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“This evening?” enquired her mother, eyebrows raised

She tried to cover up her tre hands with a napkin Her parents mustn’t see her exciteer take ”

Alice referred to the stable master who doubled as the coach into town

Henry puffed out his lips while Alice held her breath “Youto be gained fro with the military”

Alice tried not to blush Had he guessed at her plans? What rong with an up and co officer would ood match for me”

Henry snorted “Junior officers, regardless of their appearance, are not necessarily from the best families, especially in the militia You must temper your infatuation with soldiers”

She didn’t care, allanta suitable wife? However, she must not let her father know She wanted to surprise hi and adventurous she could be when courting “It does not matter, I shall be with Philippa and Lucy Oh please, Papa” She fluttered her eyelashes

She tapped a spoon on the saucer and waited, so his lips, he let out a sigh of defeat and gave his verdict “Very well, Alice You may visit your friends”

“Oh, thank you Papa!” She proffered him an appreciative peck on his cheek, which resulted a bemused shake of his head

“Take your pelisse, Alice,” said her mother “It will be cold when you return”

Alice seated herself in the gig, her pelisse coat folded over her lap and waved to her er flicked his whip and the solitary horse immediately took off at a trot

The journey, travelling along the turnpike, took barely fifteen er didn’t need directions, he was familiar with the townhouse where the sisters lived with their parents Pulling up outside the iron railings, he helped Alice down on to the paving

“Thank you, Grainger,” said Alice, clutching her pelisse “I shall see you later, here as agreed Yes?”

The elderly , directing the horse to turn about in the middle of the road Alice suspected he would seek out a suitable location to tether the horse then sample the local hostelry It was a si on the door of her friends’ house, she quickly picked up her skirts andwith head tucked down, so not to be noticed by any possible acquaintances

She passed other taverns along her route; they were filled with either the local riff-raff or the lower ranks of the regi out later in the night between the two if they were to mix