1Chapter 11

Girls in White Dresses

Sweet, fragrant summer air accompanied us into Sophia Marskov's French chateau. I stared in awe up at the high ceiling, gilded in gold and embossed by deep, voluptuous crown moldings. Fountains all along the front lawn, and I could hear several in the back garden. Chandeliers dripping in crystals glided across the air above us like ballerinas, dancing in time to the soft music of an orchestra hidden somewhere in the ballroom.

"Tu-ra-loo!" Monty exclaimed. "This joint is prettier than a cheese ship!" He bent over to examine a Japanese vase overflowing with white day lilies.

"Wowie zowie! Bet she's got a pool and tennis court too!" Dale shouted, looking around eagerly, his tail wagging like a dog's.

Chip alone seemed to take it all in stride. "Even if she does, Dale, I don't think you're going to get to try it out tonight." His voice was completely back now, and even though the doctor had warned him not to talk too much, he was blissfully ignoring that advice. He looked around the room carefully; true to his word, he'd been one step behind me since we left the Ranger Wing on the landing strip on the roof. I still couldn't believe Sophia had her own personal landing strip. I was incredibly jealous.

"Still, Chip, it's pretty amazing," I said, running a paw distractedly through my hair. I'd stuffed my goggles in my pocket and opted for a flower instead. I hadn't worn a dress, seeing as the only one I owned was that little red thing I wore when we were weaseling around Rat Capone. Dresses like that were for spies and Lawhinie, not me.

The boys, however, were dressed to the nines. Granted, Dale's tuxedo was actually his spy costume, but it got the job done all right. Monterey had on his silk top hat and tuxedo, and Zipper had a bow-tie to match. Chip was looking quite dashing in his tuxedo, with Baby's Breath in his lapel.

"There you are!"

I turned around, only to have Sophia wrap me up in a sisterly hug. "How are you, Gadget?"

"Fine, thanks," I answered, hugging her back. "You didn't tell me you had a landing strip on your roof!"

She let go of me and grinned. "Yes, I thought you might enjoy that." She pulled me a distance away from the others. "Gadget, I was wondering if I could see you personally before the party begins?"

Involuntarily, I flinched, remembering the letter from her. "Sophia, um..."

Chip heard her, and was at my side in an instant. Sophia looked at the two of us. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

From inside one of my pockets, I extracted her letter and unfolded it, letting the light around us betray the watermark. To my relief, Sophia let loose a genuine gasp of horror and recoiled from the letter.

"No! That can't be...it was just a spare bit of paper I found lying on the writing desk. I didn't even look at it!"

"It's okay, Sophia. I didn't think it was you, but we are suspicious of someone."

"We're just not sure who," Chip finished.

"And you came anyway! Oh, you should have just told me, Gadget. Now I'm afraid...the brother must have been in my house and left the paper here. Or he still is here! What am I going to do!"

Sophia looked about to panic, when Chip intervened. "Sophia, this could be a good opportunity to draw the villain out."

"With me as bait?" I snipped.

He looked at me shrewdly, then back at Sophia. "You're a famous actress, you've got security guards, right?"

"Yes," she answered slowly.

"Well, tell them to be on the lookout. We go ahead and have the party, and when the bad guys shows himself, we'll grab him. I'll keep an eye on you, Gadget, and he won't hurt you."

"Golly, that's sweet Chip, but you've already had a run-in with the assassin. His brother's got to be just as big as him, doesn't he?"

"Maybe that's why he sent his brother out. He's not big enough to do the job."

I thought Chip was being a little too optimistic, but I kept quiet. His plans usually work out just fine, and when they don't, he's quick to improvise.

Sophia seemed wary, though. "Chip, it has only been a month since the incident. Are you sure you're able to fight with someone else?"

Chip stood up tall. "Of course. And with Monty and Dale, what could go wrong?"

"You're gambling her safety, Chip," she reminded.

"We're already gambling on it just by being here. And if we don't get rid of the villain soon, chances are you'll become a target again. Go talk to your security guards, and we'll finish this case off, all right?"

Sophia considered for a moment, then smiled. "All right, Chip, but there is one condition I must insist upon."

"What's that?"

She grinned at me. "I need to see Gadget alone before the party begins. Zipper can come with and guard the door if you want," she added smoothly, working her charm.

