The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock

Author:Georgie Blalock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Published: 2021-05-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

In honor of Their Majesties

King George IV and Queen Elizabeth

The Prime Minister requests the company of

Miss Valerie de Vere Cole

At a dinner at 10, Downing Street

On Wednesday, 12 April, 1939, at 8:30 P.M.

Thrilling, isn’t it?” Marian stood beside Valerie at the library window overlooking Downing Street. Cheers from the crowd gathered along Whitehall signaled Their Majesties’ approach. The Lanchester came into view, the car’s black paint gleaming beneath the lights of the surrounding buildings and the small royal standard attached to the front fender fluttering. The bobbies formed a line of linked arms, parting the people to let the car through.

“Very.” No. 10 sparkled like the grand houses Valerie had visited for various coming-out dances over the last few weeks. Elegance whispered in every touch, from the silver and gilt table settings to the large vases full of yellow daffodils sent down from the Chequers’ hothouse. The anticipation and excitement of the evening had filled the air all day, even putting a spring in sober Mr. Colville’s step.

“Me, curtseying to the King and Queen. My sisters were green with envy when they heard.” Marian smoothed the skirt of her simple black dress with the white cuffs and collar. “I can’t thank you enough for arranging it.”

“Do you remember what I taught you?”

“I’ve been practicing it for days.” Marian stepped into the center of the room and with the polish of a debutante dipped into a regal curtsey.

Valerie clapped, the sound muffled by her gloves. “Well done.”

The rest of the Garden Room Girls waited with Mrs. Stenhouse in the anteroom at the top of the Grand Staircase outside the White Drawing Room. Their humble frocks were a sharp contrast to the glittering tiaras and flowing evening gowns of the titled guests mingling in the Blue Drawing Room, oblivious to the women gathered a short distance away. Valerie should be in there acting the hostess while her aunt and uncle were downstairs greeting the monarchs, but she’d left that to Dorothy. Marian’s excitement was far more appealing than the aristocratic ennui. “I wish you could dine with us, given everything you do.”

“This is enough, especially considering the news today.”

“What news?” Uncle Neville had been drawn and tense when he’d come to escort Aunt Anne downstairs, the lines of his angled face more pronounced. Valerie had thought it because of the dinner. She hadn’t imagined it might be anything worse.

Marian glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “I know you won’t repeat this, but the Premier received word that Germany is planning to invade Lithuania. Poland will soon be next. I don’t know how he can be so calm tonight with that weighing on him. If Germany invades Poland, we’ll be forced to go to war to defend them.”

Like that, the glitter of the evening dulled, war casting its awful shadow over everything once again. Valerie refused to lose faith in Uncle Neville. Many had said he’d fail in Munich with Herr Hitler, but he’d succeeded. He would again; he must.

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