The two men stayed up talking late into the night, reminiscing about past mis-deeds and escapades. The thought of Daniel’s wife still heavy on his mind, Louis skirted around the questions he most desired to ask. The mantel clock struck one and Louis’s eyes began to droop. Daniel damped down the fire, leaving it safe for morning, and offered an arm to his friend.
Their tread upon the stair, down the polished hall, sounded loud in the sleeping house. Taking advantage of their being alone, Louis leaned in to wish his friend a tender good night, but Daniel grasped him, holding him against the door in a rough embrace and pressing his advantage through lips parted in surprise. Shocked by the sudden turn in his friend’s demeanour, Louis thrust him back with a force that surprised even himself. H
