The first time that Granby had kissed him was not yet so far distant that Laurence could not remember both the kiss and his reaction to it in perfect detail. Then he had done nothing immediately, too shocked to respond. The same thing appeared to be happening again.

He remained perfectly still until Julie saw fit to pull away. It took him a while to find the proper words to say, and his blush had darkened intolerably, but he did speak. "I am sorry. I need very much to think."