Aileen watched the butcher carefully as he began to eat the supper prepared for them. As soon as she saw how carefully and attentively he ate, she knew she was in trouble.
He lifted his cup but stopped to look at her. "Emily, why are you looking at me like that?"
Aileen shrugged silently, her heart pounding. The liquid was so close to his lips. If he even took one sip it would be done. "Sorry, sir."
The butcher lifted his drink again but stopped once more. Aileen's heart dropped into her stomach.
The butcher looked at the small cup of wine for a moment before throwing it at Aileen, who barely dodged.
Cutting stood angrily, throwing the table out of his way to get to his wife, who had grabbed only a steak knife to protect herself.
This he easily wrenched out of her hand as he threw her to the ground.
"You… slippery Irish whore," Bill said breathlessly, holding her down with his knees on her arms, "You think I don't know poison when I smell it?"
Aileen kicked and fought to no avail. She spat at the butcher who then placed his own knife at her throat.
"I'm going to kill you, Bill Cutting," she growled, "Someday I'm going to kill you just like you killed my father."
Bill placed his free hand around her neck. Aileen braced herself for whatever painful death was coming her way.
To her surprise, Bill threw the knife away, laughed, and released her. He collapsed backward to sit against the wall, still out of breath.
Aileen sat up and looked at him. He motioned for her to come sit next to him, which she did warily.
"You really are your father's girl, aren't you?" he asked with a grin, "It's ok. It's an admirable quality."
"I hate you," Aileen whispered.
"I might be falling in love with you," Bill replied.
The two of them looked at each other trying to catch their breath.
"You'll be the death of me, Mrs. Cutting," Bill said, "One way or another. I know. I only ask that you don't ruin my good opinion of you. If you kill me, I want you to come at me straight on. No poison or sneaking around. Face me like your father did. Brave girl."
He leaned in and kissed her softly. She kissed him back almost hungrily, straddling him and placing her hands firmly on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, tracing his hand across her back.
Their lips parted. Bill looked at his young wife with one eye glistening.
"I'm not going to kill you tonight, Mr. Cutting."