Anna talked to Elizabeth. They chatted about dolls and hair and anything else that Anna thought Desford might not want to hear. Soon enough, he pushed his plate away and got up from the table. He called Richard and Marian with him and they resumed their whispered discussion. Anna watched him through narrowed eyes. “Tell me, Elizabeth, why isn’t Desford at Eton? Most boys his age would be there.”

“The earl wanted him to go, but Desford refused.”

“Greyley gave him the choice?”

Elizabeth nodded. “He was disappointed Desford didn’t wish to go. He didn’t say so, but you could tell.”

“Why didn’t Desford wish to go?”

“’Cause the earl is just trying to separate us. Like Grandmama said he would.”

Ah. So that was the way of things. “Perhaps the earl just wished Desford to have the same opportunities that he himself did. I believe the earl went to Eton when he was a child. He most likely believes the experience will help Desford.”

Elizabeth frowned. “Do you think so?”

“Oh yes. After all, had he really wished to separate you, he would have done so already. He doesn’t need an excuse.”

“Grandmama says he doesn’t want us together.”

“Perhaps she is wrong. Adults frequently are, you know.”

Elizabeth thought about this for a moment. Finally she turned to Anna, her blue gaze serious. “Are you ever wrong?”

“Elizabeth, no one is perfect. All we can do is our best and hope that it is enough.”

The girl bit her lip, her brow folded as she considered this.

“There you are, Elizabeth.” It was Desford. He stood just behind Anna. “Marian wants you to come and play fort with us.”

The little girl cast a quick glance at Anna, who smiled encouragingly. “Go and play.”

Elizabeth gave her a grateful smile and hopped up from her chair. Desford turned to follow her, but Anna placed her hand on his arm.

“Desford, Elizabeth was telling me about Eton. I’m surprised you didn’t wish to go.”

A shadow crossed his face, quickly replaced by his usual sullen expression. “I don’t want to go anywhere. Not without my brother and sisters.” He pulled his arm free and went to join his siblings.

Anna stayed where she was for another half hour, watching the children play. She quickly learned that while Desford was the undisputable leader, his brother and sisters were by no means submissive followers. Marian especially seemed disinclined to listen to her eldest brother, while Elizabeth questioned his every suggestion. Richard, too, managed to indicate his displeasure by shaking his head in an emphatic “no.” Still, Desford managed to win most arguments.

It began to dawn on Anna that for an eleven-year-old, Desford showed an uncommon amount of leadership to bring such a fractious group to point. She was just wondering how to deal with Desford when a shadow fell across her and she looked up to see Greyley.

Dressed in formal evening attire, he looked devastatingly handsome, a snowy white cravat knotted about his throat, his black coat stretched across his broad shoulders. “Miss Thraxton, I wish to speak with you.”