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“You cannot be serious!” he shouted. “What the deuce do you take me for?”
“A man of his word.”
Avrian paced back and forth, stopping every few seconds to glower at his friend.
“Mon Dieu!” he finally exclaimed, glaring incredulously at his friend. “Must I be held to such a thing?”
“Do not swear, Avrian. Besides, there is no sense in you getting upset over this. You were the one who made the promise to the man, and in front of witnesses, I might add. You must honor your word.”
“Hang it all!” he cried, pounding his fist on the top of the dresser. This is indefinably the most implausible situation I have ever been involved in.”
“More implausible than your most recent Paris scandal?” Gregory teased, somewhat amused at his friend’s agitation.
“Hmmph! Paris was a walk in the park compared to this. What do I know about taking care of a child?”
I suppose you will just have to learn.”
“I do not wish to be the guardian of some gauche and gangly, always giggling, puerile chit of a schoolgirl! I tell you it is more than I can stand!”
Gregory chuckled softly, shaking his head. “This is going to be quite amusing.”
Running his hands through his dark, wavy hair, Avrian scowled, “Amusing, indeed!”