A Woman of Honour

Chapter 16

Helen was glad that she had told Alice the truth about her relationship with Ralph. Alice had listened sympathetically to her confession without feeling the need to pass judgement. Even though she was a countess and lived her life within the bounds of polite society, she was not critical of those who did not. She had offered Helen what she needed more than anything else; her friendship. Helen knew that it was not an offer that had been made glibly or in the heat of the moment. Alice was a woman of her word and would not break a promise once pledged.

After the confession had been made and both women had sheds tears and comforted each other with a sisterly embrace, the mood in the bedchamber soon lightened. She was not ashamed of becoming Ralph's mistress, it was no worse than anything else she had done in the past. In fact, she was looking forward to spending time alone with him. There were certain advantages in being a rich gentleman's mistress. One still maintained a level of independence that one could never have had within the bounds of a respectable marriage. She was going to enjoy every second of their time together while it lasted.

Whether it was the effects of the tea that had been generously laced with brandy or Alice's amusing anecdotes, they were soon giggling again like schoolgirls. Alice was a never-ending supply of diverting stories about her past.

'I sees you two are enjoying yourselves,' Phyllis said, as she entered the bedchamber, 'I can hear you cackling all the way down the corridor. It's six o'clock and its high time the both of yous got ready.'

'Come on, Helen,' Alice said as she stood up and stretched, 'you cannot disobey a direct command from my dear Phyl.'

As Helen stood up, she felt a little light-headed from the effects of the brandy. She rarely drank alcohol, and it had made her feel pleasantly giddy. She steadied herself using the back of the chair as a support. 'Do excuse me,' she said laughing, 'I think I have drunk a little too much brandy.'

'So have I,' Alice said, as she walked across the room towards the full-length mirror. 'I blame you, Helen. You are a bad influence on me.'

'You were the one who suggested the brandy,' Helen said with mock indignation.

'So I did,' Alice said. 'Therefore, I conclude that it was an excellent suggestion.'

Helen watched with amusement while Alice put a blanket over the mirror. 'Why are you covering the mirror?' she asked curiously.

'There will be no peeping,' she said, her voice a command. 'I want the dress to be a surprise.'

An hour later, after Phyllis had laced them into their stays and had arranged their hair in the most fashionable styles, Helen sat exhausted on the bed. Alice was the first to don her dress. It was a gorgeous rich cobalt blue that matched the vibrant blue of her eyes and the enormous sapphires that sparkled brightly around her neck. As she stood in the centre of the chamber, she looked every inch the regal countess.

'What do you think?' Alice said as she twirled around to let Helen see the back.

'You look sensational,' she said.

'My dear Helen, just wait until you see your dress,' she replied excitedly. 'Now stand up,' she ordered, 'it's your turn.'

Helen stood up and walked over to Alice. 'Turn around,' Alice said, as she lightly tied a blindfold that Helen suspected to be a silk stocking, around her eyes. 'I told you,' Alice said sassily, 'I want no peeping.'

Helen had not seen the material since the night Alice and Phyllis had come to her room to make the initial measurements. A few days later, when she had had a fitting, Alice had also insisted that she wore a blindfold. She had known then by the soft, sleek texture of the material that it was of the highest quality and must have cost Alice a small fortune.