Page 26 of A Duchess for his Family

Sophia’s brows rose. “I begin to see why she climbed one in secret.”

Benedict looked ahead. “There are also no sweets between meals.”

“That is barbarous.”

“It is sensible and prevents stomach aches.”

“It prevents happiness.”

“Happiness should not depend upon sugared almonds.”

“You cannot possibly know that. You are not eight.”

“I was eight once.”

“I am increasingly uncertain of it.”

His mouth twitched before he could stop it. Sophia saw, and her own eyes brightened with triumph. The sight was dangerous. A lady ought not look so pleased with herself in the middle of scolding him. A gentleman ought not wish to provoke it again.

He cleared his throat. “No animals indoors. No dogs in the schoolroom, no kittens in the nursery, no injured birds in the linen cupboard, and absolutely no frogs in the breakfast parlor.”

“That last one sounds very specific.”

“It was.”

“Marjorie?”

“And Amelia, though under protest.”

Sophia’s lips pressed together. “I am sorry. I am imagining it.”

“I advise against it.”

“I am imagining you discovering a frog beside your toast.”

“It was beneath the butter dish.”

She laughed then, and Benedict felt the sound move through him in a most unreasonable fashion.

The next instant she seemed to remember she was meant to be disapproving. “Still, no animals indoors seems severe. Children like creatures.”

“Creatures make mess.”

“So do children.”

“Children may be reasoned with.”

Sophia gave him a look of such disbelief that several nearby ladies might have mistaken it for flirtation.

“Very well,” he amended. “Children may occasionally be reasoned with.”

“And the other rules?”

He hesitated, though he did not know why. “There is a shallow stream beyond the south meadow. The bank becomes slippery after rain. The girls are not permitted to cross it.”

“Are they permitted to approach it?”

“No.”