by Gwynn White
I lowered the White Queen. “I want to know what cargo you carried on the twentieth of April.”
He raised an eyebrow at me then smirked. Rummy pirate, that smirk was more charming than it should have been. “It was for an associate.”
“I know it was for Caterpillar. I just want to know what kind of cargo it was.”
“You’re asking the wrong question,” he replied with a grin.
“I am?”
“The last person who put a blade to my neck wanted to know where that cargo went, not what it was.”
It was my turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “And where did that cargo go?”
“I didn’t answer him. Why should I answer you?”
“Because I’m sure I’m much prettier. And because I’ll say please.”
“You are much prettier, so I’ll play along. But I’ll only answer one question. Push the subject further, and I’m afraid we’ll have to come to a disagreement, no matter how pretty you are.”
I considered my options. “All right. Where did the cargo go?”
“Well, I didn’t haul it. But word gets around. From what I hear, it went back where it came from.”
“Which was?”
“That’s two questions.”
“Well, your answer was less than specific.”
He laughed. “Fine. San Francisco.”
“Who transported it there?”
“Now that, clearly, is the second question.”
“Yes. You’re right.”
“Someone who doesn’t work cheap but works fast and quiet.”
I frowned. “Why did Caterpillar return it?”
“That’s three questions,” the airship captain replied then leaned back, folded his arms, and looked closely at me. “You’re right, you sure are prettier than that grumpy gent with the silk turban.”
I grinned then slid the White Queen back into the handle of the parasol. I pushed open the door to the lift. We were between platforms three and four.
I turned to the pirate. “Thank you,” I said, curtseying politely.
The pirate tipped his hat to me. “Ma’am.”
Without waiting further, I jumped from the lift to the third-floor platform and headed back downstairs. I didn’t look back to see if the pirate had his pistol on me or not. Something told me I’d given him something better than another victim to shoot…another tall tale to share at the pub. I opened the parasol and worked my way back downstairs.
So, the Queen of Hearts had wanted something, something William had procured then returned? Very odd. No wonder she was furious. That kind of woman always gets what she wants. And that kind of woman was the most dangerous.
Now I just had to figure out what the cargo had been.
I headed away from the airship towers toward home. It was already dark. As I made my way home along the cobblestone London streets, I twirled my parasol in my hand. The sun had set, so there was no need for the parasol, but it was still fun to twist it around and around as I played everything over in my mind.
Already I could see a way to take the diamond. I would need to visit the exhibition at night and get some supplies, but it could be done. I could do it, but should I? Why was William bargaining with the Queen of Hearts? Bargaining and then changing his mind.
I turned down a side street where I knew boys looking for work were known to linger. The group of grubby little guttersnipes stood huddled under a streetlamp. They eyed me curiously as I made my way toward them.
“You lost, lady?” one them asked as I approached.
I grinned. “No. I need someone to run a message.”
They looked at one another and then back at me and my fine red gown.
“Do you?” the eldest of them asked, eyeing me over.
“Yes,” I said with a sigh. The shakedown was, of course, inevitable. “Don’t get ideas. Appearances are often deceiving. Now, before I have to stab one of you to make my point, who can run to Twickenham?”
The boys laughed.
“Me,” one of them said. “I know the barge master. I’ll get a lift.”
I pulled a small notepad from the reticule dangling from my wrist and wrote a quick note, sealing it inside a small envelope.
“Lady Frances Waldegrave, Strawberry Hill House.”
“The Countess?” the boy asked, his eyes wide. Apparently, her reputation preceded her.
I nodded then handed the boy some coins and the note. He stuck them in his pocket, nodded to me, then turned and headed in the direction of the river.
“Good night, lads,” I said.
“The Countess?” I heard one of the boys whisper to the others.
“You idiots. Don’t you know who that was?” another asked.
“Who? The lady in red?”
“Yes, you dolt. That was Alice.”
“Alice?”
“Alice…the Bandersnatch.”
The other boys were struck silent.
Grinning, I turned the corner and headed home.
13
A Mad Tea Party
Alice! You’re late again,” Bess said the minute I opened the door. “And what are you wearing?”
“Lord Dodgson gave it to me. He didn’t want me to go to the Great Exhibition looking like a servant. It’s just a loan.”
“Oh! Did you go? You must tell me everything. First, go knock on Henry’s door. Tell him it’s time for supper.”
I headed across the hallway and rapped lightly on the door.
Henry opened the door a crack.
“It’s time to eat,” I said flatly.
“What are you wearing?”
I frowned at him then turned to go back.
“Alice, please come inside a minute.”
I sighed then turned back. Today was turning out to be exhausting.
Henry opened the door and led me inside. His flat was a jumble of ribbons, fabric, buttons, bows, and all manner of sewing paraphernalia. But that was nothing new. When he wasn’t busy getting himself in trouble, Henry was a prolific hatter, and his works were stunning. He closed the door behind me.
