Summary: After two years, Alice returns to Underland, to face a destiny far greater than she could ever have imagined.

Genre: Romance/Adventure

Pairing: Alice Kingsley & The Mad Hatter/Tarrant Hightopp

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or locations from Lewis Carroll's novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, nor do I own any characters or locations from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. All rights go to Lewis Carroll, Tim Burton, Linda Woolverton, Disney, etc.


Alice in Underland

Chapter Fifty

Day Eight

"We're here," Alice said. She had wished them to the sitting room, and when they all opened their eyes, Freda gasped.

"It's so strange and amazing," the maid said. She seemed a lot more relaxed about everything and it made Alice wonder just what she and the Knave talked about and what it was like between them.

Mrs. Kingsley said, "Freda, why don't you check and see if any messages were delivered?"

When the maid left Alice said, "Mother, you realise that now that Hamish knows, it means everyone will know about Tarrant. Including Margaret. What are we going to say?"

"We'll just stick with the original story," Mrs. Kingsley said. "You met Mirana when you were in Bombay and she introduced you to Tarrant, who was there too. You all became rather close friends, keeping up a correspondence after you left Bombay, and as you and Tarrant wrote each other, the two of you fell in love. When you returned to London after your last trip with the Company, Mirana was in town and Tarrant came to visit, wanting to see you. After spending more time together in person, he proposed and you accepted. You've kept it all private because you didn't want anyone to know about him until there was something to tell. I was in on the secret but was sworn to secrecy - that part is for Margaret, as she'll be wanting to know how come you never told her about any of it."

Alice nodded. "I told Hamish yesterday the engagement was a recent development, so I can say Tarrant and I only got engaged a couple of days ago and we just haven't had a chance to tell anyone yet."

Freda came in with a handful of messages and gave them to Mrs. Kingsley who looked through them to check the names of the senders.

"There's one from Lord Ascot, one from Margaret, one from that bookshop on Charing Cross," Mrs. Kingsley said, "Ah! And one for you, Mirana. From Étienne."

Mirana looked excited as she took the message from Mrs. Kingsley. As she opened it and began to read it, Mrs. Kingsley turned to Alice and said, "Which one do you want to read first?"

"I'll read Lord Ascot's and you read Margaret's," Alice said.

The message from Lord Ascot wasn't too bad. He congratulated her on her engagement and asked if she would soon call on him so they could discuss whether or not she wanted to continue working with the Company now that she was getting married.

Margaret's was short and to the point. She wanted to know if it was really true that Alice was engaged to a Lord and if so, why she never knew about it and had to hear of it through gossip, rather than from Alice or Mrs. Kingsley.

Alice sighed.

"I'll deal with Margaret," her mother said reassuringly. "You won't have to see her. We'll go to the opera tonight and hopefully we won't run into anyone...then after that you'll be back in Underland and won't have to worry about seeing anybody. I'll tell everyone that you've gone out of town to stay up North for a bit with the Duchess and Tarrant."

"What? I thought you were coming back with us!" Alice exclaimed, looking distressed.

"Yes, of course I am, darling, but I can pop back and forth if need be. You can stay put in Underland."

Alice looked at Mirana, who was smiling dreamily. "I take it the message was good?" Alice said.

Mirana nodded, her eyes soft. "He just said he was looking forward to seeing me tonight...and...er...that kind of thing," she said, blushing. "He also wanted to know if we're sure we want to meet him there, rather than him coming here to pick us up in his carriage."

"Let's sit down, all of us, and write everyone back," Mrs. Kingsley said. "Mirana, I think it might be best to stick with the original plan and tell him we'll meet him there. Then tonight, after the opera, he can come back here after you tell him the truth and we'll all go back to Underland."

"If he'll come," Mirana said, biting her lip.

"He will," Alice and Mrs. Kingsley said, at the same time, which made Mirana smile.

