Suddenly she realised that the Prince was putting his arms around her.
“No – no – please!” she said quickly whilst trying to move away from him.
But he merely tightened his arms and asked,
“How can I stop myself when I find you irresistible!”
“I-I ought to – go back,” Alina said in a frightened voice.
She was aware that they were much further from The Palace than she had realised and the boughs of the trees almost encompassed them.
“You excite me,” the Prince said, “and I want to excite you. Are you really an icicle like so many other Englishwomen or could I create a fire in your heart?”
“I – am an – icicle,” Alina answered hesitantly.
She was desperately trying to escape from his arms.
But he was much taller than she was and, as she now realised, very strong.
“I want you, Alina,
