“Somebody in the backyard?” Theodosia came to the window and looked down. “Are the raccoons back?” But she didn’t see anything moving. No bright eyes staring up, no bushy tails. “I think we’re okay,” she said. “You can probably stand down.” But like a good guard dog, earnest and unperturbed, Earl Grey remained at his post.
Theodosia slipped into her new black cocktail dress and squiggled her feet into black velvet high heels. She brushed back waves of hair and put on a pair of diamond stud earrings that her aunt Libby had given her. The last thing she did was attach the pin that Brooke had loaned her. When she was ready, when she finally glanced at herself head to toe in the mirror, her dress and all her other preparations seemed like background noise. The sparkling ruby-and-diamond flower pin clearly took center stage. Sitting high on her dress, the multitude of jewels sparkled and danced, projecting a thousand points of light.
And as Theodosia turned to leave, the dazzling shards glimmered seductively and seemed almost to whisper, Come and snatch me if you dare.
26
“Theodosia,” Drayton exclaimed. “You look positively radiant tonight.” He looked and sounded appropriately awestruck.
“Thank you,” Theodosia said. She had just stepped into the Great Hall at the Heritage Society and been enveloped in a swirl of elegantly gowned women and tuxedo-clad men. Waiters carrying silver trays plied the crowd with crystal flutes filled with French champagne, and over in the far corner a string quartet played the sprightly notes of Vivaldi. Drayton himself wore a one-button Fitzgerald tuxedo with a red cummerbund.
“As you can see,” Drayton said, looking pleased, one arm sweeping the crowd in a rather grand gesture, “the Heritage Society has had a record turnout.”
Theodosia glanced about at the well-heeled mob, where society ladies exchanged air kisses, men shook hands and congratulated each other on business deals and golf scores, and singles were on the prowl. “Heavens,” she said, “how many people are here, anyway?”
“At last estimate, a tad over three hundred guests.”
“I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”
Drayton’s brows knit together suddenly. “Like you, I still worry about some disaster befalling our Fabergé egg.”
“Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,” Theodosia murmured softly. “So . . . are there extra guards? Has added security been put on?”
“Timothy says yes, so I have to believe him. Though most of the security detail seem to be dressed in plain clothes and are mingling anonymously.”
“And where’s the guest of honor?” Theodosia asked. “Where is this amazing Fabergé egg?” She glanced around, saw fine oil paintings, marble sculptures, and some sterling silver pitchers that were probably genuine Paul Revere. But no egg.
“At the last minute, Timothy had the display case moved to the rear of the Great Hall,” Drayton said. “Instead of keeping the Fabergé egg front and center, he thought it would be safer if it was back by the wall, easier to guard.” He gave her a knowing look, then put a hand on her shoulder and steered her through the press of warm bodies. “Come along, I’ll show you.”
When they were within fifteen feet of the Fabergé egg, Theodosia began hearing appreciative murmurs. The cacophony of words that rang in her ears included such words as, “spectacular,” “amazing,” and “I wonder how much it’s worth?”
“How much is it worth?” Theodosia asked Drayton as they jostled their way to the front of the line.
“Take a look and then you tell me,” Drayton said.
Theodosia edged forward two more steps and then, suddenly, there it was. A dazzling, ruby-red, jewel-encrusted imperial Fabergé egg. Gracefully encased in delicate swirls of 24-karat gold, it was one of the most amazing pieces of art that Theodosia had ever seen.
“Oh my goodness,” Theodosia exclaimed, completely taken aback. “It’s beautiful.” She’d never set eyes on a genuine Fabergé egg before. She’d only seen photos of them in a Sotheby’s catalog. Clearly, even glossy photos couldn’t do the eggs justice because this particular Fabergé egg was take-your-breath-away stunning.
“Isn’t it a honey?” Drayton was smiling unabashedly now. “You see how the middle of the egg is set completely with rubies?”
“I see that,” Theodosia said.
“With a dozen rows of diamonds at both the top and bottom?” Drayton flicked his hand just so.
“Amazing.” Any one of the many diamonds would have made a girl swoon.
“And do you see the design of the gold work? How the imperial Russian eagle morphs seamlessly into that lovely swirl pattern.” Drayton waggled a finger. “Do you see how the design almost anticipates the Art Deco movement?”
Theodosia nodded again. “I suppose it does.”
“Fascinating, yes?”
“Yes,” Theodosia agreed. She knew that everyone else found it just as fascinating, since all eyes seemed to be focused on the egg.
A moment later, Drayton turned his attention to her. “Wait a minute.” His eyes narrowed and he took a step back. “What, pray tell, do you have pinned to your dress?”