“Pretty,” I said, picking up a hat that was decorated with peacock feathers.
“I don’t know what to say. You haven’t told Bess anything?” The lines around his eyes wrinkled with worry.
“No, because it appears you learned your lesson this time.”
“Not about me, about you and Caterpillar.”
“I’m just working a job.”
“That I got you into. Alice, I’m so sor—”
“Don’t be. He used you to drag me back into his world.”
“Alice, you need to be careful.”
I waved my hand dismissively. “I’m always careful.”
“I’m talking about with Caterpillar.”
I looked Henry in the eyes. He was like a brother to me. He was the first friend we made after we’d left Jabberwocky’s house. It had been love at first sight between him and Bess. But he didn’t know William. That was one problem. The other problem was that while he didn’t know William, he did know that I carried a broken heart and that William was the cause.
I sat down. On the table in front of me was an enormous top hat upon which Henry had situated a teapot. I lifted it. It took some effort, but I was able to balance it on my head.
“Who in their right mind orders a hat like this?” I said.
Henry laughed. “You answered your own riddle. Who in their right mind? It’s for a tea party for a ladies’ group. They’ve ordered six of them.”
I laughed out loud.
“Alice…are you still in love with that man?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know.”
Henry shook his head. “The things I’ve heard about him…”
“That’s the life, not the man. The man is one thing. Caterpillar is quite another.”
“There is not one without the other.”
“There is. But he has to choose. And he did. He chose that life.”
“Then w
hat are you doing back in the middle of it? For me? If it’s just for me, then—”
“No. For him.”
“Why?”
“Because…” Because I don’t want anything to happen to him. Because I still have hope we can be together. Because…I still love him.
Henry sighed, picked up another of the teapot hats and put it on, then sat down beside me. He patted my hand. “I know, Alice. I know.”
“You know, you’re entirely right. This is all your fault,” I said with a joking smile. “Your mistake is forcing me to face my past, forcing me to finally examine my buried feelings. It’s all rather heart-wrenching. It’s almost enough to make me hate you.”
Henry smiled softly. “Very sorry.”
“Don’t gamble again,” I warned him. “Next you’ll have me dealing with my parents’ death. Don’t you know it’s easier to repress such feelings? Ignore them. Bury them. It’s the best way, don’t you know?”
“I do. Why do you think I gamble?”
I laughed, but then turned serious. I took Henry’s hand in mine. “Be done with it. Please. We’ll find another way.”
He nodded. “I am.”
“You said that last time.”
“I know. But the only person I was hurting last time was me. Now, I see, there is more to my life than just me.”
“So you promise?”
“Yes.”
“Has Bess seen these hats yet?”
“I don’t think so.”
I leaned over then and picked up a third hat. This one featured a stack of teacups at the top. “Let’s go,” I said, taking the extra hat with me.
Laughing, Henry and I headed across the hallway. The moment we walked inside, Bess burst into laughter.
It was the best sound I’d heard all day.
14
Clockwork Hearts
I woke up the next morning to a knock on the door. I opened my eyes sleepily. Bess was already at the door.
“Yes?” I heard her whisper.
There was a muffled reply.
Sleepily, I sat up.
A boy stepped into the room and set a large crate down on the door. He tipped his hat to Bess, put an envelope in her hands, then left.
“What is it?” I asked drowsily.
“I don’t know,” Bess replied, pushing her curls away from her face. “It’s for you.”
I rose and took the envelope from her hand. Inside were two tickets for the Great Exhibition and a note:
Tickets for Bess and Henry. She should see the wonders for herself. Carriage will arrive at 9.
I’m sorry I missed you yesterday. Meet me at eleven at the big house?
W.
I paused, unsure if I should lie or not, then handed the tickets to Bess.
“What are these?” she asked.
“Tickets for the Great Exhibition. For you and Henry.”
Bess gasped.
“A carriage will be here at nine to take you.”
Without thinking, Bess turned and opened the door, rushing across the hall to Henry’s flat.
Dinah wove through my feet then paused to investigate the box, sniffing it daintily.
I bent down to take a look.
There was a tab on the lid that read, pull me.
Motioning for Dinah to move back, I pulled the tab. The lid clapped open then all four sides of the box fell away.
Lying inside was the clockwork cat from the German exhibit.
Dinah meowed at it.
Reaching out, I turned the lever, activating the mechanical creature.
Its wide aquamarine-colored eyes popped open and it rose. It looked around the room then turned and faced me. Once more, it gave me that wide toothy grin.
I laughed.
“Oh! Oh, my. What is that?” Bess exclaimed, her eyes full of wonder.
She sat down on the floor to look at it more closely, Henry following into the flat behind her.
“Our new cat, of course,” I replied, reaching out to stroke the back of its ear.
When it started purring, Bess laughed out loud. The cat turned and smiled at her. “Just look at that smile,” Bess exclaimed.
Dinah meowed questioningly at it.
“Where did you get it?” Bess asked.
