“Hurray!” he yelled, as if speaking English was a treat.

Nounou, a cranky old woman who had come to England with a family of refugees who had not been able to continue paying her, had no patience for the language of the country that gave her asylum. She snorted and rolled her eyes at Serena’s dictum, clearly determined to continue on in any manner she chose.

The carriage rumbled smoothly over cobblestones and Serena looked up to see they had arrived. To her surprise, a long row of servants stood waiting. And, she squinted through the gloom, there was Jessup at the head of them.

“What is he doing here?” Nounou demanded, her eyes fastened to the butler as the carriage came to a halt.

“In English, Nounou. He works for Mr. Lockheart now.” She cut her willful, surly servant a sly smile. “I’m sure you will enjoy becoming reacquainted with him.” She couldn’t help the gentle teasing. Jessup and Nounou had been at loggerheads since the first time they’d met years ago, at Keeting Hall. Serena thought they behaved like lovers. Well, now they would get to spend months in the same house together and be something to entertain her of an evening.

“Gather your things, Oliver,” Serena said as the carriage shifted, indicating the groom had disembarked. The coach was the same massive, luxurious thing Mr. Lockheart had sent her home in three weeks earlier. Serena worried she was now spoiled for any other kind of vehicle.

Jessup stood outside the door, waiting. “Welcome back, Mrs. Lombard, and Master Oliver, I have not seen you since you were just a—” He stopped, his face turning to stone. “Ah, you are still in England, Madame Petit.”

“And so are you, Monsieur Jessup.” Nounou’s posture was regal as she allowed the handsome footman to assist her from the carriage. The two older servants surveyed each other like cats with twitching tails before Jessup turned to the line of waiting people and began to make introductions.

Once Jessup had led her down the long line of servants and Serena had greeted each of them, aware she would forget half the names already, he turned to her. “I’ve taken the liberty of having the schoolroom equipped and two rooms made ready. Would you care to see them before I show you to your quarters, ma’am?”

Serena looked down at her son. Oliver’s eyes were heavy, no matter how excited he was. “Yes, I shall see he is situated and perhaps take a light supper with him in the schoolroom.”

Although Serena had not been to the schoolroom during her last visit it was easy enough to guess where it was located. Like the rest of the house, the rooms had been furnished and decorated. Unlike the rest of the house, somebody had done so with sense and good judgment. The furniture was all of good quality and sturdy. Oliver’s room had large windows that would let in a nice amount of light, as did the schoolroom itself.