Gracie's Sin by Freda Lightfoot

his face came to within inches of hers. ‘We’re always glad of a bit of company out here in the back woods.’ His voice was soft, caressing. ‘You’ll come too, I hope?’
    ‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ Lou whispered back, in the same tone, a beguiling air of innocence shining from her eyes as she carefully kept her wedding ring covered.
    The corners of his mouth twisted upwards into a slight smile before he stood up, allowing his gaze to linger upon her for another second or two before he swung about and strode away. The moment he’d gone, Lou wrapped her arms about herself and doubled up with laughter. ‘The cheeky beggar!
    ‘You were leading him on something shocking,’ Gracie chided, ‘and he fell for it, hook, line and sinker, poor man.’ The pair were soon rolling about, helpless with mirth. Rose looked on, bewildered.
    When she’d calmed down enough to speak again, Lou said, ‘I must say though, he ain’t half bad looking, your brother, though a bit rough round the edges. A decent shave might improve matters but he’s not bad, not bad at all.’
    Gracie poked her in the ribs. ‘Hey, you shouldn’t even be looking. Not you, a respectable married woman.’
    ‘I know. Gordon would hang him from the mainbrace, whatever that might be.’
    This set them off into fresh paroxysms of mirth and Rose struggled to join in. She’d never thought Eddie could cause such hilarity. She’d certainly never found him the remotest bit amusing, or good looking, but then she was his sister, so he wouldn’t chat her up, would he? ‘At least you got an invitation to supper out of him. You will come, won’t you?’
    ‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ Lou chortled.
    Gracie wagged a finger at her. ‘Best ask Gordon’s permission first. We can’t have Rose’s brother thinking he’s going to have his wicked way with you and all he gets is a smack in the chops from your husband. Bit of a disappointment for a chap, don’t you think?’
    Rose said, ‘Actually, a smack in the chops from anybody’s husband might do Eddie a whole lot of good,’ which for some reason put a stop to the laughter as they all looked at her in surprise.
    Until that moment, she’d always spoken of him with affection, saying what a marvellous brother he’d always been to her, or at least been at pains to point out there was no real harm in him. Lou had a sudden recollection of their visit to the kitchens of the big house, and the strange sounds they had heard. ‘He didn’t actually do anything to you over that missed lunch, did he?’
    Rose was relieved to answer in all honesty that he hadn’t touched her.
    ‘Only we heard this whining sound.’
    ‘Oh, it would be Tizz, making a fuss.’
    She made no mention of the long day and night spent in the cold, damp cellar, nor the further two days locked in her room, Tizz in a cupboard on the landing so they couldn’t even be together any more. The dog had indeed spent the whole time whining and scratching to get out. Rose didn’t even glance down at her faithful companion as these thoughts ran through her mind, but she was thankful Tizz was beside her now, as usual, leaning heavily and protectively against her leg.
    ‘Lou thought it was a ghost.’ Gracie chuckled, then had to relate her own version of that visit which resulted in yet more hilarity.
    What with the interruption, entertaining as it was, they’d forgotten all about eating but the mention of that first lunch they’d all enjoyed together served now to remind them. ‘See,’ Rose said, ‘I’ve brought some sandwiches as my contribution today. ‘Only egg and cress, I’m afraid, as I didn’t have anything else.’
    ‘ Egg !’ Without another word the trio fell upon the delicacy with gusto.
     
    In no time at all, it seemed, they were into the last week of their training, worrying about what was to happen next. It was an anxious time as Posting Out day would soon be upon them; the day when they would be given