He gave a short laugh, releasing her with a show of reluctance. “Tell her I took you by surprise.”
Well, that was true enough, she thought, watching him fetch a shovel and brush.
“The kettle’s likely boiled,” he said, and Mina started, dropping the fingers she had pressed to her lips.
“I’ll fetch more cups,” she said, hastily stepping around him as he swept up the last of the fragments. How embarrassing. She set the cups on the table and then poured the hot water into the teapot with hands that shook. He stepped outside to dump the remains, then came back inside, shutting the door behind him. Mina set the teapot onto the table to brew and hastily sank into a chair. Nye rounded the table and opposite her.
“Are you serving behind the bar tonight?” she forced herself to ask. It trembled on her tongue to ask was if he intended to sleep in her bed again. He shook his head, watching her intently. “I’m just letting the tea brew,” she said, feeling the silence lie heavy on her. Nye didn’t comment, just lolled back in his chair, never taking his eyes from her.
Mina doled out the milk and sugar and after checking the strength, poured the tea. Once she’d pushed a cup across to Nye, she took a deep breath. “So,” she said, taking the bit between her teeth. “Should we discuss these additional duties that I’ll be picking up now?”
His eyes flared, then he lowered his lids to hide it. “I’ll show you tonight,” he said, his words dark with promise.
Mina frowned. “Will I ever be expected to work behind the bar?” she asked before taking a sip of hot tea.
“What?” Nye looked thunderstruck at this. “I’m talking about in bed, not in the bar.”
Mina bridled. “I am aware of that,” she spluttered, setting down her cup on the saucer with a loud rattle. “But we can hardly discuss that now!” She flailed an arm. “I was trying to steer the conversation into safer channels!” A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his lips, completely astonishing her. “I’m not that obtuse!” she muttered, her face turning red.
“I don’t think you’re obtuse, Mina,” he agreed. “But you have been sheltered all your life until now.”
She picked her teacup up again, wondering why she always grew so flustered when he spoke her name in that rich, deep voice of his. “That may be so,” she agreed. “But I’m a fast learner.”
“I certainly hope so.” She looked up in quick enquiry at his words and he grimaced. “I don’t know how patient I’ll be,” he admitted. “It’s not one of my virtues.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Mina said lightly, remembering how he had carried her home from the cliffs.
Nye frowned and opened his mouth, but before he could form his words, they were interrupted by a hasty step in the doorway.
“Oh! Master Nye,” Edna blurted. “I didn’t realize as how you was in here.”
Mina turned around in her seat. “Is everything alright, Edna?”
Edna hesitated. “Oh yes, Mrs. Nye,” she answered evasively.
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
Edna’s gaze darted once more to Nye before returning to Mina. “I’m still laundering,” she said. “I just come down for more washing soda.” She darted through to the scullery to collect the soda crystals. “Got them,” she said needlessly to illustrate her point and then slipped away.
Seeing Mina’s surprised expression, Nye said dryly, “She likely wanted to hear how your morning went at Vance Park and doesn’t feel free to gossip in front of me.”
“She does seem a bit uncomfortable around you at times,” Mina acknowledged. Nye shrugged. “She’s very busy about the place,” Mina added.
“It’s hard to get domestic staff out here,” Nye admitted grudgingly. “We’re a good quarter of an hour walk uphill from the village.”
Mina took another sip of tea to fortify herself. “I daresay the reputation of the place does not help,” she braced herself to add. He cut her a look but said nothing. “It being reputed haunting, I mean,” she added meaningfully.
Nye looked discomforted for a minute. “I wouldn’t know,” he said brusquely. “I’ve never seen anything of that sort.”
“Gus told me about it, did he tell you?” she prodded, but he just shook his head and refused to be drawn. She sighed. “It’s a shame we can’t get someone to help Edna,” she commented. “As she really does seem to do the lion’s share of the work.”
“She gets paid more than Ivy, if that’s what you’re asking,” Nye said sharply. Mina set down her cup. It hadn’t been and she was surprised by his defensive tone. “Ivy only works the bar in the afternoon and evenings,” he pointed out. “And what she does on the side is none of my business. I’m not her pimp.”
Mina flushed. “Such a thought didn’t even occur to me!” she flung back hotly.
“Like I said. You’ve been sheltered,” Nye responded darkly.
Mina glared at him. “Why do you have to be so disagreeable?” she asked in a grieved tone. “I wasn’t trying to pick a fight, just—”
“Just what?”
“Take an interest in the place! A wifely interest,” she added painstakingly. “But it seems the only place you expect me to pick up any additional duties,” she added bitterly. “Is the bedroom!” She stood up abruptly. “Excuse me,” she said in a brittle voice and stalked into the scullery to don her apron and mob cap. She muttered angrily under her breath as she gathered the cleaning supplies she wanted together in a bucket.
Stalking back out of the scullery, she made to cross the kitchen, but Nye stood in her way, blocking her path.
“What are you doing, Mina?” he asked gruffly.
“I’m going upstairs to clean the bathroom. Those tiles—”
“No,” Nye said
