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He granted her wish, so done the parks and streets, he, in conjunction with her parents, agreed so more visible was needed to raise their profile The ball, hosted by a mill owner in his modest townhouse, afforded an opportunity to irls

“Lucy, you et yourself betrothed,” announced Alice, once the introductions had been completed “It is such fun to have aa measure of practice at it Arinning from ear to ear

Ed in recent weeks His legs were arden paths “You are So istrinkets in every shop we attend”

Lucy smothered a titter “Alice, you are fortunate To have met the colonel here and then betrothed so quickly What have you been doing?”

Edh He hoped Alice wouldn’t be tempted to answer such an impertinent question

Alice glanced quickly at him, then lowered her voice “My lips are supposed to be sealed I can assure you, though, the incident bestowed a very worthy outcome on me”

Edmund frowned, while her friends blushed, especially, the shy one, Ann

“Alice,” rebuked Edmund, “not a suitable topic As you well know”

Alice brushed her hand down his arm “Oh, colonel, you would spoil my fun I’m with friends”

He took in the collection of friends, who see a bone to chew on He didn’t dislike them, but he saw no attraction in their manners Alice, once in their company, had reverted to a level of immaturity he considered beneath her status as his betrothed Hoished he could take her to one side and impose order on her unruly ways He fashioned the scenario in hisin her ears, and then, if she still defied him, a brisk moment over his knee

But not yet Once theyUntil then, he would have to stow his hand away and hope his words were sufficient adht in the idea of disciplining her, yet, he wondered how she ht take it Hoould effect her opinion of him

He gave Alice one last furrow of his eyebrows, and with a roll of her eyes, she changed the topic of conversation to the latest fashions in hat attire Edhed in relief

On one bright spring day, when all the necessary formalities of courtship had been completed and the Aubrey’s reputation returned to its proper place, he reported to Alice his leave of absence fro retirement He also informed her that once they were married he would cease to wear his uniform

“Oh, will I not see you in that fine red coat any longer? What a pity,” she pouted with downcast eyes

“Being your husband will be my new unifor to see her rather pretty eyes lift up