Chapter 35 #3
“Well, before we do…” Alice tried to quickly think of a reason to say that she and the freshly bathed Blinkem should go off alone and have a private discussion, but the entire thing felt strange now. It would have to wait. “Should we eat?”
“That we should!” Nimmie agreed. “I had Dulaney start the smoker out back. We should be plenty full for the walk in a shake of a fox tail.”
With their stomachs full of smoked vegetables and nut soup, Alice and Blinkem trailed behind Nimmie, Tinkerton, and the Captain on foot through the forest.
“I’m sorry for the things I may have not disclosed,” Blinkem said quietly. Tinkerton turned over his shoulder, grinning, after hearing Blinkem’s remark. Alice nodded. While she wished to apologize, she also wished to suggest they wait to have the conversation.
“Are you upset with me?” Blinkem whispered.
Was she? Perhaps. She had spent the night wondering if she was completely out of her mind or if she had actually seen him turn into a white rabbit—the white rabbit. Yes, she was upset with him.
“Well, you found time to groom and bathe. Perhaps that time could have been spent telling me what it is you have not?” Alice said sharply, then immediately regretted her words. Why must she always be so confrontational?
“You’re right. I thought you were sleeping.…” Blinkem trailed off.
“I did not sleep a wink.” Alice fumbled with her waist pouch.
Now did not seem to be the time to ask about the pocket watch, but it was driving her mad.
In fact, she had every right to be confrontational.
Blinkem knew where they were, and he knew the ins and outs of this place, and Alice was just as lost as she had been since they’d arrived.
“I’m sorry, Alice. I could have gotten you more quilts,” Nimmie said, stopping in her tracks to turn to Alice. Alice sighed and left the pouch tied.
“No, your cottage was lovely. It’s all the excitement.”
Nimmie nodded, and Alice waited until she began walking again, then stopped. Blinkem stopped, as well, but he looked miffed.
He huffed. “I request your forgiveness. Will you require that I make a promise to consult you prior to every bath I require, or will this one suffice?”
Alice’s mouth dropped. “Sarcasm is not very becoming on you. It is clear now is not the time for this discussion.” She began to hurry forward, then turned abruptly, pointing a finger at Blinkem’s chest. “I will remind you, it was you who decided we should run through a mirror and not the front door! So, I’m here because of you! ” Blinkem nodded. Good. Alice turned.
“Hey,” Tinkerton called back to them, a few paces ahead.
“Give us a moment!” Blinkem snapped, and his voice startled Alice.
Tinkerton tossed his hands in the air, then continued walking, mumbling something to Nimmie.
Blinkem grabbed Alice’s hand to hold her back.
“Look, I’m sorry. My sarcasm just then wasn’t necessary.
I assure you I am trying to get you to safety.
You must trust me,” he said, flustered, but she didn’t have to do a thing.
“I find myself in a place I do not know,” Alice harshly whispered, “surrounded by people with whom I’m unfamiliar.
I know nothing about you! Trust seems a high demand.
Especially when you are leading me to a witch!
” She glanced up to see that Nimmie and Tinkerton had slowed their pace—to listen, no doubt.
She lowered her voice. “What I mean to say is, whatever you have been tasked with regarding me, and whatever got us here, you assure me, you tell me right now, you were not sent to do harm, were you?” Alice knew he was not, but she needed to ask.
Blinkem’s face became very somber. “I would never do anything to harm you. My only goal is to protect you. It would destroy me if you were hurt,” he said, his eyes fixed on hers. She nodded, for a moment unsure of what to say.
“But, why?” she asked, finally, but Blinkem wasn’t giving anything further. “Then. And I feel almost mad asking this, but I saw what I saw. You can take the shape of a rabbit, can’t you? Can you confirm that I did not suffer from a delusional episode last evening?”
Blinkem’s eyes shifted as he cleared his throat. “I can.”
“It was you! Wasn’t it? In Kensington Gardens?” Alice felt like she would scream if he didn’t answer her.
Blinkem held her eyes unblinking for a moment. “Yes,” he finally confirmed, “I am the white rabbit.” Alice’s breath escaped her body as she looked into his red eyes beneath long white lashes.
“You two coming, or what?” Tinkerton hollered.
“Come, before the intrigue is too much for Tinkerton to bear,” Blinkem said.
Sure enough, Tinkerton had stopped walking and watched them with crossed arms as the captain stomped somewhere far ahead.
Alice let Blinkem lead, bewildered by what she now knew to be true.
He was the white rabbit. She had seen it with her own eyes, and yet—how could it be? How could any of this be?
She didn’t know a great many things, but she knew there was a decision to be made, and so, she made it—she decided that she could trust Blinkem. That would have to be enough for now.