Page 132 of A Duchess for his Family

“She said she would,” Benedict added.

Amelia nodded. Marjorie frowned. Benedict knew that expression. It had preceded several household disasters.

“What?” he asked.

Marjorie folded her arms. “Have you tried saying sorry properly?”

Nathaniel coughed. Benedict turned his head. Nathaniel appeared intensely interested in Admiral.

“Marjorie,” Benedict warned.

“What?”

“That is not⁠—”

“A proper question?”

“It is not your concern.”

“Why?”

“Because it concerns Sophia and me.”

“Yes, and?”

“That is precisely why it does not concern you.”

Marjorie frowned. “That makes no sense.”

Nathaniel nodded thoughtfully. “I fear she has you there.”

Benedict gave him a look.

Nathaniel reached for another biscuit. “I am merely an impartial observer.”

“You have never been impartial in your life.”

“An impartial observer with excellent instincts.”

Marjorie returned her attention to Benedict. “Did you?”

“Did I what?”

“Say sorry.”

Benedict pinched the bridge of his nose. “For what?”

Marjorie’s expression became incredulous. Nathaniel looked away suspiciously quickly. Even Amelia seemed troubled.

Benedict lowered his hand. “Apparently there is a specific offense of which I have not been informed.”

Marjorie stared at him. “You made her sad.” The words landed without ceremony. Children rarely troubled themselves with decoration when the truth would do.

Benedict’s chest tightened. “How do you know that?”

“She was sad before she left.”

Amelia nodded quietly. “She tried not to show it.”