“Well done!”
Cay’s head almost hit her plate after the second slap, but she stole a look at Alex, who was glaring at her in anger.
When the laughter and attention had finally calmed down, she said quietly, “See? They all think I’m a boy.”
“You drew attention to yourself,” Alex said under his breath, then smiled at a man who congratulated Cay as he walked by. “That was a truly disgusting display! And that the girl allowed you to do such a thing to her is beyond belief!”
“You’re sounding more prim than Adam,” Cay said, her mouth full. “Could you please pass me that mustard? They have Apple Brown Betty for dessert.”
“And what do you plan to do with her?”
After a moment’s look of confusion, Cay smiled. “Tickle her under her petticoats?”
Alex drew in his breath in shock.
“Would you please calm down?” Cay said as she smiled as another man hit her on the shoulder. “I knew what I was doing. I need to tell you what happened in the stables. I talked to—”
“Please tell me I didn’t hear you correctly. You did not say that you talked to someone, did you?”
“You’re not going to listen to me now, are you? I think I should just wait until we’re in bed together, then I’ll tell you.”
That statement was so outrageous that Alex couldn’t think of another word to say. He finished his dinner, and when a hush came over the tavern, he knew without looking up that the barman’s daughter was back. “Touch her and I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” she asked, glaring at him.
“I’ll make you spend the night outside and I won’t sleep anywhere near you.”
Cay started to protest, but the prospect of being alone at a campsite made her close her mouth. She murmured “thank you” to the waitress when she served their dessert, but Cay didn’t touch her. When the girl was gone, the men in the tavern let their disappointment be known, but the lack of further display made them quieten down.
“That’s better,” Alex said.
Cay moved her apple slices about in the earthenware bowl. “I was trying to help, but you won’t listen to what I have to say.”
Alex lowered his head so it was near hers. “I’m just worried that someone will recognize you.”
“I know, but I did some good. I got a letter to Nate.”
“You what?” Alex had to pause to nod at a man walking by. “You did what?”
“I got some people to deliver a letter to my brother. I asked Nate to go to Charleston and figure out what really happened.”
Since Alex had sent exactly the same request to the same person, he could make no reply.
Cay misunderstood his silence and started to defend herself. “If you’d just listen to me, I can explain everything.”
“All right,” Alex said. “What’s this about our room?”
“Eliza—that’s the waitress’s name—gave us one of the private rooms. You and I have to share a bed, but—”
“That’s not good.”
“All right, then, I’ll tell her that you’d rather we stayed in one of the big rooms with eight beds in it. If I don’t sleep with you, then it’ll have to be with another man. This place is too full for anyone to have a separate bed.”
Alex glared at her. “Are you finished with that?”
Cay shoved three huge bites of apples and syrup in her mouth and stood up. “I am now.” She had to wipe her lips with the back of her hand as the juices overflowed on to her chin.
“Upstairs,” he said. “Unless you want to fiddle with some more petticoats.”