Who are you may I ask? the Duke said to Charles.
Charles Argyle. I am a neighbor. Half of this wood belongs to my property. I was enjoying a stroll after lunch when I saw this man assault two women. It was the most savage attack, and I apprehended him. He looked across at Sophia and gestured towards her. Just in time by the look of it.
Wait here, Alice said to Georgina. I'm going to finish this now. Alice ran into the wood and stopped next to the Duke. She surveyed the scene, and ran to Sophia. She put her arm around her, and spoke loudly, so that Philip could hear her.
Oh my dear Sophia, I am so sorry. Please forgive me, I didn't think he would do this again after what happened to me. Will you ever forgive me?
Sophia nodded. She was extremely embarrassed that the two gentlemen could see her breasts, but she had agreed to do it for the sake of her friend.
As Alice was helping Sophia, Eleanor appeared. Please excuse me, my Lord. I am a maid at Stanley Hall, and on Sunday afternoons, I walk in the woods. I saw this gentleman attack two ladies, she said pointing at Reymond. I was so afraid, I ran and hid behind a tree. It is only now that I dare come out of hiding. If it hadn't been for brave Mr Argyle, I dread to think what would have happened.
It was late when the Duke arrived back at Stanley Hall. Alice had arranged from them to stay there after the picnic, before traveling back to Winthrop Hall the next day. Alice was lying in her night gown when the Duke came into the bedroom. Alice didn't say anything, she could feel he wanted to unburden his heart.
Alice, I have been a foolish man. Everything I assumed about you was wrong. He raped you on that evening, didn't he?
Alice nodded.
Oh Lord, help me, he whispered as his head sank into his hands. After he'd composed himself, he spoke again. In the last weeks, I have come to admire you. Not just your beauty, but your kindness and your undying faith that, one day, I would come to love you. Despite what I have done to you, you have remained resolute. You will never forgive me, I know, but I was trying to do the best for everyone under the circumstances, as I thought them to be. Why didn't you tell me, or your parents, what he did to you?
Because he is a gentleman, and I a mere woman. Whose word would everyone believe?
You are right. Oh Alice, please forgive me. I will never be cold or unpleasant to you ever again.
And what have you done with Reymond?
He is in the police station in Northampton.
And what will happen to him?
I assume he will go to prison. Mr Argyle and Miss Eleanor will surely bear witness to the attack.
Yes, they most certainly will, Emily said, knowing full well what she had agreed with them.
Then he will indeed be sentenced. Four witnesses against his word. I suppose a few years in prison will do him good. And it won't be easy for him. Men in prison don't like people who attack women.
So that's it, then. We can now live our lives together.
Yes, we can. He looked at her in her nightgown and for the first time felt his desire for her overwhelm him. My dear, do you think I could perhaps......
Is it cold outside? she asked.
No, why?
Come with me. Alice got up from the bed, took his hand and crept downstairs. As quietly as she could, she opened the doors to the terrace and led him to the tent at the side of the lake.
They won't take this down until tomorrow. Make love to me here. Take two cushions and lay them down here. I want to feel you inside me as I look at the stars.
He walked into the tent and took two of the largest cushions, and laid them down right at the edge of the water.
He looked at her as she pulled her nightgown over her head. When he saw her naked, he felt his manhood becoming hard. He pulled her to him and kissed her. It was a kiss of such deep longing, that Alice gasped when he let go. She gasped more when he dropped to his knees and pulled her pubic area to his face. As his tongue slipped between her legs, she opened them wider and threw back her head. His tongue probed and delved into every fold, before settling on her clitoris. When he took the tiny bud into his mouth Alice's legs almost gave way. She pulled away and lay down on the cushions.
As he opened her legs and put his mouth on her again, Alice glanced over the lake. It was calm, just like she felt. He stopped licking her and took off his waistcoat, shirt and trousers. In just an undergarment, Alice could see that he was fully erect and ready for her. With her feet, she encouraged him to take off the remaining garment, which he did. She gasped when she saw how long his penis was.
He wasn't finished with his mouth though, and again he knelt between her open legs. He liked up and down the length of her wetness and then around her entrance. Suddenly she arched her back and dug her nails into the cushion as his mouth sucked her clitoris. He continued to suck and flick his tongue over her until he felt her explode on him. She rolled her head from side to side and stretched her legs out straight as one huge spasm engulfed her. It was several minutes until she stopped trembling.