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His eyes flicked to her chest briefly, then back up to her face. “I would call it discernment.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of their conversation. “It is overconfident to think you are capable of discerning the truth at all times.”

“It is, but if I have memorized one’s tells, it would be easy to.”

“And have you memorized mine?”

“I do not know you well enough to have an opinion,” he answered, throwing her words back at her.

She laughed again, shaking her head.

Incorrigible man.

“Have you seen me lie, then?”

He seemed thoughtful, then nodded.

“When?” she asked. “I never lie.”

“But you just did.”

“I didn’t.”

“Do you speak the complete truth at all times?”

“I do.”

“You’re human. We’re basically a bag of lies waiting to be harnessed.”

“That is a very grim perspective.”

“It’s being realistic.”

She threw her hands up in mock surrender. “I concede this argument,” she told him. “There is no winning with you.”

They fell silent, but the atmosphere was light, and Louisa thought that she could grow to enjoy their marriage if he remained this cordial with her.

“How do you feel about pudding?” he asked suddenly.

Louisa raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in his mood and wondered if truly he was grumpy because they hadn’tsharedtheir meal.

“Excuse me?”

“You said we would share a meal, and I intend to do so.”

“How?”

He didn’t answer but looked smug as Mrs. Owens walked in right then with a plate and set down it between the two of them.

“Pudding,” Louisa stated.

“Indeed.”

“I love pudding,” she said, humoring him.

Percival dipped his spoon into the dish and took a bite, letting it linger in his mouth a bit longer than was appropriate, his eyes shining with mischief. He was watching to see if she would balk or rise to his dare.

She gave him a smirk of her own, dipped her spoon into the dish, and took a delicate bite. He gave her a wolfish grin, but the challenge was gone from his eyes.