Bram Stoker's HANNIBAL

Chapter 28: And Lost Will Still Be Lost

Since Hannibal had confirmed Avigeya would be accompanying them to London, England was all she wanted to talk about, quizzing Will daily on social conventions, food, historical monuments, history, and travel, going over the maps with him just as carefully – if not more so – than Hannibal had. She insisted that he speak English with her as much as possible and could be heard repeating phrases over and over again as she worked.

Stirring a pot of soup. "Hello, my name is Avigeya Heraskova, it is a pleasure to meet you. Hello, my name is Miss Heraskova, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Hanging out the laundry. "Yes, thank you, I will have the steak and kidney pie and a cup of tea, please. Good afternoon, can you please tell me how to get to Picadilly?"

In the courtyard. "We are having pleasant weather, aren't we, Mr. Duck? Excuse me, could I have two tickets to the evening show, please?"

Will had helped her send away for some more newspapers and magazines, and while they waited, she pored over what the library already had.

Will had spent the morning helping Peter, who had come back from the village not only with a pile of mail for Avigeya, but a basket of kittens that had to be dropper-fed every few hours. Will could tell the duck and the goat were jealous and offered to assist with Peter's duties when he could.

After finishing a feeding, Will left Peter to rustle up something for them to eat, and brought it back to ensure that Peter didn't forget to feed himself, too. They ate a quick meal, the usual salad, soft cheese, and bread, and then Will went inside, set to meet Avigeya to see what she'd gotten in the mail.

Will was surprised to hear voices within the library already, both of them feminine. He entered to find Bedelia seated at the large table with Avigeya, a pile of advertisements and magazines spread out before them. They featured drawings of various ladies' fashions, hair styles, and cosmetic products.

Avigeya was closely examining an advertisement from a corset company. "How are you supposed to breathe?"

"You'd be surprised," Bedelia said, "how comfortable they are. If you purchase a quality product, of course. I'm sure Count Lecter will see that you are properly attired. He's always had exquisite taste." She paused, glancing up at Will as he entered. "In clothing," she said, deliberately amending her previous statement. Her features, which had been pleasant and mild, bordering on friendly, hardened immediately upon Will's arrival, her eyes suddenly full of glittering ice.

"Will!" Avigeya beckoned him over. He approached, and Bedelia got to her feet, a clear indication that she didn't plan to stay long. "Ms. Du Maurier helped me make a list of everything I need to dress like an English lady, but I need you to help."

"I don't know how much help I'll be," Will said, taking the paper Avigeya handed him, covered with her writing. "Yeah, none at all," he confirmed. "You will, uhm... you will want to add an umbrella and a mackintosh to this list."

"Mackintosh?"

"For the rain," he explained. "There's... a lot of rain. It looks like..." He picked up a periodical and flipped through it. "This." He showed her some illustrations of smiling women wearing black rubber raincoats that were custom made to accommodate their bustles.

"The weather in Paris is far more agreeable." Bedelia's glacial smile indicated that she thought the company would be as well, assuming Will stayed in London. "If you will excuse me..."

Will was spared her cold exit by Avigeya, who dragged him over to examine the floor plans for Carfax. She had many questions about what it would take to make the old house livable again, and how she might find out about decorating and finding furnishings.