Page 31 of Anastasia and the Duke
"Then you are fit for Bedlam," Gibbons retorted, as she finished pinning Hannah's hair into place, "I've a good mind to go in your stead; these old bones would appreciate the attention of a handsome man--duke or no! Now, I'm off to dress her ladyship, then she wishes you to come to her chambers when we're done. A half-hour should do it; try not to sit or you'll wrinkle your skirts."
"Thank you, Gibbons," Hannah called, as the lady's maid swept from the room.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Hannah longed to throw herself onto the bed in despair, but she was too mindful of creasing her dress--and earning Gibbon's further ire.
Unable to wallow in pity on the bed, Hannah settled for standing moodily by the window, gazing out onto the bustling square.
Evening had fallen on London, and the sky above was littered with faint stars. Below, the inhabitants of Grosvenor Square were departing for their carriages, on their way to another ball.
Hannah sighed, wishing she could escape with them. It was not the thought of spending an evening with Hawkfield that had her so on edge; it was the thought of spending an evening in The Theatre Royal, where she had spent much of her childhood.
What if someone recognised her? Was it possible that some of the children she had played with still ran amok along the stalls, filching anything they could find from the pockets of the drunken audience members?
Or the staff, Hannah thought, as she nervously began to fiddle with the pear buttons on her gloves, what if they recalled her as the flame-haired child who had caused havoc over a decade ago?
To be outed now would be a disaster, she thought, for she had finally begun to make some progress. On the night of Lady Darlington's musicale, Hannah had managed to sneak into the countess' chambers unnoticed--an act which had been shamefully simple for something she had been putting off for so long.
A quick rummage through the countess'coiffeusehad revealed none of Sidney’s promised treasures, but it had revealed a fine collection of necklaces and earrings, that Hannah might take if she had to leave in a hurry. A few diamonds and peridots, and an exquisite ruby choker, which would all fetch a penny or two, should she need it.
A quick scan of the room had not revealed anything further, and Hannah had been forced to abandon her search when Bonbon--sensing she was inside--had begun scratching at the door.
Still, it was a start. If she could just get Lady Lansdowne to reveal where it was that her real treasures were hidden, then Hannah would be able to steal them and return the key, before anyone noticed it was missing. That would leave Hannah with enough time to disappear, grab Nan, and make for Bristol where they could book passage to America.
Hannah was so lost in thoughts of her escape, that she almost did not hear the chambermaid's knock upon the door.
"Her ladyship is ready to receive you in her rooms," Sally, the young maid, informed her when Hannah bid her enter.
"I shall be along shortly," Hannah replied, casting her appearance one last glance in the mirror, before she followed Sally down the hall.
Hannah knocked on the door to Lady Lansdowne's chambers, and when she pushed it open, she found the countess and Gibbons huddled together at the countess'coiffeuse.
"There you are," Lady Lansdowne looked up and smiled as Hannah entered, "Come; I wish to show you the final accessory for your outfit."
Curious, Hannah tripped across the plush carpet to the countess' side, to see what it was that had she and Gibbons so transfixed.
"Oh, I can't," Hannah said instantly, when she saw what it was, lifting a hand to her neck, "I will lose it."
"You will not, the clasp is newly oiled," Lady Lansdowne replied firmly, as she lifted the necklace off its satin pillow to hold against Hannah's neck.
"As I thought," she said, with satisfaction, "It complements the emerald of your dress perfectly. Come, let me put it on."
Hannah acquiesced to her request and sat down on the chair at thecoiffeuse, to allow the diminutive Lady Lansdowne to place the necklace around her neck.
Hannah gasped, as the cool stones touched her skin. They were colder than she had expected, but within seconds they began to warm, as though part of her.
She lifted her eyes to the mirror to examine her reflection and what she saw startled her. With her red-hair piled high, exposing the whiteness of her neck, which was decorated lavishly with the ruby chain, she looked just like the Comtesse de Bonneval in the portrait below.
"My goodness," Lady Lansdowne whispered, as transfixed as Hannah by what she saw, "Each time I see it, it astonishes me more and more."
Hannah tried to quash the familiar sense of guilt which surfaced within her, as she saw the grief which accompanied Lady Lansdowne's sad smile.
Harden your heart, Hannah reminded herself.
"It's so beautiful," she commented, as she lifted a hand to touch the rubies, "Where is it from?"
"Its history is not entirely known," Lady Lansdowne replied, with a wry smile, "My father, Jean Tavernier, brought it back with him from India, along with numerous other treasures."
"Oh?" Hannah hoped her expression of interest was suitably innocent and gave thanks that no one but she could hear the pounding of her heart within her chest.
