Jack heard Helen’s voice as he returned to his quarters.
“You displayed rather a lot of yourself in the mess today, Crimea.” Helen sounded more amused than annoyed.
“I know, mother,” Crimea replied. “Sarsens thought it would be a lark.”
“Oh, Sarsens’ idea, was it?” Helen asked. “He’s the one with the elegant pair of legs, isn’t he?”
“Mother!” Crimea rebuked.
“Long elegant legs, and I saw a hint of a shapely bottom as well,” Helen continued, pressing her point home.
“Mother!” Crimea’s voice was sharp. “A lady shouldn’t notice such things.”
“Indeed not,” Helen was equally direct, “and a gentleman does not display such things in public. I expect better from you, Crimea. Your father was most annoyed!”
Jack withdrew into a recessed doorway as Crimea snorted and stormed away with the sou
