Page 19 of The Gathering Storm (Morland Dynasty #36)

‘Oh, he’s all for it. Anything that gets him his way.

You’re forgetting, he’s already sworn to Ernest that his relationship with Wally is platonic.

And to Sir Maurice Jenks. And he swore the same thing to his father.

Now, our King may be careless in a lot of matters, but I don’t think he would have lied to his father – not solemnly and to his face, at any rate. ’

‘Well, it would be better than a divorce, I suppose. But no-one would ever believe it, would they?’

‘That’s very cynical of you, darling.’

‘It’s a cynical world,’ Emma said.

Wallis greeted Emma with a brisk, hard gaze. ‘Emma, darling, you look perfect as always.’

Wallis was also in black and white, which might have been awkward, but hers was a black gown figured all over with white humming-bird shapes, and she had coupled it with a magnificent ruby and diamond bracelet that Emma hadn’t seen before.

Wallis saw her looking, and touched it in acknowledgement.

Her nails were painted a dark red that matched the rubies.

‘A little present from David when I came back from Paris,’ she murmured.

‘You’re looking much better,’ Emma said. ‘You seemed quite pulled after that trip.’

‘My nerves were shot, and David was in a state. But things are going better now,’ she said. ‘I’ll talk to you about it all later. David will be here any moment.’

Emma was glad to see that Oliver and Verena were among the guests, and she and Kit went to join them.

After some family talk, Kit asked if Oliver had any interesting new cases.

‘And by “interesting” I mean something with a stardust element, of course,’ he urged.

‘You know Raymond is in America, so I’m parched for news.

’ He adored films, read the magazines for Hollywood gossip, and had a longstanding friendship with silver screen darling Raymond Romano.

Oliver smiled indulgently. ‘You know I can’t discuss my clients.’

Kit rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t be coy. I just want names, not details. You do have something,’ he concluded. ‘I can see it in your face.’

‘I can’t tell you anything,’ Oliver insisted. ‘I do happen to know, however, that Vera Bergdorf is coming to Town.’ Film stars were a lucrative part of his business. It was how Kit had met Raymond in the first place, when he had come over to consult Oliver.

‘Vera Bergdorf? I loved her in Brunhilda ,’ Kit cried.

‘She was supposed to be coming with Eric Chapel, the artist—’

‘Oh, I heard about him,’ Emma said. ‘He’s having an exhibition at the Cavendish Gallery, isn’t he? Daisy Fellowes is organising it.’

‘That’s right,’ Verena said. ‘He’s quite her new pet. I’m afraid he’s very modern, though. Just squares of colour – nothing really to look at.’

‘Don’t be old-fashioned, dear,’ Kit said. ‘Modern art is supposed to make you think.’

‘I don’t want to think,’ Verena said. ‘I just want to look at a picture and feel pleasure.’

‘Bowls of fruit and thatched cottages?’ Kit suggested. ‘Baskets of kittens?’

‘I’m not a Philistine,’ Verena said, with dignity. ‘There are lots of modern paintings I like. But there ought to be some sort of skill in them, surely. Isn’t that what “art” means?’

‘I’m with you,’ Emma said. ‘I can go along with Fauvism and Cubism, but if I want a plain square of colour I can look at a wall.’

‘We’re getting away from the point,’ Kit said impatiently.

‘The only reason to be talking about this wretched Chapel daubist is that he’s accompanying Vera Bergdorf – the actress with the exquisite cheekbones, the actress who uttered the immortal words, “I am both queen and king to my people!”’ He imitated her accent.

‘ That Vera Bergdorf. Is she having an affair with this Chapel person?’

‘I can’t tell you,’ Oliver said, ‘because if you’d let me finish, I’d have told you he’s not coming after all, and the exhibition is off. He’s gone back to America.’

‘Oh, a scandal!’ Kit said. ‘Have they quarrelled? Did she thrrrow him out?’ He rolled his r like the actress.

‘I don’t even know if they were a couple. I only know he was supposed to be accompanying her and now he’s not.’

‘You’re no fun at all,’ Kit complained. ‘At least tell me she’s coming to see you.’

‘I couldn’t possibly say.’

‘Smug beast! Probably some tiny, almost invisible mole – you know what these stars are like. It must be something below the neck, anyway, because her face is utter bliss,’ Kit said. ‘Especially the left profile – perfect !’

Wally, who had been circulating, joined them just at that moment, and said, ‘Oh, you’ve heard? About the postage-stamp debacle?’

Kit turned eagerly. ‘No, not at all. Is it something delicious? Tell me at once.’

