The Gown

London, 1947Though the war ended two years ago, England’s recovery has been difficult. But the nation’s spirits are lifted when Princess Elizabeth’s engagement is announced. For Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, the upcoming wedding is more than a celebration. The talented embroiderers have been chosen to create the intricate stitching that will adorn the bride’s gown. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for a working-class English girl and a French émigrée who survived the Nazis.Toronto, 2016Intrigued by the exquisite set of embroidered flowers she inherited from her late grandmother, Heather Mackenzie discovers they match Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown. She also finds an old photo of Nan with Miriam Dassin, a celebrated artist. How did her beloved Nan come to possess these treasures and what was her connection to Miriam Dassin? Yearning to know more about her grandmother’s past, Heather travels to London for a journey that will unlock the secrets of Nan’s life and, perhaps, lead her to her own destiny.