The Courier: Shadows of War, #1

By CW Browning

Before there is war, there are those willing to fight...no matter the cost.

 

France, 1938. While Hitler rebuilds Germany, and French and English leaders focus on appeasement, one man risks everything to smuggle information out of Munich – and into the hands of a young woman.

 

Evelyn Ainsworth is enjoying a carefree summer with her relatives in the high society of Paris. When her father stops to visit on his way from London to Prague, she never dreams that one favor for him will change her life forever. For beneath the glittering gaiety on the continent, a menacing shadow is growing. While many choose to look the other way, there are some who are desperate to combat the growing evil.

 

And others even more desperate to empower it.

 

Offered a chance to make a difference, Evelyn is drawn unexpectedly into a world she didn't know existed. A world where war is much closer than anyone thinks, information is gold…

 

…and no one is safe. 

 

The Courier is a novella and the first book in the exciting new series by CW Browning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CW Browning
• Release date: Feb 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393647553

CW Browning

CW Browning was writing before she could spell. Making up stories with her childhood best friend in the backyard in Olathe, Kansas, imagination ran wild from the very beginning. At the age of eight, she printed out her first full-length novel on a dot-matrix printer. All eighteen chapters of it. Through the years, the writing took a backseat to the mechanics of life. Those mechanics, however, have a great way of underlining what genuinely lifts a spirit and makes the soul sing. After attending Rutgers University and studying History, her love for writing was rekindled. It became apparent where her heart truly lay. Picking up an old manuscript, she dusted it off and went back to what made her whole. CW still makes up stories in her backyard, but now she crafts them for her readers to enjoy. She makes her home in Southern New Jersey, where she loves to grill steak and sip red wine on the patio. CW loves to hear from readers! She is always willing to answer questions and hear your stories. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter. If social media isn’t your thing, she can also be reached by email at [e-mail] and on her website at www.cwbrowning.com.

Book preview

The Courier

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CW Browning

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About The Courier

Before there is war, there are those willing to fight...no matter the cost.

France, 1938. While Hitler rebuilds Germany, and French and English leaders focus on appeasement, one man risks everything to smuggle information out of Munich – and into the hands of a young woman.

Evelyn Ainsworth is enjoying a carefree summer with her relatives in the high society of Paris. When her father stops to visit on his way from London to Prague, she never dreams that one favor for him will change her life forever. For beneath the glittering gaiety on the continent, a menacing shadow is growing. While many choose to look the other way, there are some who are desperate to combat the growing evil.

And others even more desperate to empower it.

Offered a chance to make a difference, Evelyn is drawn unexpectedly into a world she didn’t know existed. A world where war is much closer than anyone thinks, information is gold...

...and no one is safe. 

Author’s Note:

In 1938, England and France were trying desperately to avoid another war. Still reeling from the long-lasting effects of the First World War and the Great Depression, neither country wanted another expensive military conflict. With unemployment at an all-time high, and their citizens increasingly looking to communism and socialism for answers, both governments felt that it was in their best interest to appease Adolf Hitler, rather than oppose him. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain believed fervently in the policy of appeasement, trusting Hitler’s promises of peace for Europe, and guided England accordingly.

Not all members of the British Parliament were convinced. A few stood firm in the belief that another war with Germany would be inevitable if Hitler were not stopped. With little encouragement from the government, and even less funding, it was left to them to try to prepare for a war while the rest of the world actively tried to avoid it. They were not alone, however. The coming conflict would ultimately be won by the ordinary men and women who stepped up to do extraordinary things in defense of their countries and their freedom – often at the cost of their own lives.

It is to the memory of those fearless men and women that this series is dedicated.

Table of Contents

The Courier

Author’s Note:

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About the Author

Note from Author:

Whoever lights the torch of war in Europe can wish for nothing but chaos.

~ Adolph Hitler, Speech to the Reichstag in Berlin May 1935

Prologue

Tai Po District, Hong Kong: 1930

Two young people raced across the grassy clearing, ducking behind a row of thick hedgerows along the outer edge, breathing heavily. The girl’s hair had partially slipped out of her ponytail and the boy looked at her, trying to catch his breath.

No fair! he exclaimed. You cheated. I wasn’t ready!

Sssshhhh! The girl shushed him, pulling him down further behind the bushes. Do you want them to hear you?

Who? the boy obediently lowered his voice. What are you talking about?

This is what I wanted to show you, she whispered. Look!

She pointed through a break in the hedge and they both peered through the greenery. An immense garden was on the other side, and in the center, a large square area had been marked out with gray stones and the grass inside was worn down. There, within the square, twelve people were dressed in identical robes and stood in four rows. A taller man stood facing them in the front, his hands clasped behind his back. His garb was different from the others, similar in style but a different color.

