Chapter 42: A Conspiracy of Ravens, Part 5, James' Proposal

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I liked the way you dealt the situation out on the street the other day, and Ben in the downstairs lobby; even, dare I say it, the situation when Ben dragged you to our home, although I'll admit, that's with the benefit of hindsight."

I flush. "You didn't seem very impressed at the time."

He rolls his eyes ceiling-ward. "Yes, I've never apologised for that, have I..."

"I don't think you have a lot to apologise for, Sir. I feel terrible about it..."

"Well, get over it. It's in the past. I want to talk about where we go from here. It seems to me that you handle yourself rather well in awkward situations and that being the case, I have a favour to ask of you."

What's he talking about?

"Right... what is this favour?"

Perhaps I look suspicious. For a moment, he meets my eyes, his gaze level, expressionless; then he says, "Don't misunderstand my motives, Kirstie. I'm not about to go dipping my nib in the office ink. It would be horribly unprofessional