Codename: Amour

By Louise Roberts

Will “Hibou” be able to concentrate on the most important mission, or will his love for Simone lead to a moment’s carelessness that could be their undoing?

On a dark night in July 1944, Special Operations Executive agent, Simone rows ashore from a submarine at the small fishing town of Golfe-Juan on the Côte d’Azur. She meets the Resistance Leader code name “Hibou” with whom she had a romantic affair during a mission in northern France several months previously. Once again, they engage in subterfuge operations against the German forces in the lead up to the Allied landings, codenamed Operation Dragoon, scheduled for the following month.

Although their relationship is reawakened, the tension of their exploits and the possibility of being caught by the Gestapo from information leaked by traitors in their midst causes some instability. However, love has a way to conquer doubt, but as their love deepens so too does the risk of them making mistakes.

Will Hibou be able to concentrate on the most important mission yet to come, or will his love for Simone lead to a moment’s carelessness that could be their undoing?

PUBLISHER NOTE: Historical Romantic Suspense. 38,442 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminosity Publishing LLP
• Release date: Jun 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463723357

Louise Roberts

Louise Roberts grew up and was educated in London, England and has always held a passion for history and English Literature. She has been writing since her teenage years, but only began writing fiction in the 1990s having been inspired by her mother, Viviane Elisabeth Borg, who is a published author. Although Louise had immigrated to Sydney, Australia in 1988, she relocated to Europe in 2016 and today resides at the coastal town of Golfe-Juan in the south of France. Louise retains membership of Romance Writers of Australia; Australian Romance Readers Association; and Australian Society of Authors.

Book preview

CODENAME: AMOUR

Romance in War – Book 2

Louise Roberts

Will Hibou be able to concentrate on the most important mission, or will his love for Simone lead to a moment’s carelessness that could be their undoing?

On a dark night in July 1944, Special Operations Executive agent, Simone rows ashore from a submarine at the small fishing town of Golfe-Juan on the Côte d’Azur. She meets the Resistance Leader code name Hibou with whom she had a romantic affair during a mission in northern France several months previously. Once again, they engage in subterfuge operations against the German forces in the lead up to the Allied landings, codenamed Operation Dragoon, scheduled for the following month.

Although their relationship is reawakened, the tension of their exploits and the possibility of being caught by the Gestapo from information leaked by traitors in their midst causes some instability. However, love has a way to conquer doubt, but as their love deepens so too does the risk of them making mistakes.

Will Hibou be able to concentrate on the most important mission yet to come, or will his love for Simone lead to a moment’s carelessness that could be their undoing?

PUBLISHER NOTE: Historical Romantic Suspense. 38,450 words.

CODENAME: AMOUR

Romance in War – Book 2

LOUISE ROBERTS

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WWW.LUMINOSITYPUBLISHING.COM

LUMINOSITY PUBLISHING LLP

CODENAME: AMOUR

Romance in War – Book 2

Copyright © June 2018 Louise Roberts

ISBN: 978-1-370217-14-4

Cover design by Poppy Designs

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this literary work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

DEDICATION

In Memory of

Jean-François Pivot

PROLOGUE

The dim red light seemed to engulf the space around her as she sat quietly out of the way of the busy mariners. She had just been told they had reached their destination and the crew was making ready to resurface the submarine so that she could disembark.

When initially Simone had learned that she had been hand-picked for this assignment she had wondered what special qualities she had to offer. Then she had been told the name of the Resistance leader’s code name was Hibou — the French name for an owl — and her heart had caught in her throat.

It was toward the end of 1943 during the lead up to Operation Overlord where she had first met Hibou at the community of Saint-Lô located in North West France. Although at the time no one was privy to the date and actual location of the planned invasion, it was deemed prudent that all Resistance fighters throughout northern France were to be well-equipped.

Could he be the same man? She truly hoped so. Surely the Special Operations Executive wouldn’t use the same code name for someone else?

Simone closed her eyes to remember that mission. Her directive had been to reorganize a Resistance unit and to supply them with arms and explosives…

Hibou was tall and stockily built with dark curly hair. He had large gorgeous blue eyes, and she could plainly see how the code name fitted him perfectly. It had been love at first sight, and despite the dangers, they had managed to nurture a strong romantic bond. Even though their intimacy had let down their guard, they had never divulged their own real names. When it was time to leave it was as though her heart had been wrenched out, but now there was a chance to meet him again. Would they be able to rekindle their relationship? Would he even remember her? She tightened her eyes to concentrate on her memory and tried to ignore the noises about her.

At the beginning, their relationship had been strictly professional, but a close encounter with the Gestapo removed all pretense, and they found comfort in each other’s arms. One thing led to another, and before they could stop themselves, they were entangled naked on the soft straw of a stall in a barn. The only noise aside their heavy breathing was the sound of jingling bells that were tied around the necks of several goats nearby.

Simone could still ‘feel’ his touch and the sensation of fullness as his manhood slid within her. She subconsciously clenched the muscles of her lower regions as she conjured up those thoughts.

Miss Dubois, the Commander would like a word. The voice in her ear snapped her from the reverie. As she opened her eyes to regard the speaker she was grateful for the red light to help disguise the flushness of her cheeks.

