The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull

Author:Bryn Turnbull
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2020-05-27T18:52:43+00:00

Thirty

They left for the Fort in David’s convertible early on Friday morning, Thelma half sleeping in the passenger seat, a silk scarf bundled like a pillow between her cheek and the window. She’d barely slept the night before—despite David’s assurances that he wanted the weekend to be informal, Thelma fretted over the menus, the weather, the room assignments.

She now understood why Gloria had been so nervous about hosting David at Three Gables. Though she could win over David’s brothers with charm and good humor, Thelma knew she was at a distinct disadvantage with the Duchess of York. Thelma suspected she would be reporting back to the king and queen on David’s new home—and on his mistress.

David, thankfully, let her doze. He drove at a leisurely enough speed for Thelma to enjoy the sun on her face, the gentle movement of the car pulling her into occasional wakefulness.

“We’re here,” said David, patting Thelma’s leg as they passed the newly restored gates.

The car crept up the drive, and Thelma marveled as Fort Belvedere came into view. The front entrance, which had once been a courtyard overrun with weeds and piles of loose cobblestones, was now a pristine drive centered on an elegant wrought-iron sundial. Ivy climbed attractively along the Fort’s brick walls and the Gothic windows gleamed in the sunlight. For the first time, Thelma could see what David had seen in the place so many months ago: it looked liveable—comfortable. A ruin brought back to life.

David parked and stepped out of the car as two small blurs came shooting onto the drive—his terriers—followed by a butler in a dark tailcoat.

“Your Royal Highness,” he said, bowing as David opened Thelma’s door.

“Kept the place standing, I see,” said David. He held out a hand for Thelma and she stepped onto the pea-gravel drive, shielding her eyes from the sun. “Osborne, this is Lady Furness,” David said.

“How do you do, Lady Furness?” said Osborne. “Welcome to Fort Belvedere.”

“Thank you,” said Thelma. She had spoken to the butler several times over the past few days, telephoning him when she changed her mind about what to serve for dinner. Osborne looked much as Thelma expected—young enough to indulge David’s extravagances, but with the composure required of a butler in service to the Prince of Wales.

“Well?” said David, hugging Thelma to his side. “What do you think?”

Thelma cast an appraising eye over the newly planted greenery. “Very nice,” she said. “Though the tour’s far from over.”

David looked up at the tower with pride. “Let’s see if the rest of the house passes muster.”

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