Page 46 of Suspicion

“This again?” She bit her lip, her focus flitting back to her food.

“This again.” He cocked a brow at her. “You agreed to use the term, so I’m asking you to do so.”

“Is that what I agreed?” she sighed.

“I’m hungry, Ella.” Much though he enjoyed her obvious discomfort, his hunger demanded that his patience wear perilously thin. “I don’t have time for your musing. Address me properly, please.”

“Yes, please, sir.” She forced the words out through gritted teeth.

“Fine.” He nodded in the direction of the fire.

Abiding Miss Bennett was proving to be one tumultuous encounter after another. He adored her snarky attitude only because he knew how much fun it was going to be to dampen it, but he’d underestimated how time-consuming the experience would be. If each request was going to require this much attention, he might have to take up meditation.

“I have a bowl of water for washing over there. Go ahead and clean your hands.”

“Thanks.” Finding her feet, she held his gaze as she trotted away. He watched as she found the correct bowl and lowered her hands into the water. “I don’t suppose you have any soap, sir?” Her tone was wry as she glanced his way.

“No soap.” He couldn’t decide if she was mocking him or not.

“A hand towel?” Shaking out her hands, she turned to him.

“Use this.” He yanked the cloth from under the pie and threw it in her direction.

“But you cooked with this?” Catching the cloth, she shook her head.

“Are you judging me, little girl?” Putting down his blade, he folded his arms. He wasn’t genuinely pissed off with her, but Lord knows it was amusing to watch her breaths quicken as she tried to work it out for herself.

“Maybe.” Her chin rose as she carried the cloth back to him. Sliding back to her chair, she was working hard not to show her intimidation. Tucker respected that. Ella was outpowered and outmaneuvered, but she wasn’t yet so low she was prepared to admit it. “I’m used to better hygiene.”

“My hygiene is fine.” Or perhaps it wasn’t? To be fair, he didn’t spend much time worrying about the idea. All he could say was that he’d never managed to poison himself. “Any other complaints?” His tone was sardonic, but as he helped himself to a large slice of the pie, he realized he might just have invited a list from his guest.

“Plenty, sir.” Her gaze narrowed as she leaned over the counter and lifted the pie to her lips.

“Go on.” He couldn’t say he much liked her tone, but she had at least used the honorific. It was progress of sorts.

Taking a moment to observe her as she bit into his short-crust pastry, he watched her lips as she chewed and swallowed. He couldn’t recall watching a woman eat for a long time. He must have seen his mother during a meal at some point, but he couldn’t specifically remember it, and there had been few others, save for the handful of women who’d served with him behind the front line.

“Well, the ropes for a start.” She motioned to them as she took another bite. If little Ella had objections to the content of his pie, then she wasn’t vocalizing them.

“The ropes are necessary.” He’d already told her why. “I can’t have you running off again, little girl.”

She pulled in a shaky breath as she polished off the last of her slice. “So, you’re going to keep me here?”

“Of course.” He’d explained his motivations on that issue. “You know the reasons why.”

“Alexander.”

Her eyes fell closed as she presumably thought of her low-life father. He took the opportunity to enjoy a mouthful for himself. The pie was every bit as good as the aroma had conveyed, the gravy he’d made fused with the root vegetables he’d grown to create a delectable flavor.

If his life in the wilderness ever got old, he could definitely consider a career as a chef.

“I meant what I said, though,” he told her once he’d finished his mouthful. “This acrimony doesn’t have to stand.”

“But the ropes do?” She was playing devil’s advocate with that retort, and surely she knew it.

“The ropes do,” he parroted. “Would you like another slice?”

“Maybe.” Her lips twitched, the momentary smile lighting up her face. “It was good, thank you. Out of interest, what meat is it?” She turned her head to meet his gaze. “It’s richer than I thought it would be.”

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