Page 50 of A Duchess for his Family

“We have not yet completed the lesson.”

“We have been here for hours.”

“And still you question every instruction.”

“Because every instruction requires questioning.”

Nathaniel lifted one brow. “My wager remains unchanged.”

The twins leaned forward eagerly. Benedict held Sophia’s gaze. She lifted her chin. Neither moved.

“You are supposed to begin,” she said.

“You objected to my pace.”

“I objected to your impatience.”

“I am not impatient.”

“Your jaw suggests otherwise.”

“My jaw does not suggest anything.”

“Now you are arguing with your own face.”

Nathaniel bent forward, laughing helplessly.

Marjorie pointed. “He is nearly losing.”

“I am not losing anything.”

“Except the lesson,” Sophia murmured.

Benedict’s eyes narrowed. Her smile deepened.

He began the count again. “One.”

Her fingers tightened in his.

“Two.”

“You are too fast.”

“Three.”

“You skipped nothing, but somehow it felt insulting.”

Behind them, Nathaniel laughed. The girls began whispering over the wager. Benedict guided Sophia through the turn. She completed it perfectly, of course, and emerged facing him with triumph shining in her eyes.

“There,” she said. “No correction required.”

“You raised your shoulder.”

“I breathed.”

“Excessively.”

Nathaniel struck his knee with one hand. “That may be the finest criticism yet.”