Page 33 of A Well-Trained Lady

I lifted my chin in response to the teasing in his voice. “No. But Ruth and Sarah have done well, and I believe they deserve a respite from their labors.”

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “So, you are not to join us?”

“It was suggested we continue our lessons there. Unless you prefer—”

“No,” Augustus interrupted. “I want you along.”

My face flushed, but Augustus did not seem to notice as he settled onto the settee next to where I had been sitting. I glanced toward the door, uncertain if we should speak in such privacy, before tucking away my concern and resuming my seat. “If you have work to attend to, I am certain I could convince them to postpone the outing for another day.”

“No. There is always work to be done, which is precisely why we should go. Besides, I’ve already met with two of our tenant farmers this morning, and I have no other appointments scheduled for the day.”

“Ruth and Sarah will be glad to hear it.”

“How are lessons coming along?”

“Both ladies are doing very well,” I said, leaving out Ruth’s complaints of the monotonous tasks I had them performing. “Sarah seems especially keen to learn.”

“I’m glad to hear it. She appears to be warming to you.”

“Yes—despite the discomfort I inflict on others—I suppose she is.”

He quirked his head sideways. “You are not still vexed by my comment that you make others feel ill-at-ease.”

I tipped my head to reflect his own. “Should I not be?”

“No. It was more of a compliment than anything.”

“You fooled me, then.”

He shifted his body to face me more fully, his knees resting against the skirt of my dress. “You, Miss Godwin, are a caliber of woman that commands attention. You are beautiful, capable, fashionable, articulate—”

“Please, Mr. Brundage,” I interrupted. “A woman can only endure so much flattery before it becomes disingenuous, or, in your case, before it seems a desperate attempt to cover a previous folly.”

He only grinned. “Bold, intelligent—”

I shot him an unimpressed expression. “What is your point?”

“I am getting there,” he said, a laugh behind his words. “Humble?”

I straightened. “Was that one a question?”

He paused, and his tiresome smile grew. “Discerning.”

I scoffed and nudged my shoulder into him.

“Did you just shove me, Miss Godwin?”

“It was obvious I had no other option. Who knows how long it would have taken you to touch on a mere portion of my commanding qualities?” I said the last two words in a deep, haughty voice. “We may be stuck here all afternoon.” I tipped my head to one side and fluttered my lashes in a most ridiculous manner.

He chuckled and shook his head. “Humorous also, though I shall not be adding skilled impersonator to the list. You did quite an abominable job with that one. Commanding qualities,” he repeated in a mimicking tone. “It didn’t sound a thing like me.”

I smirked. “I beg to differ. Though you have still not offered me an explanation for the necessity of your list.”

He placed his arm on the back of the settee behind me. “It is these qualities that make others feel inferior in your presence. Discomfort originates from comparison, and you are a difficult one to compete with.”

“Insightful. Perhaps when I am finished educating Ruth and Sarah, I can offer you advice on giving compliments that are not so disparaging.”

He laughed. “I’m declaring you a superior woman—”