White Roses a.b

chapter 19

The Hatter's tea party was not so much a tea party as a circus. Chairs were constantly swapped and shifted, and whichever guest ended up on Hatta's right was deemed the next performer. In turn, each guest would stand up, select one of the vibrant headpieces from the surrounding walls, and proceed to entertain the others however they saw fit. The Parrot and the Cockatoo performed a comedy routine about a mime and a mimic. The Lion sang a perfect alto solo from a renowned opera. The grey-haired woman sat cross-legged on top of the table and drilled out an impressive drum solo using her knitting needles and an assortment of upturned dishes. The young Turtle recited a love sonnet with a warbling voice and shy, stammering words – once during his recitation, he glanced at Ashley and blushed deep green and was unable to look at her again for the rest of the night.

Maybe there was something in the tea – which she deemed the most delicious tea she'd ever tasted once she finally got a cup – because once Ashley relaxed, she found that she couldn't stop laughing and cheering and tapping her toes beneath the table. She learned that Hatta was prone to ordering everyone around, though most of his guests paid his orders little attention. She learned that the Dormouse used to be the liveliest one of the group, but he'd gone into hibernation a year and a half ago and had yet to come out of it. She learned that Andy felt guilty about his bat trick tangling up her hair, he confessed as he soothed back a curl and sent goosebumps down her skin.

Flustered, she batted him away.

Each time they moved, Andy stayed at Ash's side, helping her navigate around the flurry of activity, coaxing her away from the performer's chair. It was a relief to not be forced into the center of attention, yet Ashley couldn't help racking her brain for some talent she could impress them with. A fantasy crept into her head of wowing them all, of being even more awe-inspiring than Andy with his illusions and tricks. But how? She could not sing or dance or juggle. She was not an entertainer. She was only a lady.

When everyone had performed and Hatta again commanded them to move down, Jest was first to move towards the performance seat and keep Ashley free of it.

Before he could sit, though, Hatta smacked his cane over the chair's arms. 'Patience, my friend. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of seeing anything from your lady yet.' Hatta slid his haughty gaze to Ashley .

Andy nudged the cane away. 'She's here to enjoy our hospitality, not have you turn her into a spectacle.'

Ashley held Hatta's look, refusing to fidget.

Andy rolled his eyes and turned back to Ashley. 'Don't let him bully you. I'm happy to perform in your stead if you'd like.'

'It's only a little stingy,' Hatta interrupted. 'To take and take for your own entertainment, and offer none of yourself.' His words dripped with disapproval.

Andy glared at Hatta, then turned back to her and whispered, 'It isn't like that. There's no shame in asking someone else to perform for you, especially at your first tea party.' He held out his hand.

She knew he was trying to alleviate the pressure Hatta was putting on her, but she felt a bit of a sting. Right or not, how could he be so sure that she had nothing to contribute?

She studied his hand, slender fingers that weren't as smooth as hers, yet not as rough as a gardener's or servant's, either. She liked the way he had called it her first tea party, insinuating there might be more to come.

'I'll do it,' she heard herself saying, from very far away.

A grin spread over Hatta's face, but she couldn't tell whether it was encouraging or taunting. 'The lady is next!' he bellowed before she could change her mind, then swept his hand towards the hats on the wall. 'Choose a hat, my lady. You'll find that it helps.'