by Sarah Thorn
Alice felt quite dejected. Her father had been right, they had spent far too long getting ready, and now she was behind. ''Then, please excuse me, dear friends, for I shall have to make haste,'' Alice said as she walked away towards a group of handsome looking young men. One of whom she knew.
''Charles,'' she whispered, ''can I talk to you.'' Charles Argyle was the twenty year old son of Lord and Lady Argyle, the Ashmeer's neighbors. Charles and Alice had often played together by the lake when Georgina and Sophia were not available. He was tall and had jet black hair. He had inherited his rugged looks from his father who was a renowned naval officer.
''Alice. You look lovely. What can I do for you?''
''Thank you, Charles, for you kind compliment. I need your help. You see I have a wager with my friends. The first to fill their dance card shall forever be known as the most beautiful among us.''
''There is no doubt in my mind that you are by far the most beautiful. Which renders your wager quite pointless as far as I can see.''
''No, Charles. That's just your very kind opinion. But I am quite desperate to win, if I may be honest with you. Please introduce me to some of your friends.''
''Of course, I shall. We can't have you being beaten, can we?''
Charles introduced Alice to five of his friends and they all asked her to reserve a place for them in her schedule. Alice was quite elated. She was surely going to win.
The ball was a splendid affair. The Ferguson's were very wealthy and they had just built a new ball room. This was its grand opening. It had six enormous chandeliers, three down each side of the room. The tea and card rooms were the most luxurious on the ball circuit, and the orchestra had their own balcony.
As Alice glanced around, there seemed to be no shortage of suitors, but she knew precious few of them, and without being introduced it was not the place of a lady to talk to a gentleman. To Alice's horror, Georgina raised six fingers when she caught Alice's eye, and a few moments later, she read Sophia's lips as she said seven.
Alice had made up her mind.
''Excuse me, sir. I know it is certainly not my place to address a gentleman without an introduction, but I find myself in a slightly awkward situation.''
''Then prey tell, what can be so awkward that it brings you to leave the well-trodden path of social etiquette?'' The man Alice had addressed was the most handsome man at the ball. He was tall and dark, and his eyes instantly drew Alice's attention. She had never seen such beautiful blue eyes. His face was thin and his features fine, a most aristocratic and trustworthy individual, Alice concluded.
''Oh, it really is a terrible thing I am about to ask you.''
''Madam, either you tell me or I shall turn my back and continue my conversation. You decide,'' he said, impatiently.
''Very well,'' Alice said determinedly. ''I would be grateful if you and your two friends would give me your names that I may enter them in my dance card.'' Alice spoke fast, feeling her cheeks flush. She knew what she was asking was highly inappropriate and she wanted it to be finished as soon as possible. “I have a wager with my friends. I must win, you see.”
''Well, indeed, quite a cheek, if I may say so,'' he said, as one eyebrow raised above the other. ''In fact one could go so far as to say, quite shocking.''
''Sir, please. I apologize. Please ignore what I have asked, it was improper. I will now take my leave of you.''
''Do not be so hasty. Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement. Just a minute while I consult my friends.'' He turned to the two men standing next to him and talked to them. Alice could not hear what they were saying but their gestures left her in no doubt that they were referring to her. ''It is settled. You may write our names in your dance card.''
''Thank you, sir, you are most kind and you have helped me more that you know.''
''However, before I give you our names, you must promise me you will walk with me in the garden after our dance. The gardens here are magnificent and it is a beautiful summers evening. What do you say?''
Alice glanced around searching for her parents. She knew it was not fitting for a lady to wander around the gardens with a gentleman without a chaperone. But he really was handsome and most trustworthy. ''Sir, I would be happy to walk with you.''
Alice gave a little jump as she came up behind Georgina. ''It's full,'' she said.
''It can't be, you got here late and I was ahead of you. You must have cheated,'' Georgina said, a look of extreme frustration etched onto her face. She looked across at Sophia who instantly knew she had lost.
''Oh really, Alice. You win everything. Will you one day take pity on us?'' asked Sophia. ''It really is too much.''
