Of Vinegar and Honey, Part V: "Day of Reckoning‪"‬

Part V of the Of Vinegar and Honey romance series.

He was still flipping listlessly through channels. Careful not to disturb him, she set the tall glass of juice on the small table beside him. With her mind and thoughts already anticipating meeting James, she didn’t notice how his aristocratic nose moved as he caught the scent of her perfume.
He arched a brow as he moved his eyes up while she was busy adjusted the position of the glass on the table. She was still oblivious to him as well as the soft blush in her cheeks.
“Perfume?” he remarked. “For the post office?”
She flickered up big eyes, shaking her head. “I smelled of fried foods.”
He calmly studied her big eyes a moment. This usually made her fidget, but come hell or high-water, she wouldn’t show it now and held fast. He finally turned his eyes back to the television. Fighting not to look relieved, she glanced over at the mantle clock. It was almost 12:20. Then she returned her gaze to his profile as she straightened.
“Well, I’ll be going then.
“Maddy?” he said. She quickly looked back at him. Her cheeks were red, but she thanked the heavens he wasn’t looking at her.
“Yes, Sir?”
“There are two things that I really, really hate, and what I consider unforgiveable,” he said as he watched the flipping channels. “One is disloyalty.” Then he raised his eyes to her somewhat flushed face. “Two,” he said with deliberate sloth, “are people who lie to me. I consider lying, cowardice, and I can’t emphasize it enough, Maddy, but I loathe cowards above all else.”
She barely stopped herself from swallowing a lump, and nodded. “I know, Sir.” Then she looked at him again, but blinked when, to her surprise, he smiled.
“Good,” he said lightly, friendly even.