Simone stood and followed the mariner to the bridge.

We shall be surfacing shortly. Everything is prepared at the for’ard hatch. When you’re ready, please make your way there, the mariner said before saluting and retreating from the presence of his commanding officer.

You wished to speak with me, Commander? Simone said as she stood at attention before him. Even though she was dressed in civilian clothes, her military training instinctively made her show respect to a more senior rank.

At ease, he told her kindly before continuing, I have your final instructions. You will be met by members of the Resistance. Watch out for a pinpoint of light which is to last only a few moments and then row towards it.

Thank you, Commander.

Good luck, Miss Dubois.

CHAPTER ONE

Golfe-Juan

It was proving to be a hot summer. Throughout June the temperature had crept slowly up, and by late July, the weather was becoming unbearable. Fortunately, the light breezes coming in off the sea made the evenings slightly cooler. Michel and Jean walked along the promenade, their hands tucked into jacket pockets trying to look inconspicuous.

Although the curfew was in force, both men had dispensation at being out at night because of their roles as policemen. The night of the twenty-fifth was dark as there was only a waxing crescent moon. Michel extracted a cigarette from a packet in his pocket and offered it to Jean before placing another in his mouth. He then struck a match and held the lit stick level with his face for a moment before blowing it out, and striking another to light the cigarettes. The two men strolled down one of the wooden jetties to the water’s edge where several fishing boats were moored, and waited.

While their eyes adjusted to the darkness, the rippling sound of water lapping against the hulls of nearby vessels gave a relaxing feel. Several moments passed until the unmistakable sound of oars breaking the surface of the water in a rhythmic fashion alerted them of a boat approaching. Michel strained his eyes looking out beyond the port, and for an instance, he thought he saw the conning tower of a submarine disappear beneath the water’s surface.

Hello, the shore, a strained whispering voice of a woman spoke in perfect French.

Michel edged forward and kneeled down to help her. As their eyes met, he sucked in his breath at the unexpected beautiful face looking back at him. Despite the dim light, her smile was distracting, making him momentarily forget why he was there.

You must be quick, Jean said anxiously, and nudging Michel aside, offered his arm to her.

She passed two large bundles and a small bag to Jean, before scrambling out of the rubber dingy. We can’t leave this here, Simone said while pointing to the small vessel.

No, Michel stammered, his senses restored by his friend’s gentle push, and he struggled to his feet.

Jean extracted a knife from within his jacket and then lay flat on the jetty’s floor to puncture the dingy several times.

Won’t the Germans be suspicious when they find it? she asked.

Perhaps, Michel said shrugging his shoulders, they may just think it has washed in with the tide. There are a lot of mines out there, he added pointing into the darkness.

I am Simone Dubois, she said quickly introducing herself.

We are happy you are here. My name is Jean Martin. This chap is Michel Blaise, he said pointing a thumb at his compatriot.

Come, we must get off the streets before you are discovered, Michel said as he and Jean picked up the two large bundles between them before leading her into the town.

Briskly, they walked with their footfalls echoing off seemingly empty houses. Shuttered windows added to their bleakness, as they eagerly sought the refuge of their safe house.

Simone was disappointed that Hibou had not been there to meet her. As a distraction, she took in her surroundings as they walked amidst darkened streets, their names on old unkempt signs probably dating back to Napoleonic times — so much unlike England, where street names had been removed in case of invasion to confuse the enemy. Her arrival in southern France was to boost the Resistance’s dwindling supplies of arms and ammunition and to gather intelligence prior to the impending invasion. She didn’t believe for one minute that her contributions would make any difference as she was sure the higher authorities had the entire operation well planned months, if not years in advance. Simone was not to question why she was sent to the Côte d’Azur. If her superiors thought it well worth the effort to transport her all the way to Malta to connect with a submarine to take her to the south of France, it was obviously for a good reason. She wasn’t going to quibble. Who in their right minds wouldn’t want a trip to the south of France with all expenses paid? The former was now being carried by her two new colleagues — the latter was still a necessary challenge to overcome.

A quick glance at a street plaque told her they had entered the Rue Louis Chabrier. She would try and learn about the gentleman at a later date. Discovering the origins of places she had visited was one of her hobbies; it was a subject that had become a passion, and more so since becoming an operative of the Special Operations Executive.

Michel first knocked and opened an unobtrusive wooden door badly in need of repair. A stale aroma of boiled cabbage, fish and cigarette smoke assailed her sense of smell. There was a dim light being emitted from a small room just off the entrance hallway.

Florence, we’re back, Jean said as he crossed the room and planted a kiss on the older woman’s cheek. This is Simone, he added. As previously discussed she will be staying with you for a few days.

Welcome, my dear, Florence said. Are you hungry?

Simone had only eaten a light meal before embarking the submarine. She never had an appetite prior to the commencement of a mission, but since coming ashore the tension began to leave her, and her appetite was restored.

Thank you, Madame, if it’s not too much trouble.

It’s no trouble at all, dear, the older woman answered happily, and please call me Florence. She smiled.

As Florence disappeared into the kitchen at the rear of the house, Simone removed her hat and coat and placed them on the back of a chair. She watched as