"... you... have thoroughly defied my every expectation."

It's honest. Maybe even rude, but in a way that's meant to pay him a high compliment. She doesn't seem the least bit ill at ease; lessons have been drilled into her, as she's claimed, and this is child's play compared to some of the other ones. Like setting a table, or addressing someone with the right title. Not just going through the motions, of course, but having them down as naturally as walking.

"But where did you learn to do this?" It's not provoking this time. It's completely sincere. "It's not something we ever taught any of our tradesmen."