英语小说网

In January 1936 Edward went to Windsor for a few weeks. He was tired of town life and he wanted to work in his garden and ride his horses.

When Edward arrived, he went straight to his father's room. He walked to the side of the bed and kissed his father's white face. The King opened his eyes and smiled. Then he took his son's hand and said: "Be a good King, Edward. And be good to your mother."

But then, one afternoon, there was a phone call from Queen Mary. "Edward," she said, "you must come back immediately. Your father is very ill and I think he's going to die."

Then Queen Mary took Edward's hand and kissed it. "My child, you are now King," she said softly. "God be with you."

"Yes, father, I will."

His three brothers came to him, one by one, and they each kissed his hand. "The King is dead. Long live the King," they said.

The King closed his eyes and did not speak again. Just after midnight he died.

At one o'clock Edward left the room to telephone Wallis. "My father is dead," he said.

"I'm so sorry, Sir."

"I must stay here for a while," Edward went on. "But I'll phone you at the weekend. Nothing will change between you and me. I love you more than ever, and you will be my Queen."

"But you are my family, Wallis. You are everything to me. Goodnight. Sleep well."

"Let's not talk about that now," Wallis replied. "You must go back to your family."

When Wallis put the phone down that night, she suddenly felt afraid. "Edward is now King," she thought, "but what will happen to me?"