''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.