Gallant Hours

2. The Bet

James POV:

Spring and summer were the busiest period for the business I was managing with Henry. We worked in the woolen industry, specifically fabric made for clothing, which was at its peak with the ball season that had just started.

I had a trip to London planned for the next day, and was packing some belongings for a couple days' stay, when I was suddenly reminded that I had forgotten important papers at Henry's mansion. Shaking my head annoyingly at my own absentmindedness, I hurriedly put a coat on and asked my chauffeur to prepare for the small carriage.

I arrived at the Montgomery demesne an hour later. The sun was now completely set in the horizon and rain was starting to pour down on me. I rushed up the front steps and was greeted by Henry's butler.

"Hello lord Ashbrook! What brings you here at this hour?"

"Haa... I forgot some receipts and other documents in his office..."

"Please help yourself my lord. Mister Montgomery is with a... guest at the moment, so he will not be able to meet you this evening."

"That's fine, I will not be long."

I climbed the volley of stairs that led to the first floor and strode along the corridors towards Henry's office. The moment I passed by his bedroom, I heard laughter rise from behind the door; among which I recognized a feminine tone. I stopped in my tracks and slowly approached the wooden frame of the door. I pressed my ear in and could only hear unclear mumbles; when suddenly the voices sounded more articulate.

"Would you marry me, Jane Whitman?" I heard Henry say.

I paused and frowned at the words.

'What is he doing...?' I wondered, confused.

Then, a few moments later, the lady's voice erupted, "Yes! I will marry you, Henry Montgomery!"

I took a few steps back from the door and slowly resumed my motion towards Henry's office. A chuckle escaped my lips as soon as I entered the room. I moved to the desk and searched for the document I needed. Henry's voice echoed in my mind with the proposal, and I burst into laughter.

'Is the world going to end tomorrow?! Ha, ha!' I asked myself.

If there was one thing I did not expect Henry to do is propose to a woman one day. He was such a casanova that even his mother had given up in trying to set him up... How amazing was that lady Joan to catch the infamous heartbreaker into her grasp?

It was at that moment that I remembered a bet passed between me and Henry a few weeks before. I gasped and put a hand over my mouth.

'Surely, he did not...' I pondered, speculating whether my friend was insane enough to propose to a woman over a wager.

Still incredulous and laughing, I gathered the papers and made my way downstairs.

I turned my head as one of the house maids walked past me, and my eyes caught the curtains marking off the lounge in the far end. I hesitated, then sighed. The wooden floor creaked as I came closer to the piano that was placed in the right corner, near the windows; and my fingers brushed the ivory keys.

This very piano was one of the reasons I liked visiting Henry. Being my childhood friend, he knew my love for music, and had purchased the musical instrument years ago for my personal use only. The gift had moved me to the core at the time, and had shaken my resolve to sever ties with Henry.

I closed my eyes at the recollection and sat on the cushioned bench. The feeling of the smooth keys was very sensual to me; and hearing the first notes always made my skin crawl with goosebumps.