We’re shown to our table, and right away Matthew opens his leather bag. As soon as he does, our server appears.
“I’d love a glass of pinot grigio,” I say.
He orders the same, confident this time. “And a breadbasket, please.”
Before he can get started on the research, I grin at him. “Two meals in a row. This is nice.”
“Yes, but I’m buying tonight.” There’s no shyness anymore, and I feel a swoop in my chest.
“Well, thank you. I’ve had a tough day,” I tell him honestly, “and your text came at exactly the right time.”
“It kind of sounded that way. Anything I can do to help?”
“I wish I could share it with you. It’s to do with my company, though, so it’s a little touchy.”
“I completely understand.”
The wine arrives along with the bread. Almost before the basket is placed on the table, he seizes a bun and spreads a dollop of soft butter on it before belatedly glancing up. His cheeks flush, and he puts his bread on his plate.
“I’m sorry. My manners are… I don’t go out for meals very often. If I do, it’s business or it’s on my own, so…”
“No need to apologize. I’m flattered that you invited me. And the bread smells delicious.”
He raises his glass. “Cheers,” he says.
We clink the glasses lightly together and take a sip. I take advantage of dining with a history nut to ask a question I’ve been wondering about.
“I never know if clinking glasses is classy or tacky.”
As I’d thought, he knows the answer. “?‘Practical’ is a better word for it. They’ve been doing it for centuries,” he muses.
I sit back to listen. He’s at ease now, and when he starts to take off his jacket, I’m treated to the sight of biceps pushing against his sleeves. Maybe thereisan Indiana Jones in there after all.
“The act symbolizes unity and comradery. Mutual trust. Back then, some cultures were rightly afraid of being poisoned, and poison often came in drinks, so they filled their cups to the rims, then clinked them together so the wine splashed around. That guaranteed that if one was poisoned, they all were.”
“Smart.”
He smiles at my serious expression. “Another theory I read was that when the glasses tap, the ringing sound touches all five of our senses, which enhances the taste of the wine.”
“Doesn’t work too well with plastic cups at hockey games,” I tease.
“Good point.”
“You are fascinating,” I can’t help saying. “So now tell me why we say ‘cheers.’?”
“In the 1700s, someone translated ‘cheers’ to mean ‘gladness.’?” He grins. “Cheers, Bridget.”
“Cheers, Matthew.”
The server reappears, and we order pasta. Matthew holds up the basket for a refill, and it’s whisked away. He’s a big fan of bread.
“Now that we have figured out medieval drinking,” he says, “let’s get to the Dominion and my findings there.”
“I’m actually going to find out more tonight,” I admit, deciding on a whim. “I’m going to inspect that secret room. The one that wasn’t on the blueprints.”
He frowns. “You’re going into the basement on your own?”
“Everyone in maintenance will have gone home, so I’ll be able to take a little time. I need to check on something in there.”
