The Cavendon Luck

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Diedre joined her and couldn’t help exclaiming about the beauty of the pieces. ‘They all look like the real thing,’ she said, and instantly reached out for the long strand of pearls.

‘Hello, ladies,’ Miles said from the doorway.

He had startled them both, and they swung around in surprise, not having heard him enter the suite.

‘Gosh, you made me jump!’ Cecily exclaimed, and hurried over to her husband, hugging him tightly. ‘You’re back earlier than expected.’

He nodded, smiling at her, and turning to his sister, he said, ‘You’re looking very smart today, Diedre. I like the suit … but it does look a bit familiar.’ He chuckled as he said this.

‘Courtesy of your wife, Miles. How was the trip to the Tiergarten? And where are the others?’

‘Gone to their rooms. I said we’d all go down for tea a bit later. Not that I’m hungry. We had quite a lunch at Horcher’s.’

The three of them went back into the living room and Diedre, showing him the pearls and ear clips in her hand, said, ‘I’m staggered by these pieces. Ceci’s a wonder.’

He grinned at her. ‘Oh, I know that. I’ve known it since she was five.’

‘Did Charlie enjoy himself going around the sights this morning?’ Diedre asked, sitting down.

Joining her on the sofa, Miles nodded. ‘He did, and I must say he’s really sharp and bright, and has a wonderfully searching, very curious mind. He’ll do well as a journalist. He’s picked the perfect profession for himself. He wants to know everything … about everything. He’s articulate, and has great clarity when he speaks. And what knowledge is stored in that mind of his. I was quite amazed by him, actually.’

A smile spread across Diedre’s face, and she said, ‘I’m glad you’ve seen that, Miles, and I hope Daphne knows it, too.’

‘I believe she’s learned a lot about him whilst we’ve been in Berlin.’

Cecily interjected, ‘Daphne worries about him because he can be very impetuous.’

‘I think adventurous might be a better word,’ Miles said. ‘Hugo was certainly impressed by his son today, wanted to know how he knew so much about Hitler and the Third Reich, and what’s going on in the world.’

‘I believe it’s because he reads all of the British newspapers,’ Diedre announced. ‘As do I. He explained this to me the other day, and he is indeed a fount of information, as you say.’

‘I think Daphne finally gets it about him,’ Miles murmured, settling back against the cushions. ‘She’s such a good mother, and not possessive really, but she does fuss about him.’

‘I know,’ Diedre agreed. ‘She loves all of her children, but it’s Charlie she seems to focus on. No wonder they have these contentious quarrels at times. He just blurts things out. He doesn’t know how to edit himself around his parents.’

Miles said, ‘Look, she’s seen him with us today and every evening we’ve been here, and she’s come to understand he’s twenty, almost twenty-one. I kept reminding her. I think it’s finally sunk in he’s a grown man—’

‘I hope he doesn’t do something silly, like trying to become a war correspondent if war breaks out,’ Cecily cut in.

‘When it breaks out,’ Diedre corrected her. ‘And I agree. But it’s far more likely he’ll have to join up – he may not have a choice.’

‘I’ve never seen such a militaristic city,’ Miles now said, changing the subject. ‘There are more uniforms here than you can possibly imagine. Horcher’s was full of them.’

‘What sort of uniforms do the Gestapo wear?’ Cecily asked.

‘They don’t. They’re in civilian clothes. But they look so sinister in their leather trench coats and snap-brimmed trilbies, you can’t fail to miss them.’

‘I’d better go and put the jewellery away,’ Diedre said, standing up, wanting suddenly to escape. ‘Are we having tea in their suite or downstairs, Miles?’

‘Downstairs, in about an hour, darling.’

‘See you then,’ she said, and looking at Cecily she added, ‘Thank you for putting me properly together for tonight.’

SIXTEEN (#ulink_d195c577-f308-5e6c-af44-2d41135e720c)

Miles couldn’t help smiling to himself as the six of them walked through the lobby of the Adlon. Every head turned to stare.

No wonder, he thought: the women look stunning. Cecily was in lavender chiffon with several strands of amethysts around her neck; Daphne wore white silk and her sapphires, whilst Diedre was in her borrowed black dress and the fake Marmaduke pearls. They were elegant, stylish and carried themselves well.

Even when he was much younger, just twelve, he had been well aware that the Inghams en masse caused quite a stir, just by their very presence, and he knew the same thing would happen when they arrived at the embassy.

A few seconds later they went through the front door of the hotel and out on to Unter den Linden. They immediately swung right on to Wilhelmstrasse, where the British Embassy was located at number seventy. Diedre had mentioned to him earlier that the Reich Chancellery was only a few doors away. Miles suddenly shuddered at the thought of Hitler and those other gangsters sitting plotting their heinous schemes. Ruthlessly, and with enormous German thoroughness, he had no doubt.

Unexpectedly, Diedre fell into step with him, and slipped her arm through his. ‘I’ve warned everyone that it’s going to be a mixed bunch, and they shouldn’t be alarmed by the number of Nazi officers present. They’ll be dressed in their best field-grey uniforms, smiling, smartly clicking their heels, bowing and scraping like dummies. To no avail with us, of course. And you’ll recognize the Gestapo from their sinister expressions and cheap suits.’