Alice wrote to Lord Ascot, thanking him for his congratulations and said she would indeed call on him in the next few days. She then opened the message from the bookshop. The shopkeeper wanted her to know he'd pulled several books for her to sort through at her earliest convenience. "What does everyone want to do today?" she asked Mirana and her mother.

"I was planning on taking your mother for a more extensive tour of Underland," Mirana said. "Why?"

"The shopkeeper from the bookshop has some books for me to sort through and I wondered if we might pop over so I can do that. I shouldn't be long. I want to get back to Underland as soon as possible."

"We can go to the bookshop if you like," Mirana said. "I wouldn't mind seeing it again."

Mrs. Kingsley had just finished her note to Margaret and looked up. "Yes, I know how you are when you have a project," she said with a fond smile. "So why don't we go?"

"Alright then," Alice said. "We'll go. And once we're done we'll come back to the house then go back to Underland right away."

Mrs. Kingsley nodded then collected Alice's and Mirana's messages to Lord Ascot and Étienne and went to ask Freda to send them off, along with the message for Margaret.

Mirana turned to Alice once they were alone and smiled happily. "The note from Étienne was so sweet. He's very romantic. I can't wait for tonight!"

Alice grinned. "It's going to be lovely. And I can't wait until you tell him the truth and he comes back with us. Then all your worries will go away once and for all."

When Mrs. Kingsley returned they all went outside to wait for the carriage. Once it arrived, they got in and headed straight for the bookshop. Alice was greeted warmly by the shopkeeper and taken to the back. He'd pulled a good amount of books aside and when Alice went through them she decided to get the whole lot, as they were all good and would be perfect for the library. After she paid for them and arranged for their delivery, the three ladies left and immediately got back into the carriage, urged somewhat hastily by Alice, who didn't want to run into anyone and was eager to get out of there.

Once they got back to the Kingsley house, Alice told Freda that the bookshop would be sending another delivery of books that afternoon, then Mrs. Kingsley told her they'd be back later, when it was time to go to the opera.

The maid looked a bit envious about them going back to Underland and Mirana noticed. She smiled and told Freda she could come back with them after the opera, and Mrs. Kingsley nodded her agreement. Freda's eyes lit up, clearly at the prospect of seeing the Knave again, and Alice and Mirana exchanged a smile.

Finally they were ready to go. Alice stood between Mirana and her mother and once they'd all taken each other's hands and closed their eyes, she wished them back to Mirana's chambers.

"Where are you going to go on your tour?" Alice asked Mirana and her mother.

"I thought I'd show your mother the Tulgey Wood where the battle took place on Frabjous Day. And then maybe take her around some of the nearby villages."

"Are you going to go see Tarrant now?" Mrs. Kingsley asked.

"Yes...he wants me to help design the wedding dress so he can get started on it right away."

Mirana and Mrs. Kingsley exchanged a look and smiled indulgently.

"Have Cora escort you," Mirana said meaningfully.

Alice nodded. With Stayne on the loose she'd need to be extra vigilant.


"Ah! The bride to be!" Mr. Gaillard cried jovially when Alice entered the workshop. "May I offer my most sincere congratulations!"

"Thank you," Alice said warmly.

Tarrant looked up and smiled happily. "Come here, angel. Take a look at my sketches. I've so many ideas and I want to know what you think."

Alice smiled and went over to him and he took her hand and kissed it sweetly. She looked at his sketches and gasped. "Oh! They're all so beautiful, Tarrant! I don't which to choose from."

They spent the next hour going through the sketches, making alterations and improvements to each one as new ideas came to them, then they began eliminating the ones they didn't like as much as some of the others. When they finally came up with the design they agreed was perfect, Alice curled up in her favourite chair and worked on her drawing of Tarrant, while he got started on the dress.

A while later it was time for lunch, and they decided to eat in the Royal Dining Hall with some of the other Lords and Ladies, in an effort to be more sociable. Lady Fleurette and Lady Cyrilla were there and when they invited Alice and Tarrant to join them, the newly betrothed couple accepted.

