Chapter 29

Spiez, July 1915

They dined with Edward and his family two days later, at the house the Fischers had rented for the summer. Mother was bubbling with happiness at having a new friend in Edward’s mother, Adele. Rebecca was thrilled that she’d been left alone since Edward’s invitation. She and Mark had been able to meet every time the family left the house for an outing. Things really couldn’t have worked out any better.

“I wish I had known earlier that you were still in Switzerland,” Rebecca said to Edward, who was seated next to her.

“We were not able to leave. We had passage booked on a liner in May, but they haven’t been crossing since what happened to the Lusitania.”

“Of course. What a horrible thing for Germany to do! I’m so glad you chose to stay.”

“I’m afraid it wasn’t a choice. I feel we are rather stranded here now.”

“Well, it isn’t safe to cross. You must stay until this war is finally over. It shouldn’t take too long; I hear the fighting is fierce,” Rebecca said, taking a forkful of trout.

“The devastation in France has been an absolute tragedy. We’ve been hearing a great deal of rumors here in the Alps from the families displaced by the war,” Mrs. Fischer said.

“I certainly hope our country can maintain its neutrality,” Rebecca said, suddenly less hungry.

“It’s not possible to completely stay out of the conflict. Even a neutral country must be prepared to fight if invaded by hostile forces.” Father had joined the conversation.

“Do you really think Switzerland plans to engage?” Edward asked.

“I’m afraid it’s already engaged. Not in a traditional military way yet, but through its diplomatic and charity efforts. Physicians and surgeons have been traveling to the front to assist the medical mission,” Father answered.

“You’re not thinking of going, are you, Joseph?” Mother asked.

“I was, but I’ve been asked to stay here and supervise the establishment of a special medical service in Bern for the exclusive purpose of serving war prisoners.”

“War prisoners? What do you mean, Papi?” Hannah asked.

“Our government, together with the Red Cross, has arranged for a charitable medical service for prisoners of war from all countries. There are already medical institutions in Lucerne and Fribourg. And now we’ll have one in Bern,” Father explained.

“Will the prisoners be transferred from the front?” Edward asked.

“No, they’ll receive acute medical treatment at the front and then transfer here for secondary treatment.”

“Will the army soldiers come into Bern, then?” Edward’s sixteen-year-old sister, Eva, asked. “Will it be unsafe?”

“I don’t believe so. They’ll fall under the jurisdiction of the Swiss medical services and will obey their superiors, but there should be no other army presence.”

“How interesting. I’m quite looking forward to working with these soldiers. Can you only imagine the stories they will tell!” Rebecca said.

“Rebecca, I feel faint thinking of you working with the prisoners,” Mother said.

“Oh, Mother. If you knew what I’ve seen and done already as a medical student and a resident!”

“Must you shock me every time you speak?”

Rebecca waved dismissively at her mother and turned back to Edward, whispering, “I wish I’d known you were still here. We could’ve spent time together sooner.”

He looked at her for a long time. “I was under the impression that you didn’t wish to ever see me again, when we spoke at the ball. I do apologize, but you said you had no desire to marry.”

She thought carefully about her next sentence, trying to control her emotions, thoughts, and words. “You must not misunderstand me. I wasn’t stating that I wished to see you in a romantic manner. I only meant that I wished to keep your friendship and be of assistance to your sister. You did say she was ill?”

“Yes, Eva is still struggling with her health. In all honesty, I’m glad we stayed, as she’s able to follow a new course of treatment here in the mountains. I think she may be finally achieving some relief.”

“What is her condition?”

“She suffered pneumonia five years ago, and her lungs and heart have been very weak ever since. Her doctors in New York suggested that Switzerland’s air would be best for her lungs.”

“So it is helping?”

“Slightly. I still hear her cough at night, but some herbal preparations she is receiving have been easing her chest pain.”

“What about your work? How are you able to do it here?”

“I’m managing. I don’t have much of a choice. You see, it was my fault she became ill in the first place.”

“How was it your fault?”

“Eva and Mother lived in the country, north of New York City, in a town called Poughkeepsie. That’s where I grew up. My father was a doctor there. When my father died, I moved to the city to learn banking. Once I became established, I asked Mother and Eva to come live with me. That’s when Eva caught pneumonia, at her school. I was very wrong to bring her into a city infested with immigrants and germs.”

Rebecca touched his arm as she watched him furrow his forehead. “I’m sure you meant the best for your family. There was no way for you to know that she would become ill. This could’ve happened to her in the country, as well. She likely was born with weakened lungs, and that’s all pneumonia needs.”

He touched her hand back in gratitude. “Either way, I will do anything to get Eva better. She means everything to me. She loves it here, so here we’ll stay until she recovers.”

“It’s very noble of you. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to assist. I am, after all, a women’s physician. I have my own clinic in Bern now.”

“Thank you for your kindness. I’m sure Eva will be very glad to take you up on your offer. I didn’t realize you had your own clinic. I assumed you practiced with Dr. Miller.”

“Two of my friends and I opened a women’s health clinic. We provide health and legal services to those who can’t afford them. Father gave me some money to get it started.”

“How industrious of you! And is the clinic successful?”

“Somewhat. We have many patients, but not enough resources to help them. I find that going to the women’s homes is helpful, but I watch so many mothers and children suffer. We hope more physicians will join us in our efforts. And we need more medications and supplies.” Rebecca sighed.

“Are you in need of money? My mother and I would be happy to contribute. We haven’t been able to keep up our charity efforts since being here.”

“Would you really? That’s awfully kind. I wasn’t telling you about the clinic to solicit money.” Rebecca was embarrassed now.

