<em>"Colonel Flashman, what an absolute delight to meet you."</em><br/><br/>He did not suspect it, but this Zara was quite the delight to behold. Even if she was not the ideal sort of his colleagues' who spoke often of bright, twirly blonde locks, heavy bust and snow-white creamy skin, the Colonel never found it in his heart to fancy those sort. Oftentimes they were simpering little chits who knew little beyond faking shrill little moans and reached their own orgasms all too soon. He knew better of just the sort of woman he wanted, and during his expeditions there were plenty of native women who slipped into his tent that proved themselves to be simply<em>better</em>women than the sort always found in the capital.<br/><br/>Pressing his icy, steely gaze upon her hazel, smoking eyes momentarily, it was enough to give the typical enlisted man the jitters on the parade square. With the brief test promptly applied his response was one filled with decorum.<br/><br/>"Capital, your ladyship. Most capital. A distinct pleasure to meet you, I'm sure."<br/><br/>Reaching down for Zara's hand, it was an opportunity to sample her skin and just how well she kept it. The first impressions of what she'd feel was the heavy callousing of his palm that slid over her fingers like sandpaper. Despite his stoic disposition the grasp was most delicate, lifting it to his lips to brush her fingers against them whilst preserving eye contact without even straying to her bosom.<br/><br/>What followed later only seemed to amuse the Colonel to no end. If it sounded like mere polite conversation betwixt hostess and whore, he knew that it was anything but. Given the pointedness of their words and perceptible changes in the ways they held themselves, they might as well unleash a rapier each and clash their blades endlessly with each other. It was evident to him that it was the whore who prevailed, and thought more of Zara than before.<br/><br/><em>"Make sure there is a bottle of scotch and some cigars placed into Zara's room for Colonel Flashman and leave some boxes of chocolate. Make sure all is well,"</em><br/><br/>Quirking a single brow at the instruction given to the passing servant, he thought that it was hardly considerate to expect a lady in his company to drink scotch, immediately speaking up with a polite smile.<br/><br/>"Ahh, beg pardon, Rubee, but would you be obliged to provide a bottle of claret instead?"<br/><br/>With a gentle narrowing of his eyes that brooked no argument, the Colonel lightly brushed his fingertips against her arm with his free hand and allowed a perceptible curve of his lips to Zara.<br/><br/>"Now then.. shall we? And oh, you may call me, Harry."