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.