page4 (1/2)

Through a haze of tobacco s inaudible in Mosley’s ear The lieutenant grinned broadly, his eyes shining in her direction Boyce gave Mosley a nudge of his elbow and Mosley stood up He offered his hand to Alice

“You look flushed, Miss Aubrey,” remarked Mosley “How about some fresh air”

The stifling heat of the inn smothered her She fanned her face with hand “I do believe a little stroll outside ht clear my head I do feel quite peculiar”

Alice staggered to her feet, giggling at her ineptitude Mosley caught her elbow and looped her arht air struck her face and a wave of nausea accompanied her dizziness She had no idea of the time

“Where are we going?” She stumbled on a cobblestone

“Careful, sweet Alice,” murmured Mosley “This way I’m sure the cool air will help you I often find a walk is excellent for the health, don’t you think?” Mosley continued to prattle, an inconsequential stream of words that failed to penetrate into Alice’s befuddled head She swung on his ar?

Leading her away from the inn, the lieutenant directed Alice towards a side alley “Come I’m sure this is a short cut to the park”

“It’s little late in the night for a walk in the park” She looked back over her shoulder at the main street and wondered if it would be better to stay in the light

His hand drifted up and down her back, roving about her narroaistline and squeezing her flesh through the corset Alice jerked back around Was a fir there, if only because it stopped her frohts and parks She had the company of a fine officer and she revelled in the attention once again If only her head didn’t swim about so much

Mosley put hisa ditty “As pretty Polly Oliver Sat , ‘tis said, a comical fancy came into her head”

Alice, with a keen ear, quickly picked up the melody and joined in with the lieutenant “Nor father nor mother shall make me false prove, I’ll list for a soldier and followseehts and desires and as a consequence, her voice grew louder as she followed Mosley’s lead “And Polly, restored to her woht in a home and a mate…”

She stu her fli her wet feet, Mosley knelt down, lifted up her skirt and ran his hand over her mud-splattered ankle

Alice stared down at hi hand underneath her raised skirt, fingertips pressing on her joint She could not quite believe her eyes, a young officer in his s She blushed and felt giddy with excitement

“I’m quite sure it isn’t sprained, my dear Miss Aubrey” His voice sounded husky and low He looked up However, his face was cast in shadows and she could not read it

She put her weight on the leg She felt no discomfort “I’m sure it is fine—”