Once And Always

Chapter 19

He was quite certain that most of the khun luang's actions last night had been induced by strong spirits, but he wanted very much to believe some sort of closer friendship, rather than their tentative one, would result from letting the barriers down between them last night. In the past weeks, he had come to care very much for him; he liked and admired him. Beyond that, he . . . Beyond that, he refused to think.

As the day crept forward, his hopes began to die and his tension continued to mount—a state that was only worsened by the two dozen callers who appeared at the house, all of them anxious to learn the truth about Tae's duel. Mr. Pawat informed everyone that Khun Chai Thanapon was out for the day, and Tee continued to wait.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Tae finally came downstairs only to go directly into his study, where he remained closeted in a meeting with Lord Varodom and two other men who came to discuss some sort of business-investment.

At three o'clock, Tee went to the library. Thoroughly disgusted with himself for worrying himself to distraction, he sat there, trying to concentrate on his book, unable to carry on any sort of intelligent conversation with Uncle Prama, who was seated near the windows across the room from him, thumbing through a periodical.

By the time Tae finally strolled into the library, Tee was so unstrung he nearly jumped to his feet when he saw him.

"What are you reading?" Tae inquired casually, stopping in front of him and shoving his hands into the pockets of his tight tan trousers.

"A volume of Seni and Kukrit Pramoj," he said after a long, embarrassing moment during which he couldn't remember the particular author's name.

"Khun Thanapon," he began, and for the first time Tee noticed the tension around the khun luang's mouth. He hesitated, as if searching for the right words, then said, "Did I do anything last night I should apologize for?"

Tee's heart sank; he didn't recall any of it! "Nothing that I remember," he said, trying to keep his disappointment from showing.

The ghost of a smile hovered at Tae's mouth. "Usually, the person who can't remember is the one who overindulged— not the other way round."

"I see. Well, n-no, you didn't."

"Good. In that case, I'll see you later when we leave for the theater—" With a glinting grin, he added meaningfully, "—Tee." Then he turned to leave.

"You said you didn't remember anything!" Tee burst out before he could stop himself.

Tae turned back to face Tee, his grin downright wolfish. "I remember everything, Tee~. I merely wanted to know if, in your opinion, I did anything I ought to apologize for."

Tee's breath came out in an embarrassed, choking laugh. "You are the most exasperating man alive!"

"True," he admitted unrepentantly, "but you like me anyway."

Hot color raced to his face as he watched him walk away. Never, not in his worst imaginings, had he thought he might have been awake when he said that. He sank back against his chair and closed his eyes, mortified to the very core. And that was before a movement across the room reminded him that Uncle Prama was there. His eyes snapped open, and he saw him watching him, an expression of joyous triumph on his face.

"Very nicely done, child," he remarked softly. "I always hoped you would come to care for him, and I can see you do."

"Yes, but I don't understand him, Uncle Prama."

His admission only seemed to gratify the Mom Luang that much more. "If you can care for him now, without understanding him, you will care for him a hundred times more when you finally do, that much I can promise you." He stood up. "I suppose I'd best be on my way. I'm engaged for the rest of the afternoon and evening with an old friend."