"Pardon me," he said, extricating his hand from Julie's and rising from the table. In that moment he required at least the impression of distance. "I must see to the tea."

Laurence was trying so very hard to hold onto what little reserve he had, and it made his movements appear rather stiff and forced. That alone was the only sign that showed of how truly affected by the situation he was.

At least with Granby he had had some previous knowledge to go on. He had, after all, been a naval officer and could not have gone through the service completely blind. But this-- This was something for which he had no prior experience. There was no protocol. There was no precedent.