Anna took the feathers from Grandpapa and laid them back on the table. “Rupert has been nothing but a gentleman.”

“Just remember who his mother is. I don’t trust that harpy and neither should you.”

“I don’t trust anyone at Greyley House.”

“Not even the earl?”

“Especially not the earl.”

Grandpapa’s gaze sharpened. “Did something happen?”

“Of course not,” Anna said stiffly. Unwilling to pursue the conversation further, she turned away and scolded Selena, who was using one of the feather quills to poke Richard in the behind every time he bent over to tie his shoes.

Sir Phineas wisely let the topic drop, though he watched the play of emotions on his granddaughter’s face with interest. He picked up the feathers once again, then waited until Marian looked elsewhere before he tickled her ear with the feather.

While she giggled, he said to Anna, “You know, my dear, I’ve been watching. I know more than you think.”

Her cheeks flared. “Good God, I hope not,” she muttered.

“What’s that?”

“Nothing,” she said hastily, taking the feather from his hand and replacing it on the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m off for my morning ride.”

Sir Phineas waved her on. “Have a lovely time, dear. I think I’ll stay here with the children.”

She bade the children to mind Lily before sweeping out the door. As soon as she was gone, Sir Phineas reached over and pulled Selena into his lap. She nestled there, snuggling against him contentedly, chattering about her part in the upcoming play.

Sir Phineas listened with half an ear, nodding when necessary and smiling at Selena’s animated expression. It appeared as if Anna and her earl were not yet out of the woods.

It was a pity his granddaughter was born with such a stubborn disposition. He was wondering from which of his wife’s many relatives Anna could have inherited that unfortunate tendency when a crumpled bit of paper on the floor caught his eye. Shifting Selena to one leg, he used his cane to pull the paper closer, then bent and retrieved it.

Silently he perused the sheet. It was much crossed through and overwritten so it took him a moment to realize what he was reading. When he did, a slow smile tugged at his mouth.

“What is it?” Selena asked, staring at the letters with an uncomprehending gaze.

“A part of your play, but somehow I don’t remember this scene.”

Selena took the paper, beaming. “This must be the secret scene.”

“The what?”

She glanced at the other children, but they were all busy with their costumes and no one seemed to have heard a thing. She leaned closer. “We have a secret scene, but Desford says we mustn’t tell or it won’t be secret.”

“I see,” Sir Phineas said. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear. “If it’s a secret, then you need not say another word.”

She nodded wisely, then folded the paper in half and stuffed it into the pocket of her dress. It didn’t fit, but her attention was already on the feather that lay on the table and the page soon fluttered back to the floor.