After they all went to the buffet and filled their plates, they sat down together at one end of the dining table, and as they ate, Alice told the two Ladies about the library she wanted to have built and she talked about the books she'd bought so far.

"It's so exciting," Lady Fleurette said. "I shall find it very interesting to read books from the Otherworld, and I imagine everyone else will too."

"Oh yes!" Lady Cyrilla said enthusiastically. "I can't wait to see what you've brought."

"You should see the atlas of maps Lady Alice has of the Otherworld," Tarrant told them. "It's so much bigger than you could ever imagine." He went on to describe what he'd seen of the Otherworld so far, and they listened, fascinated.

Lady Cyrilla's eyes sparkled and she said, "How I would love to go to the Otherworld! It sounds so wonderful!"

Alice gave her a conspiratorial smile. "I imagine you will one day."

After lunch they bid the Ladies farewell, then Alice told Tarrant she wanted to have a nap so she'd be fresh for the opera later.

He escorted her to her chambers and came in for a moment so they could share a kiss on the balcony, then he told her he wanted to get back to the workshop so he could work on the dress. "The sooner it's done, the sooner we can get married," he said, his eyes shining.

Alice wrapped her arms around him. "Then you must get back to work on it, right away," she said with an adoring smile.

He pulled her close and hugged her tightly then kissed her. "My sweet Alice," he said tenderly, then he kissed her again.

She caressed his cheek, gazing at him with soft eyes.

After giving her one last kiss he whispered, "I'll see you in a bit, angel."


Once Tarrant had gone, Alice had a bath and washed her hair then she laid down on the bed and had a nap.

Cora woke her up a little later, saying her mother wanted to see her.

Alice got up and Cora helped her dress then escorted her to her mother's chambers.

When Alice got there, Mrs. Kingsley smiled at her and said, "Come, darling, let's go out to my balcony and have a little chat. I haven't really had a chance to spend any time alone with you since you got engaged."

They went out to the balcony and sat down.

"So!" Mrs. Kingsley said gaily. "I just stopped at the Dressmaker's workshop and had a peek at the wedding dress sketches and the work in progress. It's going to be beautiful!" She gazed at her daughter affectionately. "I'm so very happy for you. Tarrant is a very special man, in more ways than one."

Alice smiled softly. "Yes, he is."

"I'm so glad you listened to your heart and waited for the right person. And there's no doubt that Tarrant is the perfect man for you." She beamed. "He's so dear. I realise now, you always knew what was best for you, even when I didn't. I know I told you before...but I want to say it again. It was wrong of me to push you to marry the way I did. I worried about you. You're so much like your father...but you're a woman. I thought it was important to get you settled." She smiled ruefully. "I pushed Margaret too and look what happened with her."

They both grimaced at the thought of Lowell. "You did what you thought was best for your daughters," Alice said gently. "I know it can't have been easy these past few years without Father. And I certainly didn't make it any easier on you, being the way that I am."

"No, darling. I love you just as you are. Seeing you here in Underland and with Tarrant and Mirana...you've finally found your place. I know how alone you've felt all your life, especially after your father died. But here, you've grown into yourself and I couldn't be more proud."

Alice smiled. "I'm so very glad you're here, Mother. I only wish I'd told you sooner."

"I can understand why you didn't," Mrs. Kingsley said softly. "But you've told me now and how happy I am that you did!"

Alice took her mother's hand and squeezed it affectionately. Then she frowned, thinking of her sister. "What are we going to do about Margaret? We can never tell her the truth. How are we going to explain why she can't visit Tarrant and me?"

"We'll tell her you and Tarrant are going to live at his estate in Scotland. And you can put her off from asking to visit by telling her you and Tarrant will be travelling a great deal."

Alice nodded. "Yes," she said thoughtfully. "That sounds good. And very believable."

