Alice was now acutely embarrassed, and was seriously beginning to doubt the wisdom of speaking at all. But what was she to do? She had hurt Whitneys feelings through her ignorance, and worse still, hurt Nic by her outburst. The only bright star on the horizon was the realization that as soon as they were alone she could begin to make it all up to Nic in a way that was guaranteed to make her feel better as well.


Naw, Its my fault..

And now Whitney was going to apologize! It was just getting worse and worse. But as Alice listened to Whitneys gabbling explanation, she realized that this apology was almost precisely what she did not want to be told. That Nic had gone out with other girls she knew full well. That he had had much more intimate relations with them than he had even hinted at with her, she understood, but preferred not to dwell on. She thought, she feared, rather, that he had slept.. or more crudely, had sex with some other girls. Now here was his sister trotting out the information in a public setting, with her as principle member of the audience. She felt her cheeks glow, and a wave of intolerable heat rushed up from her chest to the roots of her hair. Worse and worse, now she was showing herself for the inexperienced fool that she was. She covered her face with her hands, but would have rather stopped her ears. Would this girl never stop? Was her entire, paltry physical affair with Nic to be broadcast here in Madam Puddifoots? That he had told his sister was perhaps a little cause for embarrassment. Alice herself had no confident to whom she felt able to disclose her actions save in the most general way. Would that she had. But would she have discussed them with Godfrey? Death, rather. And now was she to have the whole of her private life made public?

Even as Alice cringed deeper into herself, she felt Nics hand touch hers, and she was pulled into him. She clutched at his shirt front as he buried his face in her hair and whispered to her, I didnt mean to upset you.

But really, he hadnt upset her. If anything, it was only his nearness that was saving her from tears now. She had upset herself; her impatience with Whitney had caused all of this misunderstanding, and had angered him enough to speak out to them both, to stop their foolish squabbling. It was only right that he had rebuked her. She had offended his sister, and caused him enough upset to have a headache. And now he was comforting her. Oh, Nic, you are so, so kind to me. I dont deserve you, truly I dont, she said, clasping him even tighter. Im sorry, dearest, I didnt understand. I didnt mean to upset Whitney. She would have continued with her babblings, but she lifter her face to see him, and instead of speaking, kissed him.

She quickly stole a glance at Whitney. She had promised not to do that! But then, Whitney had said she didnt mind. Oh, it was all so difficult! Did Whitney mind, or was that just part of her plan to embarrass Alice, or had she changed her opinion of Alice, and meant it when she said she didnt mind, considering Considering Nic had already kissed so many other girls. And more. Much more. How was she meant to take all of this?

There was really only one way she could take it: as a fact of life and history.

She was the virgin here; Nic was a man with experience. One who had known girls much more intimately than her, and who still preferred her to all that. That much was clear. He had shown as much by his every action towards her, including this disastrous tea-party. It should be clear to Whitney, then, as well. And it was not for Alice to apologize for her inexperience; there was no shame in that at least. And there was no shame in Nics behavior towards her, either. If he was content with her, and her simplicity, then no one could make fun of them for it. And if people, like Whitney, assumed a more physical basis to their love, then let them. Alice and Nic knew how they felt towards each other, and it was no bodys business but their own.

Alice took heart from this reasoning, and relaxed her grip on Nics shirt. Looking up again into his eyes she said, No, Darling, there is no need for you to be sorry. You were quite in the right. We were bickering like the foolish girls that we are, and you were quite right to put your foot down. I accept your rebuke in the wise and loving way you doubtless meant it. She smiled at him, now a little more at peace, both with herself and Whitney.

She even essayed a smile in Whitneys direction and said, There. That puts us in our place, I suppose. And I believe that now it is a case of least said, soonest mended. She gave Nics hand a squeeze but held on to it and added, Well, if I really cant offer either of you anything in the way of food or drink, would you mind awfully if I just had a cup of tea? I should feel most awkward if all we did was to come in, have a row, and walk straight out again. Beside, she said, with a pleading look at Nic, If I had looked forward to one at our coming, I am desperate for one now.