Page 27 of Not So Very Sensible

He studied her a moment. “Did Ethan tell you?”

She nodded. “What was it for?”

He shrugged. “I helped someone escape a swollen river during the floods a few years ago.”

“Wow. A bona fide hero, huh?”

“Who’s a bona fide hero?” Katie demanded.

“Chris, here,” Ellie said. “He saved someone from a flood and has a medal for bravery.”

“Really?”

He nodded, and Katie smiled at him.

Ethan’s heart cinched at the way Chris’ face lit at her approval. Did he do that too? He’d felt such an instant connection with Ellie that it might be perceived as wearing his heart on his sleeve too. But he couldn’t help it. She was the first woman he’d met in a long time who made him feel this way.

Their mains—beef Wellington or chicken Marsala—were served alternately, just like at a wedding, while the actors continued doing their thing. Then it was time for dessert, when the final puzzle pieces were offered, and the tables were encouraged to solve whodunnit.

“So, Chris, in your professional opinion, who do you think ‘done it’?” Ellie asked, like she was hoping her sister might see him in a good light.

He shrugged, but when Katie turned to him, he offered his suggestion that the three large trunks in Mr. Jimmy T. Hugg’s cabin suggested there might’ve been more people than just the train’s official ticketholders on board.

“That’s ridiculous,” Jason sneered. Then when the emcee drew close, he offered his opinion without consulting the others.

Ellie rolled her eyes at Jason and Chris. Then, when Jason’s answer was announced as incorrect and a different table correctly guessed Chris’ response, she sighed.

“It’s just a game,” Ethan said quietly.

“I know. But I’ve always hated how the person with the loudest mouth always seems to win.”

“Except when they don’t.” He smiled.

She smiled back, sparking a warmth in his chest he didn’t recall ever feeling before. How funny that the evening he’d dreaded was now filled with so much unexpected joy. And nearly all of that was due to the peacock lady he sat next to. “Miss Peacock.”

She peered at him, eyebrows aloft. “I beg your pardon?”

“I was trying to remember if in the Cluedo board game it’s Miss or Mrs Peacock.”

“I think she’s a Mrs.”

“But you’re definitely a miss?”

Her cheeks pinked as she nodded.

Good. “So, are you going home tomorrow too?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Then that settles it. We’re going to have to make the most of tonight then.”

Her eyes widened, and he realised how that sounded. “I don’t mean anything like what used to happen here a hundred years ago,” he said quickly. He’d heard the tales of the bell that would ring at dawn and guests would scurry back to their assigned bedrooms. “I just mean that I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, and it would be fun to continue this over coffee.”

“I don’t really do coffee at this time of night.”

Oh. Didn’t she want to? Ever since she’d returned from the restroom, she’d appeared a little more distant. Maybe she wasn’t feeling this like he was. “Never mind then.”

“I could do tea, though.”