His dark gaze flickered over her with suspicion. “Why are you wearing your habit?”

“Because I plan to go for a lovely jaunt around the park.” She glanced at Greyley, who stood watching her with a faint smile. “I will need a mount.”

“I already had one in mind—a bay with an even gait. I think you’ll enjoy her.”

“So long as she has some spirit, I’m sure she’ll do nicely.”

“Governesses don’t go for rides,” the boy said with a superior smirk. “Grooms go for rides.”

“I’m not your ordinary governess.”

That did not appear to please the boy at all. He scowled. “How are you any different?”

“For one thing, I plan on spending time with you. A lot.” she said briskly.

His frown deepened. “Doing what?”

“Reading, playing, eating…almost everything.”

“Everything? All day?”

“Oh yes,” she said cheerfully. “From the time you awaken, to the time you fall asleep, I will be there.” Most governesses jealously guarded their free time, but Anna had learned to use every moment. After all, the more immersed she was in the lives of her charges, the more influence she had. Once things were better established, she would have no compunction in turning them over to other servants or a groom. But for now, they were her primary concern. “I daresay you are going to get quite tired of me before the day’s out.”

The boy’s jaw tightened. “Bloody hell.”

“Desford,” Greyley growled.

“Master Desford, is it?” Anna said. “How nice to meet you.”

He stared back, resentment in his gaze, making no move to take the hand she held out.

That’s the way he wishes to play this, eh? She dropped her hand back to her side. “I can see that one of the things we will have to work on are your manners.”

He smirked. “I have manners. I just don’t find them necessary in my cousin’s house.”

Greyley’s brow lowered. “Desford, I’m going to—”

“My lord,” Anna said, “please don’t protest on my account. I find challenges stimulating.” She met Desford’s gaze with a direct one of her own. “In fact, the more challenging the position, the better I like it. It is the other positions, where the children are perfectly behaved, that I deplore.”

“Why’s that?” Desford asked, clearly unhappy with what he was hearing.

“Boredom,” she said airily. “I left one job three months early because I was bored to tears. I simply couldn’t stand such perfect children.”

He tried to hide it, but Anna could see that she had nonplussed him. It wouldn’t last, of course, but she’d given him something to think about which was quite enough for the first meeting. She came to the next child in line. “Who might you be?”

The girl began to dip a curtsy, then caught Desford’s gaze and stopped, flushing.

Greyley sighed. “This is Miss Elizabeth Elliot.”

Anna examined Elizabeth. Though shorter than Desford, Elizabeth outweighed her brother by a good stone. Plump and red cheeked, she had the air of a country maid. But Anna noted that the child’s hair was brushed and braided, a bright red ribbon threaded through the whole in an inexpert manner. “How lovely,” Anna murmured, touching the ribbon. “I do so like to curl hair.”