The Last Night in London by Karen White (reading list .TXT) 📕

wishing that her mother was there to see her. To share this happiness.

“Your hair is lovely,” the seamstress said from behind her.

“Thank you, Mrs. Williams. I did it myself.” Eva reached up to touch the soft curls that framed her face and swept up at the back of her head in a tight chignon. She’d learned the style by poring over fashion magazines and studying the hairstyles of the actresses in the movies. She’d been shooed out of more than one newsstand for reading the magazines instead of purchasing them, but she’d needed the money for the new strappy gold high-heeled sandals she’d seen at Selfridges and set her heart on.

“Well, it looks like you went to one of those fancy salons, to be sure. Now,” the older woman said, her wide face splitting with a smile, “are you ready for the gown? I’ve altered it, so it should fit you like a glove.”

Eva let the peach-colored satin be slipped over her head, the fabric soft and liquid. “It’s . . .” She paused, unable to voice what it was like to have a dream come true. She had the sudden memory of her mother bent over a washboard, her once-beautiful hair dull and lifeless. Eva had been telling her about the movie she’d just seen, Libeled Lady with Myrna Loy, about a beautiful heiress who wore beautiful clothes. Her mother had stopped her midsentence. “You’ll never be more than what you are. You’d best remember that.”

And Eva had. If only to prove her mother wrong.

“It’s perfect,” Mr. Danek said, finishing Eva’s sentence.

Eva nodded. “Do you think I need a paste necklace or earrings? Something to brighten the front of the dress?”

Mr. Danek shook his head. “No. Showy jewelry is not in style right now, my dear. Believe me, this dress, your face, and your figure are all you will need. People will assume you are a princess. With all these exiled governments now in London, if only you could speak with a foreign accent, everyone would be easily fooled.”

Eva laughed. “Oh, but I can. I am quite the expert at accents, Mr. Danek.” She imitated his own with such precision that he threw his head back and laughed.

“Yes, my dear. You are quite good. You must be a very good listener.”

Eva nodded earnestly. “Oh, yes. I’m always listening—on the bus and at the theater, and to the other girls at Madame Lushtak’s. Odette says my French accent is better than hers!”

Mr. Danek laughed again and began packing up his makeup. “If you will excuse me, I will place you in the capable hands of Mrs. Williams. I have a bottle of champagne chilling for when your gentleman arrives. A small glass will help calm your nerves.”

Eva wanted to say that she wasn’t nervous to meet Graham’s sister formally or pretend that she was comfortable mixing in high society, and that she was confident no one would suspect her true origins. But that would have been a lie. She hadn’t been able to eat a thing all day, and even the thought of champagne made her queasy. “Thank you, Mr. Danek.”

He bowed his head briefly in acknowledgment, then left.

“I think I’m ready,” Eva said, her voice surprisingly steady.

“Except for this.” Mrs. Williams handed her the fur stole.

“And my purse,” Eva added, picking up Precious’s box bag.

Mrs. Williams followed her to the door. “I’ll be here early tomorrow before Madame Lushtak. Please, don’t be late returning your dress and stole.”

“Don’t worry—I’ll be here.”

Very carefully, Eva walked down the hallway to the showroom door and opened it. Only a few lights were on, and it appeared she was alone. She tamped down her disappointment as she closed the door behind her; then she stepped into the room.

“‘She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies.’”

Eva turned toward the sound of Graham’s voice, her thrill at his presence dimmed by the thought that she should know the poem he’d just quoted. A doctor’s educated daughter from Devon would. And he’d paused, as if expecting her to finish the line.

“Graham,” she said instead. She walked quickly toward him, and kissed him deeply.

“Darling,” he said against her lips. “What a lovely greeting.”

“I’ve missed you.” Eva leaned in to kiss him again. “It’s been a whole day.”

His hands slid to her back, his fingers warm against her bare skin. He sucked in his breath, then pulled away slightly. “Perhaps a glass of champagne? Otherwise I have doubts we will make it to the party, and Sophia will be most disappointed.”

“What have you told her about me?” Eva asked.

He seemed surprised by her question. “Why, the truth, of course.”

“The truth?” she asked, her mouth gone suddenly dry.

“Yes, darling. You have nothing to be ashamed of. She remembers you, by the way. From the day you modeled clothes for her and our mother. She thought you very lovely. And she also finds it admirable that you have made a life for yourself after such tragedy. Being a clotheshorse for a reputable fashion house is quite respectable.” He took her hands in his. “Our mother isn’t as forward-thinking, but she’ll come around, I’m sure. I can be quite persuasive.”

He grinned, and Eva’s own smile wobbled as she attempted to grin back. She almost told him the real truth then. But she didn’t want to ruin the moment. And she knew with certainty that if Mrs. St. John would find a doctor’s daughter forced to model of objectionable character, then her reaction to the truth would be unimaginable.

Graham reached for the opened bottle on the small table and poured champagne into the two waiting glasses. He handed one to Eva, his eyes never leaving hers.

“You look absolutely stunning, Eva. I daresay the other ladies could be wearing sackcloth tonight, and I don’t think any of the gentlemen would notice.”

She took a sip from her glass and smiled. “There’s only one gentleman whose notice I care about. And he’s looking quite divine himself.” She allowed her gaze to slowly take