She barely bit back a second apology. She ought not to have bothered him at all, of course, but as soon as her task was finished, she would have some free time, and she had meant to visit the bookshop before she was expected at home. Before she could think on how to formulate all this - or whether she even should - she got distracted watching him handle the knife on the cutting board. By his motions and the pleasing smells emanating from the skillet - which she would have to wait to wash, oh dear - it seemed like he did this all the time. How very strange...
She started at his question, nearly dropping the items when they were handed to her, then told him, "Yes, quite. My... training has been progressing well. Or so my mentors tell me," she quickly added, lest he think she was boasting.
Young ladies of quality did not boast, except when they did. She had not yet mastered the distinction of when was appropriate and when not.
Perhaps it would be better simply to wash the things and be done with it, she thought as she retreated to the sink. Surely she was interrupting. But she seemed to have his attention now, and social niceties demanded that she make conversation unless he excused her. What to say? "Do you... enjoy cooking?" she asked, her hands once again submerged in soapy water as she began to wash the knife and board. Hopefully the question wasn't taboo; she found herself quite curious about the matter.