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Have you got boyfriends?

Finally they spot a convoy of staff cars and jeeps and a single British lorry co strip One of the staff cars wears a red flag with the three gold stars of a lieutenant general

“Jesus Christ,” Rio whispers through seee himself?”

The general is a brisk, energetichis army cap with its three shiny stars at a rakish but still proper angle His uniforh, polished brown leather cavalry boots, and—if any confirmation of his identity was required—two ivory-handled revolvers

General George S Patton is surrounded by a gaggle of colonels, majors, captains, and lieutenants, who follow hilares at the three women, and none of the three is in any doubt about his mood: Patton does not want to be there

But then the young female who’d driven the British lorry walks confidently over, and to the astonishle person in attendance—particularly Rio, Frangie, and Rainy—Patton executes a sincere bow as the young wo back, a big, slightly terrifying grin on his hard face

Staff rush to bring a s by announcing the names of those in attendance The next to last name mentioned is that of General Patton

The final name is “Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor”

“Oh my God,” Rainy breathes “The princess!”

“The what?” Rio and Frangie echo, too surprised to be discreet

“Elizabeth Windsor Princess Elizabeth, the king’s daughter!” Rainy is not easily ieneral has not cowed her She’s dealt with colonels and generals, but this finally cuts through her cynicism and a smile slowly appears

They are called to attention—they’re already at attention, proxieneral will do that, but they take this order as a sign that it’s ti

Their names are read out one by one, followed by the official summaries of their actions And then, all at once, Rio is face-to-face

with Patton, who gives her a sideways, thoughtful look before taking theit onto the lapel of her uniforit on her chest

“Congratulations, Sergeant Richlin,” Patton says with bare civility