The Duke of Windsor Conspiracy: The British King Who Betrayed His Country by David Philips

Author:David Philips [Philips, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Published: 2024-04-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

Paris, France, September 1937

The Windsors returned to Paris in September where they took a suite at the Hotel Meurice on the Rue de Rivoli. There had been no further repercussions regarding Wallis and Bentley’s exchange about the Château de Candé and, indeed, after that discourse, the relationship between the detective and the Windsors seemed to improve. By the time they had settled in at their hotel, their initial hostility to each other had turned into a cautious familiarity. The detective appeared to understand the stresses they were under and expressed his appreciation for their position at various times while they were in Austria.

A few days after their arrival, Bentley committed an act that could have led to his instant dismissal and possible prosecution. He tentatively approached the couple, clearing his throat before speaking. “Your Royal Highness, Your Grace, I don’t know if you’re aware, but you, we, seem to be being observed by certain people. It’s my job to look for unfamiliar as well as familiar faces, and I’m sure that whenever you are in the hotel foyer, the same two or three men are always present. I just thought you should be aware.”

“Yes, well, it’s probably the first arrondissement gendarmerie looking out for us. We are something of celebrities, you know, Inspector.” Edward opined.

“I don’t think our protection officer means the local police force,” countered Wallis.

“No, Ma’am, I don’t. If you will pardon my bluntness, you are not the only famous people to stay at the Meurice. I do not think those men are from the gendarmerie. I believe they are from the French Deuxième Bureau.”

“What makes you say that, Inspector?”

“I’ve had run-ins with our own secret service from time to time, Your Grace. The country and the language might be different, but some things do not change. Their manner, their stance, everything about them screams ‘intelligence.’”

“Why would they be following us, Inspector?” asked Edward.

“Regrettably, your Royal Highness, your links to, ah, certain, um, international figures, is not unknown. They fear you may be, that is, you….”

“…might be up to no good. Is that it, Detective Inspector?”

“Something like that, Sir.”

“Of all the damn cheek. How dare they spy on two British citizens like that? I have a mind to put in a complaint to….”

“That would not be wise, your Royal Highness.”

“And why not, pray?”

“Because if they know you are on to them, they will change their routine, and the next time, they will be more discrete. Even I may not spot them. Surely it is better to let them believe you do not know of their presence and just behave as you would normally do. Then we can play them at their own game.”

“Our protection officer has a point, David.”

“Yes, I suppose so,” the Duke conceded.

“Well, it does prove one thing, I suppose. Our detective knows where his loyalties lie, doesn’t he?”

“I’m only doing my job, Your Grace.”

“No, Inspector. If I’m right, you’re doing far more than that.”

Bentley demurred, lowering his head away from Wallis. The Duchess indicated for the three of them to sit in the red velvet upholstered regency chairs.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.