Her acquaintance with Her Majesty was long-standing as they were close in their ages, and the Montgomery family had a long history in Britain, longer even than the Queen’s.
It was said by some that Aunt Antonia was responsible for introducing a man of her acquaintance, a Scot no less, to the Queen after the death of Prince Albert. He became a trusted friend and confidant of Her Majesty until his death.
Aunt Antonia had neither confirmed nor denied it, simply explaining to my sister and me that when one lived long enough, there were bound to be rumors. However, she did seem to take great delight in that one.
“The Queen is a woman. Why shouldn’t she have a friend and companion. The royals have been notorious for their mistresses and affairs for hundreds of years,”she had commented at the time.
HRH was most cordial, as was the Princess of Wales. Brodie had met the Prince of Wales previously in the course of a difficult case that had involved their son, Prince Albert Victor. The case had been solved.
Afterward, HRH Prince Edward had sent a personal letter to Brodie and me, expressing his deep gratitude. Brodie had been surprised, to say the least, as he considered the situation merely part of solving the case.
Yet there was a familiar greeting now, as Prince Edward leaned forward and shared a comment. His expression was quite serious. Brodie seemed to nod in agreement.
“A memento?” His Highness commented, as he seemed to notice the cut below Brodie’s eye.
“A scratch, no more,” he replied. “The cause hopefully to be remedied tonight.”
“I sincerely appreciate your diligence, sir,” the Prince of Wales said in parting.
“He seems to be aware of the situation,” I commented.
Brodie nodded. “He was informed by Sir Avery.”
As the reception line ended, an announcement was made that the formal recognition ceremony of the new German Ambassador to Britain would take place shortly, with a presentation by the Prince of Wales to acknowledge the continued relationship of good will between the two countries.
At the same time, I couldn’t help but think of the reason we were there.
18 April was the date of some importance that Adele had overheard and written in her journal.
I was certain, as was Brodie, that something quite serious was to take place tonight. But what was it?
What had brought three men together at St. John’s Wood? And what did that have to do with what Brodie and I had discovered in Portsmouth?
“Be careful,” Brodie cautioned as Aunt Antonia approached and he prepared to make his own observations of those who were part of the evening’s event. He paused briefly and acknowledged Aunt Antonia.
They did have a special bond, and admittedly, she was responsible for sending him after me when I had‘escaped’ my travel group with one of our guides who promised to show me the ruins on the island.
“It serves you right, my dear,” she had lovingly scolded me after I had become part of Brodie’s private inquiry cases.
“You had absolutely dreadful taste in men—a Greek guide for Heaven’s sake? I despaired that you would ever find a man who could match that wild spirit. I have no idea where you acquired that.”
She knew perfectly well.
As for a man who might match my ‘wild’ spirit?
I admired that lean figure as Brodie crossed the room in that borrowed tailcoat and cravat and found Alex Sinclair on some matter to discuss.
There were other admirers, I noticed, among the ladies he passed. As well as a narrowed glare from the Foreign Secretary, Sir Richard Montfort.
Sir Richard broke off the conversation he was having with a man, and I recognized him as Sir Andrew Smith-Thomas, Lord of the Admiralty.
Sir Andrew was dressed quite formally in a dark-blue tailcoat, much like an officer’s coat, with a red sash and sword in the scabbard that hung from under the coat.
I vaguely remembered that he had served in the Royal Navy, as well as having been appointed Lord of the Admiralty.
The conversation appeared quite serious, a question it seemed by the taut expression on the Foreign Secretary’s face. And the equally serious response he received. Then, a parting handshake, which seemed oddly unusual for this sort of occasion.
It was a simple gesture between acquaintances when first meeting someone, not in parting. What did that mean? An agreement of some kind?
