Page 155 of A Duchess for his Family

From the drawing room came a burst of laughter followed by Marjorie shouting. “That was not the clue!”

Sophia laughed. “It is difficult not to.”

Benedict looked toward the closed doors. “Rivermere never sounded like that before you. This place finally feels like home.”

For a heartbeat, she said nothing. Then her fingers tightened around his. “It feels like home to me, too.”

The words settled somewhere deep inside him. Even now, after months of waking beside her, arguing with her, laughing with her, discovering that she stole blankets and left books in impossible places, Benedict occasionally felt startled by happiness.

He no longer mistrusted it. That might have been the greatest change of all.

He lifted her hand to his lips. Sophia stepped closer.

“You are becoming sentimental.”

“Do not repeat that.”

“To whom?”

“Anyone.”

“Nathaniel already suspects.”

Benedict frowned. “Nathaniel suspects everything.”

She chuckled. “And usually announces it.”

He rolled his eyes. “A grave character defect.”

Sophia smiled. Benedict touched her cheek, then kissed her. It was meant to be brief. Most kisses involving Sophia began with sensible intentions. Experience had taught him how rarely they remained so.

Her hand rested against his chest. His moved to her waist, drawing her nearer. Sophia laughed softly against his mouth.

Then a voice spoke behind them. “I knew it.”

They separated. Nathaniel stood at the end of the corridor with both arms folded. Sophia blushed. Benedict did not remove his hand from her waist.

Nathaniel shook his head. “I have been sent to retrieve you.”

“By whom?”

“Two very determined little girls who are presently organizing charades.”

Sophia smiled. Nathaniel pointed toward the drawing room.

“They are ready to play, and apparently neither of you is permitted to escape.”

“I did not agree to play,” Benedict reminded him.

“Yes, but Marjorie has assigned you a team.”

“That does not constitute consent.”

“Marriage has made you optimistic if you believe consent has any bearing upon games organized by your nieces.”

Sophia laughed. Nathaniel looked between them. His gaze lingered for one second upon Benedict’s hand at Sophia’s waist. Then his grin became unbearable.

“I shall tell everyone you were discussing estate business.”