The suit consisted of a regal bedroom, a lounge, and a bathroom. The floor was bedecked with a navy blue carpet in the lounge and bedroom, and gold and gray striped wall paper. The bed was a four poster covered with crisp cotton bed clothes.
The Duke sat and read a newspaper in the lounge as Alice busied herself in the bathroom. When she came out she was wearing a beautiful silk nightgown that clung to her breasts and hips. Her blonde hair was swept back and tied with a ribbon and her long smooth legs shone in the candle light. When Philip looked at her he saw her nipples pointing through the material, waiting for his touch. She was a picture of beauty, the like of which he had never seen before. Alice walked into the bedroom and lay down on the bed in a seductive pose. The Duke followed her and sat down on the edge of the bed.
''Alice, I have to talk to you,'' Philip said. ''You are beautiful and the most seductive lady I have ever seen. But I am not in love with you. What you and my brother did together is still fresh in my mind, and I find myself unable to touch you. I do no mean to be cruel or unkind, but those are my feelings, and, until they change I will not be able to touch you, let alone make love to you.''
''My Lord is wise, and I bow to your superior knowledge in matters of the heart. I understand, and I hope one day you will come to see me as I really am. Not a woman of a promiscuous nature, but a woman who is kind and loving and who can make you happy. You will come to love me, and one day you will desire me. I will wait for you patiently until that day.''
They slept in the same bed but did not touch each other. Alice didn't cry. She had cried all she could in the last weeks, and now it was time to stop and concentrate on her marriage and future happiness.
*****
Alice started her married life in Winthorpe Hall, the Duke's summer residence. The Duke owned three houses in all. A summer residence, or rather palace, a winter residence in London, and a house in Scotland that he used to entertain guests during the shooting season.
Winthorpe Hall was a massive house. Far larger than Stanley Hall, or any house Alice had ever been in. It reminded Alice of pictures she had seen of the Palace of Versailles. It had a beautiful raised terrace at the rear and a large ornamental garden.
Georgina and Sophia came to stay, and they had looked with open mouths at the opulence of the place. During their stay they had talked of old times and the future. Alice had been very sad to see them go, but she was a Duchess now, and she had responsibilities. Her husband still hadn't touched her, but she had a household to run and to a small degree it took her mind off the Duke's stubbornness. The household she reigned over included thirteen maids, six footmen, five gardeners, four coachmen, a cook, and innumerable kitchen hands.
The summer was drawing to a close, and Alice had decided what she wanted to do. When Philip came onto the terrace and sat next to her, she opened the conversation.
''It is time for me to reconcile my differences with your brother.'' Philip raised his eyebrows at her suggestion before she continued. ''It was just a moment of lust and silliness, and I really feel it is time to put it behind us. What do you say?''
''It would indeed be a step in the right direction, but it will never take away the fact that you did something very hurtful to our families.''
''Yes, my Lord, you are right. I realize I may never win your trust, but I would like to do all I can to do so.''
''So what do you propose?''
''I would like to invite you, and your brother, to Stanley Hall for a picnic by the lake. We will sit, talk, relax and eat to our hearts content. It is a lovely place and it will be a great opportunity to smooth things over. I will invite Georgina and Sophia. They will be most agreeable company for your brother, and, who knows, he may even take one as his wife.''
''Excellent idea. Yes, splendid, let's get him married off. It's more than time.''
*****
It was a lovely late summer’s day when Alice, the Duke, Reymond, Georgina and Sophia walked over the lawn, to the specially erected tent at the edge of the lake. The tent was open at the front and faced the lake. It was full of large cushions that they could lie on, and a thick carpet. Thomas had arranged for the champagne to be put on ice, and the food delivered when Alice gave him the signal.
''Isn't this lovely, everybody?'' Alice said. ''Thank you all for coming. It means a great deal to me. As you all know, Reymond and I got off on the wrong foot, and managed to cause a bit of scandal. I would like to use today to put that right.'' She glanced at the others as they stared at her.'' I want to make a toast if you would charge your glasses.''
Alice waited until everyone had a full glass. ''I want to toast Reymond and say how sorry I am that things happened as they did. To Reymond.''