“I didn’t think you were. But I would be glad of an opportunity to help.”

Rebecca couldn’t wait to tell Lara and Sarah. Not only was Edward an intelligent and pleasant man, but he was also kind and charitable. Not to mention that this dinner and their conversing ensured that Mother had forgotten all about Mark. Dessert was served, and she ate her raspberry soufflé with pleasure, her spirits quite uplifted.

****

The next day was sweltering, and it seemed as if it took an eternity for everyone to depart for the boat ride and picnic they had planned. At first, Mother refused to leave when Rebecca complained of her head spinning. (The day before, it had been a stomach distress.) But when Rebecca assured her that she’d simply remain in her bed, Mother reluctantly agreed. Father rolled his eyes at the list of Rebecca’s symptoms, but she stood firm.

She quickly changed into a pretty summer frock and fixed her hair. The maids were busy cleaning, and the housekeeper had gone to the market, so the home was as empty as she could wish for. Mark has been coming to see her every day, and they had found different ways to avoid the family and staff. It was remarkably easy in Spiez—so much simpler than in Bern.

A quiet knock on the door startled her. He was here! She opened the door and was swept up in his arms, her face covered in kisses.

“How beautiful you are!” he said, still holding her.

She wrapped her arms around his strong neck, not wishing for him to put her down. “I love you.”

“How do you feel today?”

“I feel perfectly fine.”

He sat her down gently on a sofa, then produced a small bouquet of flowers from inside his jacket. “I know you have flowers everywhere, but I picked them on the mountain this morning.”

“Edelweiss!” The flowers smelled divine and so did he, of fresh flowers and grass and mountains.

“How long can I stay before your family returns?” he asked.

She knew how much it hurt him that her parents wouldn’t accept him. She pulled him down to sit next to her and took his hands. “We have several hours. We have time enough.”

“More than ever. In the city, we always have to rush.”

“Yes. More than ever.” She hesitated. Was she really going to do this? Then she got up and took his hands. “Come with me.”

“Where are we going?”

“My room. The maids have cleaned there already, so we won’t be disturbed.”

“Your room?” Mark raised his brows. “We are alone here, and you invite me to your bedroom?” He stood up, a smile beginning to form on his lips.

Rebecca motioned him to follow her. His face changed, and she was gratified to see the hungry look in his eyes. She led him upstairs, watching out for the maids, but it was quiet now, and they reached her bedroom and sitting room without being noticed.

When she closed the door, he gently put his hands on her waist and turned her around. His eyes were as dark and deep as Lake Thun in the winter. She wanted nothing less than to swim in them and feel lost in his soul. She reached for his lips, but they were already on her neck, and she shook with pleasure. He pulled her dress off her left shoulder, then her right, and kissed her collarbone. She started unbuttoning his shirt, hungry to touch him. Her hands stroked the bare skin under his shirt as his fingers worked on the buttons of her dress. She felt his heart pulsing under her fingers, and her own beat in rhythm. His breath was hot as he whispered in her ear, his hands gently circling her breasts, making it difficult for her to breath.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

She looked at him, her eyes daring, as her hands searched in his trousers. “Are you sure?”

He groaned. “You are driving me crazy. I’ve been dreaming of making love to you for too long. But I can go on dreaming until you marry me. I’ll wait…” He groaned again and pressed her hard against him. “If I have to.”

“I can’t wait,” she said, dropping her dress to her feet.

He looked at her in awe as she laughed and pressed against him, her skin hungry for the feel of his body. He picked her up and carried her to the bed, where she finally was lost in the depth of his love and gave herself away to him, happily.

As the afternoon approached, the merciless clock continued to chime in the next room, and she knew Mark would need to go soon. She held his face in her hands, and he ran his hand up and down her side, making her tingle all over again.

“I have to go, right?” he asked.

“Yes, they’ll be back soon.”

“Your family will never accept me.”

“They will. They need time. I spoke with my mother. She listened, but she wasn’t ready.”

He leaned on his elbow. “What did she say?”

“She was worried about your political activities. She knows the student colony well. She and her friends do charity there.”

“I understand. She wants you to marry someone safe, not a Socialist. Someone who can give you a home and children.”

“Yes. But I’ll convince her.” She kissed him with passion.

“Does she have someone in mind?” he asked.

Rebecca laughed. “Are you jealous?”

“Of course I am. You are mine and only mine.” He rolled on top of her and covered her face and body with quick kisses.

“Wait.” She pushed him away and sat up. “Do you hear that?”

“Yes!” He jumped off the bed and began to dress in haste.

The sounds outside were unmistakably those of an approaching car.

“They are coming back early. I’m so sorry.” She began fixing the bed and getting dressed. “I’ll show you a quick way out by the back stairs. You can find a path to the lake there.”

“I’ll sneak away…like a thief,” he said quietly. “I do feel as if I’ve stolen something. We probably shouldn’t have done this.”

Rebecca hugged his back, but he wouldn’t turn to her. “I loved making love to you. You are everything to me!”

She finished dressing and pulled him along. She heard Mother talking to Hannah in the garden in the front. There was no time to waste. They ran down the back stairs, and she showed him the path the gardener took to the back gate. He pulled her tight against him and kissed her quickly.

“Meet me by the lake tomorrow at noon.”

Rebecca closed the door and turned back to run upstairs to her room, hoping to fix her hair before Mother saw her. She nearly fell backwards—on the steps in front of her, arms crossed, stood her grandmother.

“You’d better come into my room before anyone else catches sight of you,” Grandmother said and proceeded up with no further words.

Rebecca followed slowly, her heart in her throat. She looked back once, but Mark was gone.