A/N: Thank you Niphuria for giving me the inspiration, idea, and research to do this! It means so much to me! and this story thanks you!
Thanks to Chey, again!
Alice awoke sitting in a chair in the garden. The festivities had lost some of their excitement and people moved at a slower pace, looking over to her occasionally. She found it was much easier to breath and that now that she had her facilities back, she was hungry.
"Are you alright, Alice?" She looked up to see Henry Lewis, the doctor friend from her attempted travel to China, was standing above her.
"I think so, what happened?" Alice asked, placing a hand to her temple. A worn hand that belonged to Tarrant sent a glass of water before her.
"Drink, dear." He murmured.
"Your corset was far too tight on such a hot day," Henry said, holding up a thoroughly shredded codfish. "Thankfully, Mr. Hightopp was nearby and had a pair of scissors handy. He was the first to the scene. Cut the thing right off you."
"I told you that you didn't look well."
"Bloody codfish," Alice muttered. Henry looked to Tarrant. "I really do want to visit with you sometime, Alice. But I am afraid right now all you need is a bit of space to breath and some fresh water. Mr. Hightopp has assured me that he will keep you well replenished."
"You have my word." Tarrant said, rising from the table. "Just grab my attention if you need me, love." Henry moved away from the two.
"I am in town for the weekend, Alice, and have been invited to dinner tonight by Hamish and Lowell. I hope that you don't mind me joining."
"No, of course not," She said still a little breathless. "We shall have to talk then."
"Yes, then. Please keep up the water, Alice. I don't want you hitting your head on the stones again." He turned to Tarrant and shook his rough hand. "Good work, Mr. Hightopp. Lady Kingsleigh is lucky that you were there. I hope she doesn't mind the bit of modesty you took from her but with the situation being the way it was-"
"It's all right, I'm living correct?" Alice asked.
"Of course," Henry said giving her a slight bow. "I must be off to my next dance."
"Still single?" Alice asked.
"Perpetually. Unfortunately it's hard to tell a British born and bred lady that you want to move to America to help on the Western frontier."
"I have a suggestion before you go then, Lord Lewis." Alice said.
"Oh?" He paused.
"Ask for the dance card of Winifred Havershim."
"I will then, thank you Alice." With that he descended the stairs.
"Please don't do that again, Alice. Ye 'ad meh scarred teh death, Ah almos' rehped all yer clothes off ye." Tarrant's brogue began to slip in and out in his worry.
"Thankfully you were there for me, my love." She sighed. "I can't be a normal guest ever, can I?"
"I'm afraid not, love. But you know what, that's why I love about you. Now just give me a glance when you need something. I'll be right over there." He gestured to the refreshment table.
"Of course, do you think you could, by chance, grab me a few tea sandwiches?"
"I am sure I can have that arranged." He bent down and roughly kissed her cheek. "Now be good, I'll be back." He went off in a hurry. Alice was very bad with waiting; it often made her curious which made her get into trouble. So to distract herself she began to observe different party guests. It wasn't long until a certain dark haired, handsome man caught her eye. He was across the lawn, standing anxiously by himself. He looked at her with concern. It was Callum. Damn! She was supposed to dance with him. No doubt he had some amount of information that could be useful to her. She picked up her fan gently and smiled over to him. He looked at her nodding his head.
Are you all right? He mouthed. She touched her right cheek with her fan*. He sighed with relief. She then dropped her fan **. Looking up at him as she picked it up he nodded his head. She then touched her hand to the tip of the fan***. He cocked his head in confusion. She closed her fan and placed it to her right eye****. He smiled at her and stamped his foot seven times. She touched her right cheek with her fan. He smiled at her and winked. She shook her head. She fanned herself slowly+. He frowned. Quickly she drew the fan across her eyes ++. He shrugged slightly. He gestured to his left ring finger and then to Tarrant. She touched her right cheek again. She looked across the lawn and saw that Faith was beginning to examine the two. Alice turned her gaze away from Callum for a second, twirling her fan in her left hand+++. She looked back to see that Callum was looking around. He sighted Faith and turned his right foot to point at her in a gesture. Again Alice touched her right cheek. He went to approach her but Alice drew the touched the fan to her left cheek ++++. He paused, his eyebrows crossing in confusion. She fanned herself with her left hand*+. He nodded in understanding. Tarrant was calling for her and she glanced his way. He had upon his plate several tea sandwich halves and her stomach rumbled with delight. She turned back to Callum as she finished up their wordless conversation. She covered her left ear with the open fan*++ and then casually slipped it behind her head*+++. She then smacked her fan seven times*++++ and placed the fan once more behind her head, this time extending her finger**+. Tarrant approached with the tea sandwiches.
"I didn't get to tell you love but I think that Lowell has given me a hint as to where the looking glass went. He had a buyer come several days ago and buy some of the furniture from your father's study." Tarrant began.
"I wish he weren't selling it, while it isn't my father, it's a nice memory." Alice commented. Tarrant nodded his head in understanding.
"He doesn't remember who he sold it to. Hamish is taking care of most of that end of the business, since he technically inherited the things due to him inheriting the company. However he has no use for them."
"I should request they save his globe." Alice said with a sigh. "We can bring it back."
"Perhaps I shall do it for you."
"No, I'll see him this evening. I will be seeing Callum at seven o'clock too. Perhaps he can help us out to who could have bought these items."
"It's a possibility, my love." Tarrant placed the sandwiches in front of her. "Tomorrow we can sneak off, it'll be Friday and Lowell will be on his way London for the weekend. He is going earlier to see Parliament on Friday and invited me along. I declined, saying that I had work that needed to be done." Tarrant smiled at her. Alice rolled her eyes.
"We had best be careful or we're going to get caught." She laughed.
"Eat your sandwiches; I'll worry about the cleverness part. After all, I did run the Underground Revolution for thirteen years."
"You're too clever, my mad man." She grinned and then took an unladylike bite from the sandwich.
Tarrant giggled his mad giggle."You're too beautiful, my fair one." With a pat on the shoulder he turned back to the refreshments table. No use getting caught now when their clothes were still on.
Chapter Notes:
*Yes
** We will be friends
*** I wish to speak to you
**** When will I be able to see you?
+ I am married
++ I am sorry
+++ We are being watched
++++No
*+ Don't flirt with that woman
*++ Do not betray our secret
*+++ Don't forget me
*++++ Seven o clock
**+Goodbye