''I am sorry, dear friends, but it appears I am the most beautiful one among us, and may you never forget it,'' Alice said with a smile on her face. The other two walked away and entered into a heated debate about how Alice could possibly have pulled off such a sudden victory.
The announcer shouted, ''the next dance will be a Brown's Reel''
''I believe this is my dance.'' It was the handsome man that had helped Alice fill her dance card.
''Sir Reynold, it will be an honor to dance with you,'' Alice said as she looked in her dance card to remember what his name was. ''You have been a great help to me this evening, I will never be able to thank you enough.''
Alice and Sir Reynold Edmonstone took to the dance floor. As they stood opposite each other, Alice looked at him more closely. He was indeed more handsome that was good for her. His blue eyes shone across the dance floor, and made her feel quite weak at the knees. He was broad chested and his legs appeared strong. She had no doubt he would be able to box even the largest of men to the ground. As the dance began, they circled one another and looked into each other’s eyes.
''Prey, where do you live Sir Reynold?'' she asked as they passed.
''In London.''
''And what do you do for a living, Sir?''
''I am a gentleman of leisure. I spend my mornings in bed resting, my afternoons taking tea with friends, and my evenings dancing with delightful ladies like yourself.''
Alice was quite shocked. Everyone she knew had a profession or at least an interest they followed. To do nothing but go to balls seemed like an empty existence.
''I assume from what you tell me, sir, that you have had many liaisons,'' Alice asked daringly.
''Perhaps I have. None more beautiful than you, though.''
When the dance ended, Alice and Sir Reynold bowed and broke away.
''Now, Miss Alice, if you remember you promised to walk with me in the garden.''
Alice searched once again for her parents. Again, they were nowhere to be seen. ''Of course. I would be delighted.''
The gardens at the Ferguson's house were huge. They employed four full time gardeners and three older men who came and went as required. The main lawn was at the rear of the house adjacent to the ball room. The back of the property was bordered by a wood and a neat path led between the lawn and the wood. The lawn was broken up into segments by magnificent borders full of asters, purple cone flowers, dahlias and foxgloves. In the very center was a statue of Aphrodite which towered above Alice and Sir Reynold as they strolled along the perimeter path.
''It really is the most beautiful garden I have ever seen,'' Alice said. ''They have thought of everything. Look, even a Greek Goddess.''
''Which one is it?'' he asked.
Alice was a little disappointed at his lack of knowledge. ''Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty, Love and Desire,'' she informed him.
''Then she is very appropriately placed.''
''Why do you say that, Sir Reynold?''
''Because that is what I now feel. Desire.''
''Sir Reynold, if I may say so, that is rather a misplaced feeling in this particular situation.''
''I disagree. It is a marvelous summer’s evening, the sun is setting, there is a heavenly scent of flowers in the air and the most beautiful of women is walking next to me. Tell me, Miss Alice
, why would I not feel desire under such circumstances.''
''Because you have only known me for the shortest amount of time, and it is not proper.''
''Do you think your behavior in soliciting my friends and I onto your dance card was any more proper?''
Alice couldn't find an answer. She had acted improperly and she was painfully aware of it. ''However bad my behavior, Sir, I did not speak of such earthy things as desire.''
As they reached the back of the lawn where the wood started, Sir Reynold stopped and turned to Alice. ''I desire you, Alice, and I desire you now.'' He reached for her and pulled her to him. When Alice felt his lips on hers, she froze. His tongue tried to part her lips, but she kept them closed. He pulled her to him, and, to her horror, she felt his manhood pressing hard against the softness of her thigh.
''Do not deny me, Alice. To do so would have grave consequences.'' He took her arm and pulled her into the wood. Alice wanted to scream but she felt unable. Her whole being seemed paralyzed by the brutality of him.
''So let’s see what you've got under your dress, young lady,'' he growled. Alice put her hands on his to stop him lifting her dress, but he was too strong. She felt the cool air of the evening against her bare legs as he lifted her skirt higher. When he held it over her bottom, he pushed her further into the wood and found a fallen tree trunk. He bent her over it, and stripped her of her underwear. Alice began to sob. ''Sir, please. I have never....please don't, you will hurt me.''
