Page 43 of A Duchess for his Family

“How generous.”

“We will begin tomorrow.”

Her smile vanished. “Tomorrow?”

“At Rivermere. After luncheon.”

“You have already decided the hour?”

“Naturally.”

“And the number of lessons?”

“As many as are required.”

Sophia narrowed her eyes. “You mean until I surrender.”

“Until you improve.”

She looked at him for a long moment, plainly searching for some means of escape. Benedict waited.

At last, Sophia sighed. “One lesson.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“Four.”

“That is not how bargaining works.”

“It appears to be working very well for me.”

Her eyes flashed. “Two lessons, Your Grace.”

“Three, Miss Norton.”

She held his gaze.

“Two,” she repeated, “and you are forbidden from criticizing my feet.”

“I cannot agree to that without first observing them.”

Color rose into her face. Benedict realized the words only after he had spoken them. The air between them altered again.

Sophia looked away. “Three lessons,” she said quickly.

A slow satisfaction moved through him. “Agreed.”

“You are insufferable.”

“So I have been informed.”

From within the ballroom, the musicians began another set. Benedict offered his arm.

Sophia looked at it with suspicion. “Are you intending to examine my dancing now?”

“I am intending to escort you inside.”