"You know, Alice, I've been thinking. You know how you told me a bit about your plans to expand Underland, and about your ideas on helping the people here find matches in the Otherworld, as you all call it? Well, I think it's a splendid idea. And I'd very much like to help and be a part of it."

Alice beamed at her mother. "I had a feeling you might. Just think, Mother. Underland was a very dark, unhappy place for such a long time. Did you know no one has gotten married since the Red Queen did? Even though she's gone now and Mirana is trying to rebuild everything, it's still stagnant and needs new life. I want to somehow find a way to bring new people here, from the Otherworld. It will take a lot of careful thinking and planning but I believe it's what I'm meant to do. We just have to find the right people, ones who fit in here and will embrace this world wholeheartedly."

Mrs. Kingsley nodded. "You're so much like your father. You have vision...but you also have the ability to make your vision a reality. I look forward to helping you in your endeavors to rebuild and expand this world and shall do all I can to contribute to its success."

They smiled at each other then Alice gave her mother a hug. "I love you, Mother. I don't think I've said that enough over the years."

Mrs. Kingsley hugged her back then smiled at her softly, looking a bit emotional. "I love you too, darling." They gazed at each other and smiled then Mrs. Kingsley took out her pocket watch to check the time and said, "I believe we should start thinking about getting ready soon. Mirana wants us all to have Tea first and after that we'll get dressed." Her eyes sparkled. "This is all turning into such an incredible adventure!"

Alice grinned, happy to see her mother so animated and full of life. "Let's go to Tea then, shall we?"


When they got to Mirana's chambers Alice saw that Tarrant was already there.

He went to her and took her hand and whispered, "The dress is coming along nicely."

Alice gazed at him, feeling her heart swell when she saw the sweet, earnest expression on his face. "Then I imagine it won't be long at all before we can marry," she whispered happily.

He squeezed her hand then kissed her cheek tenderly. "Yes...perhaps in just a few days time. So we'll need to start making plans for the actual wedding soon. We can talk about it later tonight, after we get back from the opera."

They joined Mirana and Mrs. Kingsley, who had already gone out to the terrace, and sat down.

Mirana poured the tea and once they were all served they discussed the plan for the night.

"We'll go to the house then take the carriage and meet up with the Marquis at the opera house," Mrs. Kingsley said.

"And after the opera I'll tell him everything," Mirana said, looking both excited and nervous.

Tarrant smiled at her. "You shouldn't worry," he said softly. "There's no doubt of his feeling for you. I shouldn't think that knowing the truth about you and Underland would change that."

Alice nodded. "Trust in Fate. He's the one for you. I know it."

When Tea was over they all went to start getting ready.

Alice decided to wear the red velvet gown with black satin trim that Mr. Gaillard made for her. It would be perfect for the opera. Cora helped her dress then sat her down to do her hair, arranging it rather artfully in a style that was quite becoming. Once it was done, the maid went to send for Tarrant.

He arrived shortly after, looking breathtakingly handsome. Proving once again that they had an uncanny rapport, even when apart, Tarrant had chosen similar colours as Alice, donning a black velvet jacket with matching black trousers, a charcoal grey waistcoat, and a red patterned ascot. Instead of his favourite hat, he was wearing a black one with a red silk sash at the bottom, similar in style to his favourite hat. He looked quite elegant and very dashing.

"Oh! Tarrant! You look amazing!" Alice breathed.

He grinned then pulled her close for a kiss. "And you look so very beautiful," he whispered adoringly. "That dress really suits you."

They went to Mirana's chambers and Giselle let them in, a huge smile on her face. She looked at them admiringly and told them they both looked brilliant. She was dressed the part for a chaperone to a Duchess and she looked quite excited and rather pretty.

"You look lovely, Giselle," Alice said warmly. "Truly."

Giselle beamed then told them that Mrs. Kingsley was already there, helping Mirana get dressed. Tarrant sat down in the sitting room and Alice went back to the dressing room to check the progress.

