That evening after supper, still troubled, George excused himself to go upstairs and study his books. He was roused from a somewhat disconcerting reading of a commentary upon the Labouchere amendment by a rap at his door.
“Come in,” he called, turning.
Matthew’s face appeared, looking a trifle sheepish. George hastily closed his book.
“Don’t let me disturb you if you’re busy,” Matthew said quickly. “I just wanted to be certain there was, well, no hard feeling between us.”
“No, of course not.” George berated himself. Conversation over supper had been a little stilted due to George’s internal wrangles—he should have realised what construction Matthew would put upon his taciturnity. “Come in and sit down. I could do with a break in any case.”
Matthew’s smile was bright with relief as he
