Page 26 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
“That’s so silly,” Tilly grumbled, struggling with her hold on the spoon.
“Well, you are a duke’s daughter now, and you will be expected to behave accordingly,” Edith replied.
“Must I, really?” Tilly pouted.
“You think I enjoy these rules?” Edith chuckled, before taking a delicate sip of soup.
“If you don’t, why are you so good at it?” Tilly asked with a frown.
“Because I was a good little girl who listened to her caretakers and governess.” Edith grinned.
Tilly nodded slowly and looked at her spoon again. She did her best to eat from the side of the spoon and not dribble soup. Edith had to occasionally reach over with a napkin to help with the spills.
It took longer than anyone would have preferred, but Tilly eventually finished.
“That was more work than anyone should have to do for soup,” she groaned. “Please tell me there are not many more rules and things to learn?”
“It would not be proper for me to lie to you,” Edith said, trying not to smile.
Tilly let out another groan and lowered her forehead onto the table.
“I can help you learn some of the other rules in a more fun way,” Edith offered.
“There is no fun way to learn rules,” Tilly mumbled into the table.
“If you insist,” Edith said.
She waited a moment, then opened the small porcelain jar on the table. She took out a yellow sphere and ate it quietly.
Tilly looked up, curious, then her eyes widened.
“What are those?” she asked.
Edith swallowed quickly. “Lemon drop,” she answered. “Your governess brought them, but as you are not interested in learning rules, I did not think you would want one.”
“What?” Tilly gasped, sitting up. “Can I have one?”
“Oh, these are only for good girls who want to learn rules,” Edith said, reaching for another lemon drop.
Tilly whimpered as she watched Edith put the sweet in her mouth. Edith drew out the moment, making soft noises of enjoyment.
“They are quite sweet.” She chuckled. “A little sour… and very moreish.”
Tilly squirmed, watching. She glanced at the jar, then at Edith. Her little hands gripped the edge of the table.
Edith smiled as she swallowed the candy and reached for another.
“Fine! I will learn the rules!” Tilly conceded. “Can I have one?”
“First rule you must learn,” Edith quipped, holding up the sweet. “When you ask for something, you say please. When you receive it, you say thank you. So, what do you say?”
“Can I have one… please?” Tilly asked, her eyes locked on the yellow candy in Edith’s fingers.
Edith smiled and handed it to her.
“Thank you!” Tilly gasped, popping the sweet in her mouth. She giggled and sucked it happily.
“I see someone has a sweet tooth,” Edith noted.
