Anna whirled to see Lady Putney standing just inside the library. Oh no. How long has she been there?

Lady Putney’s gaze narrowed on Anna, seeming to take in her flushed checks. “I can see that I’m interrupting something.”

“Nonsense,” Anthony said shortly.

Anna managed a brittle smile. “Lady Putney, how nice to see you. Have you come from the nursery?”

“Yes, which you would know if you had been where you belonged,” the old woman said coldly.

Anthony frowned at Lady Putney. “That’s enough of that. I’m glad you’ve come.”

She raised her thin brows, suspicion on her face. “Why?”

“A girl named Lily has been serving as your lady’s maid.”

The change of topic unnerved Lady Putney, for she blinked. “Lily? She is a clumsy child, but with a little instruction, I daresay she’ll do.”

“Her clumsiness is about to become someone else’s concern,” Greyley said without any show of emotion. “She has shown herself to be adept at working with the children so I am assigning Lily to Miss Thraxton. You will find another maid.”

Anna winced. Why did Greyley have to be so preemptory in his speaking? He barked orders as if he were the general of a very uncooperative army.

Lady Putney’s jaw tightened. “I just got that stupid girl where she could do my hair with some talent!”

“What a pity,” Greyley said. “Lily is going to the nursery and that is that.”

Anna rubbed her forehead. Sweet heavens, but the man is insufferable. Greyley stormed his way through life, stepping on toes and tromping on other people’s pride without the slightest regard. She said smoothly, “Lady Putney, Lily will come to the nursery only if you don’t mind.”

Greyley waved his hand. “Lady Putney will not be discomfited. I will send to London for a suitable replacement. Someone more practiced in being a lady’s maid.”

Anna could see the elder woman grappling with the decision. Since it was obvious that Anna wished for Lily’s assistance, Lady Putney did not wish to relinquish her claim. But if she did not, she would lose Greyley’s generous offer of a London-trained maid.

“Perhaps I should simply find another servant,” Anna interjected, keeping a narrow watch on Lady Putney. “I’m sure there are a dozen or more who would do.”

Anthony turned to Anna. She met his glance with a meaningful stare.

After a moment, he smiled, then said, “I’m sure you are right, Miss Thraxton. There are probably two dozen persons capable of dealing with the children in the nursery. And I’m sure that Lily is a more than proficient lady’s maid for Lady Putney. Besides, I’m not sure what it would cost me to procure the services of a London trained maid, but I’m certain it would be outrageous and—”

“Wait,” Lady Putney said, her mouth pinched. “Surely you would not count pennies when talking about my comfort. I will tell Dalmapple to see to the hiring of a maid from London as soon as possible.” She turned a bitter glare at Anna. “As for Lily, Miss Thraxton is welcome to her. She has clumsy hands and has pulled my hair I know not how many times during the past sennight. I am forever boxing her ears for her lack of attention.”