''I really don't know why. She has a stunning figure,'' Alice said. ''Sophia, come on. The water's lovely,'' she shouted.
Eventually Sophia disappeared behind a tree and emerged with her arms folded across her breasts. She skipped into the water as fast as she could, and as soon as it was deep enough, submerged her body from sight. When she reached the others she was quite out of breath.
''It's very cold, indeed,'' she said gasping.
The other two looked at each other and rolled their eyes in a display of irony. They continued their conversation, still treading water in the middle of the lake.
“What would you do now, if a man came along and took our clothes?'' Alice asked.
''Oh, that thought is too horrible to contemplate,'' Sophia said.
''I would chase him,'' Georgina said.
''But there would be a horrible scandal. You can't run around naked,'' Sophia observed.
''It would be a very difficult situation wouldn't it. Although it isn't very far back to the house. I think we would have to tear a branch full of leaves from a tree and walk behind until we got close enough to run inside and get some clothes,'' Alice ventured.
''As we are talking about daring activities, I have a suggestion. When we were on the terrace a few minutes ago, I told Alice she was beautiful, and she told you and I, Sophia, that we were more beautiful. Let's find out who is the most beautiful,'' Georgina said.
Sophia looked puzzled. '' But how do you want to do that?''
Georgina explained. ''There is a ball next week at the Ferguson's. Let's see which of us can fill our dance cards the fastest. The first one to get it filled, we will call the most beautiful of us, and there will be no more dispute.''
''Georgina you are an absolute genius. What fun it will be,'' Alice said as she let herself sink under the water.
The man watching from the far bank wasn't interested in stealing their clothes, but he was interested in seeing them leave the water.
*****
''You have such soft hair, Miss Alice,'' the lady's maid said, as she poured a jug of warm water over her. Eleanor was a plump lady in her sixties. She had long gray hair tied in a bun. It made her look strict, but she was in fact, the friendliest soul imaginable. Alice's mother had chosen her to be Alice's ladies maid because she had years of experience. She trusted Eleanor to temper her daughter’s youthful urges in choice of clothing.
''And you are the kindest maid I could ever have wished for,'' Alice replied. ''How long have you been at Stanley Hall, Eleanor?''
''Oh, a lot of years, Miss. Let me see, you were born, twenty two years ago and I was here many years before that. I'm afraid to say I can remember Stanley Hall when your grandfather was alive.''
''So you must have been a lady's maid to my grandmother.''
''Yes, I was. I was very young and quite frightened of your grandmother. Your mother brought her own lady's maid when she married your father, and, after your poor grandmother died, I became a house maid. That is, until you came of age. I was so pleased your mother asked me to be your maid. You are turning into the most beautiful young lady in England.''
''Eleanor, you are very good at exaggerating, I must say. On the subject of beauty, I have a bet with Miss Georgina and Miss Sophia, this evening. We are going to see who can fill their dance cards the fastest. Who does, will become the undisputed beauty among us.''
''That sound like great fun, Miss. I am sure you will win. You are so much more beautiful than they are. Now let's get you out of the bath and into a gown fit for a Queen.''
Eleanor held out an enormous towel and wrapped Alice in it as she stepped out of the water. ''Which gown do you want to wear this evening, Miss?''
''It is awful, but I can't decide. I suppose if I showed a little décolleté, I may have more of a chance of winning our little competition, but, on the other hand, I don't want to appear too vulgar.''
''How about this one?'' Eleanor said, holding up a white gown with hundreds of roses embroidered into it. ''It's a lovely color for a fresh young lady and I think it is daring enough, without being overly so.''
''Excellent choice, thank you.''
After Alice dressed, Eleanor stood back and looked at her. ''I am proud of you, Miss Alice. You are tall and blonde and your features are finer than any porcelain money can buy. You have a lovely figure and enough bust to attract any gentleman's roving eye. You are a credit to your mother and father. Whoever marries you, will be the luckiest man in the world.''
''Alice, are you ready yet? Why does it always take an eternity for you ladies to get ready?'' Lord Ashmeer asked his daughter.
''Because, father, we are gentle creatures that need nurturing, like flowers. You do want us to look our best don't you?''
''I suppose so, now where on earth is your mother? This eternal waiting is becoming quite intolerable.''
''Father, why are you so impatient. What's the matter?'' Alice asked.
''I want to get the best seat at the card table. If she doesn't hurry up, I will be doomed to sit next to the door and have to listen to all that ridiculous music.''
''That ridiculous music, father, is modern. All young people like it.''
''Well, to me it's just a blessed din. Ah, here she is. Finally, woman, please do hurry yourself,'' he barked at his wife.
''Jeremy are you talking to me? If so then kindly do not refer to me as 'woman'. Women work in factories. I am a lady and don't you forget it.''
Lord Ashmeer felt himself suitably chastised and they left for the ball.
*****
As soon as the Ashmeers arrived, Georgina came running up to Alice. ''I already have two dances in my card, only another six and you'll have to call me beautiful all your life,'' she said.
''What are you girls up to, whispering like that,'' Lady Ashmeer inquired.
''Nothing, mother, just a little friendly rivalry.''
''Well make sure you behave with a little decorum, we have a reputation to keep. Now please excuse me, I want to speak to Lady Hanley.''
''So, please tell me, who you have on your card?'' Alice asked.
''Now that would be telling,'' Georgina said secretively.
Alice looked at Georgina. She wasn't as tall as Alice and she was dark. Her brown eyes often looked sad. Georgina had lost her mother in a dreadful riding accident and she had never really recovered from the loss. Her father was heartbroken, and almost never left the house. But Georgina was plucky, and Alice always enjoyed her practical jokes immensely. Georgina was also sought after by a number of extremely rich suitors, none of who appealed to her.
''Here's Sophia, let's see how she is faring?'' Georgina said.
''And how many of the dashing gentlemen have you managed to snare so far this evening?'' Georgina asked. Sophia had red hair and pale skin and was probably the least attractive of the three. Nonetheless, she wasn't plain and could quite easily hold her own in the evening’s competition.
''Three, so far,'' Sophia replied enthusiastically
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.''
The Duke of Ice Page 58