Page 108 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

“I have agreed to think.”

“That is not the same thing.”

“I am pleased marriage has sharpened your understanding.”

By the time Bassett appeared to announce luncheon, the original pages had acquired additions in two hands.

Bassett looked at the table.

“Shall I have another tray brought, Your Grace?”

“No,” Nathaniel said.

“Yes,” Selina said at the same moment.

Bassett waited.

Nathaniel looked at his wife.

“Let us eat properly,” Nathaniel said. “Then you may resume objecting to my figures.”

“They are not your figures.”

“My objection to yours, then.”

“Better.”

Bassett withdrew.

Nathaniel gathered the sheets into order.

Selina reached for them. “Do not alter anything before luncheon.”

“I have no intention of altering anything.”

“You have written in three margins.”

“Those were observations.”

“They were figures.”

“Numerical observations.”

She took the papers out of his hands.

Nathaniel stood. “You realise this will occupy us for years.”

Selina looked down at the pages. “I hope so.”

There was the future of it in that answer, and for once neither of them seemed inclined to make anything more of the fact.

They went down together.

***

Georgiana was already in the dining room and wanted to know whether there would be cake. Bassett informed her that there would, provided she allowed luncheon to precede it. Georgiana regarded this as an arbitrary household regulation and appealed to Selina, who declined jurisdiction.

Nathaniel took his place at the table.