will have made me so,” replied Elaine without any malice whatever. Seeing no retreat, she obviously wished to make the best of the situation and I could tell indeed by the changing expressions in her eyes as she brushed her hair that she was as prepared to accept the greater openness of our acts as I, and with as much amused mischief. “Who else shall be of this party?” she asked then with such self-possession as made her previous behaviour about it seem but a game.
“None but the most civilised—and none that you will otherwise know, which will make it all the more intriguing, will it not? Arabella, what say you that I ask your parents while you yet remain here?”
To this I eagerly assented, though even in so doing I questioned how Pearl was to manage it, being unknown to them.
“I am acquainted a little with your father,” replied she to my surprise. “I met him by way of business several times in the sale of some land and a few other matters that you would not have concerned yourself with. He, I believe, can be perfectly persuasive with your Mama, so I anticipate no problems about it. I have a mind to venture that way and so will call upon them. For the nonce then I will leave you two angels—for such you really are—to pass the time together and will return on the morrow.”
At this an interruption came as a maid knocked and Elaine went to answer.
“The Master says as are you coming down, Miss?”
“We shall ALL be down,” called Pearl, at which the maid disappeared and we all gave a final touch to our attire. “He is anxious for news, you see, for we must reserve our cabins upon a steamer,” Elaine and I were told, which caused me quite a tingling feeling of excitement.
Descending, we found my uncle awaiting us in the morning room while Pearl made immediately ready to depart, affording each of us a swift kiss upon the cheek before doing so, much as any maiden aunt might. Seeing her departure made so soon, my uncle made bid to follow her, but she being accompanied as was proper by one of the servants, he evidently could not say what he wished to and so returned. I had no doubt then that he wished to know what she had told us—and indeed whether she had told us. Putting therefore a bold face upon it, I said without further ado that Elaine and I much looked forward to our forthcoming trip.
An expression of relief spread over his face. His eyes searched Elaine's which dropped. She appeared to busy herself with a loose thread in her dress. Offering such complicity as I thought was needful, I ran to close the door and then returned. The morning room gave out upon the conservatory, but there was no sign of my aunt about nor anyone else. The former was engaged in conversations with the gardener into which my uncle had inveigled her. Knowing her interest in all matters horticultural, I guessed that she would be some time about it.
“If Papa but agrees that I may go—oh, but I am sure he will for Pearl is very persuasive,” I said familiarly. Elaine standing uncertain, I approached him so that he stood between us. “How she flattered us, did she not, Elaine? Why, Uncle, she said that we were two perfect peaches and must be ready for a lot of mischief.”
The expression clearly startled my cousin who made as if to step away, but at that my uncle chortled and placed his arm about both our waists.
“So indeed it may be, Arabella, but what is life if it may not be lived without care. What say you, Elaine? Shall we sport a little there and enjoy ourselves?”
Releasing a giggle, Elaine glanced across him at me and bit her lip. “Oh, I know not, Papa,” she responded.
His grip about us tightened. He was clearly emboldened His eyes sought mine. The faintest smile came upon my lips. I appeared, I believe, to nod. At that, his right hand slipped down to caress my bottom while his left accommodated itself similarly under Elaine's warm bulge.
“Peaches indeed you are, and withal as firm as melons,”
“None but the most civilised—and none that you will otherwise know, which will make it all the more intriguing, will it not? Arabella, what say you that I ask your parents while you yet remain here?”
To this I eagerly assented, though even in so doing I questioned how Pearl was to manage it, being unknown to them.
“I am acquainted a little with your father,” replied she to my surprise. “I met him by way of business several times in the sale of some land and a few other matters that you would not have concerned yourself with. He, I believe, can be perfectly persuasive with your Mama, so I anticipate no problems about it. I have a mind to venture that way and so will call upon them. For the nonce then I will leave you two angels—for such you really are—to pass the time together and will return on the morrow.”
At this an interruption came as a maid knocked and Elaine went to answer.
“The Master says as are you coming down, Miss?”
“We shall ALL be down,” called Pearl, at which the maid disappeared and we all gave a final touch to our attire. “He is anxious for news, you see, for we must reserve our cabins upon a steamer,” Elaine and I were told, which caused me quite a tingling feeling of excitement.
Descending, we found my uncle awaiting us in the morning room while Pearl made immediately ready to depart, affording each of us a swift kiss upon the cheek before doing so, much as any maiden aunt might. Seeing her departure made so soon, my uncle made bid to follow her, but she being accompanied as was proper by one of the servants, he evidently could not say what he wished to and so returned. I had no doubt then that he wished to know what she had told us—and indeed whether she had told us. Putting therefore a bold face upon it, I said without further ado that Elaine and I much looked forward to our forthcoming trip.
An expression of relief spread over his face. His eyes searched Elaine's which dropped. She appeared to busy herself with a loose thread in her dress. Offering such complicity as I thought was needful, I ran to close the door and then returned. The morning room gave out upon the conservatory, but there was no sign of my aunt about nor anyone else. The former was engaged in conversations with the gardener into which my uncle had inveigled her. Knowing her interest in all matters horticultural, I guessed that she would be some time about it.
“If Papa but agrees that I may go—oh, but I am sure he will for Pearl is very persuasive,” I said familiarly. Elaine standing uncertain, I approached him so that he stood between us. “How she flattered us, did she not, Elaine? Why, Uncle, she said that we were two perfect peaches and must be ready for a lot of mischief.”
The expression clearly startled my cousin who made as if to step away, but at that my uncle chortled and placed his arm about both our waists.
“So indeed it may be, Arabella, but what is life if it may not be lived without care. What say you, Elaine? Shall we sport a little there and enjoy ourselves?”
Releasing a giggle, Elaine glanced across him at me and bit her lip. “Oh, I know not, Papa,” she responded.
His grip about us tightened. He was clearly emboldened His eyes sought mine. The faintest smile came upon my lips. I appeared, I believe, to nod. At that, his right hand slipped down to caress my bottom while his left accommodated itself similarly under Elaine's warm bulge.
“Peaches indeed you are, and withal as firm as melons,”
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