for me to get it in the form of an order from your colonel?”

He smiled weakly. “I will be delighted.”

As the automobiles were being driven up to the entrance, Mr. Thompson offered them a ride.

“It is so nice and balmy out, why don’t we walk, Lieutenant?”

“If you’d like.”

“Good night, Tommy. Good night, Martha. Don’t forget—Madam Phoebe’s at noon tomorrow.”

It was late and the streets were empty except for a few drunks. There was only the sound of their own footsteps and a very distant droshka.

Gabriela stopped suddenly. “I was terribly silly and rude to you,” she said, “and I shouldn’t have forced you to bring me home. If you would see me to a droshka—”

“Nonsense. I’ll be glad to take you home.”

“You don’t have to be polite any more—we are off battle limits.”

“Matter of fact,” Andrei said, “I was a little bit rough on you too. I really don’t behave like a pompous ass. I like you better now that I know you work for a living.”

He offered her his arm, and she took it and they crossed the street. She smelled good and she felt good and he was wonderfully aware of her. He whistled softly to hide his feelings.

“I knew you were trying to anger me,” she said. “I watched you after we danced. You are really very shy and self-conscious, you know.”

“I don’t want to sound as if I’m bragging, but—I guess everyone expects me to act a certain way.”

“And you don’t really like it, do you?”

“No, not always. Especially at these dances ...”

“Why?”

“Never mind.”

“No, tell me.”

“I don’t have very much in common with the people who go to grand balls.”

“A famous Ulan like you—all those adoring men and women ...”

“I don’t belong with them.”

“Why?”

“I’m not going to spoil your evening with all the serious, complicated things I am.”

They walked in silence for the final block. Both of them had moved too quickly to that strange feeling of helplessness at the discovery that they were suddenly infatuated with each other, and it was frightening for them. The game was over for Gabriela. He had behaved nicely and she did not wish to play the tease but wanted to know more about this man who could be a peacock one moment, then sink into boyishness in another.

Her flat was in a large old mansion on the Square of the Three Crosses facing St Alexander’s Church. She stopped before the door and fumbled in her purse for her key and handed it to him. Andrei unlocked the door and handed the key back.

“Good night, Miss Rak,” he said.

They shook hands.

“Lieutenant Androfski. I was brought up in America, as you know, and sometimes we do things a little differently. Would you consider me terribly brash if I said I would like to see you again, very soon?”

He took his hand from hers slowly and became pitifully and awkwardly shy. “I am afraid not, Miss Rak,” he said quickly, and turned and walked off.

Gabriela was stunned at her own words, more stunned at his action. She ran up the steps, watery-eyed, confused, and hurt and angry.

A large group of American VIPs were flying in from Paris. It included three congressmen and their wives and an advisory board of industrialists for a prospective American loan to build a dam on the Warta River.

“We want to help get this loan pushed through,” Thompson said to Gabriela. “I’ve got to be away in Krakow when they arrive. Can you make up their itinerary and handle them for two days till I get back?”

“Anything special you want them to see?”

“The usual junk around Warsaw. Lunch with the Ambassador, press conference, whatever is going at the opera and theater. Meanwhile, draw up a list for their reception.”

“Will do. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“Here’s all the dope. Look this over. Play it to Congressman Galinowski, big Polish district in Gary. Stay close to Cranebrook; he talks too much.”

“Tommy, the last time we had wives, the Ministry of Information sent over a real creep to escort them around. Why don’t we try someone else?”

“Like what?”

Gabriela shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. Why not—well, get one of those big Ulany officers. The Seventh Ulanys have a dozen real charmers who speak English.”

“Oh, sister,” Thompson mumbled. “He’s already cost me one hat.” He flicked the inter-com and spoke through it. “Mildred. Call up the commanding general at the Citadel. On that group of VIPs coming in day after tomorrow, we’re going to need an escort for the wives. Make it important ... big loan to Poland involved. See if you can get Lieutenant Andrei Androfski—from the Seventh Ulanys—placed on detached duty for PR. Have him report to Miss Rak.” He flicked off the switch. Gabriela’s face was crimson. “Just call me Cupid Thompson.”

If Andrei was livid with rage, which he was, he did nothing to show it. He reported to Miss Rak and took his orders with complete detachment and oozed Polish charm playing escort to the three elderly but appreciative American ladies. Andrei even managed to hold his temper when one of the ladies discovered he was on the national soccer team and insisted he take off his boots so she could see the muscles in his calves.

At the end of the third day he delivered them to their suites and reported to Miss Rak at the Embassy.

“I must say, everyone is commenting on my masterstroke of public relations. You have made a noble contribution to a dam on the Warta River.”

“Thank you,” Andrei said stiffly.

“In fact, Lieutenant, they are so pleased with your company, they particularly asked if you would escort them on a two-day trip to Krakow while the committee surveys the proposed dam site.”