Page 200 - The Grotesque Children's Book

Spain, which Bianca keeps tauntingly right out in the open, on top of her head, literally right
under the nose of her husband, the Grand Duke? There must be something inside. She needed
to know. She had begun fantasizing about opening that locket. But how? Where? She of
course couldn't try to open it there in Her Majesty's chamber, with Allori literally staring at her
while he painted. There was a moment before or after each sitting in which she could
conceivably inspect it for a hidden latch and “accidentally” pop it open, except the jewelry was
always handled by one of the Duchess's ladies-in-waiting. Carola wasn't allowed to touch the
jewelry. She was instructed that the waiting ladies, and only the waiting ladies, were to place it
on Carola's head and remove it. And because it was on top of her head, Carola could never get a
very good look at it. She could only glimpse it obliquely in the maids' hands, in the mirrors and
in Allori's painting. It must be something very very precious, this gold locket. And they'll never
let me alone with it long enough to inspect it. Never. Which is why last night Carola had stolen
it.

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