"Oh!" Mrs. Kingsley exclaimed when she saw her daughter. "What a beautiful dress!"

"Mr. Gaillard made it," Alice said with a smile. She looked at both her mother and Mirana. "And don't you two look stunning!"

Mirana looked especially beautiful. She was a bit keyed up but nothing could take away from how radiant she looked. Mrs. Kingsley was doing her hair and once it was finished Mirana stood and checked herself in the mirror. "It's lovely, Helen," she said softly. "Thank you."

The three ladies looked at each other and smiled.

"Are you ready?" Alice asked.

They went out to the sitting room and when Mrs. Kingsley and Mirana saw Tarrant they both gasped.

"God, Tarrant! You look so dashing!" Mirana said. "Good heavens!"

Alice grinned and went to stand beside him, and Tarrant took her hand.

"You look very handsome, dear," Mrs. Kingsley said admiringly.

"You match so perfectly!" Mirana said. "Did you plan that?"

Alice and Tarrant smiled.

"No. It just happened," Alice said, then she turned to look at Tarrant, her eyes shining.

He gazed back at her, his expression mirroring her own, and squeezed her hand.

"Are we all ready then?" Mrs. Kingsley asked.

Everyone nodded.

"Come, Giselle," Mirana said. "Take my hand. Helen, you take Tarrant's."

They all got into place and when Mirana gave the word they all closed their eyes and Alice wished them to the Kingsley's sitting room.

Giselle gasped when she opened her eyes, and everyone smiled. It never ceased to amuse them when they brought someone new along and they saw the reaction it elicited.

"What do you think?" Alice said.

"Oh! I just can't believe I'm actually here!" Giselle said excitedly.

Freda came into the sitting room and gaped at them all. "My goodness. You all look so nice!" she said, her eyes wide.

Mrs. Kingsley took Giselle by the arm. "Why don't you come with me and I'll show you the house and gardens," she said. "Now I know what it's like to see a strange new world so I imagine you'd like to see all you can."

Giselle nodded eagerly.

Mrs. Kingsley looked at Freda. "While I show Giselle the house, why don't you get started packing since you'll be coming back with us tonight?"

Freda smiled happily and went off to do just that.

When Giselle and Mrs. Kingsley left, Mirana turned Alice and Tarrant. "You two really look magnificent! Honestly! Tarrant, I've never seen you look so handsome. I love the hat!"

He smiled and thanked her. "You look quite beautiful," he said. "The Marquis won't be able to see anything but you, I imagine."

Alice giggled. "It's true. He's going to be flabbergasted. You look absolutely enchanting."

Mirana blushed and smiled.

Mrs. Kingsley and Giselle returned a while later from their tour of the house then they all went outside to show Giselle the gardens.

Tarrant took the opportunity to pull Alice away for a private moment. "You really look exquisite, angel," he said softly, caressing her face then kissing her sweetly.

"So do you," Alice said, putting her arms around him and burying her face in his neck, breathing him in. A rush of love for him coursed through her and she drew back to gaze at him. "I adore you, you know. I love you...so much it makes my heart feel like it might burst sometimes."

He hugged her emotionally. "I love you too," he whispered, his arms tightening around her. He cupped a hand around the back of her head and pulled her close and kissed her tenderly.

"Alice? Tarrant? Where are you? Come along, darlings," Mrs. Kingsley called. "It's time for us to go."

Tarrant grinned then took Alice's hand and they went and joined the group.

Freda had already called for the carriage so it was ready and waiting for them when they went out through the front door. Tarrant gallantly helped everyone inside then got in and sat beside Alice, taking her hand.

When the carriage began to move, Giselle looked out the window. "This is incredible!" she breathed, looking quite exhilarated.

Mirana gazed out her own window, a dreamy smile on her face.

Along the way, Mrs. Kingsley played tour guide to Giselle, who looked out the window eagerly at everything, her eyes wide with excitement.

