Normally, Anna would have been in more agreement with the earl on the need for a routine in the nursery. But for some reason she felt that the Elliot children needed something more than a routine—they needed warmth and sunshine and life. It was as if they were frozen, unable to be children. And she had a strong suspicion that much of the damage had occurred when their parents were alive.

In a way, that was a relief, for it meant that there was a chance that Greyley could find a way into the children’s affections if he desired. It had surprised her to realize that the earl held the children in some affection already, though he denied it by calling them “devil’s spawn” at every available opportunity.

She glanced beneath her lashes at the silent Richard, who sat on the very edge of the huge blanket, staring intently at Elizabeth as she read. It was amazing, really, the way he watched her form each sound, almost as if he were attempting to memorize them. Anna watched him for a while, satisfied that he was engaged with the story.

Elizabeth turned the page, her brow furrowed as she attempted to figure out some of the larger words, her childish lisp comforting. When she came to a word she couldn’t decipher, she would glance at Anna. But Anna patiently waited for her to sound it out.

Selena and Marian hung anxiously on Elizabeth’s every word while Desford sat staring out across the fields. To a casual observer he didn’t appear to be listening, but Anna noticed the flicker of impatience that crossed his face every time Elizabeth’s reading skill stumbled to a halt.

Anna stretched her legs to one side, keeping her skirts about her ankles. The sun warmed her shoulders, and she wished she had a morning dress made of lilac muslin. Or perhaps a lovely mint color, one that would bring out just a hint of green in her eyes. She sighed. She so loved pretty clothing. As soon as she received her payment, she’d—

A small, warm hand settled into Anna’s, and she smiled down at Selena as the child climbed into her lap. Though Desford scowled at the action, Anna settled her chin in Selena’s soft curls, and they sat comfortably as Elizabeth continued with the story. As peaceful as the scene about her was, Anna knew better than to trust it.

More than once this morning, she had caught Desford whispering to the others. They had immediately stepped apart when they noticed Anna watching. She rubbed her cheek against Selena’s tumbled curls and thought about simply asking the small sprite what was afoot, but she abandoned the idea as soon as she thought it—she wouldn’t set the children against one another. It would destroy what little peace of mind they had.

Selena squirmed around to a more comfortable position, her chubby cheek resting against Anna’s arm. She remained there all of two seconds before she sat upright, her gaze fixed across the lawn toward Greyley House.