The Fall of Ossard by Colin Tabor Read Free Book Online Page A

the stitching on your unders’, the laces have come off!”
    “Oh!”
    “I’ll just leave them and do up your dress. No one will ever know.”
    I held still as she fastened it. “Please, don’t do it too tight, at least let my dress survive the evening!” Already I knew the rest of the night would be a problem, without being restrained my breasts would be bouncing about like two drunken sailors in a brawl.
    Isabella finished and appeared in front of me, laughing as she offered a glass flask that appeared from somewhere amidst the folds of her dress. “Take a sip, it’ll help you forget about it.”
    I sulked, “Perhaps I should go home…”
    “Go home? This night will mark out the rest of your life, and look at your competition; Horseface and Hog-hips!”
    I laughed as I reached for it, and then took a long swig.
    Isabella smiled as she grabbed it back.
    My dress felt fuller now that my breasts weren’t so restrained. I asked, “Do I look proper?”
    A seedy smile came across her face. “You look very pretty.”
    We left, heading back to the Rose Garden.
    Again Isabella and I became separated amidst the noise and crush of the crowd. I knew where to find her, so I wasn’t concerned - besides I was preoccupied with trying not to stumble.
    The drinks were taking their toll, and in that they weren’t alone: My mother’s lotus mixed with everything to make me feel quite hot and restless. My mind wandered from thoughts of husbands to lustful dreams, and even back to the big stevedore who’d exposed himself on the port road.
    I was losing control.
    The room buzzed with music, conversation, and laughter. Ahead, I caught a glimpse of Isabella as she reached the Sunroom. I’d catch up with her soon.
    It was then that I heard a man speak from behind, his tone soft but commanding, “My lady?”
    I stopped and turned.
    Pedro Liberigo stood there with a bouquet of red roses. “May I present you with these?”
    I thought I’d faint!
    He reached out to give me the blooms, the stems wrapped in a length of white silk. “I’d be most honoured if you’d also accept a gifted drink?”
    I felt vulnerable without my chaperone. What was I suppose to do? Taking the roses would be polite, but they were the most scandalous red. Was it wrong to take them? As for the drink, without my host I couldn’t possibly accept.
    He saw my hesitation and offered, “Would you like me to escort you back to your table? When you’re seated, I’ll again make my offer in front of your friends?”
    To me, with my mind now swimming under the sting of Isabella’s spirits, and my body burning with my mother’s lotus, that seemed like a noble idea. I nodded, not even noticing in my befuddlement that his gaze rested solely on my breasts.
    He offered me his arm, and as I took it the crowd parted so the most eligible bachelor in all of Ossard could escort a Flet Mint Lady, a plain face at that, back to her table.

    Strings of coloured lamps lit the Rose Garden, now bathed in sunset’s final glow. My cousin stood at our table searching the crowd for me while Isabella shrugged and sat down beside him. His eyes finally came to rest on me, and then my escort, seeing them fill with surprise. When we reached the table, it was an expression shared by all.
    Pedro bowed before the table. “I must compliment the ladies for their beauty, and the gentlemen for escorting out such fine company.”
    My cousin replied in kind, “Thank you for your generous words, and returning my charge to our table.”
    Then, Pedro, as if he hadn’t stunned me enough, worked to do it all again. “I’d be honoured to have such fine company dine with me tonight in the Pearl Room, if you’d care to join me?”
    My cousin couldn’t refuse the offer. It would be a great honour, and sate the curiosity of everybody; the Pearl Room wasn’t open to the public.
    “Thank you for the invitation, one we all are most happy to accept.”
    Pedro smiled. “Then allow me to provide some