Page 13 of My Gentleman Spy
Religious parents, who had not always been puritans. That part of her story he was inclined to believe. Her story could be as simple as having run away with her fiancé only to have changed her mind. Will suspected it wasnot.
He watched as she picked up her glass once more and took a second hesitate sip of the wine. Bravery was not in short supply when it came to this young woman; and she clearly did not hold the same views as her father when it came toalcohol.
“I promise not to tell your parents that you have sat and drank wine in a hotel with me,” he reassuredher.
A scowl appeared across her brow and she shifted in her seat. It was only the slightest of moves, but it was enough. Will pushed his toes hard against the inner sole of his boots. She had just given him one of the classic tell-tale signs of alie.
“What do you mean?” shereplied.
“I mean when I return you to their protection. I will of course be accompanying you back to London and making certain of your safe return to the loving bosom of yourfamily.”
At that moment he caught the sound of wine catching in her throat. She stifled a cough. The noose created by her lies was slowly tightening around herneck.
Careful now, don't get her guard up too soon. Draw herout.
“I couldn't ask you to do such a thing. It is such a long way back to England. I am sure a gentleman such as yourself has better things to do,” shereplied.
She moved more obviously in her seat. Will pointed one foot in the direction of the door. A look passed between them. She would not get a step ahead of him again, and they both knew it. Whether she liked it or not she was going to have to endure Will'shospitality.
The hotel servant reappeared with a large platter in his hands and placed it on the table between Will and Hattie. She looked down at the food, but did not touch it. Will sensed her unspoken discomfort. She feltthreatened.
Will picked up the platter and offered it toher.
“It's Calentita, Gibraltar's favourite dish. It is not unlike a baked pancake. It's very good. Nothing too ostentatious about it, so I am sure your parents would approve,” hesaid.
No matter her own self will, Hattie's stomach quickly turned traitor and grumbled. Will smiled. Food always wonout.
She took a square piece of the Calentita and popped it into her mouth. Will followed suit. Rescuing her from the harbor so soon after his early morning swim had meant missing breakfast. The half orange he had eaten down at the dockside was the only food he had managed to eat all day. It was only now, as the smell of baked chickpea and olive oil filled his senses did he realize that he too wasravenous.
“It is good,” she said, before helping herself to a secondpiece.
They sat in silence for a time, eating and partaking of the wine. When Will ordered a second bottle of the wine and Hattie readily agreed, he sensed she was finally beginning torelax.
Whether she realized it or not, Will had commenced the subtle game of winning Hattie’s trust and getting to hertruth.
