A Regency Charade Read Online Free Page B

forthrightly sent an acceptance to the more prompt host. To his satisfaction, he learned shortly afterwards that a French diplomat whom he longed to meet would be a guest. Priss, however, preferred to attend the other dinner, and, without consulting her husband, she sent a letter to the host of the first in which she fabricated a tale about being indisposed and asked that they both be excused from attending. When Alec learned what she’d done, he lost his temper and accused her of brazen dishonesty. A loud and spirited argument followed, ending with a flood of very penitent tears from Priss and an agreement from Alec to attend the dinner which Priss preferred.
    Quarrels thereafter were frequent and violent, but since they were quickly made up with tears and kisses, they did not greatly impair the pleasure of the trip and the enjoyment the couple found in travelling together. However, another difficulty began to loom like a cloud on their bright horizon, and this one threatened to become more troublesome with time. It was their relationship in the bedroom. Priss, who had been less inhibited than Alec during their brief courtship, became unexpectedly shy during intimate moments after their marriage. When Alec approached her at night, she seemed to draw into herself in fright. Alec, himself a complete innocent in matters of conjugal love, did not press her but retreated to his own bedroom as soon as he sensed her reluctance.
    Neither one spoke of the matter, and they both pretended to themselves that the problem was not of very great importance. But Alec was quite aware that sooner or later the subject would have to be faced. In the meantime, he pushed the problem aside and let himself bask in the considerable pleasure of seeing the grand sights of Europe with money in his pocket and a beautiful woman at his side.
    Paris turned rainy, and the pair left for Italy, arriving in warm and welcoming sunshine. The very air of the country made them feel excitedly festive. They were both enchanted by the color and charm of the Italian cities. They were fascinated by the Roman antiquities, the magnificent churches, the beautiful paintings and sculpture, the dazzling fountains, the lavish meals and the jovial people. It was hard to worry about the undercurrents of their marriage in such surroundings.
    They were out strolling, one sunny afternoon in Rome, when an accident occurred which was to change the entire nature of their relationship. The day was warm, and Priss had dressed in a filmy gown of white lawn with a full, graceful skirt and a wide lavender sash. On her head she’d tied a wide-brimmed hat of natural straw, trimmed at the crown with a row of lavender flowers. Alec thought he’d never seen her look more lovely. They made their way to the top of the famous Spanish Steps, a wide stone stairway which led to the street below. As they stood at the top, admiring the noble proportions of the steps and the impressive design of the balustrades, a gust of wind lifted the hat from Priss’s head and carried it right down to the street below.
    With a laugh, Alec ran down the steps four at a time and managed to snatch the headpiece before the mischievous wind could make off with it again. As he was about to climb up to his bride and restore her headpiece to her, he caught sight of a flower vendor selling her wares. One of the bouquets the woman had arranged was dotted with flowers of the very same sort that decorated Priss’s hat. He gave the woman a coin, picked up the bouquet and waved it in the air. “Prissy, look!” he called.
    Priss, looking down at him from the top, was a vision—a subject worthy of a master painter. The sun lit her hair, the wind made her skirt billow gracefully about her, and her skin seemed to glow with an inner light. He gazed up at her almost hungrily as she shielded her eyes to see what he held. “Oh, Alec! How lovely they are!” she shouted down eagerly and ran down the steps to meet him. About halfway