Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

After making sure everything was settled, Silas shot Barnaby a series of

meaningful glances-like he was spelling out a whole instruction manual with his

eyes-then headed off to the study to grab something before leaving.

That left just Barnaby and Susanna.

Susanna quietly picked at her scrambled eggs, totally ignoring him.

Barnaby sat across from her, watching her with the intensity of a hawk. He didn't

even blink.

Susanna finally snapped. "Do you have to stare at me like that?"

Barnaby didn't hesitate. "Yep."

Susanna rolled her eyes. This guy was impossible.

Barnaby added, "After what happened last night, the boss said I'm supposed to

keep an eye on you at all times."

Susanna raised an eyebrow. "At all times? Like, what does that even mean?"

She still wasn't over her cold. All she wanted after breakfast was a little nap.

Barnaby replied, "Means I gotta be with you everywhere. No exceptions."

Susanna stared at him. "Everywhere? Seriously?"

Barnaby nodded solemnly.

Susanna tried to process that. "Even when I'm sleeping?"

deadpan: "Yup. Gotta keep

just gaped at him. How was she supposed to get any rest

over her? And what if she needed the bathroom? Was he going

her in there too?

ask-knowing Barnaby,

ways, but hopelessly literal

told him. For all she

guard outside the bathroom

Good grief.

really that

sent a female bodyguard? But given

shouldn't push

was, she'd just have to skip the

a glare

over with her medicine.

medicine."

Susanna said, accepting it

two housekeepers Silas

were already

them, apparently because

to

or bring her

fault she'd been

to cooperate.

when the cook handed her the medicine,

gulped it down.

almost asked the cook

but changed her

was no

not when she'd probably

her own

went to her room, grabbed a blanket herself,

over her