He swallowed a bit hard. "Gadget, are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure, Chip. Zipper will take care of me." I waved for Zipper to join us. He flew over, saluting me. "See? I'm safe, Chip."

"Well, all right, but don't be gone too long."

"Now who's worried?" teased Sophia, as she led me away.

We went up the enormous staircase on the side of the room and down a hallway adorned in magnificent landscapes and enormous portraits. "In here, Gadget," she said, and opened a pair of double doors on our right.

"This is my room," she said, pulling me in. Sophia's room was even more extravagant than the rest of her house. There was a huge canopied bed, an enormous fireplace, lavender scented candles burning, floor to ceiling windows bedecked in silk, and a heavy door leading to what promised to be an equally sumptuous bathroom.

"It's beautiful, Sophia!" I said, looking around.

Sophia rang a bell on a little mahogany table, and two women and a gentleman mouse entered. Sophia went to the man and spoke to him. "Go and tell security to be on alert. It appears the assassin," she cringed, "is back for more."

The mouse's eyes went wide, and he quickly bowed himself from the room. The remaining maids looked frightened. Sophia smiled widely at them. "Don't worry. The Rescue Rangers are here to take care of him. And this," she stepped over to me, "is Gadget."

The two mice smiled and curtsied.

"All right, Gadget. There is one more thing I have to ask of you," said Sophia uncomfortably.

"What's that?"

She blushed shyly. "You will remember, Gadget, what I said to you on the plane?"

"Which part?" I felt my cheeks go slightly red.

"When I said that I should very much like to see you and Chip enjoying yourselves?"

"Oh." My cheeks went redder. I might be clueless about my appearance most of the time, but I've always been able to tell when I'm blushing.

"Gadget, I would be much obliged if you would allow me to...dress you up."

I knew she didn't mean any offense concerning what I was wearing; she knew that was how I was, but I still felt embarrassed. And despite myself, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"I have a charming little dress, nothing too extreme, but you would look absolutely gorgeous in it. Please allow me have some fun, dear?"

I couldn't help it. "What kind of dress?"

Sophia's smile broadened, and she took my paw and led me over to the wardrobe. She opened the door, revealing a breath-taking white gown. I might have absolutely no fashion sense when it comes to everyday things, but I do know a gorgeous dress when I see one. I am a girl, after all. The frosty-white gown was endowed with a graceful V-neck, sleeves straight from Belle's ballgown in Beauty and the Beast, and a midnight blue sash hugging the middle of the dress. My eyes went wide in wonder. "It's gorgeous, Sophia!"

"It's from Dior in Paris. All satin. Do you like it, Gadget?"

"I love it!"

She smiled, satisfied. "Then Chip will too. Will you wear it?"

My admiration of the dress was cut short by this comment. Carefully, I looked at her, the dress, and thought. I have to admit, I did like the idea. I took a deep breath and made my decision. "Okay."

She practically jumped for joy. "Good! Very good! Sonya, Anya, come here!" The two maids grinned and rushed forward, giggling. Sophia gently pushed one of them towards me. "Here Anya. Take care you make her a princess."

"Yes, yes!" cheered the maid in broken English, and taking the dress from Sophia, she led me into the bathroom.

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Thirty minutes, some perfume, mascara, curling iron, and one special order Dior dress later, I didn't look remotely like Gadget Hackwrench. Anya led me back into Sophia's room, where the actress was busy putting on some diamond earrings. She was wearing a deep blue glittering gown and looked very grown up and high-class.

"Oh, Gadget, you look amazing!" She patted her hair in the mirror and murmured, "And no need to worry about anything. I've got two dozen mice on the roof and all over the house, keeping an eye out. And Zipper is still on guard." She arose from her dressing table and took my paw. "Come, you have to look in the mirror!" She covered my eyes and placed me in front of her full-length mirror. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," I replied, my voice higher than usual.

She dropped her paws from my eyes, and my breath caught in my throat. I was amazed beyond words; the girl looking back at me looked like Cinderella. Gone was the tom-boy who had walked into the room a half hour ago.

"Go-lly..."

Sophia smiled knowingly, her green eyes sparkling in the reflection from the chandelier. "Look at yourself for a few minutes, dear, before we go down. You need to remember what you look like." She walked away. "And you look like an angel."

