Chapter Text
I'll be loving you always
With a love that's true always.
When the things you've planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand always.
The whole case of the Royal Jewels was one Arthur Hastings would always remember, but not because of the crime committed. In fact, he hardly remembered the case.
It had all started when Poirot had received a letter from Her Royal Highness Princess Alexander, the youngest sister of the newlywed Prince Albert, Duke of York.
Dear Mr Poirot,
I am writing to you to ask for your assistance. As I am sure you are aware, last week my brother Prince Albert, Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon were married. He and his new Duchess are happily away on their honeymoon, but it has since come to light that several items of priceless jewellery have been taken. The Queen is anxious to have them back.
Please help us, Mr Poirot.
Come to the Palace at your earliest convenience.
Yours, in anxiety
Alexandra
It was a surprising letter to say the least, and Poirot practically bundled Hastings into the car, as much as Hercule Poirot can bundle.
Hastings read the letter as they drove along, and flashed it to the Guards so they would be let in. They were led down corridor after corridor, before they were led into a drawing room.
Both Poirot and Hastings were a little shell shocked when they entered the room and found the entire Royal Family waiting there for them. They both bowed, and sat down in the seats they were shown to.
“Mr Poirot, we really cannot thank you enough” said a young woman. Captain Hastings looked around and found Princess Alexandra sitting down next to him.
“Not at all, Your Royal Highness, it is most fascinating”
“We just want them back, Mr Poirot,” said Queen Mary, “some of them belonged to Queen Charlotte in the 18th Century, you kno”
Poirot smiled politely and turned to Captain Hastings.
“Captain Hastings here is my most trusted colleague, I hope you will not object to his presence here”
“Of course not,” Princess Alexandra replied, “in fact, I should like to assist as much as possible”
After the politest argument, with the King and Queen no less, that Hastings had ever seen, it was agreed that Princess Alexandra would assist with investigations at Buckingham Palace, beginning immediately.
She walked through the events of the evening with Poirot and Hastings, retracing her every step, as well as showing them the jewellery stores in the basement of the Palace where the theft occurred. With the help of some members of Palace staff, they found and recorded every possible route from the ballroom to the basement. Poirot went off with members of staff, whilst Captain Hastings and Princess Alexandra investigated the ‘upstairs’ routes. Hastings was surprised he was allowed to be on his own with the Princess. Young, beautiful, and unmarried, Alexandra was the most eligible woman in the country. He wrote and recorded every step as she showed him around.
“Your Royal Highness,” Hastings said, “you really do have an encyclopedic knowledge of the palace”
Alexandra turned and flashed a smile at Hastings, and he was sure it was the most enchanting smile he’d ever seen.
He knew he shouldn’t think like that about her, she was fifteen years younger than him for a start, and of course there was who she was.
They continued their palace adventure until they found themselves back in the drawing room where they’d started, now solely occupied by Alexandra’s eldest brother, David.
“David!” Alexandra exclaimed, “you’re back! This is Captain Hastings, he’s helping Mr Poirot investigate the theft”
David, the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne stood and shook Hastings’ hand.
“Oh yes, Mama is practically in mourning for one of the brooches” David said as he sat back down.
Hastings took the seat Alexandra offered him next to her, and readily accepted a cup of tea. They discussed this and that as they waited for Poirot to reappear. In the end, it was a maid that came to fetch Hastings.
“Captain Hastings, Mr Poirot is waiting with the taxi for you”
“Thank you, Miss,” Hastings replied, “and thank you for your hospitality, Your Royal Highnesses, we’ll do everything we can”
As he walked back through the halls of the Palace, Hastings’ thoughts remained very much with Alexandra. He knew he should be running through everything to do with the case in his head, and he was sure Poirot would give him a hard time later. He just couldn’t get her out of his head. He’d seen photographs and newsreel footage of her before, of course, but nothing compared to the real thing. Hastings was sure he’d never witnessed anyone quite so actually, properly beautiful in his life.
These thoughts still occupied Hastings’ thoughts the next morning as he pondered the case with Poirot. They realised very quickly they would need Inspector Japp’s help if they were going to interview everyone. They needed Japp’s manpower, Poirot’s brain, and Hastings’ aristocratic connections from his education at Eton.
Hastings was quite proud of himself. He’d managed to concentrate on the case for two whole days, until he got a letter that distracted him once again.
Dear Captain Hastings,
I surmised that I should write to you instead of Mr Poirot, so I don’t distract him from his wonderful, clever thoughts. I simply wondered what progress you are making. I know this will not be a quick nor an easy process, if you succeed at all, but I wondered all the same.
I had such a wonderful time the other day, showing you around. I can see why Mr Poirot relies on you so. You’re a lovely, dear man.
If you were ever to get a moment’s peace from Mr Poirot, you would be most welcome back at the Palace for tea.
Yours
Alexandra
Hastings was pleased to receive a letter from her. He was sure he could find a moment to go for tea with the Princess. He slipped the letter in his pocket and got back on with the case with Poirot, but he couldn’t quite concentrate. Not when his thoughts kept drifting towards that lovely young woman again and again.
He wrote a note back saying he would be there as soon as they had any progress, and set about making some progress for her sake.
A few days later, Hastings was back at Buckingham Palace, with some news to report. Through interviews and investigations with Inspector Japp, they had a smaller list of suspects, which was something considering the amount of people that had been at the Duke and Duchess of York’s wedding breakfast.
Hastings bowed his head as he stopped in front of the Princess, and she once again flashed him that smile that had stayed in his head since their first meeting.
It was a sunny day, surprisingly so for May, and Hastings found himself drinking tea on the Buckingham Palace lawn with Alexandra before he really realised what was going on. They sat at a little white table, laden with tea and cake. Alexandra had a parasol carefully balanced on one shoulder, and Hastings was glad of his hat for some shade.
He told her of their progress, and about Inspector Japp, and she seemed satisfied with their progress.
“I’d like to tell you there’s no rush, Captain Hastings, but my mother would say otherwise”
“Yes,” Captain Hastings replied, “I imagine she would, we’re working as fast as we can”
Alexandra reached over and placed a hand on top of Hastings’ for a moment.
“And we are ever so grateful”