“You regularly do foolish things, but rarely do you extract a vow of silence from me. So I had already assumed it is a grave thing that you have done.” Richard took a steadying breath. “I think I will sit down while you tell me whatever it is that you have to say.”
“I… Well… Jane and I… We kissed.” Blake felt a thrill as he said the words.
“You what!” Richard exclaimed, jumping to his feet.
“Shhh, not so loud. You swore you would not tell a soul.” Blake made shushing motions towards his friend and glanced towards the still-closed door of the study. “This would ruin her if it got out!”
“When did this happen?Howdid this happen?” Richard whispered, his eyes wide.
“At the garden party,” Blake admitted.
“At the garden party? And you are only just telling me now?” Richard shook his head and took another swig of his drink.
Blake shrugged. “I had not planned on telling anyone, ever.”
“What happened?” Richard asked.
“I am not sure. One moment we were arguing, and the next… well, we were not.” Blake felt a sheepish grin spread across his face.
“Truly, the line between love and hate is a thin one.” Richard marveled at him.
“Be serious, Glassbury.” Blake playfully punched his friend in the shoulder.
“I am sorry. It is just… Well, it is rather an adjustment.” Richard gave him a meaningful look as he rubbed his upper arm. “So you and Jane. Hardly the pairing I imagined, but still, there have been odder pairings.”
“What do you mean?” Blake frowned.
“Well, you have kissed her. It is hardly like things can go back to the way they were. Though I suppose plenty of married couples bicker like the two of you,” Richard teased him.
“I am a rake. A cad. I should never have taken such liberties with her.” Blake dropped his face in his hands.
“You sound as though you care for her,” Richard replied.
“I… I do not want her to be hurt. Of course, I care about her. She is… Well, I am not a monster.” Blake tugged at the collar of his shirt, suddenly very warm.
“But then this is wonderful!” Richard exclaimed.
“It is not.”
“It is. Now I will get to be the best man at your wedding.” Richard laughed.
“There will be no wedding.”
He frowned. “What do you mean there will be no wedding? You just said you cared for the girl, and you kissed her.”
“Exactly that. There will be no wedding. I cannot marry her. I will not marry Jane…” There was an odd scuffle outside the door, and Blake glanced towards it, his attention caught by the unusual sound.
Are those footsteps?
He strode towards the door and opened it. The corridor was empty. Frowning, he closed the door and turned to Richard.
“I think I need another drink.” Richard poured himself another measure of whiskey.
Blake stopped him. “I am not letting you turn up to your wedding too drunk to stand.”
Richard scowled at him but put the glass to the side. “Fine. What do you mean you cannot marry her?”
“Exactly that,” Blake explained.
