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I had a very vague recollection of that night. Raffles gave me a hell of a day before and I blame it on him. As for taking an opportunity to fuddle my sordid own I had no one to blame but myself. And the headache was the better part of it, frankly speaking.
Had I or had I not made the greatest mistake that night?
Soon I was going to verify this myself as I found Raffles in my sitting-room. He needed a quiet pied-a-terre before he was coming 'back' from his supposed trip, made up only to fool our fellow inspector (he barely convinced me he was away) and I was happy to subserve (not to fool the poor chap but to help Raffles, of course).
He cheerily wished me a good morning in his usual manner, as if nothing unusual has happened.
As if I wasn't drunk as a fiddler, mumbling rubbish and making Raffles to console me, him sitting at arm's length on my bed.
As if he didn't put a chaste kiss to my temple at the end of his kind and brilliant words.
As if I wasn't clenching desperately at his dressing gown the next moment.
Was it just my imagination?
I looked at Raffles. He was observing me with a curious smile on his lips.
Ah.
Clearly it wasn't.
Now I remembered. I remembered it so vividly I could nearly feel the taste of his cussed lips on my.
If it wasn't my flat I'd cowardly retreat that instant. But I had to put myself together and face the consequences like a decent man. What was left of it, anyway.
Raffles, a man of insight that he was, decided he was going to help me get through the whole mess. He poured two fingers of whiskey and handed me the glass.
— Have some drink, will you? You'll feel better.
— I think I have had enough yesterday. And no, I won't.
— What's the matter, Bunny? — asked Raffles in a jolly voice.
I sat down on the sofa avoiding to look at him.
— I need to make an apology. I don't know if you're... the man of that kind but —
He laughed.
— Please, don't make fun of me, — I asked. — I'm really not in the mood right now.
— My dear fellow! — ejaculated Raffles and landed near me. He took my hand, facing me. — By Jove, you don't have to make any apologies to me.
His voice was soft and endearing but it didn't soothe my soul.
— You don't take this very serious, do you? — I inquired bitterly, looking up at his taking face.
— Oh, Bunny. It is, perhaps, the only thing I take very serious, my dear.
Indeed, he wasn't smiling this time.
— You are a perfect thief, after all, — he added quietly.
He then put my hand to his lips, looking me straight in the eye. My breath's caught. This was yet the most intimate moment we shared together.
I was completely lost for a second or two.
— Now, if you forgive me... — said Raffles. — I was just waiting till you wake up, I need to go back to my rooms and then we can have a good breakfast, will you join me?
— I... sure. I agree. Just give me a minute.
Oh, what a relief, I thought! Once again Raffles amazed me and, by all means, this time it was only for the best.
I, once again, was feeling rather drunk without a mere drop of whiskey and Raffles, that devil, was eyeing me with a great keen.
— Just stop looking at me like this, — I couldn't keep my embarrassment inside anymore.
— I'm actually very hungry. If you don't hurry I'm going to devour anything I find appetizing, — he spoke quickly, smoking a Sullivan.
— Right. Right, — I rambled feeling my ears blush. — Let's go n' have something.
— Oh, sure we will, — said Raffles with a sly smile.
~