She smiled. “It’s a modest gift, but sometimes useful. More useful yet will be getting Christopher out of London.”

“We can leave three days from now. That will give Lady Agnes time to finish her business in London and return to her school. With luck, it will also give Jackson time to find Christopher’s pony and bring him to the school.”

Kendra hoped fervently that the pony could be acquired. But in the meantime, she must tell Kit that his father had appeared at Thorsay House, and he must stay inside until they took him to the Westerfield Academy.

* * *

Lady Agnes’s school was as appealing as her description of it had been. Lucas, who was driving, said, “Kirkland told me that Lady Agnes inherited this house from her mother’s family. After she spent some years in world travel, she returned to England. Being restless, she decided to start a school for boys. It’s been a success since the beginning.”

“I imagine that traveling in faraway dangerous lands would be good preparation for dealing with young boys,” Kendra said, amused. “Kit, what do you think?”

“It looks nice,” he said. “Nicer than Denshire Park. Where are the stables?”

“Behind the house, I believe,” Lucas said. “There are also playing fields, and Kirkland said they recently built a new residential hall for the students. Classes are held in the main building. Lady Agnes’s private quarters and office are in the right wing.”

Lucas was driving because hiring a driver would mean one more person knowing of Christopher’s location. He turned the carriage neatly into the circular driveway in front of the great sprawling house.

When a footman appeared from the private wing, Lucas said, “I’m Foxton. Lady Agnes is expecting us today. Could you tend to my horses?”

“Of course, sir.”

After the footman took the reins, Lucas climbed from the carriage, then helped Christopher and Kendra down. At the door, a butler appeared to escort them to Lady Agnes’s office at the back of the ground floor. She looked up from her paper-covered desk when they were announced, then rose to her feet. “You made good time, I see. Christopher, we’ve talked about the school. Would you like to tour the place and see the classrooms and the residents’ hall?”

“And the stables?”

She smiled. “Definitely the stables. Also, there’s someone I’d like you to meet. Benjamin, please join us.”

A brown-haired youth of fifteen or sixteen had been reading in a corner of the office, but he put his book aside and stood. He wore a navy blue coat paired with buff-colored trousers for a uniform that was neat, comfortable, and practical. Kendra squinted at the embroidered circular patch on one pocket. Was that the image of a zebra? She smiled inwardly. It was a suitable symbol for a school of students who were a little different.

“Is this the new lad?” Benjamin asked with an easy smile.