[Perhaps he should be called careless once more for tipping off Peggy to the truth—in fact, he likely won't realize until after they're done to piece together just how she figured it out. Yet the end result remains every bit as delightful as he had hoped when Rip measured out the sugar, sweetened the tea exactly to his tastes and quite contrary to hers. He watches over a sip of his own while she sputters and frowns, quite deliberately managing not to outright laugh at the reaction that plays out before him.

Little victories won; battles claimed, even though the war still looms.]

Certainly you can stand a little sweetness, Miss Carter. And besides—

[He takes a step closer, and rather deliberately holds her gaze.]

It might serve you well to get used to the taste of it now.