Page 33 of The Gathering Storm

‘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 ‘If something wants changing, he’ll change it, not be hidebound by a lot of silly, outdated rules.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.’

Wally nodded, almost indifferently. ‘It’s quite something to be hated like the old guard hates me. Sometimes I wish I could … But I’m so tangled up in things. I feel as if I’m strangling to death.’ She stopped, staring moodily at her hands.

‘You could leave him,’ Emma suggested gently.

She looked up. When she didn’t smile, she looked older than her years. ‘He’d never let me,’ she said. She stood up. ‘I must go,’ she said briskly. ‘You’re coming to the Fort this weekend.’