Page 157 of A Duchess for his Family

Benedict followed the direction of her finger toward Marjorie. “No.”

Eveline considered the answer. Her small brows drew together. Sophia recognized the expression instantly. So did Benedict.

“Oh dear,” Amelia murmured.

“What?”

“She has Marjorie’s face.”

“I do not have a face,” Marjorie called from the branch. “I have an expression.”

“That is considerably worse,” Benedict sighed.

“I think she should come up.”

“No.”

“I shall hold her.”

“No.”

“You always say no before considering anything.”

“I have considered it.”

“When?”

“During the seven seconds in which you were speaking.”

Marjorie sighed theatrically.

Eveline pointed again. “Up.”

“No.”

Her lower lip appeared. Benedict’s resolve visibly weakened. Sophia knew that look, too.

She approached them. “Is there a crisis?”

Benedict turned. His face changed the moment he saw her. Three years of marriage had not altered that. There remained something in the way Benedict looked at her that made Sophia feel, even now, as though she had entered a room he had been waiting in.

“Your daughter wishes to climb the tree.”

“Our daughter.”

“At present, I am reconsidering the arrangement.”

Sophia laughed.

Eveline saw her and immediately reached out both hands. “Mama.”

Benedict carefully lifted her from his shoulders and passed her into Sophia’s arms. Sophia kissed the warm little cheek.

“You wish to climb?”

“Yes.” The answer was triumphantly clear.

Benedict frowned. “She cannot climb.”