" My, my, it’s a surprise to see Mr. Braddock here,” Mr. Kent said, a hint of acrimony lacing his voice. “Yes, it is.” He leaned in confidentially. “Perhaps he’s come to apologize. Or maybe that also needs to be done in his bedroom.”

I strained to keep a whisper. “You know very well why I was in his bedroom! He was injured, and I needed to check on him.”

“No one is going to make an exception for that where your reputation is concerned.”

“I had other concerns at the time.”

He put his hand on his chest. “I’m feeling quite injured myself. Perhaps we might—”

“Mr. Kent! This is not an appropriate place for that kind of talk!”

“Very well,” he said. “If you wish to speak about it somewhere much more inappropriate, just say the word. "

― Tarun Shanker , These Vicious Masks (These Vicious Masks, #1)