Beyond the Laughing Sky part 6

To say that Alice was a little suspicious would have been a vast understatement.  To say she was –a lot- suspicious still may not quite have covered it.  She wasn't certain there was a measurement of suspicion large enough to covey just how convinced she was that Reginald was Up To No Good.

Not that this was really anything new.  As a supposed evil scientist cum inventor for the city's underworld, he was quite often up to no good.  But that was the usual sort, not the kind that needed the Capital Letters of Importance.  And oh dear, she was starting to use some of his phrases.  That wasn't at all good.  If she started talking like Reginald, she honestly didn't know what she would do.  She could barely handle him speaking that way.

But to get back to her earlier ponderings, there was definitely Up To No Good-ness going on.  She suspected that it had to do with whatever his secret project was, the one he refused to let her even know the smallest detail about.  This in and of itself was disconcerting.  Whether it was a new hat or invention, Reginald was always ready to show off his latest creations to her.  This secrecy had been going on for some time, though, practically since she began working at the Mad Hatter's.  The longer it went on, the more excited Reginald became, only smiling in a thoroughly maddening fashion when she tried to trick or entice him into telling her what he was working on.

Curiosity had always been one of her worst traits, that was what her mother always said.  Personally, Alice saw it as a positive trait, how else did one ever learn anything new without being curious?  Though that small, petty voice in the back of her head intoned that it was curiosity that had gotten her into this mess in the first place, working for a madman.

Alice politely told the voice to, in essence, "bugger off," though she used more polite language.  Still, the meaning was clear.  She didn't add that she had begun to think that it had been a good thing, stepping onto the airship that day.  She was still having trouble admitting to it.

Just about the time she was starting to think she simply couldn't stand it any longer, Reginald told her that she would finally get to see what he had been working on.  But not until she closed up the shop.

He may have meant that it was to wait until closing time, which was usually a bit later.  But Alice chose to ignore that meaning, and instead convinced herself that he meant she should close up right now, even though it was early.  Reginald didn't contradict her, though he may have smiled and chuckled a little under his breath when her back was turned.  Still, he helped her close up, before leading her to the back and onto the elevator.  He sighed at the music playing (Alice caught the words "They say I'm going crazy.  They say I've got water in my brain" before she stopped listening) though she wasn't sure it was the music itself, or the lyrics that bothered him.  He had mentioned that he still hadn't figured out how to fix it.

"All right then, just slip this on, and I can lead you to your surprise," Reginald told her, as he took a large (thankfully clean) bit of cloth from one of his vest pockets.

"Surely you can't be serious," Alice replied evenly, eyeing the cloth.  It didn't help that the article happened to be bright orange with green polka-dots.

"Of course I'm serious, and don't call me Shirley!"  Quipped Reginald.  Alice just raised an eyebrow.  "Oh come on, Alice.  Don't you trust me?"

"Absolutely not," Alice replied immediately.  Of course she didn't trust him, what sort of question was that?  Even he had to realize that he had given her every reason not to trust him, given his so-called evil proclivities, even if he assured her that she was perfectly safe.  What sort of fool would trust a madman?

Apparently Reginald didn't realize what an absurd question it was, because he looked genuinely sad at Alice's answer.  She hated when he looked like that, it reminded her far too much of an oversized puppy that had been kicked one too many times, and now had lost all hope of ever being loved or petted ever again.  That looked never failed to make Alice feel like a complete wretch.  

Still, she had her pride, and had no intention of apologizing for what was really a very sensible answer.  But she did consent to silently turn around so that he could more easily tie the blindfold on.

It occurred to Alice, as this was being done, that it was very disconcerting to not be able to see.  It made ones other senses ever so much more acute.  She could hear the rustle of Reginald's clothes, and heard his breathing.  She could also feel his breath ghosting along her ear and neck as he stepped closer.  Much closer, he was a solid shield of warmth behind her.  And how he smelled!  

No, that didn't sound right.  It made it seem like his odor was foul.  It wasn't, truly.  Yes, she could make out the tang of sweat, he had been working hard today.  But there were other scents, pleasant or at least interesting.  She never would have thought she'd like the aroma of oil or metal, but they added an interesting element.  She could also faintly smell the tea he imbibed by the hour, and even picked out what she thought might be the felt and silk and other fabrics of his trade.  And overlaying it all was a smell that she couldn't classify or give name to, except for it being Reginald.  It was him, and very male, and all at once Alice's silly little heart began to flutter rapidly.  She chastised herself severely, telling herself that it was only that she'd never had a man be quite so close to her.  It was really quite improper, and for goodness sake, how long could it possibly take to tie a blasted knot?

"There we go," Reginald finally said, and he stepped away.  It was a shock to Alice's system, and she felt almost cold without that solid warmth behind her.  She was given little time to think about it, however, because her system was shocked once again when Reginald took her hand in his.

The first thing she realized was that he had no gloves on.  He wore them often to protect his hands when doing either of his jobs.  She'd never had a chance to look at them uncovered for any real length of time, except to note that they were the hands of a hardworking man, rough and getting a little careworn, with scars that he had gotten from who knew where.