Alice and Tarrant smiled at each other and snuggled closer together, holding hands, their fingers intertwined.

When they arrived at the opera house Tarrant got out and helped the four ladies disembark.

Étienne appeared suddenly, as if he'd been outside waiting for them, and he took one look at Mirana and gaped at her, looking quite dazed. "Vous avez l'air magnifique, ma chère Duchesse," he said softly, forgetting to speak English. "Absolument magnifique."

Mirana smiled and blushed. "Étienne, this is Giselle, my Maid. She's to be our chaperone tonight, as Helen will be chaperoning Alice and Tarrant."

The Marquis could barely take his eyes off Mirana long enough to look at Giselle and say, "Enchanté."

Giselle gaped at him.

Alice and Tarrant exchanged a look with Mrs. Kingsley and they all smiled.

Étienne took Mirana's hand and kissed it, gazing into her eyes the whole time.

Mirana stared back at him and they just stood there, lost in their own world.

After a long moment Alice stepped forward to nudge Mirana.

"Oh!" Mirana said, startled out of her reverie. "Er...shall we go in?"

Étienne finally seemed to remember himself. "Forgive me!" he said turning to look at everyone, then he bowed charmingly. "Good evening, my friends."

Alice and Tarrant smiled, then curtsied and bowed respectively. "Hello," they said in unison.

Mrs. Kingsley curtsied then said warmly, "Hello, dear Étienne. We're so very delighted to join you on this fine evening."

He smiled at her, his eyes sparkling. "Perhaps we should go inside," the Marquis suggested, offering Mirana his arm. When she took it, he gazed at her and smiled softly. "Come along, my friends, ma chère Duchesse," he said, "and I'll take you to my box."

He gestured for everyone to follow and led them inside.

As they went in, Alice looked around nervously to see if anyone she knew was there. Thankfully she saw no one and she turned around to whisper to Mrs. Kingsley, "I really hope no one we know is here tonight. I don't see anyone...yet."

Once they got to the box, they all sat down, and Étienne sat beside Mirana and turned to look at her, then leaned closer and whispered something to her that made her smile. He laughed and they began to talk softly to one another.

Alice grinned at Tarrant. "How besotted he is with her!" she whispered.

A servant appeared suddenly and began to pour out glasses of wine for everyone.

The Marquis pulled his gaze away from Mirana and looked at the group. "I had my manservant bring a few bottles of my best vintage along."

"Oh! How lovely!" Alice said. "Is it the same vintage from the other night?"

"No, this one is even finer. Mon plus grand millésime de tous les temps. Ma plus grande réalisation en tant que vigneron." He looked at Tarrant then back at Alice. "Ah! Something is different tonight. Il s'est passé quelque chose de spécial?"

Alice smiled. "Oui. Nous nous sommes fiancés hier." She held out her hand to show him the ring.

"Mais c'est merveilleux. L'anneau est superbe." He turned to look at Tarrant. "I was just telling your fiancée how beautiful the ring is."

Tarrant smiled and thanked him.

"He made it for me himself," Alice said proudly. "Tarrant is quite an artist."

"Mon Dieu! How incredible. I recall that you make hats and dresses...but this ring...extraordinaire!"

"Show him the other ring, Alice," Mirana said.

Alice displayed her right hand next to her left. "Yes, he made these both."

Étienne examined the two rings then looked admiringly at Tarrant. "Oui, un véritable artiste! I'm most impressed. Ce talent! You have such talent!"

Tarrant blushed a bit and thanked him.

Étienne turned to Mrs. Kingsley. "Vous êtes heureuse qu'un homme aussi remarquable se marier avec votre fille?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, I couldn't be happier to have Tarrant as my soon to be son-in-law." She turned to smile affectionately at Tarrant and he smiled back at her, looking very happy.

