A carriage was waiting at Melbourne Station and, after Maggie and the two boys were settled inside, Mr. Kirk took the seat across from them. His shrewd emerald eyes swept over Maggie’s dress once and flashed with some singular annoyance, but he seemed determined to be pleasant.

As the carriage rolled over paved streets, Mr. Kirk pointed out this building and that, the most impressive, by far, being Government House. It was truly a palace, with many windows and more archways than Maggie could count, along with a high, square tower that seemed to touch the sky.

Jeremy and Tad were unimpressed, having been to Melbourne before, but Maggie could barely contain her eagerness to explore the city, particularly the manicured grounds and gardens of Government House.

“As my hostess,” Mr. Kirk said pointedly as the grand structure disappeared behind the carriage, “you’ll be presented to the governor on a number of occasions. It’s proper to address him as ’Your Lordship.’”

Maggie was painfully conscious of the simple cotton dress she wore; now she understood why Mr. Kirk had instructed her to buy evening dresses. She flushed and lowered her eyes, unable, for the moment, to speak.

Mr. Kirk laughed softly. “I’ve made another list,” he said, extending a folded paper to Maggie. “This time, will you please do as I ask and buy the proper clothing?”

Maggie took the paper and shyly raised her eyes to Mr. Kirk’s handsome, freshly shaven face. She nodded.

“Excellent. As soon as we’ve reached the house and the boys are settled, I would like to speak with you privately, Miss Chamberlin. In my study.”

Maggie felt a tremor of alarm, though she managed to keep her sleepy smile firmly in place and her chin up. Now she was going to get a lecture about the Parramatta episode; she only hoped that, unlike Mrs. Lavendar, Mr. Kirk hadn’t divined the truth of it all.

Soon enough the carriage came to a lurching stop in front of a house as every bit as splendid as the Kirk residence in Sydney. Maggie drew in her breath at the sight of its glistening white walls, showy gardens, and shimmering windows.

Mr. Kirk left the carriage first, followed immediately by his two boisterous sons, who ran whooping and hollering through the open gate and up the wide flagstone walk. Maggie could see that she was going to have to work with the children’s manners as well as their sums and spelling.

Her employer took her hand in a grip so tight that it was almost painful as she moved to alight, and his gaze, companionable only moments before, seared her. “My study,” he said in a quiet voice. “Fifteen minutes.”

Maggie swallowed a “yes, sir” and nodded her head. “I’ll be there,” she answered, and her legs seemed a bit unsteady as she stepped down to the ground.