A Wonderland Wedding

Chapter Four: A Mad Morning

"Mum."

A shake. "Mum."

Alannah opened her eyes, glaring at her youngest. "What, Victoria?"

Victoria gulped. "Lady Morningside is standing outside the cottage."

Alannah bolted awake. "What the deuce does she want?"

Victoria shrugged. "I don't know, but she refuses to leave until she sees you."

Alannah sighed in exasperation. "Does Michael know she's here?" Victoria shook her head, and Alannah sighed in relief. "Well, thank goodness for small favors. I'd better go and see what she wants."

She slid out of bed and threw on her robe, walking out to the front room. She opened the door and glared at Lady Morningside. "What?"

"Lady Stayne, I have come to once again object to the upcoming wedding."

Alannah rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Lady Morningside, you have made your objections known. You have also been informed that if you continued with the objections that you would be dealt with. My son is marrying Arianna in two days' time, and nothing you say or do will change that. Now, I advise you to leave before my husband wakes up. He will not be as rational as I am being."

Lady Morningside huffed in indignation. "My son is a much better match for Arianna. Surely even you, a low class peasant, must realize that."

Alannah glared at her. "Lady Morningside, this is your last warning. Leave now and stop trying to force your hand or I swear by Time you will regret angering me."

Lady Morningside chuckled haughtily. "What are you going to do? You took an Oath to not harm any living creature."

Alannah grinned malignantly. "I never said anything about harming you. But I am an extremely accomplished potions mistress, and I could make something that would cause you grave humiliation. For example, how would you like to wake up with no hair? Or with a beard? How would you like to find that your skin had turned bright green overnight? I can make potions that will do all those things, and more, and I can make them undetectable in food or drink. To put it bluntly, Lady Morningside, I would tread cautiously around me. You might just find that little something 'extra' in your meal."

Lady Morningside gawped at Alannah in fear. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh, wouldn't I?"

Lady Morningside gulped. "I see. Well, then I suppose I should be leaving."

Alannah smiled coldly. "Brilliant idea."

"Wait, don't leave yet!" Victoria came out of the kitchen with a small vial filled with a dark green liquid in her hands. She gave Lady Morningside a disarming smile. "Would you please do me a favor, My Lady?"

Lady Morningside smiled at the sweet little girl in front of her. "Of course, my dear."

Victoria turned her charm up. "Oh, thank you so much. I just made this really nice smelling cordial, and I would be so honored if a real Lady was the first to try it. So if you could?" She gave Lady Morningside a wide, simpering grin.

Lady Morningside took the vial. "I'd be honored, young lady. It's nice to know there's someone in this family that knows how to treat their betters." She uncorked the bottle and took a gulp. "Tastes very nice…oh my! What's happening?"

Victoria, her eyes still wide with innocence, shrugged. "I don't know. But it appears that you have a pig nose." She looked over at Alannah, who was leaning against the door, breathless with laughter. "Mum, Lady Morningside has a pig nose. It fits her quite well, don't you think?" Alannah, still laughing, nodded.

Victoria turned to Lady Morningside, her innocent smile gone. "It's not permanent, lucky for you. But it will last a couple of days."

Lady Morningside wailed in humiliation and ran off, covering her nose with her hands. Alannah finally got herself under control.

"When did you have time to brew that?"

Victoria chuckled. "I didn't. I used the potion you made a few months ago and diluted it so it wouldn't be permanent. I remember you telling me about that once."

Alannah nodded. "Aah, that makes sense." She looked over at the clock. "Well, the rest of our clan should be up soon. Want to help me make breakfast? And by the way, why were you up so early anyway?"

"I couldn't sleep. Can we have squimberry tarts and red clover rose tea?"

Alannah grinned. "Sure. Tell you what-why don't we make a big batch and invite everyone for breakfast in our Garden?"

Victoria nodded. "That sounds great! How are we going to invite everyone?"

Alannah smiled. "Chessur. But first things first-get the mixing bowl down for me."

Helen Kingsley opened her eyes, smiling at the man sleeping near her. Richard Devons had been courting her for several months, and she was still a bit surprised at how well she got along with him. They had met at a rather boring Christmas party, and immediately had gravitated towards each other. She had found much to her delight, that Richard shared many of the qualities that had first attracted her to Charles. Somehow, the talk had turned to family, and Richard had told her that he and his late wife had never had children, but that he was quite fond of them. Helen had felt a connection to him and told him all about her daughters and grandchildren, even telling him where they lived. To her immense relief, he didn't dismiss her as mad or claim that what she was speaking was nonsense, but believed every word. That had cemented their friendship, and when he came to visit her a month later at the Estate with a bouquet of roses their courtship had begun.

She stretched and climbed out of bed, pulling on her dressing gown, and walked over to the window, staring out onto the beautiful scenery. She had visited Marmoreal many times over the years, and she never failed to be fascinated by its splendor.

"Helen? Is everything alright?"

She turned and smiled at Richard. "Yes, it's fine. I was just thinking about how beautiful this place is. I think it changes every time I come here."

"Oh, it does indeed." The sound of a disembodied voice made Richard jump in fright and glance wildly around.

Helen placed her hand on his arm. "It's alright, Richard. It's Chessur. Chessur, show yourself. You are scaring my friend."

The Cheshire Cat slowly materialized, grinning at Richard, who continued to gape at him. "I'm so very sorry. I forget that people aren't used to cats that vanish. Be that as it may, Alannah wishes to invite the two of you to breakfast in her Garden."