The wine was passed out by the manservant and when everyone was given a glass, the Marquis raised his and said, "To a lovely evening!"

They all echoed his sentiments and everyone took a sip.

"Oh! This is so good!" Mirana exclaimed softly.

"Yes. It's extraordinary," Mrs. Kingsley agreed.

Alice and Tarrant nodded.

"Le meilleur millésime que j'ai jamais goûté," Alice said.

"And you, Mademoiselle?" he asked Giselle. "Do you like it?"

Giselle nodded. "It's lovely," she said a bit shyly.

The Marquis smiled at her. "You are the Lady's Maid to La Duchesse?" he said.

"I am," Giselle said.

"And our chaperone tonight," he said. He looked at Mirana and grinned impishly and said, "I shall have to behave myself then."

Mirana laughed.

The orchestra began tuning up and Mirana's eyes lit up with excitement.

Étienne gazed at her, his eyes soft, and Alice heard him whisper, "How enchanting you are, ma douce Duchesse."

Tarrant heard it too and he and Alice smiled at each other.

When the opera began, Alice saw Étienne move closer to Mirana and take her hand.

Tarrant took Alice's hand and leaned forward, his eyes wide with wonder. "This is incredible," he whispered.

Mrs. Kingsley smiled.

The trio from Underland watched, rapt.

Étienne whispered to Mirana, "Do you know what they're singing, ma Duchesse? Do you understand Italian?"

When she shook her head, he whispered softly to her the basic gist of what was happening, all throughout the entire First Act.

Tarrant and Giselle listened to the loose translation, watching the action onstage in awe.

When the First Act finished, Mirana turned to Étienne, her eyes shining, and said, "This is amazing! It's so lovely and so very charming."

The Marquis gazed at her and brought her hand to his lips. "I'm glad you like it," he said softly.

Alice smiled at their adorable display then turned to ask Tarrant what he thought.

"It's astonishing," he said. "I love it."

Alice gazed at him and smiled happily.

When the Second Act began, everyone leaned forward and Étienne continued to softly translate what was going on. He was careful to keep quiet during the duets and arias, as he had been during the First Act.

Tarrant squeezed Alice's hand and watched, mesmerised.

After the Second Act ended, Étienne smiled. "It's wonderful, isn't it?" he said.

"Oh yes!" Mirana breathed.

He gazed at her, looking enchanted by her reaction.

The manservant came around and refilled everyone's glasses.

"How lovely it must be to have your own vineyard," Mirana said. "This wine is heavenly."

Étienne grinned then whispered something to her which made her blush prettily.

Alice looked at Tarrant. "In the next Act you'll get to hear my favourite song. It's a duet, and it's divine. Truly."

"Ah!" the Marquis said, his eyes twinkling. "You must be referring to the duet between the Countess and Susanna...Sull'aria."

Alice nodded. "I think it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written."

Mrs. Kingsley smiled. "You know, after hearing the both of you sing the other night, I can imagine you and Mirana singing it together. It would be quite something, I think."

"Oh yes!" Étienne said enthusiastically. "It would." He looked at Alice then Mirana. "You two must learn it!" he said.

Mirana smiled and said, "I shall have to hear it first."

When the Third Act began, everyone turned their attention back to the stage. As he did for the other two Acts, Étienne translated.

Tarrant held onto Alice's hand, enthralled.

When the famous duet began, Alice leaned forward, swept away by the beauty of the music.

The two sopranos had exquisite voices and as they sang a hush fell over the entire opera house, and it was as if time stood still, and they had all been transported to a higher plane. It was magical.

Alice got tears in her eyes, and when the duet ended she looked at Tarrant and saw he had tears in his eyes too. He squeezed her hand and smiled at her, looking quite moved, then reached into his pocket and gently gave her a handkerchief. Alice snuck a peek at Mirana and saw she had tears on her cheeks and that Étienne had put his arm around her and was handing her a handkerchief too, looking overcome with tender emotion at the sight of her tears. Alice turned to look at her mother and Giselle and saw they all had tears in their eyes as well.

