[He occasionally glances up at her again as she speaks, watching Elizabeth build her nerve. She still flinches (and he wonders how much more afraid she might be if she realized exactly what sort of creature she was talking to) but she's getting to something he might consider courage. By the time she has her finger in his face, she's earned his full attention.]

Better. I didn't give you enough credit, it seems. I won't make that mistake a second time. [A smile creeps onto his face, small but satisfied.] I particularly liked your use of damn at the end there - didn't think you capable of it.