Thread: Asking for Directions {darkangel76 & Alan23}

So much snickering! So much laughter! And all those eyes were drawn directly to her person as if taking pleasure in her discomfort! Andie had never felt so completely and utterly mortified, so completely and utterly humiliated! To take joy in such things was the lowest form of despicable as far as she was concerned and now every man that surrounded her had made it upon her list! When she finally made it back to the comforts of Chicago and had the means of sleeping in a proper bed once more, she'd see them all pay! All of them! Each and every one who ridiculed and made her feel like a fool! The very idea! They all knew who she was! Trying to tune out the nonsensical and very unappreciated mannerisms of the soldiers, Andie decided to try her fortune on focusing her attention on Charles. Though why the man had to be half dressed made the task that much more difficult. As he spoke, she felt her face go pale before it reddened further, no doubt the color clashing with the lace of her dress. Oh the humiliation! She hoped his words were merely coincidental and not a result of him truly having noticed something he shouldn't. No, he couldn't. Could he? As tears pricked her eyes, Andie knew full well that Charles probably could tell just as everyone else in the camp probably could tell. The shame of it all! She could feel her nose on the verge of swelling as she was about to burst into tears, but she held them back when he swiftly gestured toward the shower facility that oh so needed her inspection. Biting down on her lower lip, Andie decided that perhaps one man in the area could be kept off her 'list'. But only one. For now. Interesting that the one was still not a soldier, not even a gentleman. It was quite peculiar that an attempted murderer would go out of his way to help the one holding him prisoner, the one who would be handing him over to his betters who, no doubt, would see him get his just reward for his crimescertain death. Then again, this man did seem to have an understanding of refinement about him and she could not fault him for having an eye for such things. After all, she too had the ability to notice such things and was sought out by many in her own social circles for advice on the matter. Perhaps if he'd been born of better lineage... Just then, Andie shook her head a bit. She curtsied and nodded. Indeed, she began. An inspection is most definitely needed. I shall go do that and return posthaste. Quickly, Andie made her way toward the shower that Charles had pointed to. The drapes were a heavenly sight to behold as she approached and excused herself inside. She drew them closed about herself, shifting where she stood. Immediately, she let out a gasp and looked down. The ground was saturated, totally wet and soiling her shoes as well as the bottom hem of her pale pink gown, which only barely brushed the surface. A tiny sob bubbled up and she buried her face in her hands for a moment as she took in the realization of what had just occurred, but she was committed now. Better a dirty hem than a corset that had gone astray. At first, Andie tried to pull the corset up through the material of her pink lace gown. But with the bodice zippered up tightly, it was just too difficult. Her breasts wouldn't comply. Frustrated, she pushed her dark curls out of the way and finally reached behind herself so as to unzip her gown and allow for better freedom of movement. It did the trick. She was able to adjust the corset, shifting the garment back into place so that her breasts were exactly where she'd meant them to be. Once satisfied, she re-zipped her gown with great difficulty, unsure if she'd gotten it all the way back up, but hoping for the best given the situation. Taking a tiny step, she could hear the squelching sounds of mud beneath her feet and she knew full well her shoes would be ruined, as would the hem of her gown. Oh, she'd have to change by lunchtime! Opening the drape, cheeks red, Andie walked out of the shower and back over to Charles and the others. The shower facility is quite satisfactory, Mr. McAuley. You are in fact being treated very well. As Andie walked, her thoughts drifted to her back zipper and the worry that she might not have gotten it all the way up. The shower area had been so small and she'd been so worried about the mud and the time that she'd neglected to check it thoroughly. Oh how she feared it might not have been done up properly. Given the way her morning was going, it would be just her luck. As for me, sir? This is my first time in the Ozarks. I suppose it has its charm. Though I can think of a few places better suited to my liking. Andie took a few steps, her eyes flicking to her dirty hemline. She scowled at the sight of it, cursing the wretched place they all found themselves in and more than longing for a proper bath, preferably one with luxurious hot water rather than tepid.