If he didn’t know better, Kris would have thought it sounded like Bingham was mocking him – but his friend’s tone was not openly facetious, so he took it as sincere. Besides, the second suggestion sounded just fine to him. “Oh, I can always cause a ruckus,” Kristoffer agreed, with an almost gleeful nod, satisfied enough that they had a backup plan up their sleeves to finally let go of Rupert’s arm.

Whatever peril they might get into in this place, Kristoffer was at least confident in his capacity to make a scene.

“Have fun, then,” Kris said, all carelessness again, moving off from the entryway with no further compunction about the unfamiliar smoke, “– I’m going to find out if she’s a tart.”

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