''Stop whining, woman,'' he said. She heard a rustle of clothing and then she felt his hand over her mouth. When he entered her, but for his hand, her scream would have been heard miles away. As tears flowed over her face, he rammed himself into her. He reached round and painfully grabbed a breast. When Alice was beyond screaming, he took his hand from her mouth, and grabbed her other breast. He continued his onslaught for several minutes until he ejaculated inside her. Alice by this stage had passed out.
When she came round, Alice was still bent over the tree with her bottom exposed. She quickly got up, pulled down her skirts and straightened her décolleté.
When she tried to walk back to the ballroom, the pain between her legs was so excruciating, she had to stop. She sat on the grass for what seemed like hours before Georgina and Sophia came looking for her.
''Alice, there you are. We've been looking for you everywhere. What are you doing out here.''
When Alice lifted her head and looked at them, they both instinctively knew what had happened to her.
*****
Philip, the Duke of Norfolk, glanced at Stanley Manor as he got down from his coach. He had arrived in a splendid affair pulled by six black horses. The house he noted, was old, well over two hundred years. It had four leaded light bay windows on the ground floor, two each side of the front door. Upstairs the windows were smaller and there were more of them. The green front door had an open porch, held up by two sandstone pillars.
The butler had heard the Duke's coach arrive, and went outside to greet him. ''My Lord, welcome to Stanley Manor, I am Thomas, I will take you to Lord and Lady Ashmeer. They are expecting you.'' Thomas was surprised to see how young the Duke was, he was no more than three or four years older than Miss Alice. He also noticed how tall he was, at least six inches taller than Thomas, who was five feet ten.''
Philip followed Thomas into the entrance hall and waited for him to take his hat and hang it up. The Duke glanced around at his surroundings in an effort to ascertain the wealth of the Ashmeer's. The house he was in was much smaller than those of members of his social circle, but it was adequate. He noted the black and white tiles on the floor and the open fire place. He assumed the man portrayed in the picture above the mantel piece was one of Lord Ashmeer's ancestors.
''Please follow me, my Lord,'' Thomas urged. They walked through a large arch and down a corridor. Thomas stopped, knocked on a polished mahogany door, and opened it.
''The Duke of Norfolk is here to see you, Lord Ashmeer.''
''Please show him in,'' he replied.
When the Duke walked in, Lady Ashmeer's mood lifted somewhat. She had been crying all morning, and the prospect of a solution being close at hand buoyed her spirits. She was also charmed by the Duke's looks. He had long brown hair which was tied at the back. She noted how broad and strong he looked and when her eyes took in his lower half, she quickly averted her gaze for fear of embarrassing herself.
''My Lord, please be seated,'' Lord Ashmeer said.
The Duke sat and looked at the Lord. He was small and gray haired, probably in his late fifties, he imagined. He was more interested in his wife who was perhaps a little younger and very pretty for her age. She had a delicate demeanor and he liked her eyes, although on this day, her tears had caused them to be slightly red. She was sitting on a sofa in front of the large window that looked over the garden. Philip momentarily looked past to see what was outside. He was charmed by the well-kept law which sloped down to a beautiful lake. How different the serenity of the garden compared to the mood in the room, he thought.
''Lord Ashmeer, the situation we find ourselves in is, to say the least, unpleasant, and I am here today to discuss with you and Lady Ashmeer what might be done about it.''
''Indeed, I couldn't agree more, my Lord. It is a situation of the utmost severity. Perhaps, my Lord, you will be good enough to tell us what you know of the affair.''
''Of course,'' the Duke said as he composed himself. He was unhappy to have had to leave his estate and drive to the Ashmeer's. It was a grave situation, which called for action. He feared, however, the action he was going to have to take would change his life forever. ''There are very strong rumors, throughout society, that your daughter Alice and my younger brother, Sir Reymond Edmonstone, have had an affair.'' He paused when Lady Ashmeer let out a cry.
