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Somewhere inside Alicia, hidden perhaps even to herself, there was a confident, capable young woman…he wondered if he would be lucky enough to see her emerge in the next few days.
* * *
Alicia opened her mouth wide and loosed a titanic yawn. Though the sun had still not set and it was likely no later than seven o’clock, she was too fatigued by the day’s misadventures to stay away from bed any longer.
Besides, she thought, turning down the covers on the small, humble bed.It may not be the bed I had my heart set on this morning, but it is still a flat surface with a pillow. That will do, for now.
Indeed, as soon as she slipped into the sheets she was surprised at just how comfortable it was. The duvet was much older than her own at home, but it was stuffed with goose down, and the warm pressure atop her body eased any kinks or strains not erased by the warm bath Mary-Anne had so kindly had drawn for her.
As Alicia’s eyes fluttered, taking in unfamiliar surroundings of the room, bathed in the orange light of twilight, she marvelled at how quickly her life had taken a turn for the unexpected. Instead of her own bed, she was now in this strange, dusty room in an old house in the middle of nowhere. Instead of a sumptuous supper with Grace, prepared by their family’s staff, she quickly ate a bit of cold beef and was glad for it.
Most of all, instead of returning from Missus Miggins’ home to her own familiar continuity, she was here, with nothing to do with herself but wait. No public visits, no fights with her sister, no delicate social manoeuvring.
And that Laurence…she thought, her heart quickening ever so slightly.What on earth is such a man doing out here in the country?If a man with Laurence’s muscular build and staid, polite manner were ever sighted in London society, Alicia was sure, he would rise to the upper circles of the ton within a week. If he weren’t immediately drowned in marriage proposals from every eligible young woman in the city, that is.
And I have such a man as my host…She yawned despite the tremble that ran through her insides at the memory of Laurence’s warm smile and bulging biceps. A smile came across her face, picturing Laurence walking so confidently to her aid after the crash. She wondered how dirty and sweaty he must be after such labour, and pondered if he would be using the same bathtub she had used. An image flashed before her of the man stripping off his sheer white shirt, his tight brown trousers…
Alicia started at such a wicked thought. She was no stranger to matters of romance, but it was unlike her to be so preoccupied with the male form, especially of a man so outside her social circles.Perhaps it is best Herbert will only be gone for a day or two,she thought.Though it is a bit of a pity, somehow. Whatever else he is, Laurence does seem to be a remarkable man.
Then her eyes slipped closed, and she fell into blissful sleep.
