"I love dill, though," Bastien says, which isn't a lie. He doesn't love only dill, would certainly tire of it being the only spice—but they'll bring something back. Something nice, even if it's expensive.

He'd been prepared to protect Byerly, if necessary. From awkwardness, or from resentment. From someone asking why he didn't stay or why he didn't bring her with him. But so far—they're so welcoming. Unpretentious.

By should have had this a decade ago.

Bastien smiles at the maid when he manages to catch her eye, tipping his head in greeting, hello fellow commoner, but in the meantime he's asking Winifred, "Will you brother be around today?"