The thought made her teary-eyed. Why did this tension have to exist between her and Greyley? “I have the self-control of a pat of butter,” she muttered to herself as she sat in the nursery, working with the children on their Latin.

“What’s that, miss?” Mrs. Stibbons asked. She was sitting in one corner of the room, assisting Lily in hemming a cape for Richard’s part in the play.

“Nothing,” Anna said, returning to her work, her face red.

Selena leaned toward Mrs. Stibbons. “She said she had the butt of a sheep herd.”

“I did not,” Anna said, casting a harried glance at the housekeeper.

“Did, too. I heard you.” Selena peered at Anna’s behind, her brow crinkled in thought. “It’s not that big.”

Anna narrowed her gaze. “That’s enough from you.”

Selena grinned and returned to her work while Mrs. Stibbons chuckled. “That child is a merriment unto herself.”

“Indeed she is.” Anna caught sight of Rupert in the doorway. “Ah! Have you come to visit?”

The children immediately clamored out of their chairs and swarmed the young man.

He laughed, holding out his hands to fend them off. “Back, you little fiends!”

“Uncle Rupert!” Elizabeth cried, her cheeks red with pleasure. “Did you bring us anything?”

“You said you’d bring us candy,” Marian said eagerly.

“I want some candy, too,” Elizabeth interrupted.

Rupert laughed and held out his hand. Five sparkling candies lay in his palm. “Selena first. She’s the youngest.”

“Ohhh,” Selena said, staring at the candies with great concentration. “I like red candies.”

She started to take it, but then hesitated. “I like yellow ones, too.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Marian said, hopping up and down. “Just pick one.”

Selena acted as if she hadn’t heard her sister. She touched the orange candy with a grubby finger. “I’ve never had an orange candy before.”

“Then take the orange one,” Desford said, frowning.

“But I might not like it.” Selena’s brow cleared. “I know. I’ll take the yellow one. It’s a sunny day and this candy looks like the sun.”

“Good,” Elizabeth said, elbowing Richard aside so she could see the candies better. “Now it’s Marian’s turn to—”

“But perhaps,” Selena said thoughtfully, sucking on one of her fingers, “perhaps I should get the red one because I do have a red dress and it is my favorite.”

The children groaned while Rupert laughed. “I’ll tell you what, princess. You take the red one and I’ll bring you an orange one tomorrow.”

Sighing reluctantly, Selena took the red candy. The rest was distributed without mishap and Anna soon had everyone settled back into their seats and doing their work, the candy making them all pleasantly quiet.

She turned to Rupert. “That was very nice of you.”

He shrugged. “They are my family. Some of the few I can stand.” His gaze flickered to Anna and he smiled. “You certainly have a way with them. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them this orderly.”

“They are good children.” Better than good children—they were wonderful. Her throat grew tight and she had to clear it before she could speak. “They are creative, too. You should see the play they have planned.”