And to everyone else in the pub, she must still look like the perfect lady. Only he had heard her; Jack was certain of that. Which, of course, only made her more appealing.
"Oh, you never cease to surprise." His gaze darkened, and for a moment he looked at her like he really might just gobble her up. The saucy little lamb...
If she wanted to pretend to be a lioness, of course he would let her. Encourage her, even. It would flatter her ego, and it would amuse him. And what could be more endearing, truly, than a tiny brazen lamb trying to growl?
As long as she stayed safely inside her pen, that is.
The reel ended abruptly on a bright high note, and all around them, couples ended their dancing with smiles and nods and thank yous. Jack pulled Marie tightly to him, putting his friendly smile back in place for anyone who might be watching, and dipped his head to whisper in her ear.
"But try not to eat anyone while Daddy works the crowd here, 'kay? Bad for business." He kissed her hairline, just above her temple. Then he was pulling back, with that showman's smile bright and steady for the crowd, and giving her a courtly half-bow. "Thank you for the dance, Mrs. Napier. You are--as always--the finest of partners."
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Jack laughed unintentionally, tickled. That mint jelly joke could've easily turned a girl snippy; it had been a bit risqué. But Marie had seen his bet and then raised it! Somewhere less public, indeed. What a woman.
And to everyone else in the pub, she must still look like the perfect lady. Only he had heard her; Jack was certain of that. Which, of course, only made her more appealing.
"Oh, you never cease to surprise." His gaze darkened, and for a moment he looked at her like he really might just gobble her up. The saucy little lamb...
If she wanted to pretend to be a lioness, of course he would let her. Encourage her, even. It would flatter her ego, and it would amuse him. And what could be more endearing, truly, than a tiny brazen lamb trying to growl?
As long as she stayed safely inside her pen, that is.
The reel ended abruptly on a bright high note, and all around them, couples ended their dancing with smiles and nods and thank yous. Jack pulled Marie tightly to him, putting his friendly smile back in place for anyone who might be watching, and dipped his head to whisper in her ear.
"But try not to eat anyone while Daddy works the crowd here, 'kay? Bad for business." He kissed her hairline, just above her temple. Then he was pulling back, with that showman's smile bright and steady for the crowd, and giving her a courtly half-bow. "Thank you for the dance, Mrs. Napier. You are--as always--the finest of partners."