''I am afraid it is too late to stop the rumor as it has already spread over the whole land.'' he continued. Lord Ashmeer took out a handkerchief from his green waistcoat and mopped his brow. ''My brother, who I believe to be a good man, unfortunately spoke of the affair with some friends he trusted. Unfortunately those friends betrayed his trust and spread the word into the realms of evil gossipers. I fear, unless we take immediate action, the reputations of both our families will be ruined, forever.''
Lady Ashmeer could hardly wipe her tears away fast enough, and Lord Ashmeer’s complexion was now ashen.
''Well, my Lord, we must do all we can to put the damage right, as soon as we can. I must apologize to you for the inconsiderate behavior of my daughter. We have always brought her up to be reserved and gentle. Please be assured that we are appalled by her promiscuity. It has shocked my wife and I to the core.''
''And I, Lord Ashmeer, likewise apologize to you for my brother's behavior. He is young and high spirited and it seems the two got a little carried away in their lust for one another.''
''My Lord, thank you for you kind apology. It really isn't necessary. In my opinion they are equally to blame. As you say, they seem to have let their passion run away with them.'' Lord Ashmeer gave a reassuring look to his wife before continuing. ''I have talked to my wife at length, and we are unable to come up with a solution that will save our mutual reputations, other than sending our daughter into exile. That is a possibility. However we do love and care for her, despite her shortcomings, and we would be very loathe to banish her forever.''
''Quite so. She has offended the reputation of both our families, but banishing her to a foreign land forever seems a little harsh.” The Duke paused. “If I may, I would like to offer a solution I believe will serve both our purposes greatly. It will protect the reputation of my brother and your daughter, and restore the reputation of our respective families.''
Lady Ashmeer let out a sigh of relief at the prospect of a solution, even though she still had no idea what it entailed.
''Your daughter and I shall be married.'' Before he could continue, Lady Ashmeer applauded. ''I will sacrifice any chance I have of marrying for love for the
sake of everyone involved. When society realizes your daughter is betrothed to me, all the rumors will disappear, and life will return to normal again,'' the Duke continued.
Lord Ashmeer was not immediately as convinced as his wife. ''You would do that to protect everyone? Give up the chance of marrying for love, and instead marry a woman whose reputation has been tarnished?'' he asked, quite astonished at the Duke's sense of duty.
''Indeed, Lord Ashmeer. That is my intention, and nobody will prevent me from that line of thought. Perhaps you would give me your opinion, that we may begin proceedings.''
Lord Ashmeer was a little lost for words, and, for the first time, his wife spoke. ''My Lord, thank you for your kindness. As Alice's mother, I have been unable to sleep for days. She has disappointed me in the extreme. On behalf of my husband and I, I would like to accept your more than generous offer.''
''Then it is settled,'' Philip concluded.
Lord Ashmeer pulled the bell rope and Thomas appeared. ''Thomas, please would you ask Alice to come to us, at once.'' Thomas nodded and set about his task.
The occupants of the room looked at each other in silence as they waited for Alice. When she walked into the room, Philip stood up and bowed. She curtsied. Alice looked pale and she had black rings under her eyes. Eleanor had tried to life her spirits, but nothing had worked. She stood in front of the Duke in a somber brown dress with a closed collar.
''Alice, this is the Duke of Norfolk. He is the elder brother of Reymond Edmonstone. He has come today to talk to us about a solution to the problem you have caused us.'' Alice looked at her feet and shuffled from one to the other. ''We have found a solution that is agreeable to us all. It will protect your reputation and that of Sir Edmondstone. Additionally, it will prevent the names of both families from being drawn any further into the mud.'' Alice looked at the Duke. Her faith in men had been badly dented, but as men went, he seemed charming and handsome. ''You and the Duke will marry,'' her father stated abruptly.
Alice's jaw dropped open. She had always imagined her marriage to be a happy affair, one in which she married for love. Now, that was a distant dream. ''Yes, father,'' she said resigned to her fate.