Chapter Six

"Don't you think perhaps you're being a little ridiculous?" Jane asked as she and Loki rode home together in the hansom.

"You could have broken your neck riding like that," Loki spat. "There were far too many people about and the horse could have gotten easily spooked. So, no, I don't think I am being the least bit ridiculous. Not to mention you were riding like that for all of London to see. They're going to think Lady Jane Foster is a hoyden."

She sighed and folded her arms across her chest. "You embarrassed me in front of my friends."

"Lord Steve should never have invited you to risk your neck."

Once they arrived home, Jane all but hurled herself out of the hansom. Loki followed hastily after her and grabbed her arm before she could go inside the house. She yanked her arm free and faced him. "I think I liked it better when you were gone," she hissed and then ran into the house and up the stairs.

Thor came out of the house, one brow arched. "Dare I ask why Jane just ran up to her bedroom as if Satan himself was at her heels?"

Loki sighed and raked a hand through his hair, still reeling from her harsh words. "We had a little bit of a spat."

"About?"

"I'd rather not speak of it," Loki said. "If you'll excuse me…I think I would like a drink." He jogged back down to the hansom and directed the driver to take him to the nearest tavern.

It was late by the time Loki stumbled through the door. He knew that his mother, Jane, and Thor had to be fast asleep by now, and he was rather glad for it. He was still drunk though the effects were starting to wear off, and he smelled of smoke and liquor. His mother would no doubt be upset with him whilst rolling her eyes and muttering about men and what they considered fun. Thor would be put out that Loki hadn't invited him along and Jane…

Jane was probably just happy that Loki hadn't ratted her out and most likely preferred him gone. She had said as much hadn't she?

When he thought of her angrily spoken words he still felt the sting of them. Logically he knew that she had just been upset and had probably spoken in the moment. He kept telling himself that though the fact that he had to do that told him her words had hurt him.

What was happening to them? Or rather, what had happened? Jane had always been his best friend and confidante. She used to follow him all over the place, used to seek out his company and hang on his every word. Now she couldn't get far enough away from him and he…well, he was acting like a madman. All because Jane had a suitor, an infatuation, and could well be on her way to walking down the aisle.

He shouldn't feel this...this…he didn't even know what to call it! But when he thought of Jane marrying, of kissing men in secluded corners, he went mad.

Loki made his way into the drawing room and beelined for the bar. He needed a drink to keep from getting too sober and maudlin. He stopped in his tracks when he spied Jane curled up in a chair near the fireplace, a blanket over her and her hair plaited. The fire was dying and one candle on the mantle was going to sputter itself out quite soon.

He stood rooted to the spot, and as though she could feel him watching her, her eyes opened and she jumped a little when she saw him. They stared at each other like that for a long while before Jane jumped up from the chair, the blanket falling to her feet, and ran over to him.

He caught her in his arms just as she leapt at him, throwing hers around him tightly. She was in her nightrail and a bathrobe. That was the first thought Loki had when she wound herself around him. "I'm sorry!" she exclaimed. "I do not wish you had stayed gone, Loki. I am glad you're home. Please don't leave us now after I've gone and said something so awful."

Loki awkwardly hugged her back, feeling somehow that this was improper. She's your sister; you can hug your sister, he thought. Still, something about hugging her in her night clothes made him feel like a lecher.

"It's all right, Jane," he said and pushed her gently away from him.

"No, it's not all right. I mean, I still think you acted like an overprotective oaf, but I've been worried since you left that you were planning to just leave for good this time." She wrung her hands together and tears filled her eyes. "I don't want you to leave again, Loki. I missed you so much while you were gone."

"I will not leave you," he told her softly, and meant it. If he left, Jane would certainly get married right quick and when he returned again she'd maybe have a passel of kids. The liquor churned in his belly and he felt sick. Despite feeling like a lecher, he drew her close. He never had been able to stand the sight of her tears. They undid him completely. This time he hugged her fully and she clung to him. He turned his head and could smell the lavender in her hair.

This isn't right…

"Mother was not pleased with me," Jane said. "I told her what happened. She wanted to know why you'd been gone so long and I couldn't keep it in any longer. She was worried."

Loki lifted his head and pressed the side of his face against the side of hers. "Did you bathe with lavender tonight?" he murmured.

"Yes," she said, sounding as if she thought he was crazy. He thought perhaps he was. He nuzzled the side of her face with his nose.

"Loki?"

"My Jane…you smell good."

"You don't. Stop, you're tickling me." She pushed at him and laughed nervously.

Loki looked at her, feeling as though someone had dropped him in the Thames. He'd crossed a line, hadn't acted like himself – definitely not like a brother. What the bloody hell was the wrong with him? Did he say something or pretend it didn't happen – that he hadn't just been nuzzling her and going on about how wonderful she smelled as though she was his lover.

"You're very drunk," she said.

"I am," he said softly.

"Did you fall into a vat of alcohol?"

"No." But close.

"Did you see Lady Sigyn?"

He'd thought about it, but "No."

She looked toward the door. "I should go to bed…so should you."

He grabbed her arm before she could escape. "Why…why does Lady Sigyn bother you so much?"

She looked alarmed by his grabbing her, but she answered him. "Because she's a terrible person and you deserve better than the likes of her."

"You've always been my biggest defender, Jane," he said softly. "You've always been the one to see the best in me when no one else could."

"You think I'm the only one that thinks you are a good person? You're wrong. Mother and Thor love you, Loki. Very much. I wish you'd see it."

He smiled at her. "You are still my champion, Jane. May I offer some advice?"

Her eyes narrowed and she frowned. "This should be good."

"You deserve much better than Lord Erik."

She said nothing, but the look on her face told him that soon she'd be taking back her apology. "Good night, Loki," she said and started to walk away.

"You are the most important person to me in the world, Jane. I have always loved you best and above all others. Please do not forget that," he said to her retreating back.

She stopped and looked at him. Studied him with furrowed brow.

And then she left.

Loki poured himself a drink, sank down in the settee and wondered what the bloody fucking hell was going on with him.