Page 10 of A Chance in a Million
As Jane followed her out of the living room and onto the stairs she couldn’t help reflecting that Miss Leonard was probably twice as broad around the backside – and no doubt everywhere else – as she was, so if she was going to be lent one her employer’s gowns, she was going to need a big box of pins and a sewing machine to prevent it falling off. But, as it turned out, Miss Leonard had quite a surprise in store.
Upstairs on the second floor there were various rooms, and one of them housed a sartorial treasure trove. Miss Leonard opened the door and flicked on the light, and Jane stopped dead, finding herself presented with the spectacle of row upon row of dresses almost filling up the little room. She took a couple of hesitant steps forward.
‘Wow! I’ve never seen so many dresses outside of a clothes shop. Do you wear them all?’
Miss Leonard laughed. It was the first time Jane had heard her laugh properly and it was good to hear. ‘You must be joking. I have a dozen or so gowns in my room for my personal use – not that I go out any more these days – but these here are a little hobby of mine. I’ve been collecting for decades, ever since I got my first royalty cheque back in the seventies.’
‘And you don’t wear them?’
‘My daughters have used a few of them for big events in the past. Diana’s about your size, but now she’s in New York studying fashion. Her big sister’s outgrown most of them and although I’ve worn some of them on special occasions, I’m afraid there’s no way I could get into any of them now. The majority of them used to belong to Hollywood stars of the Golden Age and most of those girls were stick thin – even slimmer than you and Diana are. Now then, let me see…’ She took another long look at Jane before making her decision. ‘Young Ingrid Bergman, I think.’ Her hands flicked across the hangers until she found the one she wanted and pulled it out. ‘Here, see what you think.’
Jane took it with awe. Had this dress really belonged to the star ofCasablanca,Notoriousand so many other classic movies? She could hardly believe it. It was a delicate off-white colour, quite sheer and unmistakably pure silk. It was as light as a feather and it shimmered in the light of the chandelier. Tentatively she held it up against her body.
‘There’s a mirror over there.’ Miss Leonard pointed across to the other side of the room. ‘Take a look. You’ll need to try it on, but from here I’d say it should fit. Do you like it?’
‘Do I like it? It’s unbelievable.’ Jane walked over to the full-length mirror and took a better look. ‘Yes, I think you’re right. It feels like it’s about my size, maybe a bit long but I suppose I should wear heels.’ She turned and glanced across at Miss Leonard, feeling almost overcome. ‘I’ve never ever in my life even handled, let alone worn, anything like this. The thing is… surely it’s far too precious. What if I spill wine all over it? I’d never forgive myself – and you’d probably never forgive me.’
Miss Leonard gave a dismissive wave of the hand. ‘It wouldn’t matter. Champagne washes out quite easily.’ She produced a smile. ‘And in a dress like this the only drink you could possibly be given is champagne. This was never designed to be worn while drinking pints of Guinness down at the pub. Why don’t you go off and see how it fits?’
Jane almost ran up the stairs. Pulling off her blouse and skirt, she stood in front of the mirror and slipped the dress over her head. Miss Leonard certainly had a good eye. It fitted her like a glove. All right, she would need to buy some different underwear and some heels but there was no getting away from the fact that it could have been made for her.
‘Can I come in, Jane?’
She heard Miss Leonard’s voice from outside on the landing and hurried across to open the door. Her employer’s reaction was enthusiastic.
‘Absolutely perfect. Give me a twirl, would you? That’s wonderful. You look lovely. Once we’ve got your hair done and maybe a pair of pendant earrings, you’ll knock them all dead. How does it feel?’
‘It’s absolutely stunning.’ She caught Miss Leonard’s eye. ‘I’ve never really been one for dressing up much. I’ve always felt more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt – or in uniform – but this is something else! Are you sure you want me to wear it?’
‘Of course. Besides, like I say, you’ll be representing me, and I’d like you to look good. And don’t forget that as my representative that brings certain responsibilities. You need to look the part, but you also need to act the part.’
‘I promise I’ll do my very best for you. It’s just that… you know you said you felt like an impostor when people call Lady Cooper? Well, how do you think I’m going to feel, decked out in something as exquisite as this? Looking in the mirror, it’s like looking at somebody else.’
‘I told you before and I’m telling you again. You are a very good-looking girl and, in Ingrid Bergman’s dress, you’re going to be outstandingly beautiful.’ She held up her hands in mock defence. ‘Now don’t get all sniffy about it. I’m just telling you the truth.’
Jane produced a smile in return. ‘I promise I could never be sniffy about something as gorgeous as this. I just hope I don’t let you down.’
‘Well, we’ll soon find out if you do. The bush telegraph here is very efficient and very unforgiving. If you get drunk and start doing a striptease in the middle of the auction, Maria will have heard the news before you get back home.’
‘I promise that won’t happen.’ Jane felt her cheeks blushing at the thought. ‘So, tell me, what exactly happens at a charity auction?’
Chapter 6
The charity auction started at eight o’clock and, as she had imagined, Jane was delivered to the casino’s covered landing stage by launch – piloted by Alvise decked out in the sort of uniform an admiral of the fleet might have worn. He offered her a steadying hand as she stepped off the boat and she took it gratefully. The new heels she had bought were higher than any she had owned before and it felt a bit like walking on stilts. Miss Leonard had insisted on – and paid for – sending her to a very posh hair stylist who had curled her hair into an updo with the addition of what looked like chopsticks and Jane was afraid to make any sudden moves for fear they might fall out and she might find herself with hair all over her face. If this wasn’t bad enough, she had the added complication of knowing that the dress she was wearing was worth countless thousands and the diamond earrings provided by Miss Leonard were probably worth as much as the big Mercedes 4x4.
She was greeted deferentially at the doors by an immaculate usher in a tuxedo. He gave her invitation a cursory check before waving her through into an open hallway at water level, not dissimilar to the one in Miss Leonard’s palazzo. A broad stone stairway led up to thepiano nobileand Jane was relieved she managed to climb the stairs without tripping over the hem of her gown or toppling off her heels. Emerging into the bright lights at the top, she was surprised to find that she had been expected. A figure appeared alongside her and tapped her forearm. She looked around to find herself in the company of an elegant ladyd’un certain âgewearing a diamond tiara, earrings and necklace which, if authentic, were probably worth as much as the casino.
‘Good evening, signora. Are you here to represent Lady Veronica by any chance?’ She extended a silk-gloved hand in greeting.
Jane took the hand and shook it. ‘Yes, my name’s Jane Reed. I didn’t think anybody was going to know me. How did you recognise me?’
‘Veronica told me to look out for a beautiful fair-haired woman in the most stylish gown in the house – I couldn’t fail. My name is Lavinia di Pontegrande and this is my husband, Alessandro.’ She indicated an imposing elderly gentleman in an evening suit at her side. He had an unruly mop of silver hair that made him look vaguely like Albert Einstein. Jane held out her hand towards him and he took it formally, leaning forward to kiss it.
‘Delighted to meet you, signora. My compliments on your Italian. Alas, command of your language is something that has always eluded me.’ His speech was as formal as his actions.
‘Veronica tells me this is your first foray into Venetian society and charity events.’ His wife had clearly been given instructions to take Jane under her wing.
‘That’s right. It’s all new to me. I’ve never been inside a casino before and it’s my first time at an auction of any kind.’
