Suzanne said, “After listening to all this, I’m ready to sign up our son if Simon and I ever have one!”

Lady Agnes chuckled as she stood. “If you have that son, let me know.”

The guests left and Christopher was restless. Kendra said, “Lucas, after I find Kit something to read, will you be available to talk about the school?”

“Of course. I’ll be here in the sitting room looking over some papers.”

She nodded and escorted her son up to their attic room. Once there, she said, “I think the Westerfield Academy sounds perfect for you, and we’ll travel down to see it within the next week. I want you to like it and I think you will.”

“It sounded like a good place,” Christopher said as he settled in a comfortable armchair and opened a favorite book that she’d found in the library. “But I’d rather be with you!”

Kendra sighed and pulled another chair up beside him. Deciding on directness, she said, “I’m afraid that isn’t possible, Kit. I don’t think it’s safe for you in London because the law says you can’t stay with me. I will leave you at the school when I take you there.”

“Are you sure I can’t stay with you?” he pleaded.

She shook her head. “If you did, you wouldn’t be able to go outside in case you were seen and the news got back to your father. You’d hate being inside all the time, wouldn’t you?”

He nodded glumly.

“At the academy you’ll be out and able to ride and play games,” she said coaxingly. “If after two months or so you really hate the place, well, we’ll talk about it then and find a better solution. But please accept that the Westerfield Academy will be your future home for a while.”

Christopher nodded, looking resigned and older than his years. “Yes, Mama. I’ll do my best to like it.” He looked down at the book again.

“Thank you.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He was turning the pages with interest by the time she reached the door.

Now to talk to Lucas about a potential pony-napping.

* * *

Lucas was frowning over a page of numbers when Kendra entered the drawing room. He looked up with a smile. “Were you able to find something to engage Christopher’s interest?”

She nodded. “I told him that he has no choice about attending the Westerfield Academy because it isn’t safe for him in London. I think the idea of having a pony persuaded him. I need to see about retrieving Patches from Denshire Park.”

“Kirkland will have a suitable agent, or if Simon can spare him, his man Jackson might want to go. Like Simon, Jackson is a former soldier and he enjoys getting out and about occasionally.”