“Sometimes,” he answered, matching her movements.
They fell silent as food was consumed, the occasional snap and pop from the burning logs a counterpoint to the ring of cutlery on china.
Reaching for the small pot of homemade marmalade, Kitty broke the silence. “I recall your mentioning you had something you wished to discuss with me, sir.” She calmly buttered her toast and spread the golden stuff from edge to edge.
“So your memory is working…”
She shot him a curious glance as she bit into the toast.
“You forgot to call me Max,” he reminded her.
Mouth full, she merely rolled her eyes and chewed.
“However, I’ll forgive you this once.” He took a sip of tea. “Yes, Kitty. I do have a matter we must discuss.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “It is a matter of family, and in the ordinary way of things, I would not even mention it.”
She dabbed her lips with her napkin. “In that case, I’m forced to ask whyareyou mentioning it? I know nothing of your family…Max. But if there’s anything I can do to help, well of course you need only to ask.”
He inclined his head. “A generous offer. But you mistake my point. It’s not my family, Kitty. It’syours.”
She straightened in her chair and he couldn’t miss the lift of that determined chin. “Ohreally?”
That was a dare if ever he heard one.Come on then, I dare you to say something terrible about my family.The words could have been written in fire across her forehead.
“Please understand I am speaking as someone who wishes only good things for your family. And for your sister in particular.”
One eyebrow lifted. “Max, forgive me if I appear slightly befuddled. You are not known as a man who wishes good things foranyonein particular. So why you should mention that in relation to my sister I have no idea.” She blinked. “By the way, which sister? I have two and one sister-in-law.”
He nodded. “You are correct. As a rule, I never interfere in anyone else’s business, and expect that philosophy to be returned by others not interfering in mine.”
“So what has changed?”
Max moved his empty plate to one side and placed both hands on the table, interlacing his fingers as he considered his next words. “I have come into possession of some information which directly relates to your sister Hecate.” He watched her closely.
Her expression didn’t change. “Well if it has to do with her unusual…her…her slightly out of the ordinary ability to—er—sense things, shall we say, then it’s not news at all. We all know that about her.”
Max blinked. “Oh? No, it’s not about that, but at some point I would like to hear more about it…”
She frowned and waved her hand, as if brushing his comment aside. “In that case, what is it that has brought us to this table today?”
“I…well, please understand that this information is direct from the source…”
“Oh for God’s sake, man. Spit it out before it chokes you to death, and I never find out what the hell you’re talking about.”
Biting his lip against a laugh at her blunt impatience, Max took a breath. “Dancey Miller-James plans on claiming your sister’s virginity and then leaving her to suffer the consequences of his actions.”