Miles couldn’t help laughing. ‘There’s no doubt in my mind that Dulcie inherited your colourful use of the language, and that you, in turn, inherited it from Great-Aunt Gwendolyn.’ He tucked her arm tighter against his. ‘I can’t wait, and neither can young Charlie. Mind you, Daphne’s still a reluctant guest, in my opinion. Let’s keep an eye on her tonight, shall we?’

‘She’ll be fine, Miles. Well, here we are at the embassy and about to enter a bit of our own land in a foreign country where we know we are truly safe. And there’s the Union Jack fluttering right above us.’

Glancing up, Miles nodded, and then smiled knowingly at his sister; he swung around, beckoned to the rest of the family, indicating he wanted them to hurry.

Together they went into the embassy, and within moments they were being greeted by His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to Berlin, Sir Nevile Henderson.

The ambassador stood on the central landing at the top of the wide staircase. There was a genial smile on his face as he greeted everyone with his usual charm and graciousness.

Diedre ushered Daphne, Hugo and Charlie towards the ambassador first, followed by Cecily and Miles. She herself finally stood in front of him as the last member of the family.

After shaking her hand, he spoke to her for a moment, saying quietly that they would speak later and longer at the small dinner after the reception. His expression was welcoming, his voice full of affection for her. She walked on, knowing there were other guests behind her.

Diedre joined the family and led them forward to one of the two reception rooms, where Tony Jenkins was waiting in the entrance. He hurried towards her, a huge smile on his face.

After kissing Diedre on the cheek, welcoming her, she introduced him to Daphne, and realized at once that he was stunned by her sister’s great beauty; actually rendered speechless. It took him a second to greet Daphne.

Immediately taking charge, Diedre introduced Cecily, Miles, her brother-in-law Hugo and then Charlie.

Once the introductions were over, Tony said, ‘Let’s go in and partake of a glass of champagne. Only the best served in this territory, and then I’ll present you to a few interesting people.’ His smile was wry.

‘The world and his wife are here tonight … it’s quite a throng,’ Tony added. ‘There are a lot of diplomatic parties in Berlin these days, at the different foreign embassies, but everyone says ours are the best. There’s even a waiting list now!’ He chuckled when he said this, looking rather pleased about the success of their parties.

They stepped inside and stood in the entrance momentarily, surveying the scene. Diedre at once noticed how full the room was, packed with people. The women were elegantly dressed, all rather chic, and the men were in black tie or uniforms.

It was a large space, with windows at one end, and two huge crystal chandeliers dropped from the ceiling. Masses of flowers were placed everywhere, and it struck her that there was a feeling of real glamour here tonight. A quartet played in one corner; white-gloved waiters in tails moved deftly between the guests, their silver trays filled with flutes of champagne and an assortment of canapés.

Glancing about, Diedre noticed the life-sized portrait in oils of King George VI hanging on one wall. He had stepped into the breach when his brother Edward had abdicated, and was now their King. Thank God Edward was never crowned, she thought. There would have been an even bigger mess.

Instinctively, she had always felt George VI would be a good King. He was brave, the way he managed and dealt with his speech impediment, that awful stutter. He had a lovely wife, who was now their most graceful Queen, and two little girls, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. He was very much a family man, and always referred to them as ‘us four’, as if they were united against the world. Perhaps they were.

Tony, Miles and Charlie were taking flutes of champagne from the passing waiters, and handing them around. Once everyone had a glass in their hands, the group moved farther into the room.

As usual, there was an instant lessening of the chatter, and the overall noise dropped several octaves, as many heads turned to ogle the glamorous, aristocratic Inghams.

Charlie and Hugo had wandered into the middle of the crush within minutes, curiosity propelling them forward.

‘I wish them lots of luck, plunging into the crowd,’ Diedre murmured.

Cecily said, ‘Do you know anyone here, Diedre?’

‘No, not really. But I do recognize a couple of faces over there … amongst that group of men. They’re all foreign correspondents, mostly from the British papers, and I think the fellow they’re focusing on is William Shirer, an American writer. He’s considered to be the expert on the Third Reich. He’s covered Berlin for years.’

Daphne said, ‘I want you three to know that I’m really rather impressed with Charlie. I’ve seen his seriousness about going into journalism, and he’s certainly very focused and knows a lot. He just sucks up information.’

‘He really is a gatherer of news,’ Cecily interjected. ‘Miles thinks he’s got what it takes, don’t you, darling?’

‘Yes, I do indeed. He’s good, Daphers, very committed to his future career. He just needs air, space, the way you’ve given it to him the last few days,’ Miles thought to add, not wishing Daphne to say defensively that she didn’t stifle her son.

A moment later, Tony was coming back, ushering a handsome couple towards them and saying to Daphne, ‘This is your old friend, Lady Arabella Cunningham, who is now Princess von Wittingen, and her husband, Prince Kurt.’

‘Goodness me! Arabella, how lovely to see you,’ Daphne exclaimed, thrusting out her hand, a huge smile spreading across her face.

The Princess smiled back, and said, ‘It’s been years since we’ve seen each other, but you haven’t changed, Daphne. You’re still the great beauty.’

After shaking hands with the von Wittingens, Diedre, as usual, became the observer, listening to everyone else, enjoying the warm conversation in progress. She thought Arabella and her husband made a handsome couple, and from what she was hearing they were regular visitors to the British Embassy, as were several of their friends, whom they were expecting to arrive shortly.