Marriage is Murder

Jack listened and chuckled again " yeah, we all can cook to some degree, even Robert can" he said and looked to Belby when he said he could order pizza " wow Angus will cure that " he said and chuckled again refilling his cup with fresh coffee with out whisky this time for moderation."I'll get Jim to do supper tomorrow and Steven and I can do breakfast, I'm up early anyway." he said and looked to Khaat.

He looked to Belby as he spoke again " you have to learn how to cook Angus is a great cook but any of us can teach you the basics" he said " ow we found Brant's Mouse it was what Brain was shouting about but it had got bigger, we think one of the kids fed it a growth potion, I just took it to him as it was, not sure how big it will get before his any potion , potion starts to work" he added and smirked.

Marcus shrugged. "I can do enough to survive if I hd to, but certainly not enough to impress anyone with."

"Let me guess," Khaat said, "Eggs?"

"Yeah. I can do eggs. And a few other things. Its just not something I enjoy doing."

"I'm sure you don't," Khaat said, not wanting to laugh. "Jack, I do believe Marcus is far more at home in a tux, doing some late night dining." She caught Marcus's flash of a smile. "See?"

"And no one here enjoys a 5 star evening out?" he asked.

"At times," Khaat said.

"I thought I saw some evening gowns in your closet," He said. "And several tuxes in your husband's."

"Necessity," she said.

"What about the rest of you all?" Marcus asked Jack.

Khaat and Belby listened to Jack filling them in on Brant's mouse.

"Well, I've seen some fast growing potions that are slow to wear off. You don't want to see what those can do to trolls. Its not pretty," she said. "I guess we'll find out what sort of a sense of humor Brant has."

Jack sat and listened he chuckled at Marcus only being able to cook only eggs " hey more than I could " he said and smiled as he saw Marcus finally crack a smile at them all. " well we all do from time to time" he said " though we haven't had any call to get dressed up lately" he said and sighed thinking of Jessica all dressed up and happy.

" I have a few suits I think the last tux I had was ripped" he said and looked a little embarrassed at the memory. “ but I could get another, I know this guy makes them made to measure he makes my suits too” he said

"Its always helpful to have a good taior. I have two. It just depends on where I am as to which one I use.," Marcus said. He went over to the tray and brought her the oversized mug of soup and a spoon. "Here. try to eat." She laid the spoon aside.

"Drinking it is so much easier," she said, taking the mug from him.

"Go get your own," she told him. "I'm guessing you haven't left me all day."

"Not quite true," he said, "But I haven't been far." He hadn't been with her without interruption. There was that business at St. Mungo's, after all. She motioned him to his own soup mug. "Yes, Ma'am. Going," he replied. He picked up the mug and followed her lead to simply drink it. "Very good," he said, approving. "Your cook is not a cook. He's a chef, clearly."

"Yes. He is," she said. "Do tell me, Jack, that Brian isn't working tonight. Mr. Belby does deserve a night's sleep. I doubt he's closed his eyes all day."

Jack chuckled "Hey go, I'm here and will watch her while you eat, its what we do, besides Brian said he'd take the night shift " Jack said softly as he sat back in the chair and looked at Khaat drinking her soup. He wondered if it was time to have a party or ball just to blow off steam and have some fun rather than be on full alert all the time. Maybe it could be a mascarade ball but he shook that idea off as it would make it too easy to infiltrate.

Jack picked up a book and opened it he looked at the pictures but then began to read about the potions that were listed inside it. Jess had changed and walked back into Khaat's room" everything okay?" she asked smiling feeling the tension seemingly eased for now.

"Thank you, Jack," Marcus said. "I'll eat first. Khaat, what time is Brian ready in the morning?"

"Five," she said. "He tries to have plenty of time to go work out before breakfast."

"That will be fine," he said. "I'll be here. If he wants to go earlier, he just needs to let me know."

"We'll tell him," she said. They saw Jess come in, feeling better, apparently. When she asked if things were okay, Marcus nodded.

"We're fine," Marcus said.

"Marcus had a worthwhile suggestion," Khaat said. "He suggested that perhaps we let others take over cooking in the kitchen to give Angus a break from those 16 hour days he works for us."

"When does he take a day off?" Marcus asked.

"He doesn't," she admitted.

"Well, I dont' know of many who would do that with no end. Perhaps giving him more time to do what he likes is worth a thought," Marcus said.

Jess looked at Marcus " a wonderful idea " she said smiling as she placed her hand on Khaat " might get my man cooking for once" she said and saw Jack look over the edge of the book his eye brow raised." don't give me that look you haven't cooked in ages and I do like your barbecue ribs, our kids like to be sticky." she said and chuckled " I think its the sauce , its sweet yet savory too" she said.

Jack chuckled and nodded and placed down the book. He looked at Marcus and nodded " Brian's a very early riser" he said " I think Jim never sleeps or I haven't seen him lately." he rubbed his neck but just shook his head.

"Then, since its all under control, I'll see you in the morning," he said, excusing himself and leaving.

"He's a good man," Khaat said. "There aren't a lot of people who would toss themselves right in front of a train for a relative stranger. Heck there aren't a lot of people who would do it for someone they love, either."

Downstairs, Robert took Angus out for a walk on the estate so they could talk, alone. He understood Angus's frustration. Angus didn't plan on venting to Robert, but Robert was fairly accomplished at provoking people and deliberately allowing them to get angry. Angus did vent at him, and then Robert did start to talk to him about ideas that would help him feel less stressed and more satisfied.

Jack chuckled and nodded to Marcus " yep see you in the morning " he said and watched as Marcus left " yes he is if a bit stiff under the collar he'll relax soon enough" Jack said softly and turned a page in the book " I'll stay till Brian gets here" he said " besides I like this book" he added and smiled at her.

Jim and Steven both looked knowing Angus had vented at Robert but they both said nothing knowing it was rare that he did and so let it go since it was the first time he had. Steven had returned with several baskets of fruit and vegetables which he left in the kitchen on the table.

"I appreciate you all being so willing to stay, and I presume that it was my father who said he didn't want me alone, but I'm honestly not going anywhere," Khaat said. "I promise. Its not in my plan. Its been a tough day, and I'm tired."

Robert came in alone. He had talked with Angus quite a long time, and he felt that, for tonight, Angus would be fine. He had sent him off for a night off, letting the choice about whether Angus took tomorrow off totally be up to Angus.

"Where's my boy?" Michael asked as Steven delivered the produce from the greenhouse. "Thank you, Steven. Looks like top quality, like always. We do need to grow more berries, especially the way the kids inhale them."

"Your boy, as you put it," Robert said, "is taking a night purely for himself, at my direction. I encouraged him to take the day tomorrow."

"Do you want me to take kitchen duty tomorrow?" Michael asked.

"I think we should discuss it," Robert said. "While Angus is taking a few hours off, we need to decide how to change this. He can't keep working 7 days a week, 16 hour days. Its not healthy."