– Miss Salton is choosing a hat for her walk, and your husband is helping her. We're going for a walk in the garden, you see.
– Oh, splendid. Then my unexpected arrival is not so out of place… Are you the butler? – Jeremy turned to Mr. Anderson, who had come out of the next room. – Would you give your lady my card?
– If you say so, sir. – Mr. Anderson took the card from his new guest and headed for the stairs.
– 'Ah, yes, my sincere condolences: I learnt of your father's death in this morning's paper, a fortnight late,' Anthony hastened to say to his friend.
– Thank you, my friend. But I must confess that I feel no loss at all. He didn't exist for me, and I didn't exist for him," Jeremy said in an indifferent tone, smoothing his beautiful, slightly dishevelled hair. – My old man left this world at a very convenient moment for me, and I'm grateful for that.
– What cynicism," Anthony grumbled. – I know he wasn't a good father, but you have no right to speak of him that way.
– Even if you know that he got me addicted to alcohol when I was thirteen? – Jeremy grinned: his friend's words had hurt his pride, and he felt a little irritated with him.
– Thirteen? – Anthony asked incredulously.
– Thirteen. It was Christmas, and he made me drink a bottle of whisky with him at the party table. I'd never had a drink before. But my old man thought I was too reserved and he wanted to see me smile, he told me that night. – Jeremy lifted his chin and squinted at his friend. – I don't think they made you drink whiskey when you were thirteen.
– No, I wasn't. The first time I touched alcohol was when I was fifteen, and it was a small shot of sweet liquor," Anthony agreed, and suddenly realised what a bright, full of comfort and care he had had during the years when Jeremy had been a mere shadow to his father, a shadow he had tried to ignore.
– From that evening I drank every day. It was a glass of wine at lunch, a little brandy before bed… And whisky. Yes, my father's favourite whisky. He got me addicted to it," Jeremy said thoughtfully. – And when I became addicted, he said I was a disgrace to his name. Damn…" He stopped himself just in time to avoid swearing in front of his friend. – So I'm glad he's dead. Call me whatever you want. It's your right.
– I'm sorry… I'm sorry your father was so selfish," Anthony said quietly, but then smiled broadly. – But enough about him. Tell me, my friend, how did you decide to marry my cousin? I remember you said that even her beauty did not outshine her poverty!
– Love, my friend, is unpredictable! – Jeremy laughed at that. – I fell in love with that red-haired nymph so much that I didn't care about a thing. The old man sent me away when I told him of my intention to marry Vivian.
But when I received the news of his death, when he finally made me happy with his passing, the first thing I did when I got back to London was to pay a visit to your cousin. I proposed to her. She accepted. It's a very amusing story with a happy ending. But I missed you at the wedding.
– Alas, I had to leave London immediately to visit my brother," Anthony sighed.
– Vivian told me. I hope the child will be back on his feet soon.
– I hope so too.
There was silence. A strange, uncomfortable silence for both gentlemen. Fortunately, footsteps were soon heard on the stairs and the butler appeared.