I cast Henry a passing glance, but the expression on his face told me he’d already riddled it out.
“An old friend.”
“Which old friend?”
“That is a conversation for another time.”
“Alice,” Bess said, with a soft warning in her voice.
“Later, Bess. I promise.”
Bess rose and stood beside me. She pushed a stray hair behind my ear then smiled, patting me gently on the cheek. “Okay, Alice. When you’re ready. Now, what are we going to name this new creature of yours?”
The cat turned to look at me. “Cheshire…we’ll call him Chess for short.”
“Chess,” Bess said. “Well, what do you think, Dinah?”
Our little calico, her yellow eyes wide, meowed once more then stepped toward the clockwork cat and rubbed her head under its chin.
To our surprise, both cats started purring.
We laughed.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Nearly eight,” Henry replied, pulling out his pocket watch.
“The carriage to take you to the Great Exhibition will be here by nine. Can you go?” I asked Henry.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I just need to deliver the tea party hats first.”
“Oh dear, Alice,” Bess exclaimed. “I’m so excited. You must thank your friend. But whatever am I going to wear?”
“Take the red dress.”
“The one Lord Dodgson lent you?”
I nodded.
“But what if I spill something on it? I can’t risk ruining it.”
“It will be fine.”
“But what if,” Bess said then paused. “What if I get one of my nose bleeds?”
I wrapped my arm around my sister. “Take a handkerchief and don’t worry. Today is going to be a beautiful day, and you are going to see the wonders of the world.”
At that, Chess meowed.
15
Fool Me Twice
It felt strange to knock on the door of the house I’d considered my home most of my life. But there I was, just before eleven, standing in front of Jabberwocky’s big house wondering why I was outside and William was inside. But then, of course, I knew the answer. It was my fault, my choice. I’d put myself there.
I knocked.
A few moments later, Mister Sloan, Jabberwocky’s butler, opened the door. “Alice,” he said with a smile. “Come, my dear. William told us to expect you. He’s in the library.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s good to see you. Maggie said you were by the other morning. Sorry I missed you. How is Miss Bess?” He tried to hide his worry when he asked about my sister, but it was plain on his face all the same.
“She’s doing very well,” I said.
“Ever-pleasant girl, your sister,” he said with a nod. “Now, let me tell Maggie you’re here. She’s been cooking ever since William said you were coming.” The look on his face revealed something unexpected: hope.
I smiled, nodded, and then went to the library. There, I found William looking over some papers. I wasn’t able to get a good look, but I’d sworn I’d seen the word Aphrodite.
“And what do we have there?” I asked.
He shook his head, folded up the paper, and set it aside. “Nothing,” he said then turned and opened a chest sitting on his desk. From inside he pulled out a glass bottle and set it on the table.
“What’s that?”
“Powder. We mix this with a spritz of water and it creates a powerful acid that can melt just about anything. Of course, if we breathe it in we’ll be dead in a matter of minutes. If we touch it, it will melt our hands off. So, suffice to say, handle with care,” he said then set the powder back in the box and closed
the lid. “Did Bess receive the tickets?” he asked, turning his back to me as he fussed around with the contents on his desk. Was he shielding himself from my reaction?
“Yes. Thank you. She was very excited. It was thoughtful of you to include a ticket for Henry as well. I’m sure he’ll be a much better companion to her with all his fingers intact.”
“His debt is forgiven. I saw to it. He doesn’t have anything to fear.”
“Why did you do that?”
He turned and looked at me. “Why wouldn’t I? Did Bess know who sent the tickets?”
“She suspected.”
“And what did she say?”
I remember Bess’s pitying glance. If anyone knew my true heart well, it was my sister. And worse, it was William. I smiled then shrugged.
He grinned. “Did my gift arrive intact?”
“It did. Do I dare ask how you procured it?”
“I’m offended. I purchased it, of course. I thought you’d approve more that way.”
“I do. But why does that matter?”
“It matters that you approved. It matters that you liked it. Do you?”
I swallowed hard. “I do. Thank you. I named him Chess.”
William smiled. A moment later, there was a knock on the door. Maggie stuck her head inside. “Would you like your lunch in the dining room, sir?” she asked, pausing just a moment to smile brightly at me.
“Can you bring it here? You won’t be able to eavesdrop as well, but Alice and I have work to do.”
She frowned at him. “I never…Well, I’ll just bring the serving cart, then. Hello, Alice.”
I grinned at her. “Hello, Maggie.”
“Now,” William said, dropping onto a couch near the front window. “What do you think? Night job?”
I sat down beside William. The sun shimmered in through the window. The light and dark flecks of blue in his eyes sparkled. He seemed so easy, so delighted to have me there. It felt so comfortable between us. In that moment, I did something I probably shouldn’t have, but I did it all the same.
I took William’s hand in mine. “What’s happening here?” I whispered.
“What do you—”
“Not between you and the Queen of Hearts or the business or anything else. Why am I here? What is this all about?”
