I won't address the bike sizing issues, since I think you already have a good handle on what you need (I would guess that most 44s will be too big). I think if I were much shorter than I am (I'm just under 5'4") that I'd be looking custom, for sure.

But the gearing...don't be afraid of a compact double. I had a triple on my first bike. I actually wanted a double. They are less prone to shifting issues and dropped chains. I also find that I rarely feel like I need more easier gears, now. That first year with a triple was good as I was developing my cycling strength, but now that I have it those bottom-most "granny gears" would be going to waste. On Sunday I ended up doing a 70 mile hilly ride on my cyclocross bike, as my road bike is in the shop. That bike has a shorter range of gearing, so I had even fewer easy gears for getting up hills. It wasn't a bad deal. I just had to stand a lot more.

Really, at the low end of my compact double vs. my triple there's not a whole lot of difference. The reduction in hassles from the triple are worth the loss of a gear or two.