When the Third Act ended, they all looked at each other and smiled reverently, knowing they had shared a very special, transcendental moment they'd never forget.

"That was truly...divine," Mirana said softly.

Étienne gazed at her. "It was," he said just as softly.

Alice noticed he was holding her hand and caressing it tenderly and she looked at Tarrant and smiled.

Tarrant gazed back at her then put his arm around her and pulled her close to whisper in her ear, "I love you, Alice." He said it so earnestly and with such feeling, it made her heart ache.

"I love you too," she whispered into his ear then she laid her head on his shoulder, feeling quite emotional.

As the two couples slipped into their own little worlds, Mrs. Kingsley talked softly with Giselle, telling her about Mozart and the history behind his creation of The Marriage of Figaro.

Finally, the Fourth Act began.

Étienne translated, as he did for the other three Acts.

Tarrant kept his arm around Alice and she leaned against him as they watched the rest of the opera.

When it was over and the audience stood to applaud, they all rose to join them.

The crowd was effusive and the standing ovation went on for a few minutes, then finally the curtain closed and the lights came on.

Mirana whispered something to Étienne, who nodded, then she went over to Alice and pulled her aside.

"I'm going to tell him now," she whispered. "He wants us all to go back with him to his house and he wants me to go with him in his carriage."

"It's the perfect time to tell him, then," Alice whispered back.

"Yes...but it's a rather private conversation. Would it be wrong if we went unchaperoned?"

"No. Just tell him you need to speak with him about a very private matter so you want to go with him in his carriage, just the two of you," Alice whispered. "You won't need to explain to any of us and I'll quietly let Giselle know as we walk out. We'll follow you in our carriage."

Mirana nodded. "I'm so nervous," she whispered.

"Don't be," Alice said softly. "He's in love with you. He's not just besotted. It's plain as day. When you tell him, the moment he has any doubt, which he probably will, just call for Absolem."

"Thank you," Mirana said, taking Alice's hand and squeezing it.

Alice smiled at her. "Let's go now. The sooner you tell him, the sooner you can relax and just enjoy each other, with no more worries hanging over you."

Mirana nodded then went back over to Étienne.

As they walked out, Mirana and Étienne had a whispered conversation, then when they got outside, the Marquis turned to everyone and said, "When our carriages come, if you would be so kind as to follow my carriage, we can go to my home and enjoy another glass of wine or perhaps something else."

"That would be lovely, Étienne. Thank you," Mrs. Kingsley said graciously.

Alice whispered to Giselle, "Come in our carriage. She's going to tell him on the way over."

Giselle nodded.

The two carriages arrived and Étienne helped Mirana into his, then turned to everyone and said, "The Duchess and I will take my carriage and you can follow us, if that's agreeable."

They all nodded, then Mrs. Kingsley went to speak to the coachman, telling him to follow the Marquis' carriage.

When she returned, Tarrant helped Alice, Mrs. Kingsley and Giselle into the Kingsley carriage then got in and sat next to Alice.

"Oh my!" Mrs. Kingsley said. "Mirana must be so nervous."

The carriage began to move, following Étienne's, and they all looked at each other.

Then Alice smiled. "I just know it's going to be fine."

Tarrant nodded. "I agree. He's not just smitten with her; he's clearly in love with her."

"That's what I said!" Alice laughed.

"Yes...of course he is," Mrs. Kingsley said. "It's quite obvious. But the anticipation is quite...suspenseful."

Giselle said, "He's very handsome and charming. I've heard so much about him from the Queen but meeting him in person...and seeing them together...I don't think she has anything to worry about."

Everyone nodded their agreement then they all fell silent.

Finally the carriages arrived at Étienne's house.

"Here we go," Alice said softly.

Tarrant got out and helped the ladies disembark then they all turned to look at Mirana and the Marquis.