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“David!” Clara squealed and started to get up out of the wheelchair. She stumbled and felt David’s arms taking most of her weight. He gently lifted her up and placed her on the wing-back chair to the left of the fireplace.
“Clar-Bear! I’m so sorry about earlier. I wasn’t expecting you to show up so early.”
The more time Clara spent with him, the more she appreciated his glasses and his little nervous habits.
“Clar-Bear? That’s a new nickname. I like it. I wasn’t left to my own devices too long. Eddie met me on the drive. We had a nice little chat. I was beyond shocked when we pulled up to Buckingham Palace!”
David poured himself a nice cup of tea and added a sugar cube to his cup. He offered Clara a cup. She accepted and was happy to have some fresh lemon biscuits available to eat with it.
“I thought it might be a nice surprise to add to your memories of London. I’m planning to take you down to the state rooms and maybe take a short stroll through the garden if the weather permits.”
“I’ve heard wonderful things about the gardens! Do you think we can see the rose garden first?”
“Actually, there are three people I would like to introduce you to first.”
Knock, knock!
Not waiting for a reply, into the room walked a woman just a hair taller than Clara. She resembled David with shoulder-length blonde hair cut in an A-line shape. Her eyes were brown where David’s were blue. The woman had a lithe frame and was dressed stylishly in green and brown tones. She walked with an air of importance, almost like a dancer. Clara wondered if she was a ballerina at one point in her life. Well, her feet were turned out. That answered that question. Yes, she was a dancer. Old habits die hard.
“David, I was hoping I’d find you here.”
“Mother, perfect timing as always. I’d like to formally introduce you to Miss Clara
Little.” David appeared to clench his jaw. Clara was wondering if David hoped for another few moments alone before they had been interrupted. Nevertheless, David stood, greeted his mother, and escorted her to where Clara was seated.
“Clara, my mother, Princess Charlotte, the Princess Royal.”
Clara attempted to stand and curtsy but fell awkwardly back into her seat.
The Princess Royal moved quickly to stand next to Clara and shook her hand. David remained standing. He offered his seat to his mother, who refused. “Miss Little, I’ve been quite happy to hear about your positive influence on my son and nephew. I very much enjoyed your Aurora variation. I was about to ask my son if he thought you might be interested in attendingOneginwith him at the Royal Ballet this Tuesday.”
“You Highness, I’d very much enjoy being able to seeOneginin person. The Royal Ballet does an excellent production every year. I believe Evelyne Murdoch and Anton are performing. I’ve never seen Murdoch dance live, only on the internet.” Clara’s felt herself daydreaming. David turned to face the window and stare out into the distance.
“You are in for a treat. I viewed the dress rehearsal earlier this month and was captivated with her as a new premier dancer.” The Princess Royal winked at Clara.
“Did you dance growing up?” Clara questioned.
“I dabbled in it, but I’ve served as patron to the Royal Ballet since I was eighteen. I quite appreciate ballet and opera.”Clara’s suspicions were confirmed.
David turned to face Clara and his mother again. Clara couldn’t read his expression, but his eyes appeared impatient. Did David want his mother to leave? She hoped he wasn’t worried he’d say something wrong. Or was he nervous? She still hadn’t learned how to decipher all his expressions.
“Mother, I hate to interrupt you, however, I promised Clara a stroll about the gardens and a tour of the state rooms Eddie didn’t show her on the way up.”
“Yes, yes. Of course. Reg is out and about on Clover. You might see him along the way. Have fun. And Miss Little, I hope we’ll have the privilege of seeing more of you.” She said her goodbyes, kissed David on the cheek, and departed the room. David rubbed his hands together and closed the door
“I’m sorry for the interruption. My mother knew I would be inviting you to BP today and mentioned her wish for an introduction. I had a premonition she would stop by for tea. I just wanted to have a few more moments alone with you before she did.” David approached Clara, moved his chair next to her, and sat. Taking her hand, he planted a kiss on it. Clara felt her body turning to jello. “Now where were we?”
The water liliesin the Buckingham Palace ponds were said to rival that of Monet’s home in Giverny. Clara couldn’t imagine a more picturesque place to relax and take a small canoe tour.Was she even in a real place? Who took a canoe tour of the Buckingham Palace gardens?
“Is this canoe really sturdy enough to hold both of us?” Clara asked, eyeing the boat carefully.
It appeared to be well-used and in good repair from the outside. Clara wanted to be positive she wouldn’t end up inside the pond. The creaking of the wooden bench inside the canoe,combined with how David’s side of the boat dipped down much farther into the waterline,made her nervous.
“It’s perfectly safe. I’ve taken this canoe out hundreds of times with my cousins and we haven’t had too many problems,” David shot back. She knew David was confident about the canoe and she shouldn’t question him, but something didn’t feel right. David was acting like an excited little boy. She didn’t want to ruin the excitement. Should she say something or just go along with it?
“If you are sure it’s safe. I’m not the greatest swimmer.” Clara bit her lip and followed David into the canoe.
Once the two were settled, David pushed off from the small makeshift dock and rowed slowly around the perimeter of the pond. Clara let her guard down and relaxed. Clara watched the birds swim around the pond and two swans glide off into the distance to a mound that looked like a nest.
