“Would you like more tea?” she asked, drawing his attention back to her.
“Nay. I have had enough. Thank ye.” He noticed her eyeing the last remaining sandwich on the tray.
“Go on, lass. That last sandwich is calling your name.”
In a flash she reached out and snatched the sandwich.
A laugh burst from his chest.
A comely blush dusted her freckled cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
“Nay, I like a woman that kens what she wants,” he jested, but even to his own ears, the double entendre was too much.
Her eyes flared wide.
He needed to steer the conversation in another direction. “I can have Cook prepare some more if ye are still hungry?”
Shaking her head, she flattened her palms on her stomach. “Oh no. I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“Well, I dinna ken what Cook has on the menu for supper tonight, but I am sure ye will find it delicious.”
“I’ve no doubt. She is most adept.”
“Thank ye.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “I stole her from another establishment.”
Jocelyn sucked in a breath. “Truly?”
“Aye. Her food was so divine I wanted to it eat e’ery day. She also was one of the reasons people frequented the Thistle & Pig. No’ so much anymore, mind ye. But once upon a time, she was.”
He only hoped he wouldn’t have to let her go and replace her with someone less experienced and lacking in skills.
“If ye are set, I am going to go o’er to the pub side and see how the e’ening is shaping up.”
She smiled, the gesture transforming her face, lighting up her light blue eyes. She was a bonny lass.
“I am fine. Thank ye for the company.”
He stood and gave her a slight bow. “If ye need aught, I will be there.”
A few people occupied tables in the pub. Gunn approached the bar to speak with Thomas. “How’s the day faring so far, Thomas?”
Running a towel along the polished wood, the man shrugged. “We’ve had a few people in and out all afternoon.”
Gunn pushed a hand through his hair, scratching his scalp and let out a long breath. “If it doesna improve, go ahead and close up early. Nay use staying for an empty pub.”
He left the pub and made his way to his study, praying for a miracle.
*
After Jocelyn hadfinished her third cup of tea, she finally left the dining room, her belly full and satisfied. She hadn’t realized how hungry she had been until the tray of delectable sandwiches had been placed in between her and Gunn.
She was quite certain he had only eaten one, mayhap two, sandwiches. Definitely no more than two. For such a large man, he needed more sustenance than that. He was being kind letting her have her fill. Embarrassing as it was now that she thought about it. He must think her lacking in manners for her to be so uncultured.
But she had to keep in mind the babe growing in her belly. Feeding it well was a priority so that she could birth a healthy babe.
Tempted to return to her desk to continue reading through the ledgers, she wondered if that would anger him. He’d told her to stop for the day.
But there were still hours left until the evening meal.
