Tuck disappeared into the kitchen, little Ella on his heels, leaving Will alone and at sea with the goddess.
She sat, so he followed suit, taking the adjacent armchair; he perched on the edge of the seat, forearms resting on his knees, and if it looked a little as if he was poised to flee at any moment... well. At least he'd kept his expression under control.
Stutely was positive now that Tuck hadn't said anything, and bless him for trying to be discreet, but somehow that made this whole thing that much worse. At least if she'd come here expecting a basket case, he wouldn't have to watch the smiles turn to sick pity.
"Never was that good a Christian myself," he replied, seizing blindly on the last thing she'd said. "'Thou shalt not steal', you know."