“Does it also matter that she’s a commoner, with no royal blood?”
“Absolutely. But that’s the least of her many faults.”
Their food arrived, interrupting them as the waiter arranged cups and plates and cutlery on the tiny table. Eve took a bite of her currant-studded scone and decided it was the best she’d ever tasted. Alfie’s vehemence on the subject left her with few illusions that he would make the same foolish mistake and marry someone from a different class. She faced a choice. She could end this flirtation now before she fell hopelessly in love with him and had her heart broken when he tossed her aside. Or she could go along for the ride for as long as it lasted, enjoying posh dinners at the Savoy, hoping that maybe, just maybe, Alfie would fall in love with her. After all, Alfie’s father wasn’t an aristocrat.
“What do you think of this mess the king’s gotten himself into?” Alfie asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“If he marries her, he will shatter all the rules. Anyone could marry a prince.”
“Exactly! It will be the end of order and tradition in this nation.” He had misunderstood her. It was just as well.
“I want to know what Wallis Simpson’s secret is,” Eve said. “She charmed two husbands into marrying her, and now she has bewitched the king of England. Do you think she’s beautiful?”
“Not at all. Especially compared to you.” His smile returned. He reached across the table to rest his hand on top of hers.
Eve laughed. “Flatterer!” She enjoyed the warmth of his palm and was pleased when he let it linger there.
“I wouldn’t give up my place at the table for Wallis Simpson, let alone my crown,” he added.
“Some say King Edward might abdicate.”
“If he thinks so little of his duty and his heritage as the Sovereign King of Great Britain, then he should abdicate. I say, good riddance.”
“I like a man who gives an honest answer.”
They talked of lesser things as they finished their food, then left the shop to stroll through St. James’s Park. The afternoon turned cold as the wind blew off the Thames River, and Eve shivered in her roommate’s coat. “I should go,” she said when she had exhausted her entire list of topics for conversation. “Thank you for tea and the delightful afternoon.”
“You’re welcome, lovely Eve,” he said with a little bow. “So did I pass the test? Will you come with me to the Savoy next week?”
“Of course! I already told you I would . . . but I have one condition.”
“Name it.”
Her heart hammered. “You have to meet me there.”
“That’s outrageous!” He tried to look shocked but couldn’t erase his smile. “A gentleman always calls for a lady at her home. He might want to bring her a bouquet of flowers or pin a corsage on her gown. And I have a smashing new car.”
“Sorry—that’s my condition.”
He crossed his muscled arms, the fabric of his jacket pulling tight against them. “It almost seems as though you don’t want me to know where you live.”
“I prefer to remain a lady of mystery awhile longer.”
“Might you be Cinderella? Will you dash away at midnight and leave your glass slipper behind?”
“You have a wonderful imagination, Mr. Clarkson.” She briefly touched his arm. “I’ll see you at the Savoy at seven. And thanks again for a lovely afternoon.” Eve waited for him to leave so he wouldn’t see her taking public transportation. She floated down the stairs to the Underground with a smile.
She liked Alfie Clarkson. Far more than she had planned to. There was no question of guarding her heart against being bruised. Her heart had escaped from her control, fluttering and skipping and hammering dangerously the entire time they’d been together. She couldn’t wait to see how it felt to be held in his arms while they danced. And if the touch of his hand on hers had made her melt inside, what would his kiss do?
Eve just missed a train back home to her boardinghouse. As she waited on the platform for the next one, she changed her mind and crossed the platform to take a train to the Clarksons’ town house instead, hoping her mum would be there—and that Alfie and Audrey wouldn’t be. She found Mum reading in her bedroom on the top floor.
“What a wonderful surprise, Eve! What brings you here on this wintry afternoon?” They hugged, and then Eve sat on the bed across from Mum’s chair.
“I need your help. A very respectable gentleman asked me on a date—and it’s at the Savoy. Can you help me find a dress and do something with my hair?” She ran her fingers through it, untangling the snarls the wind had made. She hoped Mum would be happy for her, but she looked worried.