press on the 27 October but with the minimum of embellishment. However, Evangeline had been fully briefed by the American papers sent over by her brother. The journalists had gone to town. The New York American had been unequivocal when it stated that a wedding date between “Wally” and the king of England was already scheduled for next year. The decree absolute would finalise the divorce at the end of April and speculation hovered over whether the marriage would precede the coronation, confirmed for 12 May 1937, or whether the union between Wallis and Edward would follow shortly afterwards. What seemed to be in no doubt, however, was the inevitability of the marriage itself.
“So now we have all that business, including the coronation, hanging over us and who knows where it will all end.”
Wallis was looking at Evangeline, her dark little eyes suddenly hardening. “Now look here, Vangey,” she said, drawing Evangeline’s hand once again in amongst her bejewelled knuckles. “I know you think I have forgotten all about what I said to you back in September at the Meurice. The truth is that even though I have still not convinced David how much better off he will be without me, I am still trying my best. He must have it his way at the moment, you see?”
Evangeline was listening.
“But I am pretty sure that when he speaks to Mr. Baldwin this coming Monday he will see sense,” Wallis went on. “I know that the British people, who love David, will never accept me. I’m divorced twice over, well, almost, and I am a Yank with far too much pep. But David won’t take it from me. He is full of crazy talk at the moment about giving up the throne. In fact, Walter thinks I should leave the country for a while to let things calm down, and maybe out of sight will mean out of mind. To be frank, life has been pretty good hell for some of these past few weeks and I miss my freedom.” Wallis paused, smoothing down her hair with her hand. “I couldn’t even get out of my flat in Cumberland Terrace to go to Antoine so my hair is a complete mess! Even this place, where I have been so happy, now seems like a fortress and I feel like a caged bird. If I can manage to get away,” she went on, “you will have to look after Loafer and maybe Slipper too for a while longer.”
Evangeline murmured her agreement trying at the same time to pull her hand free. She suspected Wallis was dissembling. Only half an hour earlier in the drawing room downstairs Evangeline had heard the king discussing Wallis’s interest in a morganatic marriage.
“The thing is, Vangey,” Wallis was saying, “I give you my word now that David and I will never be married. You know me, Vangey. I love life too much, and I am talking about the old secure way of life that I had with Ernest, to even consider becoming queen of England!”
Even now Evangeline could not work out whether Wallis Simpson was in love with the king or not. She no longer believed a word Wallis said. In fact she was only relieved to conclude that Sir John Reith had decided not to mention yesterday’s little disagreement in the recording room. Perhaps some men were actually decent. She was about to go and change for dinner when there was a knock at the door.
“I am sorry to disturb you, madam,” Osborne said, “but there is an urgent telephone call for you. I explained to Sir John Reith that you were speaking with Miss Nettlefold but he insisted I interrupt.”
“I will take the call here, Osborne. Just put it through to the bedroom extension.”
Evangeline made a move to leave but Wallis put her hand on her arm. “Don’t go, Vangey. Reith may have something interesting to say.”
Ten minutes later, as Evangeline was making her way down the staircase, the king emerged from the door to the cellar steam room. “Are you all right, Evangeline?” he asked. “You look upset.”
“Yes, sir. I am upset,” Evangeline almost snapped back at him. “I think you should know that Wallis is not all she seems. She is treacherous and dangerous. She says one thing and does another. She cares only to benefit herself. She is not worthy of you, sir. Don’t let her betray you, sir, in the way she has me.”
At that moment Wallis appeared at the foot