Anna decided it would be very satisfying to box Lady Putney’s ears, but only if she could use a boat oar to do so. She managed a credible smile. “Lady Putney, you are too kind to allow the children to have your maid.”

That seemed to mollify the woman, for her face softened slightly. “Yes, well, anything for the children. They are my only joy.” She sent a bitter glare at Greyley. “That is the reason I came looking for you. The children have not been to Chawley House in some time. I would like to take them for a visit.”

“Chawley House?” Anna asked.

“Lady Putney’s home in Somerset,” Anthony said grimly. He glanced at Lady Putney from beneath his brows. “We have spoken of this before, and we agreed that the children would stay here for at least a year.”

“I only wish to take them for a week or so. They would benefit from it, especially poor Desford. He is wilting away in this moldy pile.”

“Greyley House is not a ‘moldy pile.’”

Lady Putney shuddered. “This house is a mausoleum.”

“Then leave,” Greyley said, reaching out to pull the bell rope. “I’ll order a carriage.”

Lady Putney seemed to realize she’d gone too far, for she tittered nervously. “I cannot leave while the children are here.”

“Yes, you can.” But he removed his hand from the bell pull. “And it is time you realized that.”

The tension in the room was so taut that Anna cleared her throat. “Lady Putney, perhaps you would like to go to the nursery with me now, to visit the children.” It seemed imperative to get the interfering woman out of the room before Greyley burst into flames.

Lady Putney’s face tightened. “Miss Thraxton, it is not your place to tell me what to do.”

“She didn’t tell you to do anything,” Greyley replied. “She asked you. And much more nicely than I would have.”

Lady Putney looked from Anna to the earl and back, dawning disgust on her face. “Well! I see how things are.”

“I doubt it,” Greyley said. “But that is nothing new.”

“I don’t have to listen to this,” Lady Putney replied. She turned to Anna. “Miss Thraxton, I hope you enjoy the services of my maid. I’m sure you’ve earned it.” Sniffing rudely, she turned and left, slamming the door behind her.

Anna whirled to face Greyley. “Must you be so offensive?”

“You don’t know the half of what that woman has done.”

“It doesn’t matter. Setting up her back will do no good at all.”

“Listen, Thraxton, I don’t need anyone telling me how to act.”

“I beg to differ. Your manners are harsh and unfair. Worse, you allowed Lady Putney to think that we were—” Her anger threatened to boil over. “Lord Greyley, our involvement is at an end.” She turned toward the door.

He stepped forward as if to stop her, but Anna was too quick. She made sure she slammed the door behind her, the sound echoing in the hallway.