His hand was rough, there was no denying that.  She could feel the ridges and imperfections where his scars were.  But for all that his touch was gentle, and when his other hand came to rest on her shoulder, she also realized his warmth extended to his hands, considering she could feel it even through her layers of clothing.  

"Now don't let us try to get ahead of ourselves," Reginald warned.  "You'll be apt to knock into something and bruise, and we can't have that.  Just relax and let me guide you, we'll be there soon enough."

That was easy for him to say.  If it wouldn't have been unseemly (not to mention embarrassing) Alice would have begun to panic.  It was awful, being so literally in the dark, and having no idea where she was or where she was going, and with only Reginald there to guide her.  She began to realize what he had really been asking her, when he wanted her to trust him.  The willingness to let someone else be in charge of your safety, while you were quite blind, required trust of the utmost level.

She knew when they left the house and were out-of-doors.  How pleasant the breeze was, and how lovely the setting sun's warmth felt on her skin!  Though even that didn't seem to match the warmth that Reginald exuded.

The footing here was a bit more precarious, and several times they had to stop so Reginald could steady her.  Finally he stopped her one last time, having her turn a little, before he removed the blindfold.

Alice blinked several times, her eyes having to re-adjust to being able to see again, and also to the light.  My, but it was bright out here.  She rubbed her eyes once, before they finally focused on what was in front of her.

It was the prettiest little cottage she had ever seen, a creation straight out of a fairy story with its wooden frame painted in her most favorite shade of blue trimmed in white, with a merry (and new-looking) red brick chimney along one side, rising above the gray-shingled roof.  There were even sweet little lace curtains in every window, which gave the whole structure the appearance that it was smiling in a shy, winsome fashion.  

And the flowers.  Oh, the flowers.  Golden honeysuckle vines trailing up every part of the cottage it could reach, gorgeous scarlet poppies in window boxes, and a wild, wonderfully untamed riotous garden of blooms in all shades and types growing along and near the little cobblestone pathway leading up to the cottage.  

When Alice was finally able to tear her eyes away from such a sight, she looked at Reginald, rather confused.  Yes, it was a beautiful little home, and he should be proud of making it look so lovely.  But why all the secrecy?  Why hadn't she been able to know he was fixing up some of his property?  She could have helped him, though admittedly he had seemingly done quite well on his own, and in fact it had all been done exactly as she would have—oh.  Oh.  Oh!

"You did this for me."  It was not a question, though Reginald nodded anyway.  "Why did you—I mean, how did you ever think—Reginald, it's far too generous!"

It was also entirely improper.  Alice could practically hear her mother's voice listing all the reasons why essentially moving in with her employer was a horrible, scandalous idea.  But it seemed Reginald knew the argument going on in her brain.

"Nonsense.  If anything, it's me being selfish.  You won't have to worry about rushing off every evening for the long slog back to your flat.  Besides, I've been meaning for years to fix up this old place.  It's got all the modern amenities now, it's really a separate house altogether.  It's a cozy little place, to be sure, and the kitchen isn't much to speak of.  But considering I hardly ever use mine, you're more than welcome to commandeer it for your own purposes, providing you might be willing to share what you make every once in a while.  I won't even have a key once I hand it over to you; it will be entirely your own home.  Please, Alice."

The last part betrayed a note of pleading in Reginald's voice.  It occurred to Alice that Reginald was very lonely.  Did he even have any other friends than Hare?  She had never heard him mention any, and she certainly couldn't call those who came to him for inventions as anything other than clients.  But she supposed it was difficult to form lasting friendships where no real trust could be made.

There were so many reasons why she should say no.  But then, there had been so many reasons why she should have said no to the job in the first place, and look where that had gotten her.  And it was such a wonderful cottage.  The words he'd used, to believe it was her very own home, hers alone, gave her the most wonderful thrill up and down her spine.

But she didn't betray this as squared her shoulders, setting her mouth in the primmest of lines as she said: "Reginald, I am going to hug you now.  I feel it only fair to let you be aware of this before I do it.  Do not get overexcited, and remember that whatever else you are that you are a gentleman, and I expect you to behave as one."

Before Reginald had a chance to respond, he found himself being embraced by Alice.  It was such an unexpected gesture that it took him a long moment before he could even think of returning it.  When he did, he lost no time in wrapping his arms around her as tightly as he could without it being uncomfortable.

They stayed that way for a while, longer than a simple thank you hug really needed to be.  But neither really noticed, though when Alice finally pulled away (much to Reginald's disappointment) her face was red.  Reginald noticed but said nothing, though privately he thought that Alice looked quite adorable when she blushed.

"Come on, I'll give you the grand tour," he said instead, holding out a hand.  Without even thinking about it, Alice clasped it within her own, and she and Reginald crossed the threshold together.

Later (much, much later, later even than it took her to admit several other important things), Alice would confess that it was on that day that she realized just how much Reginald truly loved her.  And it was also on that day that she realized she had begun to fall in love with him.