The boy glanced at her. What is it?

Some kind of class, she whispered back. Watch!

The boy made a face but turned his gaze back to the strangely dressed people on the other side of the shrubbery. He still wasn’t used to the way they dressed here. He and his parents had been here for three months now, but he still thought it looked like the local people wore pajamas.

All thoughts of their strange clothing disappeared a second later as he watched the twelve people move in unison, lunging forward on their left leg and raising their hands in what looked like some kind of weird pose. He watched in awe as they went through a series of motions that were unlike anything he’d ever seen before.

What is it? he finally whispered, tearing his gaze away to find his companion watching intently, enthralled.

I think it’s some sort of ancient fighting technique, she whispered back. I heard the one in the front instructing them the other day and was able to make out a few words.

The boy stared at her, the class momentarily forgotten. What? You understood him?

She shrugged, never taking her eyes from the spectacle on the other side of the hedge.

A little. Only a few words.

Does your father know that you come here, spying on the locals? the boy demanded. And that you’re trying to learn Cantonese?

She looked at him, her blue eyes flashing.

He knows I’m learning Cantonese. He encourages it. He says I have an ear for languages.

And does he also encourage you to sneak away from your tutors and leave the property to come spy on...on...whoever these people are?

Stephen Mansbridge, just because you’re fourteen doesn’t mean you can boss me around! she said hotly, tossing her head. I’m not hurting anyone.

What if you get caught? Stephen asked, glancing at the people in the clearing. That man watching from the back of the house doesn’t look very nice.

The girl turned her gaze to the older man who sat on a stool under a tiled awning, watching the class in progress.

I haven’t quite made up my mind who he is, she said thoughtfully. I don’t know if he’s another teacher, or if he’s like a patron. He never speaks, at least, not that I’ve seen.

How often do you come here?

Every day.

Stephen let out an exclamation and grabbed her arm.

Evie, what if you get caught?

She scoffed and pulled her arm away.

They have no idea I’m here, she assured him. They’re too busy doing their exercises. Besides, why should they be concerned with me? I’m just a girl.

Which is why you shouldn’t be here! Stephen said. Come on. Let’s go.

But I don’t want to go! Evie turned her attention back to the students in the square. Don’t you wish you could learn something like that?

Stephen looked at her as if she had three heads.

Like what? We don’t even know what that is! It could be a mating dance for all you know.

She sighed and looked at him in disappointment.

I thought you would find it interesting.

Well, I don’t, he said roundly, and neither should you. You’re a girl. You should be learning girl things, not running around the countryside all alone.

You sound like your mother, Evie muttered. Where’s your sense of adventure?

I left it in England, he retorted, grabbing her hand. Come on. I’m two years older than you, so you have to listen to me.

No I don’t, she objected, pulling her hand away. You’re not my father.

If I was, I’d lock you up until you’re an old lady.

Evie stuck her tongue out at him. Well you’re not, so there!

Stephen glowered at her. Fine. But I’m going to tell your father!

The girl hesitated, clearly unsure if he was bluffing. Sensing her hesitation, Stephen nodded confidently.

I will! I swear it!

With a huff, Evie turned away from the hedge with a pout. Stephen grabbed her hand and pulled her away, heading back across the clearing.

Neither of them were aware of the pair of old, dark eyes following them from under an ancient, tiled awning. The old man shifted on his stool as the teacher in the front caught sight of the retreating young people through a gap in the hedges. He started towards the edge of the property purposefully, but halted at a single word from the old man. He turned to look at him in surprise, but the old man didn’t spare him a glance as he thoughtfully watched the young girl hurrying across the clearing.

Chapter One

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Tai Po District, Hong Kong: 1936

Evelyn Ainsworth tucked her arm through her father’s and took a deep breath of warm, balmy evening air. The sound of laughter and music floated from the back patio where the guests had spilled outside to enjoy an after-dinner drink and some respite from the overcrowded rooms within. The lights from the house joined forces with torches placed near the stone-flagged patio to light up part of the manicured lawn, but the rest was in cloaked in shadows. She hugged his arm as they strolled into those shadows, away from the guests.

This was lovely, she told him, looking up into his angular face. Thank you!

I wish it could have been more. You only turn eighteen once, he replied with a smile. When we return to England, you’ll have a proper come-out.

She wrinkled her nose. Is that really necessary?

He chuckled. I’m afraid so, Evie. Society demands it, and so does your mother.

Well, I certainly don’t want to disappoint Mother, she said, glancing back at the patio where a tall, elegant woman was entertaining their guests with polished ease. I know it’s important to her.

It’s important to both of us, and it should be important to you. It’s your opportunity to take your place in society.

"Oh posh, you