“A good subject to get back to, your Poppie. And in addition to wanting to learn more about him, such as his real name, I’d like to know if the little boy and the coachman are involved in your scheme.”
Her chin rose a notch. “I don’t think so, not until you answer me.”
He could have insisted. She was amazed he didn’t after the earlier browbeating he’d given her. But instead, in an almost condescending tone, he said, “Eat, then perhaps I will.”
If she weren’t so hungry, she wouldn’t have picked up the spoon. But before she touched her soup, she reached over and switched her bowl with his. He laughed. She didn’t care. At least he wasn’t trying to starve information out of her.
Before long, Boris brought in the main course, two large, flaky meat pies. She couldn’t identify the meat, which tasted slightly gamy and was seasoned with spices.
“Goat?” she guessed.
“You’ve had it before?”
“No, but I was told that goatherding is one of the major businesses here. It’s not your only source of meat, is it?”
“Centuries ago it was, but, no, not any longer. And what do I call you? That is, what name were you raised with?”
“I suppose Poppie couldn’t bring himself to change my first name. It’s always been Alana.”
She took a few more bites of the delicious pie, hoping it would get the blush off her cheeks. He’d just slipped in that question and she’d answered without even thinking about it! She was going to have to be more careful.
No wine had been served with the meal, for either of them. Was that customary for him, or by his order just for tonight? Was he afraid to cloud his thoughts with even a single glass? If she weren’t still upset over what he’d done, she might smirk over that thought.
She finally asked, “Are you testing my patience?”
“Not at all. Just trying not to spoil your appetite.”
She didn’t like the sound of that and put her fork down. “Like you just did?”
He laughed. “You do make a worthy adversary, but we have not reached that point yet. I will try to keep an open mind and not judge you out of hand. But your tension is obvious and not helping this discussion. Might I make a suggestion?”
Oh, God, the sensuality was back in his eyes, in the sudden soft turn of his lips. She didn’t dare ask what the captain had in mind to relieve her tension.
“What?” she heard herself asking anyway.
“If we adjourn to my room and spend some time in my bed, it would—”
She gasped. “That doesn’t bear answering!”
He shrugged, but then he actually grinned at her. “You’re sure, Alana?”
What was he doing? Using seduction now to get her to admit what he thought was the truth? If he was, he certainly wasn’t being subtle about it! But could it work? She’d lost her will to him earlier. She’d been dazzled into a thoughtless state. She was out of her depth when it came to the feelings this man could arouse in her. She didn’t know and didn’t want to find out if powerful feelings like that could be used against her.
She blushed just remembering the kisses she’d shared with him, so it was difficult, but necessary, to remind him, “What happened earlier between us was a mistake. Please don’t allude to it again.”
“You liked being in my arms.”
“I didn’t!”
“Liar.” He chuckled. “What happened to your being absolutely honest, eh?”
Her blush escalated, but having been called on the carpet as it were, she couldn’t keep this particular truth from him. “You are trespassing on a female prerogative now, which is not relevant to this discussion.”
All he did was grin, but the passion in his eyes was hot enough to burn.
Desperately she glanced down at the table. “Besides,” she managed to add, “I wasn’t tense when I came in here, I was angry. There’s a difference.”
“Your fear goes away and anger takes its place? Do you somehow think you are no longer a prisoner because I am sharing my meal with you?”
