Mark looked up from then paper and the story it carried of unrest in some part of the Empire he had never heard off.<br/>He smiled, “No thank you Mrs Evens, it was a truly enjoyable meal as always. Could you pass me my appointments book please.”<br/><br/>He murmured his thanks as he turned to the day, “Mrs Rivers this morning, I think that after breakfast I shall take a walk and clear my head.”<br/><br/>So an hour later found him walking down Green lane and up a flight of stairs to press a bell marked Miss Rivers. She opened the door and smiled at him, “Hello Mark what a nice day it is.”<br/><br/>Mark smiled as he looked into her sparkling blue eyes and raven hair. “Come in.” She let him in and then led the way down the corridor. She could have chosen the life of a companion or married to earn a living. But Miss Grace Rivers chose to earn her living by having her gentlemen come and visit leaving her an envelope as they left.<br/><br/>No street corner strumpet, no she was educated witty and charming and the fact that she was less than half his age with the firm flesh of youth was all to the better to Mark. Yes he had made the right choice, an hour or two hot and sweaty entangled in her arms and legs, and yes that would relive the tension nicely.<br/><br/>