I didn't really hear Sophia as she floated away to put the finishing touches on her makeup. I turned this way and that, trying to accustom myself to the new me. Anya had left my hair down, but curled the ends, making it wave gently. I was wearing only a hint of makeup and mascara, but that was all I needed, according to her. "You have big, pretty eyes. We will not need much makeup there."

I swear the Dior must have been made exactly for me, because I was smaller than Sophia, and it fit me perfectly, hugging in all the right places before swirling out below the sash.

I turned back to Sophia. "I don't look a thing like me. But I like it, I think."

"Good, because it's time to go down now. Are you ready?" She winked and opened the door. I stole one last glance at myself and nodded.

Sophia took my arm and guided me to the top of the stairs and we paused a moment, taking in the room full of glamorous guests below us.

Jules appeared from a side hall. "Are you ready?" He smiled warmly at me.

"Yes, thank you, Jules," replied Sophia.

Jules strode down a few steps and clapped his paws smartly. The music stopped. Sophia stepped down beside Jules and smiled radiantly at her friends below.

"Hello, everyone!" The ballroom's occupants turned expectantly towards the voice. A general murmur of expectation and excitement swept up the stairs to reach us.

Sophia glided down a step more. "Welcome, my friends! I'm so glad you could all come. I've been away for a long time, and it's good to be back." She paused while the crowd politely applauded her. "And now, dear friends, I have something to tell you, and some new friends to introduce to you. I would likely not be here this evening if not for some wonderful people whom I wish to thank: the Rescue Rangers!" She gestured to the bottom of the stairs, where I saw the Rangers had appeared, probably in expectation of seeing me. The crowd applauded again, harder this time. "They are all very brave, wonderful people. Please, get to know them. Rangers, you are my guests of honor. Make yourselves feel at home here!" She smiled brightly as the small band of Rangers at the foot of the stairs. "Thank you, thank you, everyone! And now, please, enjoy yourselves!"

The crowd clapped and resumed it's chatter. The orchestra struck up a lively tune, and Sophia turned to me. "Come out of the shadows now and let them see you."

I took a step forward, then stopped, seeing the Rangers craning their necks up to see Sophia. "Sophia..."

"Come on, Gadget. You are beautiful, remember. And I want to see the expression on Chip's face when he sees you." She smiled mischievously and reached back for me, adjusting the Baby's Breath in my hair.

My stomach flopped, and I grinned. The curiosity and excitement was killing me. What would Chip think? "Lets go."

Sophia took my arm and we descended the staircase together, watching the other Rangers. She was right; it was worth all the trauma of our latest case just to see their reaction to me. My grin widened as I watched them.

Monterey mouthed something, and Zipper, who had rejoined the others when we had left the room, whistled loudly. Chip and Dales' jaws had just about hit the floor, and their eyes were bulging. I stifled a giggle.

"Do they do that often?" whispered Sophia, nodding to Chip and Dale.

"Only on the rare occasion they see me in a dress."

We reached the bottom, and Sophia, all business and charm, stepped forward, extending her paw. Monterey recovered first and elegantly swept off his hat and bowed, taking her paw and kissing it. "You look right lovely, Miss Sophia," he said. He turned to me and kissed my paw too. "And you look like a bonzer princess, Gadget-luv" he said, winking.

I swallowed, my face plastered into a ludicrous smile. I watched Chip and Dale both kiss Sophia's paw, and then turn to me, both looking like it was too good to be true. Dale nearly tripped as he kissed my paw, and Chip looked like he was going to burst from shock as he took my paw. It tingled pleasantly as he released it.

"Well, gentlemen," began Sophia. Chip and Dale tore their eyes off me to look at her rather blankly. "It appears that you two young men are without companions. Dale," she fixed him with a pointed and alluring gaze, "would you care to be my escort this evening?"

Dale did a double take, then bowed to Sophia. "Sure thing!" he answered, and extended his arm to her. Sophia nodded deeply to all of us, then allowed Dale to lead her away into the crowd. I watched them go, then turned back to Chip and Monty.

"Well blokes, I can hear some cheese calling me name, so if you'll just excuse us, Zipper and me will be off. Oh, an' Gadget-luv, make sure to save me a dance." And with that, he disappeared in the direction of the banquet table. Chip looked slightly abashed at his good fortune.

"Are you all right, Chip?" I asked. He started and stared up at me. A few seconds passed, and he recovered completely.

"Gadget, would you care to dance?"