Alec’s head finally came up as he looked at Aunt Maude. This was already costing so much money. Could they afford even more?
“Whatever the cost,” Aunt Maude said, her face a mask of indifference. “I believe we can come to a sensible agreement.”
Alec’s gaze slipped to mine, but he, like Aunt Maude, kept his emotions closely guarded.
15
All I wanted to do was look for my mother, but the first four days in London were a whirlwind of preparations, plans, and practices with Lady Mandeville. I’d performed the court curtsey, one deeper and lower than the others, so many times that the muscles in my thighs ached.
I stood in front of the mirror in my bedroom at 7 Buckingham Gate on Thursday afternoon, the day of the drawing room presentation, staring at my reflection. I was wearing a beautiful white gown with short sleeves and a ten-foot-long white train, with white gloves extended to my elbows. My hair had been meticulously arranged by a woman hired for that purpose, and three white ostrich feathers were placed on the left side of my coiffure, with a white veil covering the back of my head. I held a small bouquet of white roses, lily of the valley, and myrtle, with long white trailing ribbons.
I couldn’t have been any farther from Mulberry Street. But as I stared at myself, feeling detached from Keira O’Day, I wasn’t sure if I felt like Clara Day Hill, either. I wasn’t quite sure who I was, or which version of myself I liked better. I felt more like apuppet or, better yet, an actress like my mother. I was wearing a costume and pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
Was it wrong? Was it the plan God had in store for me all along?
My hand slipped up to my neck, where the locket had sat for just a few short hours. We hadn’t had any luck finding it in the house or in Lady Mandeville’s carriage, and my heart was broken. My only link to the past was gone. It might have some monetary value for someone else, but to me, it was priceless.
A light knock sounded at the door.
“Yes?”
“It’s Alec,” he said through the door. “May I come in?”
Gallagher had left me to find a sponge to remove a black mark on my white slippers, but we expected Lady Mandeville to arrive at any moment with her carriage. She would take us to St. James’s Palace, where we would be received by the queen at four.
Butterflies filled my stomach at the sound of Alec’s voice, and I quickly stepped over to open the door.
His face filled with awe when he caught sight of me.
My cheeks warmed, but I didn’t shy away from his bold stare.
“Keira—” He paused and smiled when our gazes met. “You are stunning.”
Love and affection filled my heart as I returned his smile, but the feelings were quickly replaced by a sense of sadness that had overwhelmed me since arriving in London. “Thank you.”
He continued to look at me, but then he seemed to remember himself and said, “I brought you a gift.”
For the first time, I noticed the small velvet box in his hand. He presented it to me, his smile turning into a look of anticipation and joy.
“Alec, you and Aunt Maude have already spent so much—”
“This hardly cost a thing.” He moved it closer to me. “Please open it, Keira.”
I took the box from him and slowly lifted the lid. Nestled inside, on black silk, was my locket. It had been polished and shined brilliantly.
“Alec!” I looked up at him. “Where did you find it?”
“I went to Victoria Station this morning. I apologize, but it was the first day I could get away. One of the porters had found it and turned it in to the stationmaster. They were so pleased when I arrived to claim it.” He lifted it out of the box. “The clasp was broken, so I stopped at a jeweler and asked them to fix it. They also polished it and made sure the rest of the chain is solid, so it is as good as new, and you don’t have to worry about losing it again.”
With a soft cry, I threw myself into Alec’s embrace, not caring if I crushed my feathers or wrinkled my gown.
He hesitated for a heartbeat and then wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight.
“Thank you,” I whispered, tears falling down my cheeks. “This is the most precious gift anyone has ever given me.”
“Your mother gave you the gift,” he said. “I only ensured it was returned to you.”
I didn’t want to leave Alec’s arms, but Gallagher or another maid might come upon us.
