Page 69 of A Duchess for his Family

“The seed cake has deserted me as well.”

That defeated her. Sophia laughed, the sound escaping warm and helpless into the quiet room. Even Amelia’s solemnity broke, and she covered her smile with the edge of her book.

Marjorie opened one eye. “I am pleased my suffering provides amusement.”

“You are not suffering.”

“You cannot know what occurs within me.”

“I can see precisely what occurs within you. You are attempting to persuade me to order biscuits.”

Marjorie sat upright at once. “Is it working?”

Sophia tried to maintain a stern expression. It was impossible when both girls watched her so expectantly: Marjorie with open hope and Amelia attempting to appear indifferent while already closing her book.

Sophia sighed. “All right. One biscuit each.”

Marjorie sprang to her feet, miraculously restored.

“But,” Sophia continued, lifting one finger, “you must promise to eat your supper.”

“I promise.”

“You answered before I finished speaking.”

“I knew what you intended to say.”

Amelia placed her notebook neatly inside the book. “I promise, too.”

“And only one biscuit.”

“One large biscuit?” Marjorie asked.

“One ordinary biscuit.”

“What if Cook has made them unusually large?”

“Then Providence has favored you.”

The girls exchanged delighted looks. Marjorie hurried toward the bell pull, but Amelia caught her sleeve.

“We should ask properly.”

“I was going to ask properly.”

“You were running at it.”

“One may run politely.”

Sophia rang the bell before the argument could expand.

A few moments later, Lucy entered and curtsied. “Your Grace?”

Sophia still felt a small start at the title, though she had learned not to turn around in search of another woman.

“Would you ask Cook to send up a few biscuits, please?”

Lucy’s mouth twitched. “Yes, Your Grace.”