Helen grinned. "We would be delighted."

Chessur grinned wider. "Wonderful! Now, if you will excuse me, I have a few more people to invite." He vanished, and Richard shook his head in amazement.

"Strangest thing I've ever seen. Well, shall we go to breakfast?"

Tarrant was in his Shop putting a few more touches on a Hat he was making when Arianna came in. "Dad, do you have any superglue? I can't find mine."

"Third shelf above the cut patterns. Why do you need it?"

Arianna gave him an innocent look. "I just told you why. Oh, and can I have some of this ugly green cloth? Oooh and some of this yellow-and this-what color is this? Puce? Oh, and this bright pink felt-and can I borrow a bottle of the purple dye you use for your suits? Do you have any sequins?"

Tarrant stared at her in complete confusion. "Yes, but…"

Arianna grinned at him. "You'll find out soon enough why I need the items, I promise." She gathered everything she needed and left, leaving her father scratching his head.

Later that morning, after everyone had gathered in the Staynes' garden for a fine breakfast of tarts, cakes, scones, pudding, and teas, Victoria and Alannah told what had happened with Lady Morningside. Stayne and Michael were less than amused at the fact that she was still not able to accept that her son had lost out, but had laughed just as heartily as the others when Victoria told of the deception she had played.

Arianna giggled. "I can top that. Lord Duncan came to see me yesterday in my shop under the guise of wanting me to make him a shirt. While he was there, he said some very rude things about Michael-how he would never be able to keep me in the manner to which I was accustomed, how he would probably have a girl in every town, all sorts of ridiculous notions. I told him that Michael would cut an arm off before he betrayed me, but told him that I would still make him a shirt to show him I harbored no ill will. I finished it an hour ago and asked my friend Charlotte to bring it to him. I do hope he finds it suitable."

At that moment, there was an angry shout. "ARIANNA!"

Lord Duncan came storming into the Garden, trembling in rage and humiliation. He was wearing a shirt that defied description. It was a bright purple, with yellow, green, and puce cloths scattered randomly throughout, and large sequins glued to the arms, front, and back. "I put this shirt on in the dark of my room, and then when I came outside I noticed…this!"

Arianna gave him a wide eyed look. "I think you look perfectly fine, Lord Duncan. After all, you asked me to make you a shirt that reflected you, and I did. It's just like you-a shiny and ugly piece of shukm. You're just lucky that I decided not to make it so it was super glued permanently to you. But it will be stuck to you for quite a bit-about three days."

Michael and Josiah guffawed in laughter, and Josiah was the first to find his voice. "Well done, Ari! Duncan, when will you realize that Michael is the much better choice for my sister? Now, unless you wish to challenge both him and me to a fight, I suggest you leave this Garden with your humility intact."

Duncan stared at him, and Josiah stared right back, his eyes a light orange. Duncan shivered, then turned and flounced out of the garden.

Lydia chuckled. "What a stuck up git. Arianna, no wonder you don't like him. He reminds me of someone I used to know. She was a stuck up brat."

Tarrant giggled. "Well, at least now I know what you needed all those items for. I must say, that shirt was absolutely perfect for Lord Duncan."

Alice laughed. "It was indeed. I've always said that Arianna has a talent for making clothes that flatter a person."

Arianna grinned madly. "It was nothing, really. But I don't think we'll have any more trouble from the Morningsides. Michael, please pass me a scone."

After breakfast, Arianna approached Alannah. "Alannah? Can…can I ask you something?"

Alannah nodded. "Of course, love."

Arianna blushed. "Well…it's about….the wedding night. I…well…I'm scared that I won't be…well…adequate for Michael. Oh, I know he's an innocent like me, but…well…"

Alannah put her arm around her. "Arianna, being scared is normal. When the time comes, remember that Michael loves you and would never do anything to hurt you. I wasn't as lucky as you will be, but if his father is any indication, Michael should be a wonderful lover."

Arianna blushed, and Alannah giggled wickedly. "Also a very….energetic one."

Arianna giggled in shock. "Alannah!" She grinned wickedly. "Mum and Dad can be quite energetic as well. Right, Josiah?"

Josiah nodded. "Oh yes. I remember one time I was looking for Mum for some reason. I must have been about twelve, and I was passing by Dad's shop when I heard these strange noises. I opened the door, and…"

"That'll do, Josiah." Alice spoke up, face slightly flushed. "The whole world does not need to hear of the activities your father and I sometimes get up to."

Katarina giggled. "That's nothing. I once almost walked in on Mum and Dad in the bath. Mum, you are quite vocal."

Alannah glared at her. "I'm aware of that, devil child. You are impossible."

Katarina grinned. "I know."

Erik smiled. "I love impossible things. They're always so interesting." Katarina blushed.

"That's very kind of you, Erik. Have you ever seen Marmoreal?"

Erik shook his head. "No, I've not had the pleasure."

Katarina smiled. "Well, I know it quite well. Would you like me to show you around?"

Erik smiled and extended his arm. "I would be delighted, Miss Katarina." Katarina took his arm and together they left the Garden.

Stayne smiled. "It's about bloody time she found someone worthy of her." Alannah laughed in agreement.

"You aren't worried about her being alone with him?"

Stayne shook his head. "No, Lydia, I'm not. Katarina is more than capable of taking care of herself, and she's also able to see…well…what a person is truly like. Believe me, if she thought Erik was anything less than a gentleman she wouldn't give him the time of day."

Helen chuckled to herself. "This has certainly been a mad morning. I can't wait to see what the rest of the day brings."