"Now you see why I thought better of saying it," he said. Her laughter freed his. He rolled his eyes at himself. "Maker's breath."

However, soon enough he was laughing harder. "Right, a meal you made me cook, you wretch. No wonder I was scowling so hard when I left the estate. I didn't realize it came with such strings attached." He dug out the smallest section of the leg. "All of that is outrageous enough that no one will ever believe it. Just enough embellishment to sound completely baked."