When finally they reached the center, a small open space with a gently leaning fruit tree and a bench beneath it, Miranda was breathless with running and laughter, and collapsed unresisting onto him in the cool grass, glad of the chance to rest with certainty of being undiscovered. She fell half upon him, and as her laughter slowly faded, she grew well aware that she was more completely pressed to him now than ever she had  been through the course of their dancing, and their kissing.<br/><br/>"I think you're quite right, milord Claude..." she murmured, gazing down at him in odd fascination now that his face was uncovered by the mask that was discarded by the bench they'd abandoned. "....we are quite alone."