‘But I heard you say “left profile”. You must know about our row with the Post Office. They want the new stamps to show David in right profile, and he really dislikes the way he looks from that side. He looks much better from the left. But, of course, Alec Hardinge has to interfere and say the old king was shown in left profile and it’s the tradition to alternate.

’ She made an exasperated sound. ‘As if that was the important thing! David’s the King.

He ‘ll decide how things are to be done.’

‘But tradition is important,’ Oliver said tentatively.

‘David is not going to be dictated to by tradition,’ Wally said impatiently. ‘If something wants changing, he’ll change it, not be hidebound by a lot of silly, outdated rules. He’s going to throw open the windows, I can tell you, and blow away the cobwebs. Oh, here he is!’

She hurried away, as Ernest came into the drawing-room escorting the King. Behind him, they spotted Eddie Vibart, Oliver’s cousin, who was evidently equerrying that evening.

‘Oh, good, there’s Eddie,’ said Kit. ‘Now we can get some juicy inside information.’

‘The first thing to ask him is why Ernest is showing HM in like an usher at the theatre,’ said Oliver.

‘Perhaps it’s an American custom,’ Verena said drily.

‘How does he manage to go on looking honoured to have the King here,’ Oliver said, ‘given that his wife is HM’s popsy?’

‘Because he’s a passionate royalist,’ Kit said. ‘He loves being “inty” with the Crown. “The King of England calls round to my place for cockers.” Makes his chest swell with pride.’

‘The King’s sacking old retainers right, left and centre,’ Oliver said, ‘but perhaps he’ll make a special post for Ernest. He could be Master of the Mistress.’

The next morning Wally called on Emma in Manchester Square quite early, when Emma was still in the nursery with the children, as she explained when she came downstairs.

Wally evinced no interest in Alethea and Electra, but enthused over the dogs.

‘They’re so well behaved. How do you do it?

We still have the odd little difficulty with Slipper.

Well, more than odd, really. David’s valet calls him Mr Loo!

Did you enjoy dinner last night? The fried chicken was a recipe from back home – you soak it in milk first. I could see everyone was impressed.

It’s what this country needs – simple tasty American cooking.

I’m so tired of that eternal poached salmon the Tadcasters serve up.

Their dinners! Six courses, every single dish cold!

I can’t stay long, I have a nail appointment, but I haven’t had a chance to talk to you for ages.

And I may be a little engagée for a few days because my oldest friend from back home, Mary Kirk – Raffray, as she is now – is coming to London.

She was bridesmaid at my first wedding. And she was the one who introduced me to Ernest.’

‘It’ll be nice for you to have time together to catch up.’

‘That’s just the trouble,’ Wally said, frowning.

‘I simply don’t have time at the moment.

I love Mary, but I wish she’d asked, rather than just land herself on me.

David takes up my every minute. If I didn’t have hair and nail appointments, where he can’t come with me, I’d never have an instant to myself.

It isn’t all a bed of roses, you know, Emma, being the King’s friend. ’

‘I never thought it was,’ Emma said. She hesitated. ‘This new idea of yours – Kit was saying. About an annulment?’

‘He told you, did he?’

‘He tells me everything, but I would never repeat it.’

‘Oh, I knew he’d tell you. You two are as close as thieves. The famous Westhoven perfect marriage.’ It sounded disparaging.

Emma let it go. ‘But, Wally, an annulment? Have you really thought it through? Wouldn’t there have to be a medical examination?’

Wally winced. ‘David would never allow it. I’m sure there’d be a way round it.

Sworn affidavits or something. Anyway, it’s just an idea.

There’s no need to act on it. Monckton talks a lot but, after all, his fee depends on sounding positive.

I don’t believe any of this will ever happen.

But as long as David thinks we’re on track, he’s happy. And if he’s happy, I’m happy.’

‘I’m glad you’re being … realistic about it,’ Emma said.

‘I’m a practical person,’ Wally said sharply.

‘I’ve always had to look out for myself.

God knows no-one else ever did. I’m happy with Ernest, and if David had never come along …

But the opportunity was there, and I had to take it.

I’ve always had in the back of my mind, though, that one day the dream would have to end.

Somewhere, sometime, somehow. It was something I built into my plans.

’ She looked away pensively. ‘Now I almost long for it – for a little peace. What with David, and the Establishment, and all those old courtiers briefing against me … Do you know, I think I’m being followed?

By the Secret Service, or Scotland Yard – some government agency or other.

Is that possible? Do they do that sort of thing in Merrie Old England? ’

‘Surely not,’ Emma said. ‘We fought the war for freedom.’