There was such a strain to her voice that Anna impulsively hugged her. “There, I’m sure Greyley would be more than happy with only one child.” Anna suddenly felt sorry for Charlotte. She seemed to genuinely fear Greyley and no matter how silly that was, it could not be comfortable for her.

Charlotte managed a shy smile. “It’s nice to have someone to talk to. I hope you will visit often?” There was such a look of entreaty in the girl’s eyes that Anna’s heart expanded.

The poor thing—all alone with no one to advise her but her mama, who sounded like quite a ninny. If Greyley wished these nuptials to prosper, then there was serious work to be done. Suddenly Anna knew what she would do. For Sara’s sake, and Greyley’s as well, she would help Charlotte become the perfect countess.

Why yes…it wouldn’t take much, really. Charlotte had a large heart, that much was certain. All Anna needed to do was help Charlotte realize her own potential. Her own strength as a woman.

The idea took hold and Anna’s heart eased. It was a simple plan and bound to help Greyley. If he thought he could be happy with a bread-and-butter miss, he was sadly mistaken. The relationship would pale within a fortnight. He needed someone stronger, someone who could stand on her own.

Anna eyed the girl thoughtfully. As shy as Charlotte seemed, there had to be some spirit in her. Someone just needed to coax it out of her. Anna decided that that someone would be she.

She took Charlotte’s hand and smiled reassuringly. “I’d love to come and visit. I daresay I’ll be riding this way several times a week. More, if I can arrange it.”

“That would be so nice! I have only Mama and Papa for company and while they are quite pleasant, I sometimes wish for someone closer to my own age.”

“I don’t know how close I am in age, but I’d be glad to visit. We can talk about all sorts of things, too. Books, poetry, household management. Greyley.”

“Perhaps you can tell me more about the house. Maybe then it won’t seem so…” The girl bit her lip, sudden tears welling in her pretty blue eyes.

Heavens, but the child was easily moved to sniffles! Stifling her impatience, Anna stood. “I suppose I should be going. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Melton.”

Charlotte stood, clutching her book in front of her. “Must you go already? I’ve enjoyed talking with you so much.”

Anna caught the title of the book as the sunlight glanced off the gilt lettering. “Ah, Shakespeare’s Henry V. Do you like it?”

“No. I don’t really understand it at all. But Mama promised Lord Greyley that she would make me read in an effort to improve my mind.” Charlotte mournfully regarded the small book. “I don’t think it’s working.”

“That’s because you have the wrong book. The least they could have done was allowed you to read Romeo and Juliet or Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Anna frowned for a moment, then grinned. “Come! I have just the book for you.” She went to where Majesty stood outside the gate and reached into the bag that was tied behind the saddle and pulled out a nicely bound book. She always took a book with her when riding with the children to while away the time whenever they stopped to rest. “Here. It’s Byron’s Childe Harold.”