Anna glanced in the direction the child was staring. Stalking across the lawn was Greyley himself, broad shouldered and moving with a lethal, deadly intent. Judging by the dark cast of his expression, something was seriously amiss.

Elizabeth’s voice trailed into silence, and all the children shifted uncomfortably as the earl came to a stop at the edge of the blanket.

Then Anna noticed his slippers. She had to bite her lip before she could speak. “I see that you’re still wearing your slippers. Did you forget your shoes?”

“No,” he said in a voice straining to find patience. “I have not forgotten anything. My shoes are missing.”

“All of them?”

“Every damned one.”

Anna clamped her hands over Selena’s tender ears. “Please don’t use such words in front of the children.”

Desford snorted. “Why the hell not?”

“Desford!” Anna said, sending him a frown. “You may forget you are a gentleman when in the presence of your guardian, but not in front of your sisters, if you please.”

He reddened. “Very well. But only if he’ll do the same.” He jerked his thumb toward Greyley.

Anna raised her brows. The earl sent her a withering glare, but she did not waver.

His mouth grew white at the corners, as if it took all of his self-control to keep from saying what he really thought. Finally he took a long, slow breath, then flicked a glance at Desford. “It’s a bargain. I’ll refrain if you will refrain.”

Desford blinked. “You will?”

Greyley held out his hand. Desford looked from his guardian’s face to the hand stretched before him. Anna held her breath, wondering if Greyley realized how important this moment was.

When Desford didn’t move, Anna said softly, “It is only fair for the other children, Desford. They should not be subjected to such language.”

After a long silence, Desford took Greyley’s hand and managed a manful shake. “Done. I’ll watch my language and so will you.”

Greyley’s expression softened slightly. “Done.”

Anna had to give the earl credit. Before last week, he would have blasted them all with a spate of ill temper designed to cow them into obedience. But today he had met Desford on his own terms and they had both walked away the better for it. What was even more amazing was the fact that Greyley, even standing in silly-looking slippers in his own front lawn, his pride a tiny bit tattered, still managed to appear the prince.

Yes indeed, the earl was coming along quite nicely.

Greyley flexed his shoulders as if to rid them of a troublesome knot. “Now, Desford, where are my shoes?”

The boy shrugged. “I don’t know. I voted against the idea.”

“You voted?”

“We always vote,” Marian said. “Robin’s merry men did it.”

“Desford says we’re a democracy, like the colonies,” Elizabeth added.

Greyley’s mouth had dropped open. He closed it and then swallowed. “Sweet Jesus, you voted to steal my shoes.”

“Oh no,” Elizabeth said with an earnest expression. “No one said anything about stealing. They are your shoes, no matter what.”