To everybody’s relief, within twenty-four hours of the second revelation, Felicia received the third. In it, a London theater company was auditioning young actresses for a production calledThe Immersive Pride and Prejudice Experience.
Felicia saw Sandra and her assistant Liam. Unfortunately, the Charing Cross blonde wasn’t among the women in empire dresses and bonnets, reading their lines. But the vision was a gold mine, nonetheless. Once the cast was locked in, MESS identified everyone, including the musicians and the techs, assuming that the Key to the Key will be a part of that show.
An agent was sent to tail and photograph all the ladies. He confirmed two blondes, both with short hair and brown eyes. In parallel, an intermediary for the Mount Evor royals paid the owner of the Victorian mansion enough to persuade him to cancel the lease two weeks before the premiere.
Good luck finding a replacement at such short notice!
Sandra was at her wit’s end. That’s when MESS expertly nudged her in the direction of my Georgian townhouse, not only available but much better suited for the show’s period than its previous home.
Which brings us to this moment.
“When they briefed you…” Gigi hesitates as if choosing her words, “did they warn you about the personal implications?”
“Yes, of course. I know that Prince Theodor’s helicopter crash wasn’t an accident, but an assault. I’m fully aware of the risks associated with this mission.”
“That’s not the kind of implications I meant.”
I knit my eyebrows. “I’m afraid I’m not following.”
“Mother saw Lucie, Sasha and Elise in her previous revelations.” She cocks her head, letting me connect the dots.
Oh, I see.“Each of your brothers’ significant other was his Key to the Key first.”
“Well observed, my dear Sherlock!” She grins. “Chances are you too will marry your Key to the Key.”
“I shall do no such thing.”
“Pff, you’ll fall in love and propose to your blondie.”
I stare into her eyes. “Do you really think that anything, be it gratitude or infatuation, will make me a believer in holy matrimony? Not happening. Not after… you know.”
She gives me a sympathetic look. “I do. But I’ve also witnessed two dyed-in-the-wool bachelors and an almost engaged man fall madly in love and change their minds.”
“That cute tradition of marrying the Key to the Key ends with me, I assure you.”
To my surprise, she exhales in relief. “I hope so! On the off chance I become a Key Seeker for one of the remaining keys, I’d hate having to marry some random guy who’ll happen to be my Key to the Key.”
“I hear you, Gigi.” Lifting a fist, I chant, “No more fated mates! Away with determinism! Long live free will!”
She seems delighted with my slogans.
With the matter of fated matrimony out of the way, she informs me that MESS has found the blonde from Princess Felicia’s vision. After no dice with the cast and crew, the agents extended the search to everyone who’d booked a ticket for any of the seven performances. And they found her.
Gigi pauses for effect at that point.
“Bring it on; I’m ready,” I urge her.
“Your Key to the Key is a young woman named Giselle Fisher. She has long blond hair, blue eyes, and she’s average height. Giselle comes from money. Her daddy is a very successful investment banker. She’s also a lifelong Austenite and a Regency buff.”
I hang on to her every word. “Is she the only pale-eyed blond twenty-something among the few hundred ticket holders?”
“There were a few others. But what made Giselle stand out is that she’s the founder and curator of a private collection amassed thanks to Daddy’s generosity.”
“A collection of what?”
“All things Regency.” Gigi folds her fingers as she counts, “Furniture, carpets, textile, works of art, books and magazines, letters, drawings, private journals, costumes, jewelry, and other small objects.”
“Small objects,” I echo, shooting her a meaningful look.
